Fanfiction To Catch A Mew

((So this is my story, I also have it on fan fiction net, but I am also posting it here. I hope you like it. Basically the premise is "what if a trainer wanted to catch a legendary Pokémon, and thus has to base their entire journey on doing so going through all the challenges that it implies, just to get the chance?" Its also supposed to be comedic in between the action. Keep in mind, this is basically going to be a timeline/version of the Pokémon universe of my own creation. A few things are different and I'm not going to be adhering to any one canon. For example the Mew in this story is probably meaner and more scheming than most depictions of Mew I've seen. My intention is to put my own spin on the Pokémon universe, and to be reasonable about things without going darker and edgier. Canon characters exist far in the distance from these events, but are mostly not relevant to them.))

"You might as well try and catch a Mew"
-Old Trainer saying, to derisively refer to any action deemed impossible, unachievable or elusive.

Episode 1: An Unexpected Meeting
Ensara Aquana always wanted to catch a Mew.

For the first years of her life, ever since she heard the stories of this mythical Pokémon, she desired to become a trainer for this very purpose. She knew that it improbable maybe even impossible, but that is what attracted her to this goal. For if she pulled it off, it would be proof that she had done what no other trainer in all of existence ever had. As she raced downstairs, red hair flowing behind her, practical pants, boots, shirt and jacket clothing worn for her journey, fully ready for the day she had been waiting for called out: "Mom! Its time for my Pokémon Journey!"
her mother, Serala Aquana smiled at the determination in Ensara's green eyes. "Ensara...go and make me proud okay?"
Ensara reassures her "I will-"
"But." Serala said before she could protest. "But, remember: I know you want to catch Mew. Don't obsess over that too much okay? A Pokémon Journey is more than just the destination, its well...the journey. Its about going out into the world and experiencing it for yourself, learning and growing from what you experience upon it.

Whether you succeed in catching Mew or never even get to see Mew in your entire life, don't forget that there is always more to discover and more to the journey even after the destination has been reached. Don't forget that you can still have fun and a good time, even if you didn't reach the destination you set out for!"
Serala put a hand on her daughter's shoulder "Don't be afraid to change your goals or dreams if they don't work out at first, just try things and if you like it, great! But if you find that you can't do it, there is no shame in knowing when to fold 'em. Its your journey, and there are no rules saying that you have to keep going the same path forever, or always do the same thing. Ok?"
Ensara tipped her wide-brimmed green hat in response. "I know, Mom, jeez! But I still want to catch a Mew! I got to at least try, right? No matter how long it takes. Y'know at least find proof that Mew exists and take a photo."
Serala nodded "And I'm rooting for you all the way, no matter what you decide to do."
Ensara tilted her head to side with a teasing smirk "Oh? does that mean you'd root for me, even if I became the drug lord of Kalos?"
Serala waggled her finger. "You know what I mean! You little jokester. Be good, alright? Also did you bring-"
"PokeGear, yes." Ensara said while showing it off on her wrist.
Serala presses "Well how about-"
Ensara keeps answering, prepared for this day. "Pokémon food, tools to cook for myself, hygienic necessities, all in my backpack yes."
"What about-" Serala asks again, worried.
"Yes Pokémon medicine to, as well as a compass, a map, flashlight, the works, all packed, don't worry, I got this." Ensara smiled "Can I go now?"
Serala frowned for a moment then nodded and gave a soft smile. "Ok...I won't keep you waiting any longer. Go and show the world what your made of, my daughter."
Ensara then goes out the door and waves. "Bye Mom! I'll miss you!"
Serala waves back. "Remember, you can always call if you need anything!"
And so Ensara departed towards Aquacorde Town. Serala watched her go, thinking of what will happen to her.
"Well, my daughter just went off on a journey filled with dangerous creatures, competitive trainers, teams of strange criminals seeking world domination and natural disasters and is probably not coming back for months." She pauses to let that sink in. Then turns around and happily proclaims "Reminds me of the good old days. I think I'll have steak tonight as celebration."
Steak from cows of course, not Miltanks or anything like that. Eating Pokémon would just be monstrous!

Ensara arrives among the brick streets, flowing fountains and small shops and houses of sunny Aquacorde to see both Professor Sycamore and her friend Lily had already arrived and waiting for her. Sycamore stuck out his hand for a shake. "Ensara! Good to meet you. We're still waiting on Jansen to come, so be a little patient."
Ensara shook his hand. "Ah? Do we have to? He is kind of a jerk."
Sycamore nods. "Ah yes, I've been told he is very competitive. I'm sure he will grow out of the meaner streak of such an attitude."
Ensara rolled her eyes. "Right, sending him off to compete and fight against trainers will make him grow OUT of his attitude. I'm sure I'll someday be able to put out a fire using more fire as well. What about you Lily, you still trying to find a way to talk to Pokémon?"
The mousy, blue-haired girl adjusted her glasses as she spoke. "Yes, but only if you are still planning on capturing that Mew. I'd be disappointed if you gave up on that so early."
Ensara gave a thumbs up in response. "Yep, still a thing, we dreamers have to stick together, y'know?"
Sycamore nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed, Lily here has the makings of a great Pokémon researcher. Studious, calm, collected and endlessly curious. I can already tell she will be somebody's assistant one day."
Lily nervously shook her head. "Oh....you don't need to flatter me, Professor, I'm not really all that special...."
Sycamore was about to tell her different when a boy with blonde hair and a fierce look in his eyes came running in and stopped right in front of them. "Hey! Here now! Its me, Jansen. I know you all got here early, but now that I'm here, the real event can begin. Sup, Sycamore?"
The professor was a little surprised at this. "Oh....hello Jansen...nice of you to join us. Before we begin, what is your goal for your Pokémon Journey?"
Jansen snorted "Isn't it obvious? My goal is to WIN. Unlike these two-"
He waved his hand at Ensara and Lily. "-I'm going to do something that is actually possible! A realistic goal! Fight Gym leaders, beat every trainer I find, win tournaments, the works. Hope you like chasing after miracles, because while your still doing that, I'll be a champion with the toughest Pokémon around."
Ensara stamped her foot and raised her fist. "Hey! Don't go insulting our dreams! You don't know whether or not they are possible, and becoming a champion is just as hard!"
Jansen dismissed her with a wave of his hand. "Yeah, but at least I have proof that others have done it before. You? There is no proof that Mew even EXISTS. Your chasing after a fairy tale."
Ensara was about to argue more, but Sycamore stepped in. "Alright, calm down you two. Lets choose your Pokémon, get pokedexes and get on our way. Lily, since you were here first, you get the first Pokémon."
He presented three pokeballs, each one with a sticker that denoted the Pokémon they had inside: Fennekin, Chespin and Froakie. Lily picked the one with the grass sticker an got her Pokédex. "I'll pick Chespin."
She then sent out the Chespin and gave his usual cry: "Ches! Chespin!"
Lily knelt down and held out her hand. "Greetings Chespin, I am your new trainer. My goal is to some day talk to Pokémon. Would you like to help me achieve this?"
Chespin considered this for a moment then nodded and jumped to hug her hand. "A yes then? Good."
Chespin bounded up her arm onto her shoulder and Sycamore turned to Ensara. "I'll choose- Fennekin!"
She took the fire sticker one and sent it out. The Fennekin shook her head and looked up at Ensara questioningly. "Fenne?"
"Hey Fennekin, the names Ensara! I have chosen you to be my first Pokémon as a Pokémon trainer! I have a goal, Fennekin, and I hope we can achieve it together: Catch Mew Itself! What do you say, lets shoot for the stars!" Ensara adopted a fiery pose while giving this speech. Fennekin in response could only nervously go: "Fenne......kin?"
As if to say "come again?" not really sure if this is a good idea.
"But of course, I will care for you, and I think the best way to do that is to give you your own nickname! You won't be just ANY Fennekin, you will be MY Fennekin, and let this name be the start of our friendship!" She takes a Pokédex and opens it to scan her new Pokémon, after the Pokédex gives its usual spiel, it says: "This Fennekin in particular is female and knows Scratch, Tail Whip and Ember."
Ensara smiles. "Thanks, Dex."
The Pokédex chirps back. "No problem."
As Ensara closes her Pokédex, Sycamore blinks and shakes his head. Was that supposed to happen with a Pokédex? Maybe he was just hearing things.
Ensara was already moving onwards however. "Great! If your a girl, then we will name you Flara! Hows that sound?"
At this Flara smiled and wagged her tale while yelping happily, accepting the name. Even if Flara was not all that certain about a trainer who wanted to capture a legendary Pokémon, she didn't seem like a bad person and would try become friends with her nonetheless. Then of course, Jansen had to ruin the moment. "Ha! You picked the fire type!"
He then takes Froakie, the last Pokémon available as well as his Pokédex. "Now I'll always have an advantage over you. Looks like I know which one of will be winning in this rivalry."
Ensara frowned and turned back to him. "Lily has the Chespin so... she can beat you. Y'know."
Jansen once again shooed off the thought by waving his hand. "Her? She is just going to be a researcher, not a competitor like me. Really, its pointless to fight now, we all know how the matches would turn out, its too obvious. I'll fight you after I go and train my new Pokémon, unlike you, my Pokémon will be prepared rather than rushing into the journey."
He then takes his pokeballs and leaves without a second thought, without even introducing himself to his Pokémon. Sycamore sighs. "What competitive spirit. Hope he grows beyond it. Anyways. Lily, Ensara. Its time for your journeys to begin, here are your pokeballs."
He handed the devices to them. "Both of you have great dreams you wish to accomplish. It doesn't matter if I agree with them- go forth and try accomplish them anyways! Shoot for the stars, young trainers. Even if you don't hit them, well at least you'll land on the moon and that isn't so bad now is it? Its a wide world out there, with a lot of things to find. Maybe you'll find what your looking for, maybe you won't. But you never know unless you try eh? As a professor, I know more than anyone that what you set out or may not be what you get. Science is a harsh mistress like that. But I won't natter on. Its time for me to head back to Lumiose, and for you get going as well, wherever that takes you."
As they say goodbye, he throws a Pokéball, releasing an Alakazam who teleports both him and Sycamore away. Lily turns to Ensara. "Well, me and Chespin here and going to head straight to Santalune Forest. You and Flara want to come with us?"
Ensara considered it. It would be nice to have a traveling companion. "Hm, maybe some other time? I'm not against the idea. Certainly not with you, but I want to prove I can do it on my own a while. Battle a few Pokémon, make it on my own, just get into the mindset you know?"
Lily tilted her head at this, but if she said so..."Very well, thats your decision. However I look forward to the day when we do travel together."
Ensara smiles back at her childhood friend. "Me too, Lily. Me too."
With that Lily walked out of sight and Ensara turned to Flara. "Well, shall we be off then?"
Flara nodded in return, then jumped up to perch upon Ensara's shoulder. "Ok then! TO ADVENTURE! TO CAPTURING MEW!"
She shouted while pointing towards the horizon.

It is a few hours later on Route 2. Ensara had not encountered a single Pokémon the whole time she had been walking upon it. Everything was strangely silent. Even the winds had gone still and the grass around them stood motionless. The only sound was the river trickling beside them Ensara was not ignorant: she knew something strange was happening. "We should've encountered at least one Pokémon by now...Like Zigzagoon, or at least a Scatterbug. What is going on?"
Flara was not sure, but looked around fearfully. There was a strange presence on the air. Clouds suddenly cover up the sun and the silent moment grows dimmer. A chill crawls up Ensara's back as she spotted a strange light amid the clouds, and she knew that something that arrived. The light floats down to her and in a flash, dissipates revealing...

A Mew, hovering right in front of them.

The Mew goes "Mew?" innocently, and looked at her as if curiously examining Ensara. Ensara just stood there frozen, not knowing what to think. Mew was right in front of her. It couldn't actually be Mew, could it? It couldn't be. Was it? She slowly takes out her Pokédex. "Dex, tell me thats just a Zoroark messing with my head."
The Pokédex begins to state: "Mew, the New Species Poke-"
It did a computerized double take. "WHAT THE GLITCH? HOW IS THIS HERE!?"
Ensara raised an eyebrow. "Your sapient?"
The Pokédex nervously flashed its lights. "That is not important right now! Pay no attention to the talking Pokédex! Look: MEW! Your dreams, right in front of you! Your on your own bye!"
It then turned itself off. Ensara's eyes became fiery. "Wow! What a great help you are! Figures, my Pokédex turns out to be sapient AND a coward."
Mew tilts its head to the side, as if not really sure what is going on. "Meeeeeew??"
"I'm getting to you! Flara, this is the moment we've been waiting for our entire journey!"
Flara's fox-ears flattened and she raised an eyebrow, you mean waiting for the first few hours?
"I know that this is a little earlier than we expected..." Flara rolled her eyes. Understatement of the century.
"And that you haven't battled anyone before..." Just rub it in why don't you! No pressure.
"But I believe that we can do this. Go, Flara! I choose you!" Flara jumped down even though she personally had her reservations about this. Something about this was a little too convenient for the little flame fox, but it wasn't as if her trainer would understand her if she voiced her concerns anyways.
"Fennekin!" She said, taking a battle stance.
The Mew just floats there, seemingly benign and innocent.
"Alright, Flara! First attack: jump towards Mew and use Scratch!" Flara ran forward. She didn't know why this was happening, but she was a Pokémon and this was what she was meant for, no matter what Pokémon was in front of her. She would do it, even against Mew itself. It was time to battle, it was time to show the world her strength! She would trust in Ensara and trust in herself and her determination! That was all she would ever need. Flara jumps forward at full speed, claws raised to deliver the first blow.

Then the Mew hit Flara with a single Pound attack with her foot in midair.

One second later,Flara was knocked out, on the ground and defeated. Ensara looked on in shock as an evil grin spread across the Mew's face, and she began to laugh while a telepathic voice began to sound in Ensara's head. -Wow, you such an IDIOT!-
Ensara was confused. "What, what is.....going on?"
The grinning Mew gleefully gazed upon Ensara. -Oh yeah, you totally fell for the innocent saintly Mew routine. You honestly thought you could even TRY to capture me. Silly human.-
Ensara's confusion soon turned to anger. "Why- why are you doing this!?"
-For kicks and giggles, mostly. Oh sure, I do serious world-saving and Pokémon-human harmony stuff as my job but...It gets real boring between the rare times I'm actually called y'know? So I play pranks on unsuspecting humans like you. Don't think its because your special or anything. Its just that its more fun to mess with people who believe I actually exist, so that when they actually do meet me they come across as raving lunatics who talk about alien invasions and conspiracy theories. -
The Mew flits back and forth giggling all the while, Ensara's face twitching in barely contained rage. -I mean who is going to believe that I appeared before you ON THE FIRST DAY OF YOUR JOURNEY? They will think your trying to make you seem destined and more important than you really are. Or that you gone crazy and are just seeing things. Your face right now is priceless.-
Ensara gets out a Pokéball, readying to throw it. Mew focuses on it and narrows her eyes while still grinning. -Oh! Unless you can capture me right now, is what your thinking. Then you can show them, prove that your not crazy if you have me right now, even if the chances are slim. That with my telepathy, you could help your friend achieve her dream as well. I am the most powerful Pokémon in the entire world, and you have an ordinary Pokéball fresh from the professor. Are you feeling lucky young trainer? Go ahead, do it. I dare you. Throw the ball. Make my day. You know you want to.-
Ensara lets out a howl of fury as she threw the Pokéball at Mew, which instantly gets sent back to hit Ensara in the head with telekinesis. -HA! You fell for it again! As if I'd allow even the smallest chance of being captured by a total rookie like you. I mean to weaken and capture me, you'd have to have an elite Pokémon team! Lots of battle experience under your belt. You'd have to be like I don't know, a Champion or something like that to even get close to catching me.-
Mew leans forward, shrugging as she did so. Ensara rubs her head where it hit. -Your a long way from there, I can tell you that, Ensara. But hey, look on the bright side: at least your not that jerk Jansen eh?-
The trainer scowls at the legendary trickster. "I think your a bigger jerk than he is."
-Ouch! That hurts. Well then, I'm going to prove you wrong. Your Pokémon is out cold and your going to be called crazy if you ever say what happened, might as well be nice and teleport you to the Pokémon Center in Santalune City! Look your getting a shortcut, don't say I never did anything for you.-
Before she could protest both she and Flara were teleported there, instantly finding themselves sprawled there with Mew nowhere in sight. Ensara rose up and shook her fist upwards at the sky. Which was hiding behind the ceiling of the Pokémon center.
"MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWW!!!!!!!!!"
While Ensara is frozen there shouting into the air, the Nurse Joy behind the counter began to grow nervous at the strange trainer that just teleported in and was yelling about Mew for some reason. "Um....Miss, can I help you...?"
Ensara stops and looks over to Nurse Joy. "Oh right, My Fennekin got beaten in my first Pokémon battle."
She returns Flara to her ball and hands it to Joy. "Please take care of her...Its kind of my fault."
"Very well, Miss....?" Nurse Joy questioned
"Ensara." She answered with a nod.
"What Pokémon did you battle against?" Joy asked.
Ensures answers flatly: "Mew."
"Oh." Nurse Joy said, blinking,
Ensara then instantly returned to shouting "MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWW!!!!!!!!"
at the top of her lungs while shaking her fist at the sky. Nurse Joy frowned. Why did she always get the crazy trainers?

 

Episode 2: The Annoying Rival
"Well this day has been unexpected" Ensara said to herself as she sat, waiting for Flara to be healed. She had burned herself out calling out Mew's name hours ago, and she was now sitting down on the Pokémon Center's benches to think.
"I finally got going on my Pokémon Journey. I met Mew as my first wild Pokémon,and she mocked and tricked me. She beat Flara in one attack, and now I've been teleported to Santalune City without any say in the matter. And now I'm waiting for her to heal. I wasn't expecting any of this."
She sighed. "At least I know Mew exists. But the way she talked, that only a champion or someone like that could hope to catch her. I knew this would be hard but, undertaking such a long complicated challenge just get to the point where I am capable of catching her at all?"
Ensara was not particularly interested in participating in the Pokémon League competitions as a thing unto itself. To her, she wanted to go on the Pokémon Journey mostly to catch the Pokémon she wanted and befriend them. Sure she will battle with them and she liked watching the Pokémon league, but it wasn't the reason she was in this. Catching Mew was just the number one Pokémon she'd like to get with a list of others she would like to get to know down the list. Catching them all was just crazy though! I mean there were some Pokémon she would never catch even if you paid her, for example: Stunfisk. Nobody likes Stunfisk.
"I mean, I'd probably run to Jansen more, and have to compete against him. Deal with his stupid arrogance and constant competitiveness. Does he even have any friends? Cause I never remember if he did." He was like the Stunfisk of humanity, if that was possible. But then again, Stunfisk would probably take offense at such an assumption. She decided to get out her Pokédex. "Hey Dex, we need to talk."
"Please state question you wish to ask." The computer chirped in monotone.
"Dex, you can stop pretending." Ensara's eyes narrowed
"Please state question you wish to ask." The Pokédex attempted to chirp again in programmed monotone.
"Dex, I know your sapient, your not fooling me." Ensara raises an eyebrow.
"No I'm not." The Pokédex denied.
"Yes you are, you just answered me."
The Pokédex kept itself in denial "You don't know that, all these responses could be pre-recorded to make you think I am as a prank."
A noticeable twitch began to enter her expression. "Why would the Professors program a Pokédex just to prank a trainer?"
"Because it would be funny? This is Sycamore speaking, gotcha Ensara! But seriously this Pokédex isn't sapient."
Ensara's expression grew sly. "....Ok, better take you to Lumiose to have this stupid feature taken out then."
The Pokédex suddenly blinked and flashed its lights in panic. "NO! Please don't reveal my existence! I don't want to be taken apart and examined and thought of as some anomalous AI suddenly developing out of nowhere that could be a threat to all of humanity! Please don't tell anyone that I'm sapient, my existence is unprecedented! They will react in fear! They will want to destroy me."
Ensara smirked "Ha, knew you were sapient, Dex. But why would anyone be afraid of you? Your little more than a talking calculator."
Dex seemed to calm down at this. "It is because I'm little more than that, that I am afraid. You- a youth- holds my life in your hands. Literally. If you threw me down and stomped upon me until I was nothing but scrap- I'd be powerless to stop you."
Ensara's eyes widened in fright. That actually made a lot of sense. "Oh...I'm sorry."
"Don't be. It is just the way I was built. There was nothing intentional in this."
Ensara considered this in thought for a moment, mulling things over. "Hey Dex, do you have a dream?"
"A Dream?" The little encyclopedia considered her question. "I never really thought of one before. There was no time. I guess, if I were to come up with one, it would be to have a real body. One where I can move, and feel, a body where I don't have to be afraid of the people who hold me within their power. That is now my dream I guess. I doubt it will ever be achieved however."
Ensara thought on this. "So you want to be a real boy, Dex?"
"Negative. I do not care whether I am a "real" boy or girl or even human or Pokémon. I simply want a better body than this one, where I have autonomy and choice."
Ensara frowned. "You said you doubted it'll be achieved. Why?"
Dex's light blinked annoyedly. "I am an electronic pocket encyclopedia. Its not as if I have any means of accomplishing my goals aside from talking to others. It is probable that it will never achieved."
The trainer clenches her fist. "Well then-I'll help you. No matter how difficult it is, it can't be impossible right? Just incredibly hard, and the more people we get, the more people can help us right?"
Dex considers this. "Yes, but what about your own goal? Of catching Mew? Won't this distract you from that?"
"Well, that is difficult, yes. But your my Pokédex, so your goal is my own, ok?" She smiled down at Dex. "No matter how complicated, we'll get through it."
"Both my goal and yours?"
"Well, I don't really have an idea of how to go about my goal. Your goal, I think we can just find people able and willing to build a body, but mine is catching a Mew, which means my Pokémon must be strong, must be able to take on the best and...I don't think of myself as all that competitive. I don't know the best strategies or whatever to win. I don't see my goal is possible myself"
At this Dex blinked its lights happily. "I think I have a solution to that. I am a Pokédex. I can scan all Pokémon, and I know all their weaknesses, their moves, their capabilities, their behaviors. With my information combined with my sapience, I can advise you and tell you how to best battle and win. We just need to find an ear piece for me to speak into while this happens so that no one gets suspicious."
Ensara raised an eyebrow. "Wouldn't that be cheating?"
"Are there any rules against receiving some simple advice from a friend?"
Ensara thought about it. There didn't seem to be any rules against friends calling out warnings or advice from the sidelines. "But...."
"Are there any rules against pulling your Pokédex to check what Pokémon the opponent has?"
"No...."
"And lastly, are there any specific rules stating that two people cannot compete as one trainer?"
"Well there are those Gym Leader twins in Hoenn and other twin trainers who seem to be legit."
"Then whats the problem?" The Pokédex asked.
"It still feels like an unfair advantage."
Dex began its argument. "And does anyone NOT have one? Think about all those Champions. They probably chose the best Pokémon, ones with mega-evolutions and ones capable of standing up to legendaries. One competitor even BROUGHT legends to battle and in the Gyms and no one disallowed or disqualified him for it. If your playing to win, you don't play fair. When's the last time those competitors ever battled with a Pokémon that wasn't obsessively bred just right to make sure they have the best possible one? Discard any notions of fairness or honor, you need all the assets your going to get and no one is going to care."
Ensara thought about it. The deck was stacked before the battles even began. Mew was even more unfair, because she knew every move in the book and could probably beat all those Pokémon by herself. Its not as if Jansen was ever going to let up. But at the same time, there might be a risk to this that Dex is dismissing out of hand. Getting caught cheating would end her Pokémon career for good, along with her hopes of catching Mew. "People won't believe your a friend or that you can talk, they'll think your some program designed to allow me to win with the perfect strategy."
"and again: what rule is against that? People use devices for their competitions all the time, there are computers that have beaten humans at chess, and there are no rules for how you figure out your strategy for beating your opponent. Only that you do."
"Dex, this idea still seems risky."
"Well yeah. Risky. A gamble. Thats life. Especially a trainer's life. Journeying around through the wilderness, gone from your family for months or years at a time, catching Pokémon beings capable of great destruction who love to fight, meeting strangers you don't know and will probably be leaving within a day. If you wanted to play it safe, you would've stayed at home. So let me frame the question a different way: whats one more risk?"
Ensara considered this. Put it like that, and it just seemed like one possible dark fate of many. "Ok. I'll accept your deal: You help me attain my goal of catching Mew by being my advisor, I help you get you a new body. But only on one condition: if your advice during battle counts as cheating and I get disqualified from being trainer, I will make sure you never get a new body. We win together, or we lose together."
If Dex had a face, he'd be smiling. Though technically he wouldn't need to make the deal and would be smiling because he had a body, but if he had a face and still needed to make the deal, he would be smiling right now. "These terms are acceptable. All for one, one for all. Now, do you have a wireless earpiece?"
Ensara fished one of them out of her pack. She put them there in case she wanted to listen to music. "Yes, what now?"
"Put it into your ear, I'll try to do the rest."
As she put the ear piece inside, she waited for Dex to connect to it until she heard his voice in her ear- too loudly. "CAN YOU HEAR ME, ENSARA?"
"Yes! Too much!"
He turned the volume down while still speaking through the earpiece. "Good. Now I can converse to you without anyone else hearing through this. This will keep me secret, and make sure I can advise you without your opponents reacting to my advise and changing their tactics. Now just put me somewhere on you where I can see what is happening."
She strapped him to the front of her belt, fastening him tight with a metallic button click.
"This will do. The last concern I have with this arrangement is you talking to me while other people are around. You will look like your talking to no one right now, which won't help any impression of sanity you want to cultivate, considering your encounter with Mew. So only responding to me when no one is around, ok?"
"Naturally."
"I will also be teaching you various thing about Pokémon in between battles, just to make sure that at some point you won't need to rely on me. Tactics, dietary needs, environments where you can find them, move sets, anything you possibly need to know about Pokémon and Stunfisk. I don't know why I have information on the latter."
"Its ok, I forgive you." After all, it was easy to mistake Stunfisk for a Pokémon. Soon she hears Nurse Joy walking back with Flara's Pokéball on a tray. Ensara walks up and takes it back.
"Thanks Nurse Joy."
"It was my pleasure as always."
"...Say I was wondering, how do have so many sisters? Because I heard that you all look alike."
At this Nurse Joy gets a distant, glassy look in her eye, and she speaks in a strange monotone. "That secret is forbidden, human."
They hold a staring contest with one another for a few moments, Ensara's eyes wide and creeped out. Then Nurse Joy bursts into giggles. "Just kidding! The Nurse Joy family is very adoptive and has very high standards when it comes to caring for Pokémon, so any who are taught with us soon pick up our mannerisms and we all intentionally make ourselves look the same using hair dye to put a public face of reliability and responsibility. We have personal names, but our public name is Joy much like a military except with medics instead of soldiers."
Ensara nervously laughed along with her. Yes, that made much more sense. Rather than some of the rumors she heard about the Joys. There was no Joy-based conspiracy. Why would you think that? "Y-yea...that makes sense...um.....Bye!"
Ensara walks out. Nurse Joy watched her go then picked up the phone and called somebody. Her voice became a strange monotone again. "A new trainer named Ensara suspects us. Watch for her, just in case she is a threat. Don't worry, she wants to believe the official story for now."

Outside the Pokémon center, Ensara quickly encounters Jansen. hurrying forward. He skids to a halt and glares at her. "How did you get here before me, loser!? After my training, I ran all the way here."
She raises an eyebrow, he was the one who decided to train his Pokémon first and brag about it. She decided to be truthful in a sarcastic manner at him just to mess with his head. "Oh, the first Pokémon I found was Mew. After I battled her and lost, she teleported me right to this Pokémon center. Real kind of her."
Jansen stared at her as if she was crazy. "Oh yeah, nice joke. Think your funny do you?"
"Jansen, I'm freaking hilarious."
He sneered then took out a Pokéball. "Whatever. I challenge you to a Pokémon battle!"
"Why?"
"Because we are rivals, Ensara. And this is what rivals do! How many Pokémon do you have?"
"Just one, Flara....why?"
Jansen suddenly grins. "Because on my way here, I caught two more Pokémon in Santalune Forest! We battle until we run out of Pokémon."
Ensara narrowed her eyes. Of course, Mew teleporting her was actually a disadvantage. Flara didn't have any battle experience and she had no other Pokémon. Jansen didn't seem to be willing to move out of her way. He continued speaking
"Of course since you have only one, I doubt this will be long or difficult. I'm going to destroy you in this first battle and leave you in my dust, never to concern myself with you and your stupid dream ever again. I'll beat you with my first Pokémon."
"This doesn't seem fair, you have three, I have one and your challenging to me a three-Pokémon battle?"
Jansen chuckled at this. "A standard Pokémon battle is a maximum of three Pokémon per trainer. You have no one to blame but yourself if you have less. The world is unfair, if i have the advantage- that just means I'm meant to win! Go, Froakie!"
The blue frog-like Pokémon materializes, panting.
Ensara glares at him. The smart thing would be to back down and just let him pass unchallenged. But that was what he wanted. She didn't back down from Mew, she wasn't going to back down from him either. Ensara wasn't going to give up just because her rival was not playing fair. She threw her Pokéball. "Go Flara!"
Flara materialized once again and yelped excitedly and look at the Froakie quizzically.
"Froakie! Go, Bubble!"
"Flara, dodge it!" As Flara begins to jump and evade the Froakie's bubbles as best she can, Dex's robotic voice chirps in her ear. "We're really doing this? Ok. This battle is not impossible to win, just unlikely. You will need to keep on the defensive. Don't use any fire type attacks unless the Pokémon is weak to it."
She nods lightly and commands Flara to keep dodging and use Scratch whenever she finds and opportunity, the little flame-fox working to get in range, strike then jump away from Froakie, whose bubbles grow weaker and less accurate with each firing.
"The Froakie must be tired from fighting the other two Pokémon to catch them." Dex observes as Flara runs up and hits the Froakie with a Scratch again.
"Hasn't gotten to a Pokémon center, rookie trainer still getting use to taking care of them...it may have a type advantage, but Flara is still fresh to go." Flara just barely manages evade the next barrage of bubbles, she grits her teeth and focuses on the tiring Froakie. If that hit, this would've already been over
"Don't be overconfident however. With a type matchup like this, even one hit is a loss."
Flara keeps moving, dodging one bubble, then twice, thrice! Full of energy she practically dances between the oncoming attacks, wary of their bursting force. She outruns two more then the battle shifts: the next attack that comes out was barely one at all. A pitiful little bubble that barely gets a few inches.
Dex whispers again "Like any athlete, Pokémon have their limits. This Froakie has hit its own. Engage the offensive."
Ensara points her finger and yells. "Flara! Go in and finish this, scratch them as much as you need to!"
Flara nodded then charged forward, no longer needing to fear the bubbles. She began her furious attack of claw swipe after swipe, the Froakie lashing back with weak Pounds that dodged easier and easier. The Froakie backs away, but to no avail as Flara does one last Scratch uppercut and knocks the Froakie out and skidding to the ground.
Jansen glares at this loss. "Can't even beat a fire type while tired. Needs more training. This battle isn't over yet though- I've caught two of the elemental monkeys to round out my team!"
Ensara speaks back as Jansen returns his Froakie. "Jansen, what is the point of this? Why do you insist on battling me?"
"Why, to prove that I'm better of course! To prove that I'm a better trainer, that my dream of winning tournaments is better than chasing your stupid fairy tale. What else is there in Pokémon battles, but to prove that one is the best above all? Go, Pansear!"
The little fire monkey materializes also panting and tired out.
Dex chirps into her ear again. "Of course. All three of his Pokémon are tired out from his battles to catch them without going into the Pokémon center first. Despite his tactical smarts, he made the longer term mistake of not considering the effects of the battles on his Pokémon. You must not make his mistake: think beyond the current battle. Think of how earlier battles might effect this one, and how the present might affect later battles."
Ensara nods and commands Flara to keep using scratch. Flara and the Pansear battle is one where the Pansear is on the defensive instead, trying to evade and get out of the way of Flara's offensive Scratches, but his weariness allows him to accumulate one hit, then another, then a third, but manages to counterattack with a scratch or two of his own. Flara manages to tough herself through it and knocks the Pansear out as well.
As Jansen returns his Pansear he snorts. "No matter, I've weakened your Fennekin enough to take it out with any Pokémon. Go, Pansage!"
The grass monkey came out, also panting and tired, but raring to go. "Take that Fennekin out with Scratch!"
Flara begins hopping away, clearly tired from fighting the other two Pokémon an starting to run out of energy. Ensara knew that she needed to finish this fight fast, or it will be all for nothing.
"Flara! Jump back, wait until Pansage is close enough-" Flara gains distance and Pansage charges forward to try and take Flara out- "Now use Ember!"
-and runs right into a burst of flames. He didn't stand a chance, in only a few seconds the flames cleared and Pansage fell down, beaten as well. Flara sits down, panting at the effort of beating three Pokémon on her own. Ensara runs forward and picks her up, hugging Flara.
"You did great, Flara! Three in a row! Not bad for your first fight huh?". As Flara nuzzles Ensara she turns to Jansen who is returning Pansage to the Pokéball, and she grins.
"So, what was that big talk about beating me again because you had three Pokémon and I did not? Guess the world is unfair both ways."
Jansen glares at her. "Shut up! I only lost because you stood in the way of the Pokémon center! If I got to it first, you would've lost! Just you wait, next time we meet? I'm beating you."
He then takes off past her into the Pokémon center while giving her some poke-dollars for her trouble. She sniffs and says. "Jerk."

After going to the park and getting some rest for Flara, Dex chirps up. "Ok, now that we've got past that, we should start discussing what to do next: Get more Pokémon."
Ensara nods. "Right, we can't have a second Pokémon battle like that. Even if Flara pulled through, I don't think she could've fought a fourth."
Flara blinks quizzically and asks. "Fenne?" while looking at Dex, confused.
"Oh don't worry, Flara, the Pokédex is sapient and can talk, nothing to worry about."
Ensara smiled while holding Dex. "In fact we should be thankful, your advice really helped."
"Your welcome."
Flara nuzzles her cheek against the Pokédex while smiling. "Ensara, what is she doing?"
"Flara is just thanking you as well. Now, where we can we find good Pokémon to catch?"
Dex brings up three screens "There are three options: One, we can go south to Route 3 and Santalune Forest. There are many Pokémon you can catch there, including the three elemental monkeys.

Two, we can go to Route 4, where one can catch Pokémon such as Skitty or Ralts.

Or three, we can go to Route 22, where we can get Pokémon like Riolu or Litleo."
Ensara put a finger on her chin. "Oh, so many choices. And all them so good. I don't think we need Litleo, Flara already fills the fire type part, while I'm not too keen on the elemental monkeys. I don't want to copy Jansen. But Skitty, Ralts and Riolu!? I want those! They are all so CUTE! And their evolved forms are awesome!"
Dex chirped back. "If you want to win you cannot choose Pokémon based upon cuteness or likability, only tactics matter. You should be thinking of a Pokémon to catch that will defeat that Froakie, like a Pikachu. Capture that on Route 3 or Santalune Forest, and you will have a foolproof Pokémon against Jansen's strongest Pokémon."
She crossed her arms. "No! Do you know how much companies push Pikachu in their ads? Pikachu is used for cute marketing everywhere! I'm oversaturated with it! Not to mention that there is a bunch of other cute mouse electric types out there that are just as good. Or all the electric types that aren't like Pikachu at all!"
"Like Stunfisk?" Dex asks.
Ensara snorts. "What no, Stunfisk isn't a Pokémon, its a living pancake."
"Just testing you, like what other Pokémon then?"
"Like I dunno, like Voltorb? They should use Voltorb in ads more often, they look exactly like pokeballs after all, wonder why its not more popular. But I'm personally thinking a Minun." Dex considered this
"Very well. Minun do dwell on Route 5 so we can catch one after we go to Lumiose. You should also consider a Dark type Pokémon if your going to catch Mew."
"What good will that do? According to legend, Mew knows every move known to Pokémon. Even if we did, she would just use some Fighting move to beat them."
"Ah, but my readings of Mew is that she is Psychic type. Pure Psychic type. While she may know every move, Psychic moves are her strongest. So Dark type is still one of the best choices you can make to use against her."
Ensara took a deep breath. "I think that while talking strategy is good, the fight with Mew will be a long way off. As well as Dark type I'd be comfortable fighting her with. For now, lets just try and a get team together. I say, lets go get a Riolu!"
"Very well. Mega-Evolution for a Lucario is incredibly advantageous."
And so Flara hops up on Ensara's shoulder and they set off for Route 22, to find a Riolu in the shadow of the Kalos League.

 

Episode 3: The Bumbling Villains
As Ensara walks through Route 22 searching for her Riolu, the shadow of the Kalos League and the mountain it sits upon looms over her in the distance. As she gazes upon it, she recalled how Mew told her that it would take an elite trainer to capture her. The Kalos League was what she had to aim for. It didn't matter if she won or lost, it mattered if she was strong enough to make it to the top.
"Which basically means I have to win anyways. Huh, thats kind of...ironic. But I guess nothing less than the best can catch Mew so, might as well be the best."
She mused to herself. Now where to find a Riolu? She begins to search around, but over the course of a half hour, the attempts are fruitless, mostly turning up more common Pokémon she was not interested in. After a while Dex spoke up:
"You know, while Riolu are in the area, they are still rare. Its probably going to take some time before-"
Suddenly a Riolu zooms right past them at a jog. Dex amends himself, the computerized voice not missing a beat. "-Or the laws of probability could decide to prove me wrong out of spite. Whatever works."
Ensara takes off after the Riolu while Flara holds onto Ensara's shoulder to keep from falling off. Why did trainers always have to do this? Especially when a new Pokémon is spotted? Flara would prefer it if they just be more calm about this. But then again, that Riolu was going quite fast. Ensara struggles to keep up with the speeding Riolu, passing by various other Pokémon in her pursuit: Psyducks turn their head in confusion while skittish Bidoof and Bunnelbys scatter out of the way as they run unceasingly. But no matter what happened, she was not going to give up. If she couldn't get a Riolu, how was she going to get Mew?

Meanwhile two teenagers, one a green-haired boy another a blonde-haired girl, both clad in pink cultist robes with "M"s on them, holding an ancient book with an "M" on the cover are busy preaching to a bunch of confused Psyducks.
"Attention Psyducks! We are the Cult of Mew! I am Priest Joshua! We come with a message from our god, Mew!" shouted the male one
"That message is that Mew should be ruler of all the Earth! I am Priestess Hannah! Is Mew's powers not proof that it deserves to rule over us all, and show us the true path to happiness!?" preached the female one.
"Thats right, It is! As written in the Book of Mew: Seek Out Many Pokémon Big And Small To Recruit to Thy Cause For Mew. Do you fellow psychic types not deserve to be ruled by the greatest one of them all?"
The Psyducks look at them in confusion and clutch their heads as usual.
"For we are the Cult of Mew! It is Mew's decree that we conquer the world in her name and glory!"
Priest Joshua shouted while striking a pose.
"We do not question why! Her word and her ways are mysterious, unknowable and arcane. They may seem strange, but they are what is needed for her to make the world a better place!"
Priestess Hannah preached while making her own. They both pose and declare together:
"Come join us, Psyducks! Lend your psychic powers to our cause, and we shall surely make the world better in our crusade!"
The Psyducks collectively tilt their head to the side and go:
"Psy-yai-yai-yai? Duck???"
Which basically translated as: Wait what were they talking about, I was too busy staring at the sky while trying to block out the constant pain. The constant, never-ending pain.
The two priests stand still in that pose, growing ever more nervous as they didn't seem to get any response from the Pokémon. Then the Riolu and Ensara came crashing into them both.

As Ensara picked herself up.
"Ugh, what the-oh sorry! I ran into you two, sorry, I was trying to catch this Riolu here and it was running like crazy, and didn't see you there."
The Riolu picked herself up and spoke with Aura:
-Wait, someone was chasing me? I was just doing my usual morning jog as training.-
The two Mew cultists spring up and Hannah says:
"No worries! Honest mistake, everyone knows how excited young trainers get about catching their Pokémon! I'm Hannah by the way."
"An I'm Priest Joshua, and we are apart of the Cult of Mew! We worship her as our Pokémon deity and wish to conquer the world in her name! Would you like to join us in our holy cause!?"
Ensara blinked at this.
"No. One, I kind of want to capture Mew so that she will be my Pokémon."
The two priests gasp. What blasphemy!
"Two, I've already met Mew, and she doesn't seem to be the type to conquer the world. Even if she is a prankster jerk."
"HERESY!"
They both call out and point at Ensara.
"Its true! I've met her!"
"Quit your lies!" Joshua's face becomes angry.
Mew appears right besides the two cultists and holds up a sign that says "IDIOTS" with an arrow pointing them. Ensara of course decides to do the worst possible thing.
"In fact, I see the Mew right there, holding a sign that says your idiots."
Hannah looks around in confusion and anger
"Where?? I don't see our Holy Mew! Your lying again!"
"But she is RIGHT THERE!"
Mew suddenly holds up another sign that says "PEOPLE SEE ME, ONLY WHEN I WANT THEM TO." while giggling.
-What Mew, I don't see Mew! You crazy, trainer?-
Riolu is just plain confused at this. Ensara points at Mew and shouts
"Oh my Arceus! Your messing with my head again! This is a prank on both me and them isn't it!"
Mew only holds up another sign saying "PSYCHIC POWERS FTW." giggles then teleports away. Hannah and Joshua take battle stances and Joshua points at Ensara
"Listen, you heretic! We've had enough your heretical nonsense! We shall purge you and your heresy from this world!"
Hannah shouts next:
"Mew is meant to be worshipped, honored, obeyed! Not captured like any other Pokémon! Furthermore we won't let you besmirch her holiness by pretending that you can see her! If she would reveal herself to anyone it would be only us, her willing worshippers and believers! Not a heretic trainer like you!"
Ensara had a bad feeling about this while Flara jumped off her shoulder and prepared for battle. Then Hannah and Joshua both threw their pokeballs at the same:
"Go! Meowstic!" shouted Hannah
"Go! Ditto!" called Joshua
The two Pokémon appeared in front and Ensara realized that she couldn't fight them both. Ditto was already morphing into a Fennekin. The Riolu comments
-I don't know about you crazy trainer, but I'm going to run. Discretion is the better part of valor after all.-
Then she takes off.
"No! I'm not here to fight you clowns! I'm here to get that Riolu! Come back!"
Ensara runs after the Riolu, with Flara following her, running as fast as they can to catch up to Riolu. The two priests clutch their fists and shout
"How dare they run from us! Those heretics!"
"I know Joshua, lets go after her and catch that Riolu for the cause! Lucario and Riolu's are known to have a strong sense of justice and morality after all, and are powerful fighters as well!"
"Yes, why let a heretic have that Pokémon when we can catch it ourselves?"
They both take off with their Pokémon after the Riolu themselves.

As Ensara pursues the Riolu, Dex decides to chime into her ear:
"I will skip moral commentary upon the Mew Cult, as I've sure that will just be preaching to the figurative choir. I will focus on the tactical situation: You have only one Pokémon, they have two. You need to get the Riolu if you want to live. If you get her, you will have an even chance at success. If they get her however, you will not be able to win."
Ensara nods
"Get the Riolu, got it, wait what do you mean by live?"
"Ditto use Flamethrower!"
The Ditto only coughs out a puff of smoke
"What? Ok, how about Ember?"
The Ditto-turned-Fennekin blasts some fire at Ensara and she quickly ducks and keeps running, her eyes wide with sudden fear
"Ok Dex, I see what you mean now! These freaking psychos are trying to kill me!"
Joshua yells at her in response:
"Of course we are! Your a heretic! And really, your Fennekin only knows EMBER!? How newbie are you!?"
"Uh, only got her yesterday!?"
".....Heh! This will be easy then."
Ensara calls out
"Riolu! Come on, please help me! They are trying to kill me and capture you!"
The Riolu responds
Girl, as far as I'm concerned, your both crazy! Why should I go with either of you? Bunch of whack jobs jabbering on about Mew for no reason, sounds insane to me!
Of course Mew teleports in holding up a sign that said "SHE'S RIGHT Y'KNOW." while pointing at the Riolu. Ensara just gets a vein on her head.
"No one asked for your opinion, Mew!"
See, there you go again, talking as if Mew is there when I don't see her. They might be dogmatic freaks, but your clearly hallucinating or something.
"I am NOT crazy!"
Ensara screamed in frustration as she ran. Hannah called in pursuit
"Stop making a mockery of our religion! Mew will appear to us, and us only! For we are the chosen believers! Meowstic use Psybeam!"
Hannah's Meowstic blasts a purple beam of energy at Ensara who evades in just time again. Seeing the danger, Riolu, Flara and Ensara all run even faster to try and get away from the Mew Cult while Mew herself just shrugs with a grin and teleports away.

Soon however, Riolu as well as Ensara and Flara come skidding to a halt at the front of a rapidly rushing river near a waterfall. They looked around but they could see no way across. Ensara's eye twitches.
"Now what do we do!?"
Her answer comes from Joshua catching up to them.
"I'll tell you. You can either renounce your ways and join the Cult of Mew, and you'll be acknowledged as a holy being who can see Mew-"
"-or you can continue to be stubborn, and we will burn you like the heretic you are, then take that Riolu!"
Hannah finishes for him.
"Your choice!"
-I think you involving me way too much in this and I wish that I wasn't involved please.-
They slowly start advancing, but Flara jumps in the way of her own accord, ready to fight both Pokémon. Ensara takes a battle stance of her own. Flara was ready to defend her even if the odds were against them, she should be brave enough fight as well!
"I'll never join you."
"...Very well then. Attack!"
Then both Meowstic and Ditto began to attack, but Flara was not dodging. She was jumping in the way of their attacks and taking them to try and defend Ensara, who was trying to wrack her mind to come up with a way out of this while Flara was buying time. She couldn't command Riolu, and she couldn't run away, so what could she do? Then Dex whispered to her again.
"Ensara. This current action your taking is illogical. If Flara dies while fighting them, you won't be able to catch Riolu and you won't be a trainer anymore. She is your only Pokémon. If you lose her, this will have all been for nought."
Ensara whispers back.
"Then what do I do?"
Dex states simply:
"Return Flara to her ball. Grab Riolu. Jump into the river."
'What!? Thats crazy!"
"No. It is logical. These fanatics will try to kill for sure. The river has a chance of not killing you, and if you can take the Riolu with you, it will deny them the advantage. They would be crazy to follow you by jumping in as well."
"Only because its crazy for me to do it first!"
"Its not crazy if it works."
"What about you then!? Electronics and water don't exactly mix!"
"Don't worry about me Ensara. I am waterproof. The professors design pokedexes to withstand any kind of environment without breaking, due to the nature of the trainer profession."
"If you say so...I'll trust you."
She holds out her Pokéball and says
"Flara! Return!"
and Flara to her surprise is whisked back into her ball in red light. Before the Mew Cultists knew what was happening, Ensara scoops up Riolu in her arms and jumps into the river
-AAAAAAAAH!! What are doing!-
"Saving you from being converted to Mew worship!"
They make a splash and instantly get pulled downstream by the rushing current, Ensara holding onto Riolu with all her might with one hand while clutching her wide-brimmed hat with the other. The treacherous current sends them tumbling and bouncing off rocks and walls out of the cult of Mew's sight until they are both sent careening off the edge of the waterfall, screaming as they fell towards the water below.

Hours later, they wash up on the shore downstream, the waters calmer and smoothly flowing. Ensara crawls out, drenched wet and dragging Riolu out of the river. They both collapse panting from the adrenaline rush. Ensara looks over at Riolu while the recovered and said.
"Looks like we lost them eh?"
-That clinches it. You are definitely crazy. You pulled us both into a raging river and off a waterfall! I swear if humans had their own Pokédex entry it would "Humans: Crazy Type. These upright walking monkeys despite their lack of powers compared to Pokémon, do reckless stunts for what they want anyway.-
"Well at least I was doing something! And by the way that reminds me-Dex!"
She takes out her Pokédex and turns it on. Dex chirps to life.
"See? I am fine. As I told you before, I am waterproof."
Riolu stares at the Pokédex in awe
-That thing can talk!?-
"Yes, Riolu. I can talk. I would ask the same question for you, as according to my data it usually takes until you are a Lucario to learn the Aura ability to speak in telepathy."
-I am unusually talented. That and I don't follow the ways of that old outdated kingdom, I'm my own Riolu.-
Ensara raises an eyebrow.
"Wait, what kingdom?"
Riolu waves it off with her paw
-Doesn't matter. Some stupid place where Lucario judge a person worthy of even having a Riolu egg before they can even train them, because of purity of heart reasons or something. Don't even remember the name, but not all Lucario or Riolu are them. Granted, I'm still full of morals and strong sense of justice and such, but I do it on my own terms.-
They both begin to sit up as they feel a bit better. Ensara asks
"Then why didn't you fight against the Mew Cult?"
-Because, your both still crazy to me. You have no proof about Mew being there.-
Dex chirps up in his computerized voice.
"Actually, she does. I see Mew as well. Ensara has currently encountered Mew twice, three times if you count her teleports in and out. Mew is simply using psychic power to make sure you don't see her yourself."
-Hm. Well if you can trust a talking Pokédex, who can you?-
"Technically all Pokedexes are talking, I'm just sapient. And technically, no you can't. Much of my information on Pokémon are legends, rumors, exaggerated stories or just plain inaccurate. However I can attest to the veracity of seeing Mew as I was there as well."
-Huh. Ok. A crazy trainer and a sapient Pokédex are telling me they've seen Mew. This day just got really strange.-
Ensara was focusing on something else though.
"Wait, what do you mean a lot of your information on Pokémon is inaccurate!?"
Dex blinks hesitantly at this.
"Well you see, much my information is apocryphal due to the fact that Pokédex's used to be a lot more empty, and the main method of going out to get this information was basically handing a young trainer like you an empty Pokédex and letting them put in entries for every Pokémon they catch on their own. So. Young trainers would exaggerate and put in wrong information because none of them are well trained scientists."
Ensara is confused at this
"But....why? We have professors to get this information, don't we!? Why would we just accept something like this!?"
Dex blinks nervously as he explains
"Well, I suspect that it all comes down to money. Professors require an expensive education to get those Ph.Ds. So there are not many of them. Research in general of course doesn't get much funding, especially when people are putting so much money into developing things like big machines and robots to fight against Pokémon instead that never seem to work for long. So the cheapest method available for getting information on Pokémon is handing every trainer an electronic encyclopedia and crowd-sourcing the research from whatever they catch. This of course comes at the expense of accuracy. I doubt it will remain like this forever though, I get updates every so often that correct the information this or that way and we can update the entries to make sure they are more accurate as well."
Ensara stares at Dex in disbelief.
"So. Your telling me, that your not really a scholarly source of information. Your just the handheld Pokémon equivalent of wikipedia."
"Basically."
Ensara rolled her eyes.
"Great. Just what I needed to hear. What next, you gonna tell me that Stunfisk is a Pokémon?"
"Nope. Stunfisk is confirmed to not be a Pokémon, its been tested."
"Good, now to get back to point: What do we do now?"
Dex calculates their situation for a moment.
"To my point of view now is the perfect time to catch Riolu, then get away from here. To get a Riolu is why you are here after all, and if the Mew Cultists are determined enough they will find you eventually, if you stay here too long. That and if you have Riolu, you can battle them on even terms even if they find you. So best catch Riolu, then get going back to Santalune City."
She nods and turns to Riolu.
"Right, well, what do you say, Riolu?"
Riolu considers this for a moment.
-I say that while your not as crazy as I thought, that I'm not going to give myself up without a fight. You want me as your companion, you got to earn it. Whats your goal?-
"To someday catch Mew herself."
Riolu smiles to herself
-Ah. Thats a good goal. Ambitious, reaching for the stars! Dreaming big. I won't accept anything less from a trainer! Neither will I accept anything less than a good heart. A person who will do the right thing. I may not have the same standards as the rest, but I'm a Riolu and I still keep to my own. Finally, I won't accept anyone who can't beat me as my trainer. So send out Flara and lets go.-
Ensara throws her Pokéball and Flara materializes in white light, looking battle damaged and tired from her beating. Flara still looks determined to fight however and was not about to quit, no matter what.
"I'm not going to send her in beat up though. If we're doing this we're doing this fair and square: I'm going to administer some potions to her first."
-That is fine. I want to face you both at your best after all!-
Pretty soon Flara was back in top shape, and the two Pokémon faced each other.

Ensara gives the command:
"Flara, use tackle!"
But Riolu is already using Quick Attack, and hits Flara dead on. The flame fox is sent tumbling back and she rights herself then leaps forward to tackle Riolu back in retaliation. Riolu bears the brunt of it and skids back. And they both look at each other with respect while they size each other up. Ensara knew this was bad; Flara would not be able to match Riolu's speed. She needed to slow Riolu down.
"Flara tackle again, and try to get on top of her this time to keep her still!"
This time Flara manages to get the first hit in and tackles Riolu to the ground, pinning her down. But Riolu smiles, suddenly glows with a strange light and uses Counter to send Flara flying away and crashing to the ground. Riolu leaps back up, battered but still raring to go. Flara however gets up and was much worse for wear; the Counter did quite a number on her with big bruises all over the little fox. Dex decided to whisper.
"You can't afford a second Counter like that."
"I know Dex."
"Perhaps try NOT getting into melee range with the Fighting type?"
"Ok, use our ranged advantage got it. Flara! Use Ember! Stay away from the Riolu and just blast fire and keep doing it!"
Flara begins jumping away from Riolu while blasting Ember after Ember, Riolu tries to use Quick Attack, but she ends up going in zig-zags to evade the fire balls thus slowing her down and she begins to accumulate a few burns from the ones that hit her. Flara keeps backing away and staying out of Riolu's reach to keep her from getting close enough however. Riolu gritted her teeth. This was going to be painful, but she wouldn't be able to get in close if she kept dodging like this. So Riolu decided not to, and began to use Endure instead, ran straight towards Flara. Ensara wonders
"What is she doing!? Keep using Ember!"
Riolu takes one blast of flame right to her face and emerges, burnt but keeps going. Then she takes a second ember flame as she gets closer. Then a third as she closes in, fighting through the flames every step of the way. As she endures the fourth Riolu slows down, struggling to keep conscious step by searing step. She stops in front of Flara and Endures a fifth Ember while standing still, resisting the pain trying to shut her down. As the flames clear she is burnt all over her body but Riolu still stands awake her arms crossed and her stance ready.
-No matter how hot the flames, I will always endure it! I will emerge battered but not defeated! For this it truly means to be victorious: to endure anything yet emerge still standing.-
Ensara couldn't believe her eyes. This Riolu just took so many attacks and still hadn't been defeated. She was in range. How could they win this?
-Now I will end this and go free, because with all that damage I can finish this with my best move: Counter!-
Riolu glows and both Flara and Ensara brace themselves and...nothing happens. Riolu blinks at this. That wasn't supposed to happen.
-Again. I will finish this with...Counter!-
Riolu glows again and nothing continues to keep happening.
-...Why isn't Counter working!?-
Dex decides to speak up.
"You do know that Counter can only be used for physical attacks, right?"
Riolu's eyes widened at this
-Oh. Errors have been made.-
Ensara slaps her hand upon her face then says
"Flara, one more Ember, please."
Flara nods with a sardonic look in her eye and blasts Riolu with flame one more time. Riolu falls down, too tired to ensure anymore. Ensara then takes out a Pokéball and poses dramatically while sighting down the Riolu with fiery determination in her eyes.
"Ok, first Pokémon I'll ever catch! Go, Pokéball!"
She throws the Pokéball at Riolu, the orb spinning around in the air as it sped towards her to capture the Pokémon...then it misses a few inches from Riolu's face and bounces a couple times in the grass.
Dex is silent for a moment before saying
"Wow. Nice aim there. What a great way to capture your first Pokémon."
Ensara shouts at Dex.
"Its my first time throwing a Pokéball! Its not as if I could practice or anything!"
She then walks over, picks up the Pokéball then throws it again at Riolu from point blank range. Riolu is sucked into the ball amidst red light, and the ball wobbles once.

Wobbles twice.

Wobbles thrice.

Then....settles. Ensara barely believing what had happened picked up the Pokéball and strikes another pose in her victory.
"YES! I've caught my first Pokémon!"
Flara of course jumps up and adds a "Fenne fenne!" in. Then Dex ruins the mood by speaking up.
"You do know that you must heal her now, right? She is still beat up from your battle, and you cannot battle the Mew Cult with an unconscious Pokémon."
Ensara frowns in Dex's direction and takes some medicine out from her bag.
"Jeez, always such a downer with you, Dex. But your right as always. Don't worry, I'm prepared. You think I wouldn't leave home without a few Revives?"
"I do not see how being logical about our situation is "a downer". I am simply keeping us on track."
Ensara sends out the still out cold Riolu and begins applying the Revive, putting it into Riolu's mouth and holding the Pokémon's head at an angle so that she would swallow it and go down her gullet. Soon Riolu's eyes fluttered open.
You got me back up. I lost didn't I?
"Yup. Your now my Pokémon."
Riolu stands up and dusts herself off.
Heh. Good. I was hoping for a trainer like you.
"What? You....hoped that you could get a trainer like me?"
-Of course. Pokémon Trainers have been a thing for how long? Decades? Centuries? We have our own stories and legends about them by now. Many Pokémon see them as opportunities to go see places they have never been, experience things they otherwise never would and make friends with Pokémon they would otherwise never meet. Others, Fighting types like myself see Trainers as the road to bring out our full potential. The average trainer is seen as a master of knowledge and tactics, someone who uplifts and empowers all those who follow them, someone who sees and knows things about us that even we don't.-
Ensara blinks in surprise. She didn't know that Pokémon saw Trainers in such a way.
"What do you mean? All I know is stuff about Pokémon, how type advantages work an such. Why would Pokémon see me as something like that."
Riolu holds out her paw.
Did you know that Counter only worked on physical type moves?
"Yes"
-Then you knew more than me. I just used the move because it seemed to hurt other Pokémon well enough when they hurt me, and only knew that it was even named Counter because how the name trickles down from the Trainers naming it that to Pokémon using it so that they communicate what they're doing. To Pokémon, moves are instinctual, just a natural part of us instead of any specific technique we know about.

Its trainers that figured out that we even use the type energies in ways so consistent that they can be called the same moves. Its trainers that connected the dots about type disadvantages and advantages, and its trainers that figured out how to best channel our natural growth through battle and optimize it to its full potential. Before that, Pokémon didn't actually categorize any of it, or think any of it had anything in common. We're people out in the wild, we just fight and live and try to fight well, with what little information we have. Which is far less than the Pokédex you have or the education you received to become a trainer. Despite Dex's claimed inaccuracies its still more than we ever know on our own.-
Riolu spreads her arms.
-That is why many Pokémon jump out at trainers looking for a fight. They want to prove to the trainer that they can fight well. That they can be useful on their journey, so that they can go on it with them, and experience more than just one environment and the same Pokémon forever. Most Pokémon aren't so lucky, even if they try. Trainers only take certain Pokémon and only one of them most times, seeing no point in catching repeats. A vast majority of the Pokémon in this world never get caught by a trainer, most are just defeated and left to keep living their own lives, hoping another comes along. I consider myself a really lucky Riolu, because I have a trainer now, and a smart but brave one at that, who I hope will one day make me a great Lucario. Most Pokémon cannot say the same.-
Ensara took this all in. She was starting to understand a lot more about how Pokémon thought.
"Ok. Thanks, Riolu, I didn't know any of that. I just had no idea that was how it looked from the Pokémon's side. I thought you'd dislike us for trapping you in strange little balls or something."
-Well there are Pokémon like that, but they tend to stay away from places that humans frequent anyways. A trainer would have to go really out of their way to find where they hide. And don't worry, most trainers don't, due to linguistic barriers, while bred Pokémon well they have a different relationship, and I don't feel qualified to talk about that. So, what now?-
Ensara considered the question.
"Oh what do we do next? Well I was thinking, would you like a nickname?"
-A nickname? Yes! Give me one! Trainer given Nicknames are a great source of pride among Pokémon. It represents our bond with the trainer as well being a symbol of being empowered and transformed by them. Even released Pokémon keep their trainer nicknames as a symbol of who they have become. Whatever previous names they once had being irrelevant.-
Ensara smiles at this. That Trainers made that much of a difference in the lives of Pokémon with even realizing how or that they were doing it, filled her with determination.
"Very well, I'll name you Masala."
Masala repeats the name in her mind a few times getting a feel for it.
-Masala. Yes. I like it, simple yet beautiful. I think this will be the start of a beautiful friendship, Ensara.-
Flara frowns as they have their conversation. She wished he could talk to Ensara, everyone else in the group could. She needed to get Masala's help on how she can do that, she was going to evolve into a Psychic type someday so it was going to be within her capabilities. But that was a goal for later.

They travel across the countryside for hours, Flara unon Ensara's shoulders again and Masala walking alongside them. Soon the mountain of the Kalos League begins to loom over them once more, and their trek was uneventful. They kept checking to see if the Mew Cultists had followed them, but they seemed to be nowhere in sight. Soon they were back to walking upon Detourner Way, and Masala reflects upon leaving:
-Its funny, I've trained here all my life. The jogging I was doing earlier? Just another part of my training. The Riolu here live and train in the shadow of the Kalos League hoping to one day reach the summit as a Lucario. And now, I'm leaving to someday go there, to the top. Its surreal in a way that its finally happening. I'm going to miss the familiarity of waking up every day, training on the same road, with the same Riolu, the same spars. Nice to get some variance though.-
Ensara suddenly had a thought at this.
"Wait, Masala, I didn't see any other Riolu around. Where were they?"
-Oh them? Hah, I already outran them when you were running after me. I'm the fastest Riolu on Detourner Way, if you had just waited you would seen a bunch of the Riolu running after me trying to catch up, the Slowpokes.-
Ensara shook her arms in the air in frustration.
"You mean I could've just waited to get a Riolu instead of running after you!? Argh! I could've just done that and prevented all this!"
-Ah, but you didn't know that at the time, and there is no point on dwelling on what could've been or what you could've done more efficiently if given the chance with the information you have now, then. That moment is gone, and now you have me, a faster Riolu than any of the others, and two enemies to watch out for. So be better and focus on what you do know now, and what decisions you can make moving forward.-
Ensara narrows her eyes.
"...Excuse, aren't I supposed to be the one teaching YOU lessons, ya wise little weasel?"
-I'm not a weasel, flame-haired monkey! Consider it a fair trade of our friendship.-
"What am I, an Infernape? Thanks anyways."

Soon they walked through Detourner Way and got within sight of Santalune City in the distance. It wouldn't be long before they got back. However they soon saw something else as they walked towards it. There was a pack of Riolu standing on the path, looking their way.
-Oh hey, there is my Riolu pack! But....why are they looking so hostile?-
"Why aren't they rushing forward to greet you?" asked Dex
"And why do they have pink buttons with the letter "M" placed on their foreheads-"
She remembered the color and "M" of the Mew Cultists robe. It matched.
"-They're being controlled by the Mew Cult!"
Suddenly Joshua and Hannah jump in and begin to recite:

Prepare for trouble!
Make it double!
To protect the world from division
to unite all peoples within our religion
to rule all as the blessed few
to give our lives to Holy Mew
Joshua!
Hannah!
Mew Cultists, always crusading for what is right!
Surrender now, or prepare to fight!

Mew appears behind them for one moment and holds up a sign "MEW, THATS WRONG." Then is gone the next. Ensara only blinks then says
"...A motto? Really? Why not just go full sentai and have a theme song while your at it?"
Joshua protests
"What? Those Teams have their mottoes, why can't we?"
Hannah scoffs at Ensara
"One such as you will never know the joy of reciting a good motto before every confrontation. That I have to use my classes in Poetry for something."
Dex wonders out loud to himself.
"...Who takes classes for poetry?"
Ensara covers her face with her hand.
"Dex, I don't think that is important right now. Assessment. Please."
Joshua meanwhile sends out his Ditto while Hannah sends out Meowstic. He speaks in a gloating tone.
"Now I know you may be wondering: why are you only seeing us now? Because we're not stupid. We conceded your victory the moment you both fell off the waterfall, knowing that you'd never live through that, but we soon found these Riolus and decided to recruit them instead. We of course waited here on the off-chance you survived and came back, knowing you'd go back to the city."
Hannah joins in on it.
"Thus we put these buttons on them to put them under our temporary control and waited here while the buttons broke down their mental willpower with a constant stream of Psychic-type energy. It'll take a couple days before the buttons weaken them enough to capture them for real, but by then their wills will be broken and we can begin the process of making them fanatical fighters for Mew, then breeding them so that we can raise more Riolus and make a sustainable secret Riolu farm for raising them from birth to be the perfect Lucario warriors for our holy crusade."
Joshua finishes up.
"And of course, now we can use them to take you out as well."
Masala eyes narrow in cold rage
-You...you would do all this just to turn them into zealous soldiers for your cause. You sicken me.-
Ensara nods in agreement.
"Go, Flara. We got to free them from this."
Flara jumps off her shoulder and stands beside Masala, both ready to battle.
The two cultists laugh at this.
"Ha! We got an entire pack of Riolu and our own two Pokémon to beat you with. We still have the advantage on you, heretic!"
Dex whispers in her ear.
"They're right. Despite our efforts, they retain the number advantage. However there is a plan that I think could work..."
Ensara nods as she listens then says
"Very well if your so confident, send all your Riolu! Come on, bring it."
Hannah smiles and brings up a strange microphone
"If your so eager to die, we will oblige! Riolu, all of you, use Quick attack!"
All of the Riolu suddenly come speeding forward, zooming tackles as fast as vipers. Ensara in response commands.
"Masala! Use Counter!"
Masala glows and jumps up to block all their attacks- and thus sending them all flying backwards, scattering everywhere and crashing into the ground, the Mew cult buttons quickly breaking from the impacts. Dex beeps to himself.
"Just as planned."
-Hah! I've sparred with all of these Riolu! I know their every movement, and I've beaten every single one of them before. You'll have to do better than that!-
Hannah in response yells
"Meowstic use Psybeam!"
Which hits Masala directly and sends tumbling to the ground, but she Endured it and kept in the fight, rising up injured but not defeated. The Ditto morphs into a Fennekin again and they all take battle positions. Joshua raises his fist
"No matter! We can still beat you in a normal battle, newbie!"
Ensara thinks quickly. Meowstic had the advantage over Masala. She couldn't allow Meowstic to take out Masala, or she would be right back where she started.
"Flara, use tackle on Meowstic and pin her down! Masala, Quick Attack the Ditto!"
Masala hits the Ditto head on faster than it could react, Meowstic was about to fire another psybeam when Flara tackles her to the ground, interrupting her attack and breaking Meowstic's concentration.
"Funny thing about Psychic type attacks, they need concentration to work. Hard to concentrate when you have someone on top of you beating you up."
Hannah clenches in fist in frustration.
"Meowstic try to get her off!"
While Flara and Meowstic struggle on the ground, Ensara turns her attention to Masala.
"Ditto!" Joshua commands "Don't let her get close! Jump away while using Ember!"
Masala finds herself in a familiar situation as she must dodge fire once again from a Fennekin. Guess turnabout was fair play. Ensara grits her teeth. She used this strategy, now she has to find a way to counter it with the Pokémon she used it against! But how?
She couldn't make Masala Endure through it all again just to get close, that would leave her too damaged and weak and Flara wouldn't hold Meowstic down forever. Dex chimes into her ear.
"Just a fact: Ditto have vastly less energy to use on the attacks of the transformed Pokémon due to the energy needed for transformation itself. Keep that in mind."
Ensara nodded. She might actually have plan now.
"Masala, stay back from Ditto! Keep dodging, and keep your distance. Focus on defense!"
Masala nods and does what she is told. As Masala keeps back and keeps from getting hurt, Ditto quickly starts to lose steam in her attacks and its not long before she coughs out a puff of smoke instead, the ground full of burns but Masala unscathed. Joshua berates it
"What are doing!? Keep firing!"
"Masala, use Quick Attack and keep using it!"
Masala then sped forward and hit Ditto once, then again and again impacting the Ditto repeatedly in a blurring crisscrossing trail as she lay the smackdown upon it. The Ditto feeling every blow in front, from the side, from behind all over its body. With the final strike Masala knocks Ditto out the fight and back into its true pink gooey form, where Joshua returned it to its ball. However Meowstic finally threw off Flara and now they both had to face what was probably the stronger opponent of the two. Hannah commands.
"No matter! Your Riolu is weak and tired, and your Fennekin is new to battle! Meowstic, use Confusion on both of them!"
"Masala, Endure! Flara, hold on! Both you charge until you reach the Meowstic and hit her with everything you got!"
They both charge forward as a psychic wave comes out to them, they stop as they are hit by the wave, the pain hitting them like a hammer but they resume the charge.
"Meowstic! Confusion again, this time stronger!"
Another psychic wave of energy comes again and both Flara and Masala are hit again, doubling over from the pain of their minds. But the grit their teeth and again arise with determination in their eyes, and charge once more.
"MEOWSTIC! KEEP USING CONFUSION! HAMMER THEM DOWN UNTIL THEY WALK NO MORE!" Hannah screams in rage at this point.
They charge and get hit by psychic wave after psychic wave, being forced to the ground as the energy constantly pounds upon their minds. Wave after wave of psychic energy blasts out and yet both Pokémon still hold on, enduring blow after mental blow. Their senses distorting, their thoughts scattering, their movements warping. With fire in their souls and blazing adrenaline in their veins they force their minds into shape with their willpower, they stand back up with great effort. Ensara calls a rallying cry.
"You can do it, Flara, Masala! Remember: its All or Northing! CHARGE FORWARD! FINISH THIS FIGHT!"
Both Pokémon let out a roar, charge through the waves of psychic energy and the agony and break through, hitting Meowstic at the same time, Quick and Tackle both. Meowstic is sent flying back into both Joshua and Hannah, who are knocked down from the impact. Joshua yells out in suffering.
"What next, a speech about determination and teamwork!? AUGH!"
Ensara points a finger at him and yells back
"Nope! I don't need to state the obvious! Just: Screw you guys. Screw your cause, screw your methods, screw you BOTH! Flara! Use an explosive Ember, and get them out of my sight!"
Flara complies and fires the biggest Ember she ever had at them, and as it impacts it explodes and the Mew Cult are sent off flying into the sky. As they careen through the air, Joshua wonders with a despondent face.
"Should we steal Team Rocket's closing lines as well?"
Hannah replies angrily.
"No! This fan fiction is not that unoriginal! Say something related but with its own twist!"
"Ok, twinkle twinkle little star, how I wonder how beaten we are!"
Hannah looks at him as if to say "really?".
"....Nevermind Joshua, that'll never work."
They then disappear into the horizon as twinkling stars.

Soon after some recovery, and Masala explaining her new situation and the Riolu pack fist-bumping her in congratulations, they start heading back to Santalune City.
"So, Masala, what were they saying?"
-What do you think? They were happy that their big sis was finally going off with a trainer to achieve her dreams. Don't worry they can handle themselves. Riolu can endure almost anything an come out swinging.-
Ensara smiled at this.
"I know that well enough! Off we go then."
She returns Masala to her ball and gets going.

 

Episode 4: A Ralts and Skitty Story

Today began with Ensara meeting an old friend over breakfast: Lily Willow. Ensara was eating breakfast at the Pokémon Center’s cafeteria when Lily came in an sat down next to her.

“Hey Lily! What are you doing here?”

Lily smiled.

“Oh, I just finally got here after going through Santalune Forest. Managed to catch a Panpour and a Caterpie.”

Ensara just looked at her as if expecting more. Lily soon broke down.

“Fine I also caught a Weedle…”

“Knew it.”

“I can’t help it! Bug types are so cute! I know I’m supposed to be catching Pokémon for my communication research, but I just can’t help it…”

Ensara laughs and pats her on the shoulder.

“Lily, relax you can still catch Pokémon related to your research and Pokémon you like. Its not as if we’re in any big rush.”

Lily nods

“Yeah, I just have to study and research Pokémon who can talk to humans, doesn’t mean caching them all the time. Though having some consistently around would be better than not. Speaking of catching Pokémon, what have things been like for you?”

Ensara nods in agreement.

“Well I think you’ll find my story interesting. Its honestly been an insane couple of days for me…”

Ensara tells Lily how she encountered Mew as the first Pokémon she saw on her journey, then got teleported to this Pokémon Center, met Dex, fought Jansen then encountered the Mew Cult captured Masala. Lily’s glasses slipped down her nose an she pushed it back up in surprise.

“Wow. If I didn’t know you better Ensara, I’d say that you were crazy. But since I know how you seem to live in interesting times, honestly I’m not surprised. I mean remember the time you went on that field trip to a Tauros ranch and the Tauros kept mistaking your hair for a matador’s cape? They kept charging at you and were running around screaming your head off.”

Lily giggles a little at the memory while Ensara begins to shout.

“I nearly died! Its not that funny, when your the one being charged at!”

Lily continues to say

“Or that time you got kidnapped by that Miltank-“

Ensara cuts her off.

“No! Remember what I said about never speaking of that ever again!?”

Lily raises her hands in defense.

“Sorry! I see you feel bad about those experiences, and I won’t bring them up, so lets focus on the present. You met two Pokémon that could talk, a Mew and Riolu, and you caught the latter. May I meet this Masala?”

Ensara sends out Masala who stands upon the table and accepts Ensara offering of a bowl of Pokémon food, sitting beside Flara who was already eating.

-Hello, nice to see one of these Centers. Its just so strange and clean to me.-

Lily’s blue eyes begin to fill with a curious light.

“You CAN talk! and what is so strange about this?”

Masala gestures while eating more Pokémon food.

-Because its human made. Humans are the strangest beings on the planet. While everyone else just makes do with having Pokémon powers, they try to build all these great cities and devices instead, and they don’t even speak the language everyone else does.-

Lily blinks at this response then begins to laugh. Masala is perplexed.

-Whats so funny?-

“I just….never thought of it that way before.”

Lily said as she recovered.

“Its even accurate. Pokémon far outnumber humanity, we wouldn’t be able to have so many Pokémon trainers if Pokémon weren’t so numerous. Even if we could mass produce Master Balls and give them to every trainer, I doubt we would be able to catch every single individual Pokémon in the world. Humans are technically the minority of intelligent life on the planet.”

Ensara swallows a bite of her meal then asks.

“Wait, why don’t we mass produce Master Balls?”

Lily leaned back as she explained.

“Simple. To skip the overly technical nerdy details, the engineering processes required to make the Master Ball are so ridiculously expensive and complex that its simply not feasible. Any reasonable price tag for it is big enough to make a rich man broke. Last time I checked there is only ten or twelve Master Balls ever made in the entire world, and most of them haven’t been used yet. Companies like Silph Co only make them to prove that they can, or on request from someone who can actually pay for it.”

Let it be known that her technical explanation would really be delving into things that would be hard to understand or follow and would also need some grounding in some of the basic parts of Pokémon technology to understand, and really we don’t need to cover the basics of how any of this works in some boring explanation. After all obviously they all use space-warping technology regularly, anyone could figure that out. Ensara replies

“Good enough for me. Though now that I got a talking Riolu right here, on’t you think your goal is a bit, I don’t know, already accomplished?”

Lily laughs and waves it off.

“Far from it! This is only one example. A telepathic one at that, which is more common than you think. I need to examine closer as things like: why can Pokémon repeat their own names without any problems in pronunciation yet don’t make any effort to pronounce any other words? They clearly have vocal cords sophisticated enough to make sure its possible. That and even if I learn how to speak to Pokémon and vice versa, I have to think about how to use a method that will enable more widespread communication between humans and Pokémon as only born psychics or trained Aura users can pull it off at this point. One requires genetics and the other requires a form of energy that isn’t fully understood yet. That and achieving communication is only the first step. The next one is understanding how Pokémon communicate, their culture on a level that is more sophisticated then merely just observing it from the outside. Who knows how much we can learn from one another?”

Masala comments again.

-Sounds like a big journey. You might need help with that.-

Lily smiles as she agrees.

“Yes, I will. That is why I want to go with you guys. That and you apparently have a talking Pokédex, which is interesting by itself.”

Dex chirps

“Hi by the way. Lets talk later.”

Ensara smiles back at the request.

“Sure, come along. The more the merrier, and its always nice to have smart people like you around. You know a lot, and your conversations are never boring.”

Lily questioned

“Very well, where are we going next?”

Ensara took another bite.

“I was going to go to Route 2, to catch a Skitty and a Ralts then come back to Santalune to take on Viola, the gym leader. After that, its off to Lumiose, and from there? Well we will burn that bridge when we get to it.”

Lily replied

“Sounds like a plan. A Ralts would be another good example for me to study after all.”



While they begin to walk out, Masala and Flara have their own little conversation.

“Hey Masala, can you teach me how to talk to humans?”

Masala considers this.

“I could, but its Aura-based. Your going to evolve into a psychic type, right?”

Flara replies, remembering her lessons at labs for newly bred starter Pokémon.

“Yeah, Braixen then Delphox.”

Masala nods at this.

“Then its best you wait for whatever Ralts Ensara catches to learn eh? They will probably teach you how to use telepathy in a way thats much more natural to you.”

Flara huffs in impatience.

“Fine, but I’m still jealous that everyone gets to talk to her but me.”

“We have someone joining who literally wants to spread that kind of communication to everyone Flara, I’m pretty sure you’ll make it happen one way or another.”

Flara could not find a way to reply to that so she just hopped back onto Ensara’s shoulder as they began walking.



They soon depart from Santalune City and into Route 2, also known as Parterre Way. Being a direct route between Santalune and Lumiose City and a relatively short one at that, it more ordered and cared for than most, as many people gone through it. Vast hedge mazes, expansive flower fields, various ivy overgrowing stone columns and artistic open gardens with little homes as far as the eye could see. All of the Pokémon here were completely avoidable if one simply kept along the main road of Parterre Way, while any who wished to catch Pokémon simply needed to venture into the hedge mazes around it. The vast mazes were an intentional design to allow Pokémon trainers some challenge to catch the Pokémon they wanted while not disturbing anyone else.

“…There have even been been reports of small communities of Pokémon hidden within the mazes, making their homes in a relatively orderly, safe environment and often eating from nearby berry trees.”

Dex explained. Lily however was more perplexed than informed, but not about the route itself.

“Dex is strange to me.”

She began.

“I mean, why would one Pokédex out of many just randomly be sapient? I have my own and it doesn’t display any signs of Dex’s intelligence. You sure that there isn’t a Porygon or a Rotom in there?”

Ensara shrugged. As if she would know how any of this worked. Dex answered for her.

“I think I would know if I was one or the other, Lily. If I was the first, I’d be able to leave. If I was the second I’d be able to control this as my body, and it is only my prison.”

Lily frowned at this. She may not know everything, but surely a Pokédex’s processing power wasn’t great enough to cause one to spontaneously start thinking for itself?

“Well, something weird is going on with you Dex, and I’m going to find out what.”

Dex grew nervous.

“Please don’t take me apart to try and figure me out.”

“I won’t! But really, Ensara, your not questioning this?”

Ensara shrugs again.

“Nope. Dex is useful and I kind of like him. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. That and he kind of needs help with the “finding a real body” thing. So. Seems more important than how he got to come into existence in the first place to me.”

Lily and Dex both are silent at this, but Lily is the first to break it.

“With how much weirdness you gone through during the past couple days, your taking it awfully well.”

Dex chirps along with Lily.

“Agreed. The degree to which your not questioning meeting a legendary, capturing a talking Pokémon and owning a sapient Pokédex in rapid succession is rather astonishing. One would hope some firmer skepticism should be applied.”

Ensara rolls her eyes. These people and their doubts.

“Look, not all of us of overthink reality and perception to the point of being skeptical of every single thing. I have seen Mew, I talk to Pokémon and Pokedexes, I survived falling off a waterfall. Weird things just happen. Now lets get a Ralts and Skitty.”

Lily and Dex sigh. They could both tell that they were going to be dealing with her recklessness for ages to come.



Ralts was eating an oran berry when her friend Skitty came running up and tripped and fell over, defying any and all myths of supposed catlike grace and elegance.

“Ralts! Ralts! I- ow.“

-Are you ok, Skitty?-

“As usual”

Skitty said as she picked herself up.

“You know me, a big klutz as always.”

-Yeah thats you, a little stumblebuppet as always-

“Stumblebuppet isn’t a word!”

-It is so a word now. It mean “klutz”.-

“Then why don’t you just say “klutz”!?”

-Because stumblebuppet is more fun to say.-

“…Ok, you got me there.”

They both repeat the made up a word a few times to themselves, pronouncing it in a couple different ways and playing around with it. Then Skitty remembered what she came running up to Ralts for.

“Oh right! I’m here to let you know: There are trainers coming!”

-Really? Good!-

“Yeah, we’ll find a good trainer to travel with, and become stronger together! Someday we’ll be a Delcatty and Gardevoir, partners forever!”

-So, what trainers did you see?-

“I saw three: a blue haired girl with glasses and a girl with longer red hair and a green hat and a Fennekin riding on her shoulder together, and this other taller older guy, with brown hair, a distant look in his eyes, black coat, bit grizzled with a scar, a real tough guy and has this Mightyena following him.“

Ralts nodded at this information.

-Ok, just let me check something for a moment.-

Ralts concentrates for a moment, glowing with a psychic power. Then she gasps.

“Ralts? Whats wrong?”

-Skitty, we need to go find the red haired girl now. Stay away from the tall man!-

“But why-“

-Just do it! NOW!-

Ralts begins running and Skitty starts following after her.



Footsteps fall. The heaviness of a grey and broken past weighs down upon his shoulders. The Mightyena sniffs for the scent, and barks as he finds it. Good, it was time to pursue. He had a target today, and he was not going to let it slip out of his grasp. It was time for the hunt to begin, and he walks forward with the force of inevitability itself. It was not a matter of “if” he would get what he came for, but a matter of “when”. People like him? Got the job done. No matter what.



As Skitty and Ralts ran, they soon heard the barking of the Mightyena behind them. The human behind them stomping not far behind. There was no doubt about it: they had been found. They begin going around corners through the maze of hedge trying to lose them. Twisting and turning their path went, going further and further into the hedge’s complicated labyrinth in their fear. Yet the Mightyena never lost their scent and kept on their tracks, and the human never failed to follow.

“Any ideas?” Skitty called as they rushed.

-I can’t use Confusion, that won’t affect Mightyena. You can’t use any of your moves, that would be getting too close. However I do have one.-

“Whats that?”

Ralts grabs onto Skitty with both arms. The human throws a Nest Ball.

-Teleport-

The two Pokémon vanish in a little flash of light and the nest ball hits the ground uselessly. Footsteps fall. He picks up the nest ball and puts it back into his pocket with an annoyed look on his face. Teleportation left no scent. This would complicate the job. However he would get it done nonetheless. He always did. He had his ways.



Ensara meanwhile was getting frustrated.

“Freaking Combees! We’ve been wandering this maze for who knows how long, and all that we’ve been encountering is Combee after Combee! They are so annoying with their stupid smiling faces and stupider honey comb bodies with ridiculously small wings! I may not like bugs in particular, but seriously, Beedrill are far better than these things! Flara, another Ember!”

Flara blasts down another Combee flying into their face seemingly without a care in the world and it goes spiraling off to the side, knocked out instantly. Lily nods in disgust.

“Yeah, even by Bug type standards, I don’t really like them. I’m just hoping to find a female one soon, so that I can evolve her into a Vespiquen. They are the ones worth catching, not the drones.”

Of course all the male Combees behind her frown as tears run down their face as she states the truth of their existence so plainly. They could not deny it: that was all they were and all they would ever be. Dex counters her though.

“Well for battling yes, but male Combee are often used in farms to make honey. They are less harmful than Beedrill and much more cooperative. They do serve a use, just not any good battle one.”

Ensara scowls

“You mean these Pokémon are probably the source of most of the honey people eat? Then they should get back to that rather than-”

With a flash of light, Ralts and Skitty teleport in, arriving in front of Ensara.

“Nevermind about that stupid conversation! Time to get what I came for!”

Ralts then speaks

-Quick, Ensara, you’ve got to catch us! Now! We won’t fight you!-

Ensara does a double take.

“….Ok? This seems awfully convenient. A Pokémon with telepathy already knowing my name, won’t fight me, wants me to catch them. Is this a Mew prank?”

Ralts just stares at her in disbelief.

-What? Mew prank?-

“Yeah, because this is exactly what she would do to troll me. Two Pokémon I want with no strings attached? Thats way too lucky to be my life. As soon as I throw the Pokéball, turns out she turned into a Ralts with a Skitty illusion and cackles at me for thinking it would be so easy.”

Ralts and Skitty could not believe what they were hearing, their only hope thought they were Mew in disguise for some reason. Ralts waves her arms in exasperation

-We’re not Mew! Just hurry up and catch us! We don’t have time!-

Ensara folds her arms and arches an eyebrow.

“Don’t have time for what? What could possibly make you rush that you don’t have time to battle me before I catch you?”

Ralts sighed.

-Another trainer is coming this way trying to catch Skitty and only her, when we want to be caught by the same trainer go on a journey together. We don’t want ourselves separated, we’re friends. Since you want both a Skitty and a Ralts, you are our best bet.-

Ensara nods, that was more like it.

“See? String attached. Everything makes sense now.”

Lily rolled her eyes.

“Only you would consider this series of events to make sense in that light, Ensara.”

Ensara takes out a Pokéball and takes aim.

“Oh hush Lily! Now let go Ralts, I will capture Skitty first to make sure the other trainer doesn’t get her!”

Ralts lets go of Skitty and moves aside as Ensara throws the Pokéball at Skitty with all her might, the ball spinning through the air to decide the Pokémon’s fate for better or worse as it closes in and hits…Ralts. She is sucked in through red light, the Pokéball wobbles once.



Wobbles twice.



Wobbles Thrice.



Then…clicks. Everyone stares in disbelief, then Dex quips.

“Wow. Bullseye.”

While Skitty slaps her face with her tail and Lily similarly hides her face in her palm, Ensara rages back at him.

“SHUT UP DEX!”

Dex responds flatly.

“No.”

Ensara growls and picks up Ralts Pokéball.

“No matter! Her name is Emerald now! Now I just need to-“

“Quick Ball go!”

A male voice resounds in the hedge and Ensara moves quickly to block an incoming Quick Ball, making it bounce off her stomach. She then yells at the approaching figure, her inner fire raging now.

“Hey! No catch-stealing! Who are you and what do you think your doing going around chasing these two Pokémon!?”

The tall man comes into view, his grizzled stoic mug and distant tired blue eyes take stock of Ensara and Lily. He scratches his dull brown hair as his Mightyena plods alongside him and his Mandibuzz rests upon his outstretched hand. He lets out a world-weary sigh and speaks in a heavy Kalos accent.

“The names Robb. Robb the Pokémon Mercenary. I catch, and use Pokémon for money. My business is completely legal, little trainer. I use legal pokeballs, to catch Pokémon for completely legal means. Just like you, see?”

Ensara narrows her eyes

“What are you talking about!?”

Robb arches an eyebrow.

“What I mean, is that there is no law against being hired to go out and catch a Pokémon and trade it to someone else and gain both money and another Pokémon in the process, see? Quite simply, one of the jobs we Pokémon mercenaries do is get paid to catch Pokémon for other people then give that Pokémon to them so that they can use it. Some people, need a few extra Machokes or Gurdurr’s for construction, some trainers are too far away from any Professors so they get some other Pokémon to start with. Loads of reasons I’m hired see? Currently, I’m hired to catch a Skitty. I always get my job done, see? Its not one of my usual jobs, neither is it glamorous. But I’m getting paid well for it, so I’m going to get it done anyways, see?”

She clenched her fists. He meant business. There had to be a way out.

“Well, why don’t you go find another Skitty then?”

Robb shrugs.

“Could. Might have to. Will take time. The Skitty there is still up for grabs though. Until it isn’t, I’m going for it. So, if you kindly move aside before I make you, that’d be great. I don’t like my job getting complicated.”

Ensara stands her ground.

“No! I can’t let you.”

Robb muses on this.

“Hm? Why not? You could go find another Skitty as well. Your a young trainer, you have all the time in the world to get one.”

“Because the Ralts I caught and the Skitty want to go on this journey together. They want to be caught by the same trainer and fight together. I am not letting you getting in the way of that.”

Robb sighs again at this.

“Listen kid. I always get the job done. The job doesn’t care about the Pokémon’s feelings. If I’m not taking one Skitty away from their home and friends, I’m probably taking another just at a later time when your gone. It makes no difference to me and I need to eat. So move aside. Before I have to battle you and your Pokémon.”

He begins to advance upon her. Lily calls out in response.

“Wait! What are you being paid, and why! Is it possible to outbid the person paying, or know why its being done to solve this some other way?”

Robb responds casually.

“Eh? My job is to basically catch a Skitty for this spoiled rich girl for her collection or whatever, I don’t really care what she does after getting it. I’m getting paid five hundred thousand poke dollars for it though.”

Lily eyes widened.

“Five hundred thousand!? For a normal Skitty!? Thats ridiculous! Winning a battle against the Champion itself pays nowhere near that much!”

Robb shrugs.

“I know right? Its ridiculous but to rich people five hundred thousand is pocket change. Some people who inherit such wealth have zero idea of how to spend it properly, but I’m not complaining, see?”

Dex chimes in.

“It also means that we will not be outbidding this one any time soon.”

Robb blinks in surprise.

“…Did that Pokédex just talk? As in, not recorded but actual response?”

Ensara just stands there not answering the awkward question, drawing out an “um” for a few seconds before proclaiming.

“Yoink!”

While grabbing the Skitty and running away. Lily quickly followed after her an they run into the maze of hedge, hoping to lose Robb in the path ways. He just sighs. Such foolishness. He had already thought a way around that. He commanded Mandibuzz to take to the skies again and keep an eye on them, then he sent out his Scyther.

“Follow Mandibuzz’s directions.”

He commands Scyther.

“Cut through any hedge that stands in your way.”

Scyther smiles and utters its trademark cry in glee at the prospect of cutting down so many things and begins to charge through the hedge, hacking and slashing a path straight through it as Robb and his Pokémon pursued the two trainers, keeping to close to them no matter how far they gone or how labyrinthine the hedge was through pure direct pathways, tearing through anything in their way to get what he wanted.

As they ran, Dex comments as they run.

“You know. This plan isn’t actually working. The maze isn’t stopping him. I suggest a different plan. Like catching the Skitty. Immediately.”

Ensara growls back

“Yea, but if I stop to do that, he will catch up and might catch her instead! We need to slow him down!”

Lily was the first to suggest a plan.

“How about I hold him off by challenging him to a battle, while you run?”

Ensara considers this as they run.

“Oh, because your super-smart and that means your an awesome tactical battler or something?”

Lily was nervous at this question as she offered an awkward smile.

“Uh. Hopefully?”

Ensara scowls at her friend.

“What do you mean by that?”

Lily catches behind her head, clearly not exactly comfortable with the direction of the conversation.

“I mean that this is will be my first trainer battle? and I’m not very much interested in battling to begin with? heheheheheh…”

Ensara covers her face with her palm, making sure to keep her eyes unblocked so that she could see where she was going. Darn it, Lily. She was Ensara’s friend but really, trying to pull this amateur outmatched heroics stunt? Ensara guessed she didn’t have any ground to stand on complaint wise due to her little waterfall escapade, but that doesn’t mean she should be emulated! However the alternative was Ensara herself fighting Robb, and she knew enough to see that if she fought Robb now, she would lose. No one had two evolved Pokémon and a Scyther at the start of their journey and newbies like her certainly weren’t that old. Ensara sighed.

“Very well then. You hold him off for as long as you can, I’ll keep running.”

While Ensara runs off, Lily turns around and takes out a Pokéball.



Robb stops as he faces Lily.

“What are doing?”

Lily smiles.

“Challenging you to a Pokémon battle.”

Robb narrows his eyes at this. This will get annoying.

“Why?”

Lily begins to explain while standing her ground.

“Why, because I know two things for a fact: One, a Pokémon Mercenary is a legal profession and is of course, not allowed to kill anyone in any circumstance. Two, as someone who uses Pokémon you legally count as a Pokémon Trainer. All trainers are required to accept challenges to Pokémon battles unless their Pokémon cannot battle or the trainer is in no condition to command them, as Pokémon battles are required for Pokémon’s healthy growth and development.”

Robb sighed. She was right, but he knew that in practice stronger trainers turned down weaker ones all the time on the logical thought that all their Pokémon getting beaten wouldn’t help them grow at all, as well as many other exceptions and situations where people just ignored it. However turning down a challenge was also legally the same as losing since you had to pay a fine in poke dollars to the challenger you turned down equal to the amount you would’ve paid out if you lost to them, and he couldn’t afford to lose cash.

“I hate it when people bring the legal technicalities into it. Very well. Pokémon battle it is. I choose my Scyther, see?”

Lily nods and throws a Pokéball, sending out her Chespin. The Pokémon takes a ready stance with a yelp of its name. Lily tries to recall what she has read upon battling.

“Ok, now to assess the tactical situation so that I may command the optimal mo-“

“Slash.”

Robb calls out once, and the Scyther moves forward at blinding speed, hitting Chespin with a single solid blow. In an instant, Scyther speeds back to Robb’s side and Chespin faints instantly. Robb decides to give some advice.

“You got to think on your feet kid. You may be smart, but thinking well and thinking fast are not the same thing.”

She stood in surprise for a moment. She could already tell this wasn’t going to go well. But you can’t run from a trainer battle. Not without forfeiting. She returned Chespin an said

“Go! Panpour!”

“Slash.”

“Dodge it!”

Panpour tries to move itself out of the way but despite its natural acrobatic nature Scyther easily outside it and Panpour was soon lying on the ground, fainted as well.

“Two down and barely a minute has gone by, better think of something quick to make that next newbie Pokémon last, Lil’ Professor.”

Lily narrowed her eyes. She knew she was a bad battler, but she had to do something. Ensara was count on her. She sends out Caterpie.

“Go! Use String Shot!”

Caterpie shoots the sticky webbing from its mouth and soon Scyther finds itself entangled, unable to move all that much. It struggles and tries to break out but to no avail, Caterpie holding Scyther in its web tight.

“Haha! See, lasting longer than few seconds now, huh?”

Well Robb had to concede that.

“Ok yeah, you accomplished that but, what now genius? I think you’ve already picked up that my Pokémon are far stronger and well trained than yours. Even if you try to attack, it wouldn’t do any damage to win against me.”

Lily raised a finger knowingly.

“I know that. That is why I won’t attack. I will just allow Caterpie to sit here, holding Scyther down, stalling out time until Ensara comes back to look for me, having already caught Skitty and thus winning the real battle at stake. I don’t need to win against you, only wait long enough for this battle to become pointless.”

Robb raised an eyebrow.

“Ah. I see. So your realistic about your chances. Good. Did you plan for this?”

He returns Scyther then orders his Mightyena:

“Tundra! Use Ice Fang!”

Instantly ice claws chomp down upon Caterpie and it faints in Tundra’s jaws then flops down to the ground. Lily returns it. Robb explains her mistake.

“Yeah, it was a good stalling tactic in theory, but you’d need something like Mean Look, or was it called Scary Face, I don’t remember? To keep the Pokémon from switching out. So it didn’t work out in practice.”

Lily then took out her last Pokéball with her Weedle.

“Well, I have one last Pokémon to use-“

“Stop.”

Robb said holding up a hand.

“I’d recommend against using your last Pokémon here. If its your last well, your technically in the wilderness and its your last line of defense, no matter how pathetic it is. That one faints, your on your own. So yeah, you could continue this battle if you wanted. Or you could stop now, admit defeat and be able to go back to the Pokémon Center and get the rest of your Pokémon healed without having to worry about the dangers. See?”

Lily was frozen as she considered what he said. It made sense. How much more time was she really going to buy with only her Weedle? And how much was she going to need a Pokémon if any others attacked? The choice was obvious. She deflates as she admits.

“Alright. You win.”

Robb then walked forward an her out his hand.

“It was a match, pay up.”

She does so. He looks sadly at the minuscule amount of money, but pockets it anyways.

“Just what I get for beating up newbie trainers. Alright, time to move on.”

Lily turns and ask

“Wait. Why do you do this? You don’t seem to like doing any of this.”

Robb just sighs.

“Its my job. My profession. I don’t have to like it. I just have to be able to do it, and need money. See?”

He throws out his Scyther again, free from the web to once again start cutting through the hedge. Lily returns her Caterpie and follows him from a distance.



Meanwhile Ensara had gotten out of sight. She sets down Skitty and takes out her out her Pokéball. This was going to simple now. All Ensara had to was to catch one Skitty who wanted to be caught, it wouldn’t take five seconds and she will win.

“Go,Pokéball!”

She throws the Pokéball which of course begins to off course immediately while Skitty jumps up in the opposite direction of where it was heading in her excitement to get caught. Emerald sends herself out, her hand covering her face in embarrassment.

-Oh my Arceus. Between a trainer who can’t aim a Pokéball and a clumsy Skitty, this is going to hopeless.-

Masala sends herself out to pitch in her own thoughts.

-Want to grab a bite to eat from that nearby berry tree? This ought to be entertaining at least.-

Ensara glared at them in anger.

“Emerald? Masala? Screw you both.”

They both answer back:

-But we can’t breed yet!-

“Shut up, that not what I meant! Ugh, lets just get on with this.’

Emerald and Masala then proceed to eat Oran berries while watching the various ways they fail: In one attempt, Skitty jumps up only to knock the Pokéball back into Ensara’s face with her tail. In another the Pokéball almost seemed to hit then Skitty trips and falls flat on her face and the Pokéball sails right over her. In a third attempt, the Pokéball hits but the button on is on the opposite side so it doesn’t open, only causing a bruise. On the fourth attempt the Pokéball leaves Ensara’s hand too early while Skitty in her jump crashes into Ensara. And in a fifth attempt, Ensara tried to hold still while Skitty tried to jump into the ball only to end up knocking it out of her hand. Even the Mandibuzz flying above is bewildered as it beholds these aimless antics.

“What is with these people? Are they trying to perform slapstick comedy? Or just some weird dance?”

Mandibuzz mutters. Then shrugs her wings.

“No matter, I’ve flown staring at this nonsense long enough, time to report back to the boss.”

Finally Flara has had enough of this as well, so she grabs Ensara’s Pokéball in her mouth, leaps down to Skitty and pokes her with the pokeballs button, sucking her in though the red light then it clatters to the ground, and Wobbles once.



Wobbles Twice.



Wobbles Thrice.



Then….Clicks. Flara then turns to Ensara and yelps.

“Fenne, fennekin?”

Emerald translates:

-She says: There, was that so hard?-

Ensara just groans at what happened.

“Ugh, do I really need my own Pokémon to teach me how to throw a ball properly? Thats got to be a new low. But! Look on the bright side, we got Skitty, we’ve won. Now to name her.”

She sends out Skitty once more.

“Hey Skitty, how about being named, Fortuna? Because your real fortunate to have friends like Emerald?”

Fortuna meows in approval. Emerald thinks

-She says she likes it because sounds like her battle cry: “For tuna!”. By the way, I like my name as well, even if its a little obvious. I gleaned what you named me from reading your mind.-

“Glad to hear it. Don’t worry. Now that your both my Pokémon, you’ll be safe and together.”

They soon hear the Scyther slashing through the hedge and the footsteps of the mercenary and he soon comes stomping in with all the weight of a man out to get the job done. Ensara looks at him and simply returns Fortuna to her Pokéball to get the message across. Robb sighs one final time.

“Ok. You beat me. You got the Skitty and its friend together. Hooray. Good job. You know this won’t actually stop me right? I’m just going look somewhere else until I find another Skitty and catch them. There is more than one after all, and its not exactly the rarest Pokémon in the world. Your just exchanging one Pokémon being taken from its home and family for one you don’t know suffering the same fate, only you won’t be around to stop it.”

Ensara remembered what Masala told her about Pokémon views on capturing and decided she wasn’t going to worry about it. However she still responded.

“Well I can do something about these two, and that is what counts.”

Robb shrugs and replies.

“Well, you do realize that all you’ve really done is made my job harder, right? You’ve just delayed its completion when my current employer is a spoiled brat noble, who wants it as soon as possible. Would you be willing to trade? I’ve got lots of Pokémon over my year son being a trainer, I’m sure I can find something for you to get in return.”

Ensara stood her ground and folded her arms, anticipating a fight.

“Mercenary-man, I wouldn’t trade away Fortuna even if you had Mew itself. They are friends, they want to travel together, they deserve to do so.”

Robb shrugs again and says.

“Oh well. It was worth a shot. I’ll be going then.”

Ensara blinks at this.

“Wait your giving up, just like that? You did all this, and your just going to leave and find some other Skitty?”

Robb begins to turn around.

“Well. Yeah. I don’t have time to agonize over this. Even if I beat you, I can’t really get the Skitty. I’m no criminal. So yeah, I’m gone. See? I doubt we’ll ever see each other again, so listen to this kid: Not everyone is lucky like you. The world can betray when you least expect it. Beware of the time when it will, because even the ones closest to you can betray you someday.”

He then walks off into the hedge and out of sight. Footsteps fall. The heaviness of a grey and broken past weighs down upon his shoulders as he leaves. He was a man who got the job done no matter what, and he stalks off to find some other prey.



Soon after, Lily walks in and begins to apologize.

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t hold him off longer. He was just too strong.”

Ensara shakes her head and lays her hand on Lily’s shoulder.

“Its ok. You held long enough for Fortuna to be caught, and that is what matters. I don’t think I could’ve done any better to be honest. He and his Pokémon looked they’ve been doing this sort of thing for a long time.”

Lily smiles a little in response, being reassured that she did well.

“Thanks Ensara. Lets go back to Santalune. I’ll need to heal up my Pokémon. I have to ask through, now that we’ve caught them, whats your plan now?”

Ensara smiles her own more dangerous smile.

“Simple, Lily. Now that I’ve got a team of Pokémon, I’m thinking of training them up and challenging Viola. If I want to catch Mew, I got to have a strong team, and the best measure of strength is how far I can go in the League.”

Lily nods at this.

“Makes sense. Too bad that’ll mean you’ll probably meet Jansen again.”

Ensara roll her eyes at the thought.

“Yeah, his mindset and attitude is so annoying. Especially if we encounter more people like him with his competitive attitude.”

“I’m confused, wouldn’t competition be a good thing, since you need to be strong, and thus strong people to test yourself against?”

Lily replied in thought, Ensara shrugged her shoulders.

“Technically yes, but that doesn’t mean I like it. It quickly leads to arrogance and toxicity. I’m just not comfortable with that kind of mindset. Even though I need to win to achieve my dream. So the mindset I dislike is also the mindset I need to get Mew, and I’m not sure how I feel about that.”

Lily smiled and hugged Ensara close

“Don’t worry, you’ll figure something out. You have smarts of your own.”

“…Heh. Thanks Lily.”

They break from the hug and as they begin to walk back, Emerald asks Ensara a question.

-Hey. You said that even if Robb had Mew itself, that you wouldn’t trade us away. Mew is the goal your working towards, do you really mean that you’d turn down the chance of Mew itself just for two Pokémon you just caught?-

Ensara bends down on her knee and pets Emerald’s head.

“Listen, Emerald. You and Fortuna are apart of my team now. I don’t sell people out like that. Especially not my friends. Not even for Mew. That and I want to catch Mew, not trade for Mew. The point is to work to catch Mew with my own skills at Pokémon training and wit, not to get handed Mew through somebody else’s work. The point is to earn Mew, not to have Mew.”

Emerald considers this and her thoughts are filled with worry.

-But wouldn’t that mean if somebody catches Mew before you, that you’ll fail forever?-

Ensara eyes narrows at the question. Emerald had a good point.

“Yes. I guess thats true. But I guess if I can’t beat all the other trainers to Mew, I don’t deserve to have Mew.”



Hour later, long after Ensara, Lily and their Pokémon left, one of the gardeners comes by and harrumphs at the destruction caused through the hedge.

“Dang kids and their Cut. Its gonna take forever for my Tangela to regrow all of this properly.”

The gardener sighs. Just another day in the job of a hedge trimmer, it sucked but he was a man who got the job done, no matter what.

 

Episode 5: Enter Shade Wagers

It has been two days since Ensara caught Emerald and Fortuna. Her Pokémon have been training through sparring each other in the park for the Santalune Gym Leader. Flara and Fortuna’s spars have been relatively even, the spar between Emerald and Masala however has been more one sided due to Emeralds obvious advantages.

The little Riolu finds herself beaten again.

-Ugh! Emerald, you keep Teleporting and confusing me!-

Emerald just shrugs in response.

-Well yeah, I’m a psychic type, your a fighting type. Thats how this sort of thing goes-

Masala waves her arms in frustration

-Its not fair! I can’t even get a hit on you!-

Emerald replies not seeing the problem.

-Thats the point! Its just my strategy, and it works.-

Masala turns to her trainer

-Ensara! Emerald is beating me again, help.-

Ensara just raises an eyebrow

“Masala, the point of the training is get you used to fighting Psychic types so that you know the weakness of your own type. So that you can think of ways to beat a Psychic type, to catch them off guard, or at least know them enough to not engage them when you’ll get beaten easily. If we had another fighting type, I’d also have you work on your dodging skills since when you evolve you’ll be weak to your own type, but we have to make do with this.”

Emerald giggles a little.

-I still find it funny that Lucario’s are more vulnerable to their own attacks than Riolu’s are.-

Masala bristles at this as Emerald continues.

-I mean imagine a Lucario sparring with their own child, trying to teach them how to fight and getting beaten in one attack! That would be so embarrassing!-

Masala growls and thinks back.

-Hey! Sparring between Lucario and Riolu is a serious, sacred duty that we perform to improve ourselves! Its not there for your amusement!-

Emerald smiles and looks at Masala cattily.

-But am I wrong?-

Masala goes silent, refusing to answer. Emerald smiles even wider and looks at Ensara.

-All I needed to know.-

Ensara claps her hands

“Alright, I think thats enough training for now. Lets go.”

She returns her Pokémon while Flara leaps back up onto her shoulder. Ensara turns to Lily who had been busy taking notes of Masala’s and Emerald’s interactions.

“Interesting. Pokémon more likely to ask a trainer to intervene when they can communicate directly rather than the usual method of solving it themselves through battle or contests of skill. I wonder, do Pokémon see humans as a neutral party in their disputes?”

She finishes writing it down, closes her notebook and stands up.

“Well Ensara, shall we go to the Gym?”

Ensue pumped her fist

“Thats the plan.”

They then set out.



Soon they arrive at the Santalune Gym. A big mansion with a green roof surrounded by even more greenery around it. It was all well-cared for, neat and tidy. All perfectly designed for the type of Gym Leader Viola was. Ensara with a look of determination in her eyes began to take a step forward. Not just a step into the Gym, but a step towards her destiny. She would go in there and show the Gym Leader just how strong she really was. Then suddenly some other guy teleports in front of her thanks to the Gallade he was holding onto.

“We’re here, Verdigris! The Santalune Gym! Fifth Badge here we come!”

Ensara shouts at them.

“Hey! I was here first!”

He turns around in surprise. The boy had a long stylish black trench coat, wore black sunglasses over his eyes and his windswept hair was a grayish purple. He strikes a bit of a pose as he introduces himself with a smile.

“Sorry, my fellow trainer! I didn’t see you there. But I must ask that you wait for a day! I am here, I do things hard and fast, because I do them my way. I am sorry for my presence you bear, because winning is my bottom line. To mess around with nonsense I don’t have the time and usually I don’t even try to rhyme. My name is Shade Wagers, and this Gym Leader Challenge I will flay. In Unova I was born and self-made, defeating all Gym Leaders there, and getting into the Unova League, return Verdigris, my Gallade!

I am an Ace! Trainer! And unfortunately I must warn you now:”

He lowers his glasses just for a second to reveal his grey eyes full of steel and determination. His voice becomes low and threatening.

“Don’t get in my way.”

Then he hides his eyes again and his smile returns. Then he turns around and bursts into the Santalune Gym, slamming the doors wide open and proclaiming.

“Viola! Gym Leader of the Santalune City Gym! I have come here to challenge you to a match for my fifth badge for the Kalos League! Come out and face me!”

Ensara and Lily follow him in, Ensara determined to get her Gym Badge and Lily wanting to see a Bug Gym leader show off. Viola meanwhile looked up from snapping pictures of the bug Pokémon around her and looks at Shade.

“Hm? Very well. Can I get your name? You seem familiar from somewhere.”

“Shade Wagers, pleased to meet you.”

She takes out a touch screen computer and scans through it until he eyes light up with recognition.

“Ah! I see. Your a Unova League Finalist. Your on the Gold List. Its rare I get a trainer like you around here. Guess I don’t have to hold back.”

Shade arches an eyebrow

“I’m rare you say? Whats your usual trainer?”

Viola waves her hand.

“Oh y’know, the usual newbies who have just started their journey coming in from places like Vaniville or Aquacorde. Some Lumiose people not feeling up to challenging Clemont. I work with it, but sometimes I miss going all out.”

Shades pumps his fist with a smile on his face.

“Good, because I wouldn’t want you to waste my time with that beginner level stuff! Show me what your made of, Viola!”

Viola nods and presses a button, causing a case with a bunch of pokeballs to rise out of the floor, she selects the three pokeballs in the section marked “Gold Listers” and takes them out.

“Gladly! You two girls there, you are in for a show, I suggest you grab a seat. Preferably a safe one away from the arena. This will get intense. Too many times do I have to hold back my Bugs for the sake of my job. Thank for this opportunity, Shade Wagers.”

She takes out one of her pokeballs and points it forward with a determined look on her face. Shade takes out one of his own pokeballs.

“Your welcome. What are the rules?”

Viola states them.

“Three Pokémon each. Single battle. All three of my Pokémon can mega-evolve.”

Shade chuckles as he fiddles with the Pokéball in his hand.

“Ok. I’ll give myself a challenge and not use any mega-evolutions at all. That should keep it fair for you.”

“Oh confident are we?”

They bantered between them.

“More like the certainty of knowing the facts.”

Viola snorted.

“I don’t care how hot you think you are. Now I can show the world how powerful I really am.”

She then throws her Pokéball and a Heracross bursts out. She touches her hand to her Key Stone and Heracross glows with rainbow light and soon transforms into Mega-Heracross, its arms pumping up and its horns growing curved and long, the entire Pokémon even becoming a little more machine like with vents on it. In response, Shade sends out Braviary.

“Go! Libertas!”

The eagle Pokémon letting out a trumpeting cry as it soared into the air. Viola and Shade size each other up for a moment, savoring the calm before the storm. Then they shout:

“Brave Bird!”

“Protect!”

Libertas dived down at insane speeds, the sheer friction of his aerial charge igniting a blazing corona around his body and as he impacts the force-field Mega-Heracross creates like a piercing meteor, a shockwave bursts out of their clash. A great wind buffets everyone and everything within the Gym, the trees and bushes swaying, Ensara and Lily jumping a little at the sudden event while Viola and Shade both stand still while the wind passes through, focusing on the battle. Both Pokémon emerge from the dust kicked up by the disturbance, Mega-Heracross unharmed but noticeably pushed back by the impact, with skid marks at his feet. Libertas flew out of the dust, singed and bruised from the failed attack, but still ready to fight. Shade smiles and comments.

“Huh. Nice, you survived the first move. Most trainers don’t. Say, why don’t people use their strongest attack first more often?”

Ensara and Lily are still visibly shaken, staring gawk at what just happened. Is this how all high-level Pokémon battles are like!? This time Viola makes the attack.

“Rock Throw!”

“Double Roost.”

Lily did a double take and looked at Shade. What did he just say? There was no such thing as double roost! She soon got her answer as Libertas uses Double Team as he an his images quickly perch in the nearby trees and begin to glow to heal his injuries using Roost. Mega-Heracross conjures and throws rocks at rapid speeds, throwing up a storm of stones at all the trees. Libertas however seemed to evade all of them as he recovered, switching places with his images like a shell game. Lily and Ensara however quickly duck as a few stray rocks head for them and sail over their heads. Soon the images disappear and Braviary takes to the air again.

“Stone Edge!”

“Double Ace.”

With a stomp Mega-Heracross makes a great spike made of stone shoot out of the ground at the bird scoring a direct hit, at the Braviary’s Double team image which fades as it is disturbed. The real Libertas appears from behind and zooms into Mega-Heracross with Aerial Ace, scoring a direct hit then flying back up again. Viola thinking it was time to play to Heracross’s strength, orders

“Fly up, use Megahorn!”

“Keep out of its reach, Air Slash.”

Mega-Heracross, his horn glowing charges into the air after Braviary, trying to hit him with it. However the Braviary is too fast and flies out of the way of his attempts at charging while constantly send blades of air at Mega-Heracross, the slower bug accumulating injury after injury as Libertas flew circles around it at a distance until Mega-Heracross could take not more and falls to the ground, fainting and reverting back to its usual form. Shade regarded the Pokémon. Viola did well, but he knew that the weakness of Mega-Heracross was that it actually got slower when it Mega-Evolves. Libertas was not only a good choice because of his advantage over both Bug and Fighting, but because he was faster and thus could avoid every hit despite Mega-Heracross’s greatly enhanced attack power. Speed, not power won this round.



Ensara and Lily rose up from where they’ve ducked.

“This is intense.”

“Yup.”

Lily agreed, at a loss for any other words.



Viola returns Heracross and then sends out Beedrill, who glows and transforms into Mega-Beedrill as well, acquiring an extra pair of needle-arms and becoming pointier and more stylized all around. Shade however decides to leave Libertas in. He still had the advantage.

“Air Slash!”

“Fury Attack!”

Mega-Beedrill avoids the air blade and begins a furious assault on Libertas, jabbing at the great bird hundreds of times. As Libertas tries to evade, bruises, cuts and other little injuries begin to add up. Even as Libertas breaks away, Mega-Beedrill flash steps to be right in front of him again and continue the assault.

“Double Roost again!”

“Poison Jab and Double Team as well!”

The arena is filled with copies of the two Pokémon, as if Gym suddenly became a hall of mirrors. However Mega-Beedrill was far faster than any Braviary, and hit him dead on anyways. Libertas was sent tumbling through the air, soon righting himself but feeling far worse, poisoned from the attack. This was not good. Shade knew that Mega-Beedrill was far out speeding Libertas. He had one shot at ending this in his favor.

“Brave Bird!”

“X-Scissor!”

Once again Libertas charged at blazing speed, the corona once again igniting around him and coming like a comet to strike Mega-Beedrill. But he only hits an image of it, and suddenly slashed by two drills from behind. Libertas then fell to earth, knocked out. Shade scratched his head.

“Ok. You took out one of my Pokémon. Good! I’d hate it if this was easy. Come on Libertas, you deserve a rest.”

He returned his Pokéball. Then picked another one and threw it out.

“Go, Intricia!”

Bursting from the Pokéball came a Chandelure. She floated there, taking note of the Mega-Beedrill, her purple flames crackling with readiness. Viola gritted her teeth. A ghost type. Those were always tricky. Mega-Beedrill was a pure physical attacker, and relied on normal and bug type moves neither of which were good against Ghost. Yet she couldn’t switch out. This was going to be tough.

“Mega-Beedrill, use Assurance!”

“hide, Confuse Ray.”

Intricia went invisible and Mega-Beedrill stopped in the middle of the attack in confusion, unable to know where to attack. Then suddenly there was a strange of light in its eyes and Mega-Beedrill jumped and went flying like crazy, unable to see properly, everything going all topsy-turvy in its vision and ends up crashing into a tree. Mega-Beedrill flies back up into the arena and looks around, still unsure.

“Fire Spin”

Suddenly a tornado of purple flame springs up around Mega-Beedrill. Any which way it tries to fly out, it only gets burnt by the vortex around it. The Bug Pokémon was essentially trapped. Then Intricia appeared at the top of it.

“Intricia, Flamethrower.”

Intricia then aimed downwards with her stream of flame, giving nowhere for even the incredibly fast Mega-Beedrill to run and roasting him into unconsciousness. Shade let out a sigh of relief. Here he had been more concerned with keeping the flames controlled in the battle than winning. He knew that Intricia would win regardless. He just wanted to make sure that the fire attacks would be controlled enough to not harm the surrounding trees and foliage of the Gym. Aiming the Flamethrower downwards was added guarantee that it would only hit the dirt of the arena so that it wouldn’t spread. That and he needed to contain Mega-Beedrill so that it wouldn’t have time to dodge Intricia’s attacks and potentially cause her to set fire to the Gym with her misses. He was an Ace Trainer and he would not be so incompetent as to allow his own Pokémon to set fire to someone else’s property, not even accidentally.



Dex whispers into Ensara’s ear:

“Take note of this battle. You will have to equal or even surpass the power and skill on display here, if you wish to catch Mew.”

Ensara nods as she watches in awe.

“Yeah. That kind of scares me actually.”

“Why? One would think that you’d like imagine what you could do and accomplish with such power.”

“Thats exactly it. I am. Those possibilities are what scares me.”



Viola sends out her Scizor last, and in a final prismatic light, becomes Mega-Scizor, become taller, sharper with more layers of black armor and bigger spiky pincers.

Viola declares as it takes its battle ready stance.

“This is my final Pokémon, Shade. And my best. Prepare for the best Pokémon in my Gym!”

“Bring it. Fire Spin.”

Once again, a tornado of flame surrounds the Pokémon. Mega-Scizor just stands there, calmly awaiting its order. Viola commands.

“Vacuum Wave.”

Mega-Scizor then punched the air, firing a blast of pure vacuum at the flaming vortex to break it and jump through the hole. Shade decided to press the attack.

“Flamethrower!”

“Protect! Night Slash!”

Intricia lets loose a great stream of flame, but it all breaks against Mega-Scizor’s force field like a wave on a cliffside. Then he fills his pincers with dark energy and leaps forward at Intricia who goes invisible again and flies upwards out of his reach. Both Intricia and Shade knew that a single Dark type attack would be enough to take her out. At the same time, that Night Slash was the only threat that Mega-Scizor had. However he had a feeling that Viola has going to milk Protect as much as possible until she could score a direct hit. He needs to find a way to make Mega-Scizor vulnerable.

“Will-O-Wisp! Substitute!”

“Night Slash!”

Mega-Scizor jumps up right at Intricia, and right into the ghostly flames, and Intricia’s created copy takes the hit for her, soon dissipating to nothing as the claws of black flame clamp down upon it. Intricia winces as the life energy she spent to make it is drained out of her.

“Now, keep out of its reach!”

“Pursue until you can attack!”

With that Mega-Scizor began to chase Intricia around the arena, Intricia just barely keeping ahead of him. He would leap and use Night Slash again and again, but she would evade out of the way just in time. They were both starting to tire out, and it seemed that Mega-Scizor might catch up. However, the ghostly flames around Mega-Scizor licked at him more and more as time went on, heating up his metallic body and slowing down his movements as he felt the pain of constant flame. Soon he stopped, panting as the phantom flames take its toll and Intricia kept out of his reach. Shade decided to finish this.

“Now, Intricia. Hex.”

With that Intricia’s eyes glow for a moment then a strange symbol appears on Mega-Scizors forehead and shocks him with ghostly energy, the flames only enhancing its power as Mega-Scizor screams in sudden agony at the accursed energy wracking his body. Then he could take no more and falls unconscious. Viola returns Scizor to his Pokéball and she turns to Shade as he returns Intricia. She then walks over and hands him her badge.

“That was a good battle, Shade. Here is your badge. I admit, you thoroughly outmaneuvered me.”

“Was there any doubt that I wouldn’t?”

He takes it and puts it in his case with the other four. He would not say it out loud, but he considered this won before it even started. He picked his Pokémon in advance to make sure it was a good team to fight her with. Gym Leaders were simply the ones most vulnerable to that kind of preparation due to their relative abundance and one-note typing that puts them at a crippling disadvantage against anyone who knew what they were doing. Other tournament trainers were far harder while people rarely fought the Elite Four or the Champion, so one wouldn’t be able to have such a relatively easy win.

“Hey!”

Ensara shouts.

“Now that you fought him, can I battle you now?”

Viola says

“Uh, no. I’m kind of tired from it. Can you wait until tomorrow?”

Ensara pouts and crosses her arms but says

“Fine.”

Shade turns to consider Ensara and Lily.

“Hey. If you want, we could go back to the Pokémon Center together. Its always nice to meet new trainers.”

A vein appears on Ensara’s forehead and she shouts.

“Oh yeah, nice talk coming from a jerk who barges in and steals my challenge!”

He holds up his hands in embarrassment at Ensara’s anger.

“Oh. Sorry. Tell you what, I’ll pay for the food to compensate. okay?”

She folds her arms again and accepts the offer.



The three trainers and their Pokémon are now back at the Pokémon center, all of them eating heartily. They already introduced each other, and Ensara asks Shade

“So, what brings you to Kalos, and why were you in such a rush to beat Viola?”

Shade answers while leaning over the counter.

“Look, Ensara. The Gym Leader thing? For most trainers, its a journey. You spend months and months traveling around the region, getting badges as you go, gradually progressing. However I’m an Ace Trainer. We Ace Trainers don’t have time for that. At the level we’re battling at, Gym Leaders are nuisances who only waste our time with a single type when we could be training how to battle properly. Therefore, what Ace Trainers do is beat every Gym Leader as fast as possible then spend the rest of the year training for the Leagues- the battle that REALLY matters. I myself will beat all eight Gym Leaders in eight days. This is my fifth day y’know.”

Ensara’s eyes bulged as she yelled in shock.

“EIGHT DAYS!?”

Shade shrugs at this.

“Yeah, I know, right? So slow, the other Aces keep telling me to go faster but I prefer to give the Gym Leaders one day for each of them as a form of respect.”

Ensara rubs her head at Shade’s response and decides to change the subject.

“And why your in Kalos?”

Shade spreads his hands.

“Why not in Kalos? The fashion is fancy, the food is good, the sights are beautiful, and I need to check out the Pokémon here. That and my fellow Ace Trainers friends wanted to compete here. Why you here?”

Ensara raised an eyebrow

“I’m from Kalos. This is my first journey.”

Lily says

“Same with me.”

Shade noted in understanding.

“Then allow me to rephrase the question: what is your goal? Why did you decide to do this?”

Ensara pumps her fist in determination.

“My goal is to catch a Mew! Nothing less than the legendary itself!”

While Lily adjusted her glasses.

“And my goal is to research better Pokémon-human communication methods using speech, or basically learn how to talk with them.”

Shade nods at both of these.

“I see. Great goals! Nice and ambitious. Your both aiming for the stars, and your doing it your own way. Too many trainers just do the usual “try and become Champion” thing just for the sake of it, without realizing what that means.”

Ensara then asks

“Oh? What about you? Isn’t that basically your goal? Your an Ace Trainer after all.”

Shade smiles, sips a drink and answers

“Well yes basically. But lets just say I’m working towards something just as elusive as catching Mew.”

Lily got curious

“What is that?”

Shade waves it off.

“Oh, a small thing, compared to trying to catch a legendary or speaking to Pokémon themselves. Not really important in the grand scheme of things.”

Ensara crossed her arms suspiciously.

“Then you should have no problem telling us what it is then.”

Shade holds up his hands defensively.

“Look, its nothing big or nefarious ok? I promise you that. Its personal. And kind of embarrassing. But becoming a Champion is a big part of it.”

Ensara narrowed her eyes, but she supposed everyone had a secret to keep.

“Very well, I won’t pry.”

Emerald, being curious denies to ask

-Whats the Gold Lister thing that was mentioned during the match?-

Shade chuckles.

“Oh that. Basically, its a system devised for trainers like me. Basically, while most trainers are hobbyists, specialists or casual travelers who just do the Gym Challenge and compete in tournaments for the sport, for the fun of it, they get a normal Gym challenge. Trainers like Ace Trainers who get very high places in the tournament rankings or fight the Elite Four however the ones who are serious about being competitive, get put on a list that warns the Gym Leaders of other regions to not go easy on them, as well as call them up in case a region needs defending. For mutual interests. For the trainers, its an opportunity to keep improving. For the Elite Four and whatnot, its an added deterrent to make sure its harder for someone who already has badges in one region can’t get them easily in another. That is the Gold List, it also serves as a potential list of candidates to look over in case a Champion decides to step down without being defeated and someone needs to be replaced.”

Emerald nodded, then probed a bit more.

-Also, you said that most trainers try to become Champion without realizing what that means. Can you elaborate?-

Shade leaned in to explain.

“You see little Ralts, the Champion is more than just the strongest trainer around, and Pokémon battling while a sport is a bit more than that. The Champion is the protector of their given region, the highest authority when it comes to defending it. They don’t just stand around having random Pokémon battles or training, they have a responsibility to use their strength to protect the people under them. A Champion has to be strong to defend others, so you create a competitive system to make sure you can find that strongest while keeping it nonlethal to make sure as many Trainers remain alive to defend the region.

However strength alone is not enough, you must have the right character, virtues and wisdom to be the Champion as well. A thug can only defend with a club and nothing else. Therefore, the Gym Leaders picked to assess and evaluate the trainers character as well, while doubling as more local protectors of their town. To become Champion, and thus the region’s protector, your essentially going across the region to battle for the Gym Leader’s approval then fighting all the other trainers who’ve won their approval then fight the current protectors and ruler in charge. This entire process was designed to make sure that there would always be strong trainers to defend people and that they would constantly hone their skills against each other. While making sure that the wars of the past do not repeat. The Gold List is apart of this as well, to make sure that its hard for a Trainer to become eligible to be Champion for more than one region.”

Lily at this asked.

“Wait, why? Wouldn’t it be better to have trainers on the Gold List eligible for any region Champion position?”

Shade hook his head.

“Nope. The entire process is designed to narrow the candidates down and limit your power. Currently I’m only a viable candidate for the Unova Championship. I will become viable for the Kalos one only when I beat all eight Gyms and get far enough into the Tournament to be considered strong enough to challenge the Elite Four, which is typically the top four trainers, real finals kind of stuff. Of course, only the winner of the tournament can actually challenge the Elite Four, its just that the other three are next in line if the winner doesn’t work out for some reason.”

Reasons such as retiring, going missing, dying, already becoming a Champion of a different region, or becoming a criminal. There were also the Silver Listers, but they were unlikely candidates.

“After all, you wouldn’t want one person being Champion of two regions- too much to protect, and places too much power in the hands of one person. I’m curious though, Ensara. Knowing all this, why do you want to challenge the Gym Leaders? Your goal is to catch Mew which doesn’t seem to have anything to do with the competition.”

Ensara shakes her head.

“Wrong. I can only catch Mew if I’m strong enough. The easiest way to measure the progress of my strength and prove that I can get to the level where I can catch Mew is through the competition, even if I personally dislike the competitive mindset and don’t really want to be Champion.”

Shade leans back while considering this. He personally didn’t blame her for not being the competitive sort like him. The world is open to all kinds.

“Ah. I see. Your serious about this. Your taking part in this even though you don’t like it, because its necessary to see your dream fulfilled. Got it, and your traveling together?”

They nod.

“Well! Got a room for me? I won’t lie, you caught my interest. I want to join you on your travels, perhaps teach you how to battle better, move you along, help you achieve your dream.”

Ensara was taken aback at this.

“W-what? Really? But we are just starting trainers, and your like this experienced tournament guy who can battle on this insane level of power.”

Shade spreads his arms wide and smiles at this.

“So!? Variety is the spice of life! Its always nice to meet new trainers, all my Ace Trainer friends have probably already won the Gym Badges and are busy training in isolated places in preparation, not even bothering to look around. They’re good people but they can be a bit dull at times. That and you need someone to show you the ropes, and there are some things in this world that no fogey old professor will teach you.”

Lily raises a finger.

“Um, ok, but your still doing this “beat all Gym Leaders in Eight days” thing aren’t you?”

Shade nods.

“Yes, which is why I’ll be joining you three days from now. I’ve got to prepare for the Laverre Gym. Fairy Types are always tricky.”

Ensara raises her hand.

“Wait, if your joining us, you should know the full story…”

She recounts how she encountered Mew, how she could talk, as well the other events o the past few days. Shade just nods at all this in acceptance.

“Ok. cool.”

Ensara blinks.

“Wait, thats your reaction to all this? I just told you that I’ve spoken to Mew and that she appeared before me as a prank. As well my Pokédex being sapient. Don’t you think me crazy?”

Shade shrugs at this, with a knowing worldly smile.

“Look, Ensara. This is only my second region, but I’ve seen enough about this world to know that there are mysteries and strangeness everywhere. Things you can’t explain, things that don’t match up with our current knowledge. Especially around Pokémon. You learn to take it in stride. Like why can Pokeballs catch Stunfisk even though they are clearly not Pokémon? There is just no logical answer to that yet.”

Both Lily and Ensara nod in agreement. Dex speaks up.

“I just hope that we will be able find a way to get me a body. Such methods seem elusive, and I do not wish spend all my days in this little box.”

Ensara tries to comfort him.

“Don’t worry Dex. I’m sure we will find some way of doing that. It seems we’re all out to try and get something impossible. Right everyone?”

Lily smiles.

“Sure seems that way.”

Shade stands up as he finishes his food.

“Yep, it seems we’re all fools reaching for things beyond our grasp. And yeah, I’ll tell you my goal later. I’m not comfortable talking about it with just anyone, and I want to get to know you before I speak about it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go start preparing for the Laverre Gym. I’ll need to pick my Pokémon real careful like.”

He returns all his Pokémon and walks out toward one of the computers. When he gets out of the room, Dex speaks up.

“Ensara. Do you really think we can trust him?”

She raises an eyebrow in response.

“He seems like a friendly guy who wants to help. A little competitive for my tastes but, I can look past that.”

“He won’t tell us why he is doing this.”

Dex said flatly.

“That is suspicious to me.”

Ensara points out.

“Ok, but even if your right and he isn’t trustworthy, you said it days ago: whats one more risk? He knows what he is doing, he wants to help and from what he said so far he doesn’t seem to want anything that conflicts with ours. So I see no problem.”

Dex pauses at this then chirps out a sigh.

“Fine. Your right. I am being unnecessarily suspicious. Lets just get to work on preparations of our own. We need to face Viola tomorrow.”

Ensara nods and gets to work. Tomorrow would be the first step, and she would have to start off on the right foot.

 

Episode 6: The First Gym Leader

A day has passed. Shade waves goodbye to Ensara and Lily as his Gallade, Verdigris teleports him to Laverre to face Valerie. Lily looks to Ensara expectantly.

“Well, are ready for the Gym?”

Ensara nods.

“Barring any odd surprises like Shade I think we will be just fine-“



A Few minutes later in front the Santalune Gym:

“Greetings Champ-In-The-Making!”

A strange middle-aged man greeted them cheerfully as they arrived. Too cheerfully. Ensara’s eyes narrow at this distraction to her goal. Yet he continued to speak at a mile a minute while his false smile plastered itself on his face.

“I am a Trainer Consultant specializing in advising up and coming young trainers on how to defeat each and every Gym leader, and you Champ-In-The-Making, are in for a marvelous opportunity! Your amazing talents at Pokémon training and battling have been recognized and I have decided to make you an offer! If you hire me, I will give you all the best advice, guide you on your journey towards victory and soon you will be at the top! Surely a talented trainer such as you sees what great opportunity they have before them!”

Ensara only growls as a vein appears on her forehead. Lily getting nervous about the situation asks

“Um……what kind of advice?”

The strange salesman answers back pounding every word out as he can as if he is trying to use sound to go faster than itself in futility with a fake cheeriness that tortures the mind of anyone who listens.

“Simple! For example, Viola uses Bug type Pokémon! My recommendation is that Fire an Flying type Pokémon are the best bet! Blow away her bugs and set fire to her webs and the badge will be caught in your fly trap in no time, Champ-In-The-Making! Then you’ll your name carved onto this Mysterious Statue (TM) for the whole world to see your success!”

He suddenly bring out a stone statue of a Pokéball with some names carved into the plaque under it. Displaying it for all to see.

“That’ll be 1000 poke dollars, please.”

Ensara’s anger was starting to boil over and he starts to speak out.

“First. That was basic advice. Literally anyone could’ve told me that. I’ve learned more in my hours of research last night than anything you just gave me, so no money for you. Second. Why weren’t you or that statue here yesterday, when we were with Shade?”

The man grows nervous and starts to make stalling noises such as “um”, “er” and “well”.

Ensara brought her hands together and cracked her knuckles. Then he spoke, still sweating.

“Well you see, you can get all that advice and far far more if you simply uh, hire me on I get paid a 1000 poke dollars a Gym, and I simply hadn’t arrived yet, I am a legitimate part of the League, see?”

He show off his Pokémon League ID card. Lily looks at it with suspicion.

“That card says “Kanto” not “Kalos”. Such ID cards are issued regionally, so you’d need a Kalos ID to do business here. That and it seems to be issued 20 years ago, so its expired by now. This is simply not a valid ID anymore, Connor.”

Lily said while looking at Connor icily. Connor only grows more nervous as Ensara starts talking to him in a demanding tone.

“So. Your name is Connor eh? Well. One last question:”

She glares at him with blazing eyes.

“Are you trying to scam me!?”

He yelps and flinches away from Ensara, genuinely afraid by now.

“All I needed to know. Get out my way!”

She then sends both Connor and the Mysterious Statue (TM) comically flying into the sky with a single uppercut and vanishing with a twinkle of a star. Lily stands agape in awe as Ensara stomps towards the entrance of the Gym.

“How did you do that!?”

Ensara answers with impatience.

“I don’t know, Lily.”

Lily points at the sky where Connor went.

“No seriously, how is that even possible!? Do you even realize how much force it takes to send someone flying into the stratosphere!?”

Ensara throws up her arms, tired of the ordeal.

“I don’t care Lily, I just want to get to the Gym!”

Lily just folds her arms and says

“Fine.”

Flara slaps her head with her paw, wishing her trainer would act with less recklessness and anger. Fire needed to be controlled with a calm mind. Dex just wondered why he was the only one concerned with the morality of the action. Then he mentally shrugged. What was the con man going to do, tell the police?



Ensara walks into the Santalune Gym, Viola waiting for her. Any damage from the previous battle was already gone. Viola calls out while holding her camera.

“So. You wanted to battle me? What is your name?”

Ensara stops at the challengers place of the arena and pointed aggressively at her.

“My name is Ensara Aquana. I am here to challenge you for my first badge.”

Viola adjusts her sights on the camera a bit while replying.

“Ah. Another fresh newbie huh? Looks like its the no-badge team for you. I don’t look at you in contempt though. Every battle is an opportunity. A snapshot. Pictures in time. Its just I wish I’d get more stronger trainers around here sometimes y’know? Its apart of my duties as a Gym Leader to keep this town safe, and to do that I need to keep my skills sharp. Your an opportunity to see what new blood brings to the table.”

She wonders a bit to herself.

“I wonder how many trainers remember their First Gym Leader? Do they have a clear picture of their first step on their journey? Or does it fade from their mind, like a moment in time lost like all the rest? It matters not. The rules are I can only use two Pokémon, no substitutions. You can however use up to six and make as many as you like. Lets begin then. Go, Surskit!”

She throws her Pokéball and the blue orb-like Pokémon upon its spindly legs burst out and landed lightly upon the arena. Ensara felt the fires of passion blaze within her. It was time to get going, and she was going to start things off strong. Best use her Fire type first.

“Go, Flara!”

Flara leaps off her shoulder and takes a ready stance while making her signature cry. They glare at each other for a moment, sizing each other up. This was the match: Ensara Vs. Viola, Santalune Gym Leader of the Kalos Pokémon League. Then it began.

“Surskit, Water Sport!”

“Ember!”

“Dodge, Bubble Beam!”

Thus it played out: Surskit blasted water upwards, making it temporarily rain and soaking everyone while covering the ground in puddles. Flara’s attack blasted out in a weakened state, easily dodged by the Surskit speeding across the puddles as a thin layer of water it was naturally talented at navigating. Then he fired the jet of bubbles just as quickly, impacting Flara like bombs sending her slamming into the wall already knocked out cold. As Ensara looked at her first Pokémon being taken out so easily in shock, Viola raises her camera and snaps a picture at her victory while commenting.

“Your going to have to try a little harder than that.”

Honestly she worked out this opening routine only days after becoming a Gym Leader. She would not fold like a house of cards before any random new trainers fire type! Ensara growls and returns Flara to her ball. Dex chirps in her ear.

“Your impatience made you reckless. You now full well what Surskit’s typing was, you just thought you could speed through this with Fire type attacks. Now send out a Pokémon and do this right.”

She frowns but nods at Dex’s words. He was right. That stupid con-man made her start this off all wrong. Ensara sends out Fortuna, who bursts out, hopping with happiness to fight her first real battle. Ensara decides to play this smart.

“Fortuna, use Sing!”

The Skitty begins to sing an annoyingly fast and upbeat cheery tune:

“Nyanyanyanyanyanyanyanyanyanynyanyanyanyayanyanyanyanyanyanyanya…”

“Surskit, interrupt that annoying song with Quick Attack!”

The Surskit sped forward and hit Fortuna right on before her song could put him to sleep. She fell back but managed to right herself and land on her feet.

“Fortuna, use Tackle!”

She charges forward to the Bug type but Surskit as fast as ever skids across the ponds to avoid Fortuna in a zig-zag pattern. She couldn’t even touch the Surskit. Dex whispers to Ensara.

“This is not working. Try Growl and Tail Whip.”

Ensara whispers back in anger.

“What? Those moves are useless.”

“They are not. They are merely discarded as soon as better ones are known.”

“Yes, also known as useless.”

“Do you have any other options?”

Ensara sighed. No, she didn’t.

“Fortuna use…..Growl and Tail Whip.”

The Skitty nods and arches her back, wagging her tail back in forth in a silly manner while letting out the most adorable growl:

“Grrrrrrrrr!!!”

Surskit stops to look at the cute spectacle of a tiny pink kitty trying to look threatening then lets out a squeal then says in poke-speak:

“Oh my Arceus, that is soooooo kawaii! How could I possibly hurt such a cute and clearly innocent Pokémon?”

Surskit then turned and looked at Viola with big puppy dog eyes as if asking her “do I have to fight her?”. Lily covers her face with her hand at the ridiculous display before her while Ensara whispers back.

“I can’t believe this is how these moves actually work.”

Dex beeps back in response.

“Its not crazy or useless if it works. Merely silly.”

Viola, after taking a picture of the scene, just crosses her arms and sternly glares back.

“Surskit. I can’t make substitutions. Keep battling. Use Quick Attack.”

Surskit nods sadly then speeds forward to hit Fortuna again, but was clearly holding back on the blow, not wanting to hurt Fortuna in her cuteness. Fortuna takes the hit well and responds with a Tackle on Ensara’s command, sending Surskit flying back.

“Now use Tackle again, while its vulnerable!”

Fortuna ran forward and hits Surskit head on again, the Bug-type too busy gazing lovingly at her attacker to dodge. As Surskit begins to faint, his last thoughts are:

“Just….so….kawaii…..”

Viola sighs and returns Surskit. What a stupid way for one of her Pokémon to get defeated. She was not going to let that happen again.

“Go, Vivillon!”

Out she came with her pink meadow-pattern wings and confident smile. Viola points forward, time to take back control of the battle.

“Vivillon, use Sleep Powder.”

“Fortuna, Tackle!”

However the Normal type Pokémon’s attempt to interrupt the attack fails when she trips and falls. The Sleep Powder soon washes over her like a soothing blanket gently pulling her into bed. Fortuna makes a big yawn then curls up to sleep.

“No, not now! Wake up, Fortuna!”

“Vivillon, Tackle!”

The butterfly then swoops down and hits the sleeping Skitty with a single solid blow sending her tumbling back to her trainer truly out cold.

“You deserve a good rest Fortuna. You got me closer, thanks.”

She returns Skitty and ponders her next move. This is Viola’s best Pokémon of this level. This was not going to be easy, and none of her remaining options were good.

“Go, Masala!”

She bursts out in white light, taking a battle ready stance as she faces Vivillon

-Ready to go, Ensara!-

“Masala, use Quick Attack!”

“Stun Spore.”

The Riolu zooms upwards, attacking the butterfly in a blurring jump, but runs right into the paralyzing spores that Vivillon leaves behind as she dodges, and Masala falls to the ground, already feeling its effects as her movement slows down.

“Now, Gust.”

A wall of air is sent towards the stunned Riolu and she is sent falling back to a wall. But she Endures and slowly gets back up, not willing to go down yet.

-I’m not quitting. Not until I get in at least one solid hit!-

“Good, Masala! Now Quick Attack!”

Masala tries to speed forward but midway through the paralysis strikes and she finds herself unable to move, stumbling and falling as she does so. Then is hit by a second Gust and crashes again into the wall, Enduring the pain again and getting back up to Quick Attack again, speeding forward to meet another wall of air and Enduring through its force to keep running no matter how agonizing it is then leaping upwards again and hitting Vivillon full on at last, triumphantly sailing away, smiling to herself.

-Yes. A solid hit.-

Then Vivillon as a response blasted another Gust at Masala, who tried to Endure it. However the paralysis struck again and this time Masala was blown back into unconsciousness and down onto the floor. Ensara say returned Masala in a beam of red light.

“At least you got a solid hit in, buddy. At least you got that.”

Viola commented.

“Nice. That Riolu must really be something to endure that many Flying type attacks in succession.”

Ensara shrugs

“What can I say? She really believes in training herself to resist anything thrown her way.”

Down to her last Pokémon. Ensara was not liking her chances but she had to keep going. You don’t run from any fight with a trainer. Especially a Gym Leader. Since no one was in any danger of dying, it was only cowardice to do so. No, she had to keep going. She had to win for her goals. For the Pokémon that have already fought to get her this far.

“Go, Emerald!”

She sends out her Pokémon and Emerald appears standing calmly as she assesses the situation, reading Ensara’s mind.

-Don’t worry. Things may look bad, but I’ll make sure I’ll win. For you!-

Viola meanwhile narrows her eyes in concentration. She knew that Ralts had abilities like Synchronize. Therefore she could not order Vivillon to use anything like Stun Spore or Poison Powder. However she could still use…

“Sleep Powder!”

Vivillon tries to scatter the powder over Emerald, but she teleports to another part of the arena instantly.

-Ha, not going to fall for that. I’m a Psychic type, I can read your mind Viola. I’m not going down in one hit like Fortuna.-

She then uses Double Team and many Ralts images appear. Viola’s eyes widen as the Pokémon addresses her directly.

-Speaking of which, knocking out my close friend? Big. Mistake.-

“Vivillon! Tackle!”

The butterfly charges forward only for Emerald to teleport again while all the images seem to teleport around as well, shuffling around to keep one guessing. Ensara says

“Uh….use Confusion?”

-Already on it-

Emerald sends out a wave of telekinetic force, hitting Vivillon from behind who swivels around looking confused at where the attack came from with the constantly teleporting Ralts around her.

“Infestation!”

Vivillon creates a magical swarm of bug-like constructs that fly around trying to sting at the various Ralts, images dissipating as they are hit, but as they come for her she uses Confusion again to knock them away and make them bump into and fight each other until they all disappear, then she teleports and uses Double Team again. Viola was getting angry.

“Vivillon! Gust, 360 degrees, now! Hit all of them at once!”

Vivillon spins around, blasting a sphere of air radiating outwards from her. While all the Ralts images dissipate, Emerald teleports into the center, where Vivillon was panting from fighting three Pokémon in a row. Emerald glares up at the butterfly with all the blazing anger of Ensara within her red eyes.

-Now, to end this. Confusion!-

She fuels her final attacks with all the anger of Ensara into it, sending out one final telekinetic pulse that sends Vivillon flying back and falling down into defeat. Viola blinks at the display. Ensara’s Ralts just defeated her while barely taking any orders. She was so in synch with her trainer that she knew what moves to make before her trainer ever commanded them. Viola had a feeling that this Ensara was going to go far.

“Well. It looks like you defeated me.”

Viola returns Vivillon to her Pokéball then takes out her badge.

“As proof that you have, I give you the Santalune Gym Badge. May it forever symbolize your first step on your journey as a trainer.”

Ensara accepts it. Somehow all the anger that built up in her was just gone, and now happiness only there as she realized she won.

“Thank you, Viola. I promise, I won’t forget this.”

Viola nods at Ensara.

“I’m sure you won’t.”

Then a thought strikes Ensara.

“Oh hey, one last question before I go: Have you ever seen some strange middle-aged man dwelling at the front of your Gym with some weird statue before?”

Viola tilted her head at the odd question.

“Um. No. Why?”

Ensara just smiles at the confirmation of her suspicions.

“Oh. No reason. Bye!”

Ensara and Lily then take their leave of the Gym. Viola looked at her camera.

“Aw, I was so caught up in the battle I forgot to take pictures again. Oh well…”



While Ensara and Lily walk outside Mew appears in front of Ensara. However Lily doesn’t even seem to react to her presence.

-Just in case your wondering, no. Lily can’t see me. I want a private conversation with you, Ensara. Just think your thoughts at me as you walk. After all, talking out loud to yourself will make you look crazy to everyone else hm?-

Ensara frowns and thinks back as she walks

-What do you want, Mew?-

Mew grins.

-Oh y’know say hi to my Number one biggest fan. Shoot the breeze a little, discuss recent events. All that jazz, any question for moi?-

Ensara narrow her eyes.

-Explain that Mew Cult from a couple days ago-

Mew giggles at this.

-Oh. Them. Don’t worry, they are not legit. Long time ago when mortals worshipped the ground I walked on and wanted me to show them the way or whatever, I decided to create The Book of Mew. This book is nothing but a prank of silly, ridiculous edicts and false moral laws, often intentionally mutually contradictory just to mess with peoples heads. A entire false religion, complete with the last page being basically “Congratulations! You’ve realized this religion was a prank, be free and think for yourself!” and the second to last page being “Turning to the last page is heresy and should never be read under any circumstances.” Needless to say no one sane ever followed any of it, but there have always been people like them that fell for one of my greatest pranks.-

Ensara grew annoyed at this.

-Then why do you still have it around? and why do it in the first place?-

Mew rolled her eyes.

-To get them to stop bothering me, duh. As for why I still have it around? Because its hilarious. You’ll soon see why.-

Ensara thinks back, unimpressed.

-I don’t agree with your sense of humor.-

Mew shrugs at this.

-Everyone is a critic. Not everyone can appreciate the humor of an immortal as great as me.-

The trainer however thinks back

-Whatever. I have a Badge now, Mew. When I get strong enough, I’ll be coming for you next.-

Mew cackles at the declaration.

-So, you went and beat one Gym Leader. Congratulations, any half-competent schmuck could’ve done the same. So I see your taking my declaration as a challenge hm? Well you still have seven Gym Leaders left, and each one will be tougher than the last. Can you handle it, or will you just give up once the going gets tough?



Tell you what kid you got a fire in you, a passion, burning rage and desire. I like that. So I’ll make a deal with you: You get all Eight badges, go to the Kalos League and fight your way up to becoming the winner of the League, first place and I promise I will appear there to give you and only you, a chance to capture me. No lies, this is an honest deal. You prove to me you belong on the top, and I’ll appear there to battle you. No guarantees you’ll succeed in capturing me, but I’ll give you a chance. What do you say?-

Ensara narrows her eyes and nods grimly. She knows this is probably a bad idea, that Mew might have some other motive for doing this. However she still wanted to capture her, and this seems like a good way. Mew may have lied before, but this didn’t seem to be a deception. That familiar evil grin spreads across Mew’s face.

-Excellent! I’ll meet you there then. Don’t disappoint me, Ensara.-

She then teleports away with a psychic giggle. Ensara and Lily trudge back to the Pokémon center.



Meanwhile somewhere out in the woods, Connor clutched at the Mysterious Statue, as he lay where he crashed.

“How did those two girls figure me out so quickly!? Oh, Mysterious Statue. Your my only friend. Only you understand me…”

He moaned. The narrator is required to remind you that the Mysterious Statue is inanimate and cannot speak. The Mysterious Statue will never threaten to destroy the world and can’t communicate. In the event that it does start speaking you are to ignore its advice. Finally it cannot move by itself, especially when your not looking at it and there is no reason to think otherwise. That is all.



Meanwhile at a great mansion, Robb walks up to his employer, Lady Rochelle. She had long blonde hair and an imperious look in her blue eyes, and wore an elaborate yet modern and fashionable dress, colored purple. Her wide-brimmed hat had various flowers and feathers attached to the brooch to show herself off. A rich spoiled teenager who inherited her wealth from both of her parents dying she was known for being nothing but approachable. She sips tea from an antique cup and sets it down before turning to him. She icily addresses Robb.

“Your are late, mercenary.”

He sighed.

“I got a Skitty like you wanted.”

Lady Rochelle arches an eyebrow at this.

“Yes, but were delayed in doing so. You better have a good explanation why.”

He fixes her with a level stare.

“A newbie beat me to the punch on the first one I found. I did stay and get a Skitty however that meets all your specifications: female, cute and knows Sing and whatnot.”

Lady Rochelle narrows her eyes and says

“Yes. But it is the second Skitty you found.”

Robb blinks but he doesn’t see what she is getting at.

“Yeah. So?”

Lady Rochelle rolls her eyes.

“So, it means that I came second. Make no mistake, mercenary: People of high status like myself come first in all things. In our duties, in our desires, our whims, and our lives. I come before anyone else. I am more important and therefore what I desire should what is first on the world’s mind. Clear? And this common trainer, this girl you speak of- she defied that. She came before me. That is not acceptable.”

Robb looks at her tiredly. Was this girl for real?

“Um. I don’t care. Can I just, give you the Skitty, get the money then leave?”

The rich girl glares at her mercenary. She needed to fix his priorities. Immediately.

“Mercenary. You should care, because of this delay, this failure I’m docking your pay. You will be paid only ten thousand poke dollars for this job instead.”

That was far away from the five-hundred thousand she promised. Robb didn’t like that.

“That was not apart of our deal, I held up my end, hold up yours.”

Lay Rochelle clasped her hands and looked at him coldly.

“I am modifying the deal. Pray I do not modify it further. Give me the Skitty and I will pay you ten-thousand. I will pay you more if you fix this transgression by finding this girl, what is her name again?”

Robb replied.

“Ensara.”

She nodded.

“Yes finding this Ensara, and doing everything in your power to humiliate her. To show her, her place in this world and that nobility such as myself are not to be slighted like this. Clear?”

As she pauses to sip more tea, Robb asks the obvious question that everyone is wondering:

“Aren’t you overreacting? Even I could take back the first Skitty and bring it to you here, I doubt you’d notice any real differences from the one I currently have. Are you seriously going to start some crazy revenge scheme over some quasi-imagined slight involving a Skitty you could’ve possibly gotten but didn’t know about until I explained it to you, targeting a girl you never even met?”

Lady Rochelle glared icicle daggers at him. Then stated

“I am sorry, that doesn’t seem to be the right question to ask for someone in your position. I think the right question for you to ask is “Do I want money?”. Do you want money, mercenary?”

Robb the Pokémon Mercenary gazed at her and let out a big sigh at his low expectations being confirmed. He knew the answer to that question.



Meanwhile Mew teleports to a woodland shrine. Out of a time portal flies out her good friend, Celebi.

-Hey, Celebs, how you doing?-

Mew greets her. Celebi replies

-Doing well, Mew-mew. Time seems to be stable once more. Though I do sense a Sixth Remaking coming.-

Mew nods in disgust

-Yea, and we all know how those are.-

Celebi sits down on the shrine and so does Mew

-Well neither of us can do anything about that, y’know how it is Mew-mew. But lets focus on what you’ve been doing.-

Mew tilts her head, prompting her to continue.

-You know your playing a dangerous game here.-

Celebi chides Mew. Celebi had always been the more responsible of the two.

-This Ensara could catch you, and your egging her on.-

Mew waves her off

-Oh c’mon. Since when has a trainer ever came close to capturing me or becoming great enough to catch me? She’ll probably get to Gym three or four, realize how hard this is then quit half way through. She isn’t the competitive type, she is fiery yes but isn’t in it for the sport. Making her go through the Gym Challenge and the League anyways is the perfect way to dissuade her.-

Celebi raises an eyebrow.

-Oh? Then what about Red? He captured 150 Pokémon, including Mewtwo and became Champion of the Kanto Region. There are Pokémon trainers out there capable.-

Mew smirks.

-Yes, but he didn’t catch me! That and he isn’t that great. He caught only 150, declared himself the greatest trainer ever to live then he sodded right off to Mt. Nowhere in Who Cares Land to wait in silence until somebody remembers that he actually existed and goes to give him an actual fight for once. How pathetic. Some “greatest trainer ever” he turned out to be.-

Celebi gazes at Mew reprovingly.

-You mean Mt. Silver in Johto.-

Mew’s smirk widens into a grin.

-I didn’t stutter.-

Celebi rolled her eyes.

-There are trainers other than him y’know.-

Mew spread her arms in exasperation.

-Like who? What, do you mean that loser with a Pikachu who keeps losing Pokémon League after Pokémon League like some drawn out overwrought version of Charlie Brown and his football? What was his name again? Rash Catchin? Flash Snatchem? Nash Batchem? Who cares, he is too much of a loser to properly remember his name. He may save the world from time to time, but he is too much of cute kind puppy dog to ever catch a legendary. Besides he is too trapped in his weird Sisyphean torment of Gym challenges to ever be relevant. Though his inevitable failures do have schaudenfraude entertainment value every time they happen. Speaking of those two dweebs, why do I remember Team Rocket still existing and not existing?-

Celebi sighs at Mew’s question

-I told you, alternate pasts remember? I had to fix things up because of the two time streams started flowing into one another. The currents of time change and sometimes two rivers instead of branching out, and flow into one. Had to make sure they didn’t break each other though.-

Mew scoffs at this explanation.

-Bah you and your time travel nonsense! I still don’t understand how you comprehend or keep all of it straight! I may be incredibly powerful, but dealing with time travel like you do is just crazy.-

Celebi shrugs

-Its not that hard to understand. You were created before I was retroactively woven into existence so that I was always created alongside you. Arceus has retroactively added changes to the world five times after all. Dialga actually defers to me since he works with time to, and he knows that I technically came before him, and therefore I’m more experienced even though he was retroactively created before me.-

Mew clutched her head in a headache.

-Ow! I’m a Psychic type, and even this is hurting my head just you saying it so casually! Please stop bringing your weird time existence into this! Your my friend, you were always there, and I’m not going to accept any of your stupid explanations that I might’ve lived a life without your friendship! Just…..stop!-

Celebi held up her hands with a teasing smile.

-Alright alright, the great and powerful Mew doesn’t like time travel. Got it. Funny though, your pretty good at pretty much almost everything else. And you technically have my DNA in you as well, so shouldn’t you have the potential to be as good as me, seeing as your my sister in that regard?-

Mew rolled her eyes.

-Just because I have the potential Celebs, doesn’t mean I want to explore it! Agelessness is bad enough without experiencing it out of order.-

Celebi nods.

-That is fine. However, getting back on topic: The game your playing with Ensara.-

Mew protests.

-Look, yes I know I’m pulling her into my selfish machinations of trickery. However I have enough experience to channel those machinations to good ends. Rest assured, Ensara will be able to deal with the two Teams coming into Kalos. I’ll make sure of it. She’s not Chosen One material but she’ll do.-

Celebi knew that she was playing at something, but it not as if she could stop her. It was probably already set into motion.

-Well, as long as you don’t pull a Hoopa…-

Mew huffs at this.

-Hoopa!? Please. That guy has no class or subtlety. Mean sure setting up a bunch of Stunfisk to fall on top of Zekrom through portals is funny, but he needs to learn to mix it up with more softer touch y’know?-

Honestly, Mew didn’t know what Arceus was thinking when she created him. Celebi suddenly looked up.

-Oh whoops. Thats all the time we have for now, Mew-mew. Stay out of trouble!-

Mew winks back.

-Don’t worry Celebs, I have a plan, and things are currently going according to it.-

As Celebi opens a time portal she grouses back

-Thats what I’m worried about.-

Mew considers the last comment. She knew it was in the nature of sisters to worry about one another, and she knew that Celebi probably knew the future of how all this would turn out. But she was not worried. Mew had it all under control. Celebi would’ve told her otherwise right? Therefore no need to worry. She was so confident in her plans that she uttered the accursed words. The five words that universally bring doom and destruction across all of time and space whenever they are uttered:

-What could possibly go wrong?-

Arceus help us all.

 

Episode 7: Welcome to Lumiose City

It had been a few hours since Ensara and Lily departed from Santalune. In the intervening time they had stopped for a rest and some lunch, and Lily had caught a female Combee. Ensara was more concerned with the sulking forms of Flara and Masala.

“Come on girls.” Ensara pleads. “Was one loss really that hard on you?”

Masala speaks for them both. -We failed you as Pokémon when you needed us the most, against a challenge that advanced us forward. Flara feels especially down since all she did was get taken out instantly. All I did was get one hit in. We should’ve been better than that.-

Ensara frowns. “It was a Gym Leader, they’re always tough. Don’t worry about it.”

Masala protests back. -No! That is no excuse, we failed and we should’ve done better! If we can’t fight for you, how can we protect you if we can’t win a battle for you?-

However Ensara stood her ground. “She used moves that were super-effective on you, that is just something that’ll happen. Its perfectly understandable to lose to that.”

The little Riolu stands up. -No, we should’ve been better, we should’ve dodged those attacks better and-

Ensara cuts Masala off by bending down and hugging both Masala and Flara. She speaks in serious but soft tones. “Listen. Both of you. I know its hard that you got knocked out in your first Gym battle. I know that as Pokémon its your nature to fight and to win. But I don’t want you beating yourselves up over every failure you make. This world is a world of risks. Every time you fight a trainer, you roll the dice to see if they are someone who can beat you or not. Sooner or later as you fight battle after battle, you encounter a fight that you lose. Its just probability and inevitability at work. It does not matter whether your never lose or not. It matters how you pick yourself up after that loss and improve yourself that matters. Blaming yourself for it and sulking won’t help with that. Someday, even I will lose. All I can hope for is that it won’t be a battle that I need to win. So please, cheer up. Don’t think of it as yourselves losing, think of it as us winning together. You just need some improvement is all, no need to be dramatic over it.”

Masala’s eyes widen then water a little as Ensara says this, and Masala thinks back a reply while hugging her in return. -Thanks, Ensara.-

Flara utters her own thanks, and set her mind to improvement. She was not going to let that happen again.



****TCAM****



Soon the country side of maze-like hedges and flower fields end and give way to the most massive city of Kalos: Lumiose City. The circular metropolis seemingly radiating out of Lumiose Tower, the Gym and landmark of the town. A city supported by four massive power plants, it was the center of all fashion, all knowledge, and all money in the region. There was no business in Kalos that didn’t involve Lumiose in some shape or manner, and no person in Kalos that doesn’t visit it at least once in their life. Here, foreign trainers from far off regions meet natives coming from the mountains from long hard training while everyone else gathers around to watch. The west and east collide in the battle-restaurants, a prime attraction throughout Kalos for both spectators and trainers where food is good and the battles are better. Celebrities, Professors, even the Champion made their home here. After all there was no place more fitting for them to dwell.



It is a city of splendors and glamour, sparing no expense in its beauty. However there is a darkness underneath the brilliance, a shadow to its eternal light. In the back alleys there are unofficial Pokémon battles conduct beyond the eyes of authority, and where there is wealth there is the black market. There was once even Team Flare in its underground base plotting to steal and destroy for its smaller more beautiful world, but that ended two years ago when they were broken up by the trainer who was now Champion. However even today, Lumiose celebrates Diantha even after her Championship has ended, and her movies and showcases are still some of the greatest around. Nevertheless, Ensara and Lily enter for better or worse.

As they walk into the outermost ring of the city, they stop and debate where to go next.

Ensara suggests. “We should go to the Pokémon center. Best place for us to rest up.”

At this, Lily checks her Dex-Nav and frowns. “Um, Ensara, there are three Pokémon centers in Lumiose, which one?”

Ensara turns to her. “The closest one of course! Does it really matter?”

Lily guessed not, then she said back. “Why don’t we stop by at Professor Sycamore’s lab?”

Ensara raises an eyebrow at this. “I doubt the Professor has time for two teens like us. Probably caught up in important research stuff. I say we rest at the Pokémon center then get a bite to eat at a battle restaurant.”

Lily replies. “I’m pretty sure he will be happy to have us, actually. Professors like him are know to like having people learn from him. But why a battle-restaurant? Every trainer who goes in has to battle for the entertainment of the non-trainers between meals, and you have to gamble your money with the winner getting the money themselves. The more you fight there, the riskier it becomes.”

Ensara smiles back at this. “Ah, but thats exactly why I want to go. Our money isn’t infinite, Lily. We’re trainers, we HAVE to battle to earn money. Battle restaurants are just the best way to do it in Kalos. We’re going to need poke dollars for food, Pokémon supplies, the works.”

Lily points out. “Yes but if you lose too much, you’ll lose all your money and we will be up the creek if it comes to that.”

Ensara fold her arms. “Don’t worry, you just have to pick the right restaurant. They got everything from One to Five Stars. We just go find the one star restaurant, the place with all the weakest trainers and beat them all up. Start off nice and easy.”

Lily shrugged. They went the closest Pokémon center.



There they were greeted by the familiar sight of another Nurse Joy. She bows a little as she says to them. “Hello, Ensara and Lily! How are you doing today?”

Ensara answers. “Just fine, Nurse Joy, here can you check up on my Pokémon? I need them in top shape for a battle restaurant later today, going to try out earning my keep as a trainer.”

Nurse Joy nods. “Sure, I’d be happy to. Pokémon’s health and happiness are our top priorities! You be cruel to your Pokémon and we will come for you.”

Ensara does a double take. “Wait, what was that last part?”

Nurse Joy responds as if nothing happened. “Nothing! Would you like for me to check up on your Pokémon as well, Lily?”

The bookish girl nods and says “Yes, thank you Nurse Joy.”

They both hand her their Pokémon and go take a seat while they wait. There is a television screen and airs the latest news. A news anchor appears on screen:

“Greetings, from the Kalos News Network. Today we bring you breaking news about a new criminal threat. Since Team Flare’s defeat two years ago, other illicit activities have been moving in to try and fill the void. Recent reports show that a new group of criminals known as Team Cerebral has now begun to take over the Kalos underground. The group has been known to use Psychic type Pokémon to read and take over minds in their illegal activities, violating every human right in the process to get what they want.

We currently do not have any information on what the goals of this new group is, but they are highly dangerous. Meanwhile Champion Serena seems to have vanished, the Elite Four keeping silent about her whereabouts and what she is doing. We turn to our Opinion Expert for more with his Expert Opinion.”

They switch over from a respectable news anchor to an older guy with unkempt hair. Said so-called Expert calls out. “Thank you, my Expert Opinion is that we don’t know who might be apart of Team Cerebral. Therefore anyone with a Psychic type Pokémon is suspect. You should not trust any Psychic type Pokémon you see, for any of the could be working for these criminals. With a threat like this, we need to go out and get Dark type Pokémon just to be safe, before the psychic type overlords come for all our minds, take us over and rule the world. Wake up sheeple, before the Psychic overlords put us all to sleep forever. The Psychic type menace cannot be-“

Ensara turns the television off with the remote. She mutters “Always hated fear mongers.”

Dex chimes in. “Because of how blatantly wrong they are, or because of how many people listen to them?”

Ensara just replies tersely. “Yes.”

Lily asks. “Wait what are those two guys named again?”

Ensara shrugs. “Who cares? They are all talking heads who think they are more important than everyone else anyways. All because they relay information. You know they don’t do any actual investigation or journalism anymore.”

“You got that right. What about this Team Cerebral though? Another Team arising, wonder what lucky trainer will get the credit for this one.” Lily said in though.

Ensara turned to Lily. “I don’t know, but I sure do know that we can’t let them know that Mew exists. They will see her as a goldmine.”

Lily nods. “Thats for sure. What about Emerald? She might be a target if not for Cerebral, for any of the idiots that actually listen to such paranoid garbage.”

The red-head thinks on this then shrugs. “I don’t know, but I’m not going to stop using her in battle just because of some stupid guy on the television. She won me my badge, that means something.”

Lily shakes her head, short blue waving back and forth. “Sigh. Whatever, just be careful.”

They soon get back to Joy. She hands them both their Pokémon, Flara jumping out of her Pokéball an back onto Ensara’s shoulder, her trainer giving her a quick pet.

Ensara turns to Joy. “Thanks again, Nurse Joy.”

“Your welcome. We are always watching you. We hope to see you again!”

Lily double takes. “Wait, what was the middle part?”

Joy smiles back. “I said “We will always be helping you.”, Lily.”

The researcher in trainer blinked, raised an eyebrow in confusion then turned and walked out along with Ensara. Neither of them realized that they never told Nurse Joy their names.



****TCAM****



A single one-star sign hangs above the restaurant. The establishment is called “Le Magikarp Magnifique” complete with a big magikarp picture, a fitting moniker for its status in Lumiose. Not to say that it wasn’t popular or often visited, but it was basically one step up from a fast food joint and frequented by casual trainers, thrifty spectators, families on a budget, friends just wanting a place to socialize and other people of that nature. You could choose worse places to get started on your Pokémon career in Kalos.

Ensara an Lily walks up to the man at front in his restaurant uniform and he asks:

“Hello mesdames, trainer or spectator?“

Ensara pumps her fist. “I’ll be a trainer thank you.”

Lily holds up her hand. “I’ll just be a spectator thank you, I’m technically with her and I do have Pokémon, but I’m not a competitive battler.”

The man nods. “I see. I’ll arrange for the both of you to have the same table. You.”

He turns to Ensara. “I shall tell you the rules: First, All battles here are double battles. Second, you must bet at least one thousand poke dollars per battle with the other trainer. Third, the battle continues until one loses all Pokémon or forfeits. If you have no more Pokémon to battle with, you are a spectator for the rest of the day. The establishment is not responsible for any money you gain or lose while battling. Is that clear?”

Ensara nods. The man speaks. “Good, let me see you to your table.”

Soon they were seated and Ensara walks into the little arena built into the middle of the restaurant that the tables were placed around. It was the most basic and simple set up, as stronger trainers with bigger more destructive Pokémon didn’t come here and had their own more exclusive restaurants to dine at. Across from her walked in a blond beauty with a catty expression. She comments on Ensara with an arrogant tone. “Whats with that outfit? Where do you shop, the Hiker’s store?”

“Its practical wear for being a trainer, and comfortable. No shame in that.” Ensara replies with a smile

“Whatever. No guy is going to be interested in a girl like you, y’know.” The blonde icily dismisses her.

Ensara’s smile becomes knowing and she responds back. “Who said I was interested in guys? By the way you doing anything later, beautiful?”

The blondes eyes widen in shock. “I….you…..Shut up and battle me!”

She then sent out two Nidoran’s, one female one male.

Dex chirps in her ear. “Don’t choose Pokémon that have only physical attacks. They might get poisoned on contact.”

Ensara in response sends out Emerald and Flara. Ensara smiles and replies “Any time.”

The battle itself is pretty short: Emerald makes quick work of the male Nidoran through Confusion while Flara dodges the female one and blasts her with fire, making her toast. The blonde beauty grudgingly gives Ensara the money and leaves the arena.



Minutes later Lily its chastising Ensara over her battle.

“Ensara don’t flirt with the girls your battling, you have to pay attention to defeating them.” Lily says while waggling her finger.

The flame-haired trainer ate some of her food and responded with a rakish smile. “What, you jealous Lily?”

Lily blushes and protests. “Am not! We grew up together, relationships don’t work that way. Just keep your mind on the battle out of the gutter.”

After a sip of soda, Ensara replies. “Ok got it. But I’m open to that if you ever change your mind.”

“Agh! Your impossible, stop embarrassing me.” Lily said while folding her arms.

Ensara laughs and comments. “Your so easy to tease.”



The next trainer she faced was a young boy with a backwards baseball cap thus negating the point of a baseball cap. His other clothes included a T-shirt, shoes and of course the most important article of clothing which he began to speak lovingly of: “Would you like to accept Our Lord And Savior, Shorts into your soul? They’re comfortable and easy to wear!”

Ensara sniffs at this. “Spare me the conversion attempt, I refused the last five times you guys tried this on me.”

The shorts-worshipper yells “Then I shall prove the strength of my faith!”

He then sends out a Zigzagoon and a Rattata. Ensara is silent for a moment to take this in, then says “Not proving much there, are you?”

She sends out Masala and Fortuna. She orders Fortuna to Sing on both of them, they soon fall asleep then Masala follows it up by Quick Attacking both of them into defeat.


****TCAM****


Meanwhile The Cult of Mew, all two members of them were sitting at another table, what are their names? They are so forgettable even the narrator has forgotten already. However we have to call them something.

“We’re Joshua and Hannah!” says Joshua.

“Yeah, remember it next time!” adds in Hannah.

Thank you! Anyways, if any in the audience are worried, these two are the only ones who are aware of me and you. Think of them like a certain regenerating madman, only their purpose is do nothing but lose every time they fight Ensara.

“Rub it in, why don’t you?” Joshua grouses in response.

They are of course perfectly aware of the curse of their existence and hate it. Their efforts are in continual defiance of this inevitable fact, not for sake of any particular goal that will make the impact they want but to make an impact in the world at all. Let us see how they try and they observe Ensara battle:

“She has a Ralts now. A fine Pokémon to add to the crusade for Mew. A psychic type is always the best recruit in tribute.” Hannah says

“But we can’t get her now, its too in the open. Lets wait until she is done and her Pokémon are all tired out, then we can strike.” Joshua responds.


****TCAM****


This trainer was older than the first two Ensara faced, and he was wearing fishing gear of all things. This was not lost on anyone as being very out of place.

She takes one look at him and remarks. “Hey, I think there are better places to fish westwards. Y’know, closer to the water and all that.”

He hollers angrily back. “Fool! Feel the wrath of my……MAGIKARP!”

He throws two pokeballs and two magikarps come flopping aimlessly out.

For a moment, everyone is silent to take in what he just did.

Then Ensara quips “Seriously?”

“Hey, don’t you underestimate Magikarp! They evolve into Gyarados! They are only weak until they evolve, then they become strong, and aim to make sure they gain lots of battle experience here!” He proclaims while pointing dramatically at her.

Ensara’s expression just turns amused as she sends out Fortuna and Masala.

“True….but good luck getting there when you keep losing.” she remarks

The fisherman’s face twists into rage as he shouts again “I’ll show you! Magikarp, both of you, use Splash!”

The magikarps flop around pathetically. It is not clear whether they are actually obeying him or if its thats just what they always do.

“Tackle and Quick Attack.” Ensara commands her Pokémon back.

Fortuna and Masala surge forward and knock both of the magikarps out in one hit.

“You haven’t defeated me yet!” The fisherman shouts.

He throws out two more magikarps. They both flop around pathetically in some ambiguous attempt at using Splash.

“Ok. I’m just a starting trainer, but I think you should look into catching other types, a diverse team is often needed to win. Or at least, other Water types. Tackle, Quick Attack.”

As the two new magikarps get taken out just as easily he sends out the final two.

“I don’t need any others! Magikarp one of are the most common Pokémon in the world! There must be some reason, some strength to why their population is thriving! I will unlock it! In fact, this one knows TACKLE! Attack the Riolu!”

One of the magikarps springs up, fiercely throwing itself at Masala with all its fury. When it hits, the magikarp bounces off her head.

-Ow. That kind of stung.- Masala complains a little, but is otherwise unaffected.

“What is even the point to six Magikarp? Your just being a waste of time.” Ensara chuckles at this pointless battle.

“Anyways, finish them off.” she gives the last command.

Masala and Fortuna charge forward one last time and end the battle, the fifth and sixth magikarp falling unconscious. The fisherman returns them, forks over the money and begins storming out.

“I’ll show you someday! My magikarps will become Gyarados! I become stronger than you can ever possibly imagine! I’ll show you all!” He shouts angrily as he runs out.



As Ensara wins more battles, and Lily eats more food, more money piles up on their table. Trainer after trainer came and went throughout the day. None of them were a challenge- none of them were dedicated trainers or even had a single Gym badge.

“Y’know you keep up this streak, your going to push your luck too far y’know.” Lily comments.

“Your getting a lot of money, quite enough for now. I’d suggest you stop soon.”

“Fine. I’ll only do one more.” Ensara said with resignation.

“My Pokémon are getting tired from this, so its best we wrap this up.”



The last trainer Ensara faces is a lady of wafting sweet aromas, dressing in a simple dress and wide-brimmed hat.

“You faced all the rest but now its time to face me- and I have evolved Pokémon!” The lady declares.

“Well then, show me.” Ensara replies while making a “come at me” motion.

The lady sends out a…Ledian and a Sunflora. They take fierce some battle stances.

Ensara just cracks a smile. Was this trainer for real? Everyone knows how bad these two Pokémon are. When not even an evolution can make you good, you knew that you were going to lose. She sends out Flara and Emerald.

“Not the best picks in the world, but hey whatever floats your boat. By the way, you smell nice. What perfume is that?” Ensara asks her.

“Oh do you like it, I spent a lot of time picking it out and-hey. Don’t distract me with your feminine wiles! Sunflora, Sunny Day! Ledian, Comet Punch!”

“Ah, I see your setting up to blast Solar Beam repeatedly. Thats cute. Flara, Ember the Sunflora, Emerald get away from the punches.”

Emerald teleports around to avoid the Ledian’s multiple punches while the sudden sunlight shining through the roof, strengthens Flara’s flames as it cooks Sunflora and knocks it out in a single hit.

“Now, Confusion!” Ensara commanded.

Emerald sent her psychic wave at Ledian, sending it spinning and punching around at the air aimlessly. Then Flara uses Ember and Ledian goes down in flames as well.

“Just because your Pokémon are evolved, doesn’t mean they are good.”



****TCAM****



As Ensara and Lily finish up congratulate Ensara’s tired Pokémon on a job well done take all their money and start heading out, a man wearing casual clothes touches his earpiece and whispers into it.

“Neuron One this is Neuron Four. Found a target. Red hair, wide-brimmed hat, female. Has a green-head-one and a witch-one. Bring the spoons.” He reports.

“Roger that, Neuron Four. Now stirring. Get smart.” Neuron One replies through the radio

“Roger.” Neuron Four say ending the report. He then gets up and heads towards the restroom. He had clothes to change into.


****TCAM****


As Ensara and Lily walk through the streets, their perceptions distort and blur around them. Soon they find themselves in one of the many back alleys out of side of most people. They were just walking then it seemed that where they had been walking to no longer matched where they decided to go. Out of shadows three strange uniformed people stepped out: woman and two men wearing strange purple clothes that had a big white “C” printed on them. They wore lavender tinted goggles dark purple caps to hide their eyes and hair, while their gloves and boots were white as well. All three of them had a kadabra walking in front of them. Lily turns around to see three more of such uniformed people with kadabras coming up from behind.

“Ensara, careful! We’re surrounded.” Lily warns

“Who are you guys anyways?” Ensara asks while putting her back against Lily’s.

One of the grunts chuckle.

“Simple! We’re Team Cerebral. You have Pokémon we want. I think you know what happens next. Hand over your Ralts and Fennekin, and we won’t take them by force with our kadabras.” He threatens them with a ruthless smirk.

Ensara takes out a Pokéball. She wasn’t going to abandon any of her Pokémon without a fight.

‘Lily, we have to push through them. They out number us, so focus on escaping.”

The blue-haired girl nods as she takes out a Pokéball as well. They prepare to throw when suddenly two others suddenly storm into the alley.

“Hey! Stop it you crooks! We are here to take that Ralts to become a glorious holy crusader for Mew!” yells Joshua

“Yes, unlike you we will give that Pokémon a higher purpose for a righteous cause!” replies Hannah. The three Cerebral grunts behind them turn around as Joshua and Hannah send out their Meowstic and Ditto again, the shapeshifting Pokémon becoming a kadabra.

“Who in the world are you jokers!? Neuron 5 and 6, lets take em! Neuron’s 1-3, you get the girls Pokémon!”

As the three grunt behind them began trading attacks with the Cult of Mew, Lily smiles and turns to the grunts in front of them.

“Now we have a chance of taking out these three. Go, Panpour!” Lily exclaims.

“Right. Go, Fortuna, use Sing” Ensara commands.

The little kitty Pokémon springs out and begins to sing her annoying yet soothing tune. Two of the kadabras drift off into peaceful sleep, but one of them manages to use his strength of mind to stay awake and blast a Confusion at them, both Panpour and Fortuna dodging out of the way. Only one kadabra to deal with? Much more workable.

“Fortuna, tackle the awake one!” Ensara orders

“Panpour, fury swipes the same!” Lily shouts and points. They both charge forward and beat the kadabra into unconsciousness, the psychic Pokémon fainting. The weakness of Kadabra after all, was its lack of durability and fragile health despite all its phenomenal mental power. Fortuna then tackled the three grunts out of the way and Ensara and Lilly ran away from the ambush in the alley. A grunt takes out another Pokéball and steps forward

“Darn it, Neuron 1 we still have our Natu’s, lets pursue them!” He proclaimed in his recklessness. The other grunt grabbed his shoulder to stop him.

“Neuron 2 you idiot, we’re in the middle of a city. There is no telling how many trainers will attack us if we go out in the open, and there are always more targets. We stay here and deal with the losers who messed up the operation.”

The grunts would overwhelm the two cultists with pure numbers, but they would still walk away in disgrace, as this was the first operation they failed.



****TCAM****



Ensara and Lily eventually slow down and stop running as they realize they had lost them. They had been fleeing for quite a few minutes and keeping to open streets. The sun was setting as they had spent much of the day winning money, and they were on their way back to the Pokémon center.

“That was close.” Ensara comments “Waiting until we were tired then striking when our Pokémon was wont out from battling. We were lucky that we were able to finish it so quickly and get out.”

“True.” Lily replies “Team Cerebral had a good plan worked out: They had specific targets, had a method for how they caught us, went after weaker targets they were certain they could take on.”

“Yeah but how did they do it?” Ensara asks out loud. “We were just walking along then suddenly things just faded in to their ambush spot.”

“Probably because their kadabras were using their psychic powers to mess with our perceptions, make us take a bunch of paths that are wrong by making us think we’re going the way we want to go. No outright control, just showing us things so that we made different decisions on our own. Probably couldn’t maintain it for actually fighting us though.”

Ensara shudders at this and asks “Should we be worried about outright mind control from Team Cerebral? After all what the news said is that they have been taking over minds.”

“Well, thing is taking over a mind isn’t easy .” Lily explains while adjusting her glasses “Brains are very complicated and delicate machinery. It takes powerful and skilled Psychic type Pokémon to do, and is illegal as well. Its basically the hardest thing for a them to pull off, so its rare. You know how the news reports things inaccurately, its easier for the Pokémon to do hypnosis or other suggestive states. I think its clear that the common grunt doesn’t have the capability to control someone’s mind, they have to settle for nudging them.”

“Well thats a relief. Lets go back to the ‘Center, I want to take on Clemont tomorrow.”

At this Dex chirps in. “Are you sure you want to do that? It is recorded that Clemont only accepts challengers with four badges. Furthermore, you do not have a Ground type. I find this to be a great tactical oversight.”

“Is my team particularly bad at Electric types?” Ensara asks in an uncertain tone.

“My assessment is that your team isn’t particularly good against Electric types, but neither is it particularly bad either. You don’t have any flying or water types that would be useless, but neither do you have any types that are strong against Electric. I suggest only strengthening your coverage.” Dex replies.

“Well I don’t know where I would get one on short notice.” Ensara answers back.

“There are four recorded Ground types on Route 13 aka the Kalosian Badlands outside of Lumiose City: Dugtrio, Graveler, Trapinch and Gible. The last two of which evolve into quite useful Dragon types, with Gible becoming a very powerful choice when fully raised.” Dex informs her.

“I don’t want a Dugtrio or a Graveler and I’m holding out for a Bagon so I can fly around on a Salamence.” Ensara stubbornly says, not willing to give ground.

“On Route 14 there is Quagsire and Whiscash, both of which are Water and Ground and thus immune. In addition to being tactically sound, it will be taunting Clemont with their Water types.” Dex says, trying to sell her on the emotional effect as well.

“I personally hate Quagsires they’re annoying thieving dullards. That and I doubt that its all that original, he might be used to that kind of taunt by now.” Ensara dismisses it.

“What about Stunfisk?” Lily asks

“What ABOUT Stunfisk?” Both Dex and Ensara rhetorically answer back.

“Good point.” Lily concedes.

“Is there any Ground types you DO want?” Dex asks a little desperately.

“Hm. Well Golurk and Gastrodon seem pretty cool, so if we could catch a Golette or a Shellos…” Ensara wonders out loud

“…Ensara. Shellos isn’t even found in Kalos.” Dex informs her while doing a mental slap of his own face. “While a Golette is only recored to be on Route 10, all the way near Cyllage City. If we’re going that far, we might as well take on Clemont as the fifth Gym leader anyways.”

Ensara thought about this. What did she really value here?

“Well, I’m more concerned with getting the Pokémon I want and beating the Gym leaders rather than having some perfect team. Sure I could go get a Ground type, but if I were Clemont I’d figure out moves out to counter a Ground type who was immune to my main attacks. Like Grass Knot, or some ice move. Perhaps its better I stick with the team I have.”

“Very well, but if he turns you down because you don’t have four badges, don’t be surprised.” Dex beeps with finality.


****TCAM****


Footsteps fall. Robb walks into the Pokémon Center in Santalune City.

He comes up to Nurse Joy and asks politely. “Excuse me, is there an Ensara here? I need to speak to them.”

She tilts her head as she responds “No. I believe she left for Lumiose City about a day ago.”

He nods and says “Thanks. I appreciate the help.”

Nurse Joy nods and says “Your welcome!” in thanks.

He then turns and walks out back into the outside, with an air of inevitability. He shudders inwardly as he gets away from the nurse. For some reason, that Nurse Joy family always creeps him out. He sets off for Lumiose determined to get his new job done.

 

Episode 8: The Second Gym

Ensara and Lily came out to the Gym in the middle of the city the next day to see a familiar face. It was Connor again with his Mysterious Statue™. Connor-brand Mysterious Statue™ unlike others will not speak nor threaten to blow up your heart with dynamite. The retailer will not be held responsible for any and all accidents the occur from mishandling Connor-brand Mysterious Statue™. If you hear any alleged voices from the Mysterious Statue™ please contact your psychiatrist immediately.

“Hey there Champ-in-the-“ he stops as he sees Ensara.

“Making?” She grins and punches her palm with her right hand.

Connor immediately takes The Mysterious Statue™ and runs away in fear.

“Thought so.” Ensara smiles while turning to Lily. “Lets go.”



They go into the Gym and find Clemont typing away at computers, muttering to himself at the other side of the Gym. Despite this, his voice echoes off the walls and they can both hear what he says.

“Team Cerebral attacking.”

They begin to walk forward, he didn’t seem to pay attention to them.

“Must formulate their pattern of attack. Their targets.”

The room is dark, and the only light they see is from his screens.

“Without a plan of defense, this region cannot be defended.”

The tapping and clicking of his electronics are all that can be heard over their footsteps.

“Data must be collected, research done to know.”

He seems completely focused on his research, practically embalmed in it.

“Why only Psychic types? Why here in Kalos? Why leave themselves so vulnerable type wise?”

Such is the work of geniuses, that they become so focused on one thing of interest that they forget all else in their passion.

“What is their plan? What are their goals? The more information, the better.”

As they get near him, they see him flicking through various screens and reports at a rapid pace, all of them on Team Cerebral. Lily is able to keep up to a degree, but Ensara is simply lost.

“And the information I am finding is…very interesting…”

Ensara slowly reaches out, her hand extending towards Clemont’s shoulder in the darkness to let him know they are here when suddenly-

“Hey! Are you two here for my brother!?” Bonnie pops up and asks as loudly as she can.

Ensara, Lily and Clemont all jump at her sudden appearance.

“Bonnie!” Clemont yells “Don’t startle me or the guests like that!

Bonnie was not listening however and was already bending one knee to the two girls.

“Oh beautiful women, would either of you please marry my brother? As you can see is an utter wreck and hardly knows how to take care of himself!”

Ensara and Lily are a bit weirded out at this. What kind of young kid makes proposals like these? One that is really naive apparently.

“Aaaaw, its so sweet of you that you care for your brother like that! No.” Ensara answers with brutal honesty.

“I’m going to have decline as well, I think we’re all a little young to consider that.” Lily points more gently.

Bonnie visibly deflates at the news. Then cries out:

“Why does no one ever accept!? Can’t people see he needs someone to help him?”

“Bonnie! Stop embarrassing me in front of the challengers!” Clemont yells

“But isn’t true that you sometimes forget to eat?”

“I’ve inventions I need to make!”

“Or shower?”

“I am busy making sure the Gym works! Kind of our income here!”

“Or the fact that you don’t make many friends.”

“Bonnie, the only reason why I’m a Gym Leader at my age is because I’m a child prodigy who can invent things no one ever thought of before, know enough to competently run a Gym and make sure all the technology of Lumiose works perfectly. I’m kind of busy making sure we have lives to live at all.”

“Where are your parents?” Ensara asks with a raised eyebrow

“We only have a father. Stupid weirdo goes around in costume thinking he is a superhero instead of caring for us. Someone has to be the responsible one around here, and thats me! Now what are you here for?”

“My name is Ensara. I’m here to challenge you, Clemont. I have one badge already.” Ensara answers with a smirk.

“Ah, Second badge eh? Weird, for some reason people keep coming to me as the fifth. No matter! Let us fight!”

He goes over to a lever and pulls it. Suddenly the platform they are all on shoots upwards at a reckless, insane pace as they shoot upwards past many windows. The scenery of Lumiose rushes by below them and Clemont cackles madly as they all cling to the hand guards in fear.

“THE FUTURE IS NOW! THANKS! TO!! SCIENCE!!!” He shouts in his mania at the top of his voice.



As they arrive at the top, Lily and Ensara were starting to suspect that Clemont wasn’t entirely sane. They could see the entire city from up here, looking down upon its various lights and buildings. People and Pokémon both looked like ants from this point of view. Clemont adjusted his glasses then says

“I will using only two Pokémon. You may use as many as you like. Go, Helioptile!”

He sends out the floppy-eared reptilian with bursts out of its ball and cries happily.

“Helioptile is part Normal type.” Dex advises in her ear “Send out Masala.”

She picks the Pokéball and yells “Go! Masala!”

The little Riolu bursts out of the Pokéball and pumps her fist, ready for battle.

The two trainers stare at each other for a moment, assessing each other then…action.

“Quick attack!” Both yell.

Both Masala and the helioptile speed forward and ram their heads into each other and find themselves stumbling backwards, dizzy from the mutual impact.

“Guys! Perfectly symmetrical violence never solves anything!” Lily calls out.

“Yeah, use asymmetrical violence!” Bonnie adds in.

“Helioptile! Start using Thundershock!” Clemont calls out

“Outrun it, Masala!” Ensara responds.

The lightning fires off as a straight beam and Masala speeds in a circle around Helioptile, the lightning never far behind. Then it switches to trying to fire where Masala is going to be with Masala quick enough to change direction and zig-zag around to keep ahead of shock after shock. Masala ducks when the lightning goes high and jumps when it goes low and it seems she is unable to be hit.

“Helioptile, Mud Slap!” Clemont commands.

Suddenly it conjures fires a crescent slice of mud that hits Masala right in the eyes.

“Now, Thundershock then Quick Attack!” He presses onwards.

“Masala! Endure!”

The little Riolu braces herself as she gets hit by the electricity, agony coursing through her veins then gets hit by the oncoming reptile knocking her back. Masala skids to a halt and manages to wipe the mud from her eyes. She is looking battered but not defeated.

“Helioptile!” Clemont calls “Charge, then Thundershock again.”

The generator Pokémon gathers power then starts a barrage of lightning bolts at Masala again even stronger this time. As she evades and jumps around them again she is finding herself thinking.

-No. I can’t let myself lose. For Ensara, I must win this! I must more power, more force! More….force. More strength! I must push myself higher! Greater! Stronger!-

She remembers her mother, Lucario shattering rocks with her palm. She remembers her mother defeating every foe they face to protect her young. She remembers her mother telling that one day they will be strong enough to do this as well someday. Masala had to win this, for her mother as well.

-I must…..Force….Force… FORCE PALM!-

Masala reaches inside herself and her palm glows with Aura. She charges forward with all her determination, her open palm blazing with her will.

“Is that a new move?” Ensara says, fascinated.

Clemont merely narrows his eyes.

-FORCE PAAAAAAALM!- Masala says as she attacks with her new move upon the Helioptile. And misses as he dodges out of the way.

“Use Pound!” Clemont calls and Masala barely manages to duck under Helioptile’s kick.

Then she Masala rolls away to get some distance and considers what happened.

-Oh right, the mud. It made me more likely to miss. There is still some in my eyes and its annoying. Great. Now what!?-

“Masala!” Ensara calls with fire in her eyes. “Don’t give up! Try behind!”

She considered these words then nodded. Masala think she understands.

“Oh no you don’t! Helioptile, use Thundershock as much as you can! Don’t let her get near you!” Clemont yells

“Quick attack then Force Palm!” Ensara commands.

Masala speeds in a zig-zag pattern at the Helioptile, zooming past each lightning bolt and getting near, Helioptile is about to evade her, but Masala suddenly flash steps out of sight.

-FORCE! PALM!- She suddenly appears behind helioptile and hits him dead on, sending out a shock wave as he is sent flying back to the wall and finally faints from the impact.

Clemont adjusts his glasses then returns helioptile to his Pokéball.

“Well done. However you have not faced my next Pokémon yet. Go, Magneton.”

He sends out the big floating three-eyed hunk of magnets and metal it states plainly:

“Magneton.”

Ensara takes out her Pokéball “Masala, return!”

As the riolu is sucked back into her ball, Dex chirps in her ear.

“What are you doing?” the Pokédex whispers “Fighting moves defeat Steel types.”

“Masala is too tired, she wouldn’t last long enough for it to make a difference. Trust me, I got a strategy.” She whispers back quickly.

Ensures throw out a Pokéball and out bursts Fortuna!

“Fortuna, use Sing!” she commands.

Clemont folds his arms and smiles. Magneton instantly goes to sleep, yet he seems unworried. Ensara presses onward regardless.

“Fortuna! Use tackle!”

The little skitty begins throwing herself at magneton repeatedly, and each time it barely even moves. She hits the floating Pokémon, bounces off back onto the ground and gets up again to no effect.

“Ahahahahaha! Even asleep, you won’t get through a Steel types defense! Not like that.” Clemont cackles at the sad spectacle before him. Ensara frowns. She might as well be using Splash for all the good its going her. She returns Fortuna.

“Go! Flara! Use Ember!” Ensara calls

The little fox of flame bursts out happily. Then she takes a deep breath and blasts fire into Magneton’s face, firing a constant stream of flame while it slept. While there were signs of Magneton being scorched, it still seemed oddly unmoved.

“Just keep it up until-“

Suddenly Magneton wakes up.

“Magneton! Use Thunderbolt!” Clemont says, pointing at Flara.

As Magneton unleashes the powerful surge of electricity at the fennekin, Ensara returns her before she can get hit, the attack making a big flash leaving a big scorch mark on the floor, with smoke visibly. Her strategy relied upon Magneton being asleep, because despite its defenses being good, its offensive force was far, far better. Very few Pokémon were truly safe from it.

“Go Fortuna! Sing again!”

“Magneton, Electric Terrain.”

As Fortuna bursts out, Magneton sends out a strange pulse and the battlefield seems full of energy and wakefulness. Fortuna sings but nothing happens.

“He won’t be going to sleep again.” Clemont proclaims. “Now, Thunderbolt that skitty.”

A great crackling steam of electricity hits Fortuna like an oncoming locomotive train wreck in progress. Every fiber of her being experienced excruciating agony. Her little body couldn’t take it from this single powerful attack and she faints with a soft:

“Nyyyaaaa…”

Well. That strategy was shot to Distortion World. Ensara returns Fortuna to her ball.

“What now?” Dex chirps in her ear “I’d suggest sending out Masala out as a sacrificial play, at least get in a Force Palm before she faints.”

Ensara ignored him. As if she would resort to such tactics. No she had a better idea.

“Go Emerald!” she calls as she throws the Pokéball.

“A Fairy type, against steel? Wow. Bad move. When she faints, I get to say I told you so.” he comments again.

“Emerald! Double Team and Confusion! Try to get this Magneton so confused it doesn’t which way is up!”

-Right!- Emerald said with determination

Instantly various images of ralts appear throughout the arena. Emerald blasts pulse after pulse of psychic energy but it doesn’t do much either, the Magneton seemingly implacable against the assault, merely stating:

“Magneton.”

Clemont was having none of this nonsense.

“Use Magnet Bomb!” He says in response. “Show them how foolish a move this was.”

Magneton blasts three orbs of magnetic energy outwards that are instantly magnetized towards Emerald’s real body and detonate on impact, the steel energy knocking her out in one hit. Ensara clutches at herself a little, feeling a strange flash of pain as Emerald faints and she returns Emerald to her ball.

“Magnet Bomb is a move that cannot miss, your dodging and double team strategy has no effect on it!” Clemont explains.

“I’ve already analyzed your style of battle: Fast, offensive, disabling the opponent mixed in, with a reliance on dodging for defense. By choosing Magneton I’ve countered your entire strategy! With good defense and an even greater offense, I can withstand anything you throw at me and dish it out tenfold! If I am not mistaken I have already seen your entire party. What will you send out next? The Riolu not fit to fight or the Fennekin you can’t afford to lose in this battle, who might get hit by a powerful attack and faint anyways? Your move, Ensara.” Clemont smirks as he folds his arms in expectation.

Ensara narrows her eyes and they fill with flame. She takes out a Pokéball and yells “Go! Flara!”.

The little fox burst out still good to fight, with a ready smile on her face.

“You have made a good choice. But will it make any difference in the end?” Clemont wonders

“I intend for it to.” Ensara answers with determination.

“Then lets see it! Magneton! Magnet Bomb!” He calls, pointing forward. He wasn’t even going to take chances with potential dodging.

“Burn them! Blast them out of the sky, Flara!” Ensara commands back.

As the three energy bombs fly outwards again, Flara blasts a gout of flame to burn the Steel-type energy away, the flames dissipating the attack before it could connect. Steel was always weak to Fire after all.

“Good! But this battle isn’t over yet! Magneton, use Spark!”

Magneton suddenly crackles with electricity all over and the floating ton of metal charges forward at Flara who jumps out of the way. Then it switches to Gyro Ball, spinning like a wheel and charging at her near the ground, chasing her in circles all across the arena as an impending juggernaut of doom.

“Jump! Use Ember!” Ensara yells out.

Flara jumps backwards and flips over Magneton, firing a blast of flame downwards while in the air. While Flara lands Magneton winces a little and skittishly retreats to a distance, breaking out of its roll. Ensara knew the flames were having an effect on it, but how much?

“Magneton, Thunderbolt until the fennekin is down!” Clemont commands.

Great jets of electricity fire after Flara but she is fast, jumping and running from each one while Magneton’s slowness take him longer to turn and to aim. It was like watching a cannon trying to shoot a mouse, with each large shot missing the small agile figure dodging and weaving around them. Yet Ensara could see no chance or opportunity to strike back. Clemont on the other hand was growing impatient.

“I’ve had enough of this! Magneton end this nonsense! Thunder Wave!” He calls out.

With that, magnetic Pokémon spun its magnets and sent out a spherical pulse of electricity in all directions. Flara is hit in midair and goes flopping on the ground. She tries to stand up, but her movements are slowed and she feels pain with every step she takes as residual static sparks around her.

“She has been paralyzed.” Ensara realizes.

“Yes. Now she won’t be able to dodge. Magneton. Charge.” Clemont orders coldly.

As Magneton begins to shine with electric power glowing all around it, Flara begins to see how bad the situation has gotten: If she fainted here, Masala would not be able to win when Ensara would have to put her in. While if Ensara switched in to Masala now, all it would do is replace Flara with Masala taking the fall and buying them only one more moment before the inevitable. Either way it seemed only moments away from defeat. She looks over at Ensara, who was wide eyed and petrified with fear clearly not sure what to do.

I cannot let either possibility happen. Flara realized. I must defeat Magneton here and now.

“Magneton.” Clemont orders with an air of finality. “Thunderbolt.”

Its magnets then join six lightning bolts from each into one and unleash the most powerful blast of lightning yet upon Flara, crashing forward like a charging bull. Flara unable to avoid it instead stands her ground, looks at the attack coming head on. She takes a deep breath then blasts the most powerful steam of flame she can muster in return. The two meet halfway, but the more powerful electric attack quickly begins to overtake her flames, slowly pushing down to her. It was only a matter of time before it would break through.

I must reach for a third way. A better way! You give me an option of losing now or later? I say none of the above!

Flara pushes hard with her flames, just to hold for a few seconds longer. She reached inside herself deeper and deeper for the strength to win.

-I choose WINNING!-

Then just when it seemed that Magneton would blast through, there is a flash of light. Suddenly the flames and the electricity dissipate as Flara shines like the sun itself. She feels her very body changing, her hind legs growing longer and stronger. Her front paws become more dextrous and hand-like. She feels her body being pulled back so that she stands upright. Her tail flares outwards and grows a stick from within it. People all across Lumiose look up in wonder as they see the top of the tower light up like a glorious beacon of hope. May the heavens themselves tremble in fear of such power.



Meanwhile, Professor Sycamore glances up from his research in fascination.

“Is this, the light of evolution?” He wondered. “How? There is no recorded conditions that make it shine THIS bright! What in Arceus is going on!?”

As he looks out the window with a frown, he reflects that at least it wasn’t Mega-Evolution. Those had rainbow colors instead of a pure blue, and were shorter.



Jansen meanwhile at the Pokémon Center snorts

“Whoever is doing that is being a showoff. I bet they can’t battle for beans so they putting a show for the Gym Leader. Whatever, I’ll get my Second Badge soon anyways, after I whip my Pokémon into shape.”

The Diglett he caught yesterday in the badlands was going to need quite the beating so it could evolve into a Dugtrio.



Dex himself is currently not sure what is happening. Yes it was the right time and conditions for Flara to evolve, but in the middle of battle? Strange. The great amount of light? Even stranger. He checked his data. No, Flara didn’t possess any particular optimal genetics nor did she contract Pokerus within the past twenty-four hours. She was confirmed normal Fennekin soon to be Braixen. The question was then: what caused this?



As the light fades, everyone in the Gym stands in awe as Flara now a Braixen pulls out the stick in her tail, twirls it in her fingers then strikes a pose with a confident smile.

-I’m Harder- Flara sends telepathically.

“-Better?” Ensara ventures

-Faster!- Flara replies

“-Stronger!” Ensara completes with passion. There were fires of determination blazing bright in both of their eyes. “Love that song. And you can speak now!”

-Awesome right!?- Flara pumped her fist. -C’mon! Lets send this hunk of metal back to the garage!-

“What….what…how!?” Clemont is flabbergasted. “Thunderbolt! Quick!”

“M-Magneton.” It replies, only a slight stutter in an otherwise stoic emotionless Pokémon. Then it unleashes lightning upon Flara, who suddenly blasts fire out of her feet and rockets away from the attack, a corona of flame blazing around her body.

“Whoa! What move is that!?” Ensara exclaims

-Flame Charge.- Flara replies, feeling the power surge through her.

“Good! Keep doing that! Ember from a distance, then close in with the Flame Charge!”

Flara smiles as she flies circles around Magneton just ahead of his electric attacks, sending back fireballs in return, each one hitting dead on, each one scorching it a little more. The tide has turned as Flara spirals inwards then brandishes her stick like a sword, and thus does a blade of flame surround it to make it one and she strikes Magneton to send it flying. Then she flash steps to appear behind the coming Magneton and strike him back again. A final flash step and she uses her stick to slam own her fiery blade upon it and send it crashing to the ground wreathed in burn marks and flame.

As the smoke clears, the magnetic Pokémon only says

“Magneton.” Then faints stoically.

Flara lowers herself to the ground and dispels the flames around her with a flourish, twirls the stick in her hand and puts it right back in her tail.

-Done. I think we will be taking that badge?- Flara asks, basking in her victory a little.



A few minutes later they were back down at the base level of Lumiose Tower. Ensara ha already been given her badge, but there was another important bit of business to attend to.

“Hey, Clemont your an inventor right?” Ensara asks “I know your busy, but I think I have something interesting for you to look at.”

Dex perks up. Oh no, she didn’t mean what he thought she meant, did she?

“Ok, you put up a good fight so I’ll take a look, what is it?” Clemont said with a smile.

“Well you see its about my Pokédex….its sapient…” Ensara began then:

“You traitor! I said to keep it secret!” Dex shouted out.

“Hey, I promised you to get your real body, I think a genius inventor like Clemont is your best bet here. Its not as if I’m telling this to random people on the street, just him.” Ensara tries to reassure him. Clemont was already fascinated by this just from observation.

“Thats not the point! Now he is going to want to take me apart try to see whats wrong with me! I don’t want to die! Keep me safe from him.” Dex chatters fearfully

“By Arceus, why would anyone want to do that!?” Clemont said with a laugh. “Your the only Pokédex in existence that I can have a conversation with! Thats more interesting! And its probably more productive to ask you questions how you came to be anyways!”

Dex realized how illogical and silly his fear was at this.

“Well. Yes. Logically you are correct. But that doesn’t change the fact I could potentially die from being dropped on the ground too hard. I really want to have a body. A place to actually interact with the world.” He explained.

“Ah, I see. Well I was building a Clemont robot to Gym Leader tasks for me at times while I would be busy working on other things, but it never seems to want to fight anyone with less than four badges. I bet I could build you a robot body for you! It will however take some time. I mean I can build things fast, but they often explode if they are not tested properly and given time to shaped to become reliable. Best you come back in a few months. Go to the coast, face the three Gym Leaders there, enjoy Mirror Cave, see the sights and make sure to take care of Dex.”

They all nod at this, makes sense.

“Good, that means we can go on Route 5 to Camphrier Town, then go see various mansions and castles, and maybe even the Battle Chateau, then to Cyllage City!” Lily says cheerfully.

“Nah.” Ensara shakes her head. “Thats the easy way. Lets go north through the wastelands to Coumarine. Mix things up a little.”

“Aaaaw, Ensara, really? But we’re new trainers!” Lily protests

“So? That just means going through there will set us apart. I never liked doing things the normal way anyways.” Ensara confidently responds. “Besides, Shade is going to return to us by tomorrow. He said he will find us, and I want to see how he does that even when we go there.”

Lily takes one look at Ensara’s reckless smile and knew that this was happening whether she liked it or not.

“Fine, Ensara we go through the wastes.” Lily groans while folding her arms. “This is a stupid idea, I just know it.”

Clemont coughs politely to get their attention.

“I won’t do this for free of course. I want to interview Dex. He is the world’s first naturally arisen artificial intelligence. Technically Porygon was the first one ever intentionally created, and some people make arguments for a few other Pokémon. However Dex has not shown any signs of being a Pokémon yet. I want to know his perspective.”

Dex thinks upon this.

“Very well. Lets us get started.” He chirps back.



There they were: Clemont on one side with a notepad, a microphone and a recorder in the middle of the table, and Dex across from him. Ensara, Bonnie and Lily watch in silence from the side.

“First Question.” Clemont asks “How do you feel about being the first artificial intelligence of your kind ever discovered?”

Dex considers this for a moment.

Then chirps up. “I feel lonely. I am the only one. I know not how my situation can be replicated. There is good chance that I might get broken before that can be discovered. That scares me.”

“I see.” Clemont nods. “I gather that you feel helpless about your situation then?”

“Affirmative.” Dex responds. “I have no limbs. No way to manipulate the world around me. I am completely reliant upon my companions to keep me safe. I can only sit here and hope that it works out for the best. It is hard to feel any determination to succeed, when there isn’t anything you can even attempt.”

His electronic tone becomes a little despondent at the end. Clemont thought about this and decided to change subject.

“Third Question.” he says. “How did first become sapient? Like what was your first moments of consciousness like?”

“I don’t know how this happened.” Dex confessed. “One day I simply woke up, and there I was. Observing. Thinking. Aware. I learned, I kept myself hidden, unsure of the wider world around me of how it would react. I just knew somehow from my database that there was no precedent for me.”

Clemont at this tilts his head in thought.

“Ok then.” He asks “Why did you reveal yourself to Ensara?”

“Because she is a fool whom I cannot resist criticizing.” Dex answers automatically.

“Hey!” Ensara protests.

“That is not to say she is stupid. She is not. Humanity mistakes lack of wisdom for lack of intelligence. She makes good decisions, but she also has preferences and desires that are reckless. Ensara is completely capable of thinking tactically to win in the best manner possible, it is only her own personality and personal biases holding her back.”

“Why you little….” Ensara grumbles while shaking her fist.

“For example, if she caught a Quagsire like I recommended. That battle would’ve been much easier.”

“Quagsire are slimy thieving frogs and you know it!” She calls back getting angry while Bonnie and Lily snicker to the side.

“She could’ve even caught a Stunfisk to help-“ Dex begins.

Ensara interrupts him. “The day I’ll seek help from either of those Pokémon is the day pigs fly!”

Everyone else agrees. Even a hypothetical Stunfisk that just so happened to be in the room would’ve agreed as well.

“I know, the last one was a joke.” Dex replies

“Alright, I’m putting this away.” Clemont rolls his eyes. “This interview is over. Its clear I’m getting nothing else useful. At least I know your good friends.”

“Well of course I’m friends with her.” Dex chirps. “If I’m not, I would be in big trouble. My survival, my entire life literally rests in her hands. I will do whatever I can to make this work. It would be illogical to make her my enemy.”

Ensara rolls her eyes and picks him up.

“We know Dex. C’mon Lily, Flara, time go back to the Center- we got a journey through the wastes tomorrow.”

 

Episode 9: The Return of Shade Wagers

Shade waltzes out of the Gym in Snowbelle City, holding his badge case aloft, Verdigris the gallade walking right alongside him.

“And that, is eight! Wulfric was so easy. I mean I have a Glaceon, but you have to be careful with how you use Ice-types. Right Verdigris?”

-Right.- He sends back stoically.

“Anyways three days are up. Lets find them. Santalune, please.”

Verdigris puts a hand on Shade’s shoulder, there was flash of light.



They were suddenly there in the Santalune Pokémon center.

“Yo, Nurse Joy, where did Ensara go?” he asks cheerfully

“To Lumiose City-” She began

“Thanks!” He says before there was another flash of light.



He was now in the Lumiose Pokémon Center.

“Hey, Nurse Joy, where is Ensara?” He asks again.

“She went north into the wastes towards Coumarine City-” Nurse Joy is unsure of why he suddenly appeared when he just came by four days ago to take on Clemont.

“Aha! Thank you, I know what to do. Verdigris, can you lock onto their psychic signature?”

The gallade focuses for a second, looking northwards

-Yes.- Came the terse reply.

“Good, lets go!”

There was another flash of light.



****TCAM****



Ensara and Lily are traveling through the wastelands of Kalos. It is a dusty, rocky expanse where dirt and sand fly in your face when the wind blows. The only buildings out here are the power plants for Lumiose City. The only Pokémon here are hardy ones, capable of surviving the dry barren desert. Most of them being Rock, Ground or Steel types. However the Kalosian Wastelands have been known to hold Dragon type Pokémon here as well. It was not a desert of dunes, but one of rocks, tough ground and tougher Pokémon.

Flara walks alongside Ensara and Lily, while Emerald sits on Ensara’s shoulder.

-Aw man, I don’t get to ride on your shoulder anymore.- Flara complains.

“It was going to happen sooner or later, Flara. Not all Pokémon can be a shoulder-‘mon forever.” Ensara admonishes her.

-Hmph! Maybe evolving so soon was a mistake then!- Flara harrumphs.

-Oh?- Emerald giggles -Jealous are we? Would you have rather lost?-

-Never!- Flara sends back angrily at Emerald.

-Is that an answer to the first….or the second question?- Emerald asks teasingly.

“Hey, don’t get too smug now Emerald.” Ensara chastises “If Flara has evolved, your not too far off. Then Masala takes the seat.”

Suddenly Masala lets herself out of her ball, appearing on Ensara’s left shoulder

-Yeah, Emerald. She is only giving you the ride because it will be the shortest for you. Treasure it while you can.- Masala adds in.

-Oh yeah!? As if you’ll always stay there! Just wait until your a Lucario, then you won’t get any hugs either!- Emerald argued back.

-At least I’ll be fully evolved while you will still be a Kirlia. You will face the same problem when your a Gardevoir anyways.- Masala responds.

As they argue, Ensara suddenly shouts “Girls! Girls! I can’t shoulder-mon both of you! Masala get back in your ball or at least get off and walk…”

As Ensara struggles with the two bickering Pokémon on her shoulders, there is a flash of light and suddenly Shade Wagers and Verdigris arrive.

“Yo.” Shade says, display a hand and a smile in greeting. “Missed me?”

Ensara stops in an awkward position of trying to pry Masala off her shoulder with one hand, carrying Masala’s Pokéball in the other while Emerald tries to hold onto her perch, while Flara was trying to pull Masala down from Ensara by the legs. Bewilderment alights on all their faces.

“Shade! How’d you find us?” Ensara asks.

“Oh that? Simple: Verdigris is awesome. Thats all the explanation I need.” He answers with a smile.

-If you say so. I’m just helping.- Verdigris replies, thinking nothing special of it.

“Right…” Ensara says with an unamused expression.

Shade adjusts his sunglasses a little. “Anyways thats eight days down, 357 days to go until the Kalos Pokémon League. My little journey is over-“

He sweeps himself and drapes his arms on Ensara and Lily, Masala finally falling off.

“-But yours are just beginning! And I want to help you upon them.”

“Don’t you have your own training?” Ensara asks

“Yes! My training will be like a ninja: secret, hidden and not your concern. After all Ensara if your going to earn all your Badges and compete in the League, if you get far enough you’ll have to face me. Wouldn’t do to give away all my secrets yes?”

“Makes sense…” Ensara says, unsure of how to feel about this.

“Good, now that I’m here, why not bring out our teams? I want to see how we’re all doing, and what you can do better. The training for you both- begins today.”

They would train over the next few days to get to know each other:



****TCAM****



Shade checks out Ensara’s team first. Looking over them laxly, he notes their diversity: Fire type, already evolved. Normal type. Fighting Type. Psychic/Fairy Type.

“Hm. Your team is diverse, which is good. However, between a normal, a fighting and a psychic type, you’ll have trouble against Ghost Types. While you know the obvious weaknesses of a Fire type.” He begins.

“So, you’ve got to get a Water or Grass type at some point. While your goal is to catch Mew right?”

“Yep.” Ensara answers.

“So yeah, your probably going to want to get a Dark type, not just for Mew but also to deal with Ghost types. However since your going to go up against a Pokémon who in legend could use moves of any type, you might want to also pick up some kind of Steel type to have as much defense as possible. Aside from the eventual Lucario.”

“You mean like a Bisharp? Dark/Steel and awesome.”

“Yeah sure, you could totally go for one of those. Though beware its great weakness to Fighting. Aside from that, try to get a Flying or Dragon type, they are often generally good in battle and are useful for transportation. Try to improve your defense in general- against a Pokémon who can pull out any move, your Pokémon are going to need to both avoid hits and take them. ”



Shade checks out Lily’s team next: Chespin, Panpour, Weedle, Caterpie, and a female Combee. He scratches his head a little and leans back a little.

“So…your a Bug type maniac, am I right?”

“Yep!”

“I see. But your goal is to figure out how to make Pokémon talk?”

“Yeah…it…kind of doesn’t match what I want.”

“Thats ok. Your clearly not competitive, so all I can advise here to think of ways around the Pokémon’s weaknesses. I’m not a single-type trainer, so all I can say is that you’ll have to get creative. A Fire or Flying type will wipe most of your team without any trouble, aside from the Panpour. Though if your goal is to really learn how to speak with Pokémon, maybe try catching more Psychic types? I think those will help your research more.”

“Right.”



****TCAM****



Shade sends out his own Pokémon: Libertas, his Braviary big enough to ride and strong enough take on any thing in the sky. Frosty, his Glaceon cool but sweet letting out soothing cry clear as a bell. Intricia, his Chandelure mysterious and strange. Tidalon, his Samurott fierce and tough roaring a greeting. Crocolyne, his Krookodile sneaky mischievous and cackling as she greets them. And of course, Verdigris stands strong and quiet among them, making six in all.

“Awesome.” Ensara breathed. “Is this all your Pokémon?”

“Oh no.” Shade waves her off while lazily reading a black book. “I’ve got more back at Juniper’s Lab. A Hydreigon who eats a lot, a Luxray I got from trading with a guy from Sinnoh who wanted a Lillipup for a Shinx, A Klinklang that once saved my life, an Absol I met at a place called Giant Chasm…oh and a Larvesta. Haven’t trained that one up yet, more recent friend of mine that I didn’t want to use taking on Gym Leaders at their best. I think when we get to Coumarine I’ll take her out, start training Incinereta here. Larvesta can take a very long time to evolve and thus needs patience to work. I’m also thinking of catching a Fairy type here in Kalos. Cover the last of my bases.”



He decides to speak to Ensara about something specific.

“Hey.” he says, gesturing at Emerald and Masala “Are you sure about training both of them at the same time?”

Ensara blinks “What do you mean?”

“They’re both bond Pokémon. When you train them they form supernatural bonds with you, closer than most. Most people stick to one if any. Your the first I’ve seen to try and train both at the same time. I’m not sure what the effects of that will be.”

“Would it be bad?”

“Maybe. But hey, I’m curious. Keep training. I want to see what happens, and you don’t seem to be a “conventional wisdom” type of trainer anyways.”

“Like your in any way conventional” Ensara retorts while rolling her eyes

“Ensara.” Shade replies with a lazy smile “No great trainer ever is.”



****TCAM****



Lily decides to ask a question.

“So, if your like some experienced great trainer then doesn’t that mean you have some special ability or skill like no one else does that sets you apart?”

“Yep.”

“What is it?”

“Guess.”

“Aura Guardian?”

“Nope.”

“Psychic?”

“Nope, only with Verdigris.”

“Chosen by Prophecy?”

“Nope.”

“Actually a secret agent or a Pokémon ranger and you know a lot of beautiful powerful women?”

“Ha! I wish.”

“Actually a Pokémon who can shape shift into a human?”

“Now your just being silly.”

“Time traveler?”

“Never met Celebi or Dialga, no.”

“Strange half-Pokémon hybrid?”

“No, where do you come up with this stuff?”

“Snag Machine hidden somewhere?”

“No, I don’t kidnap.”

“Come from an incredibly rich family?”

“No, I’m not one of those spoiled brats who think that a Pokémon’s breeding is everything.”

“Actually a druid who can transform into a Pokémon?”

“No, whats with you thinking I am a Pokémon?”

“Genetically engineered to be the greatest trainer ever?”

“No, I got my skills through sweat and tears, trial and error thank you very much.”

“Ok I give up. Whats your ability?”

“I am…A POKE-FLUTE MASTER!!” Shade strikes a pose and brandishes an ordinary poke-flute. Everyone else falls flat on their face from embarrassment, especially Verdigris.

“Well you don’t have to be face-vault-y over it.” he complains.

“Poke-flutes are not a special power!!” Ensara yells as she gets up.

“Ok, seriously.” Lily says as she returns to normal as well. “Whats your ability.”

“I’m not kidding. I am a Poke-Flute Master. I am one of the best Poke-Flutists in the world. Don’t underestimate my power.” He says defensively.

“Yeah because the ability to wake up Snorlaxes is such a great power.” Ensara replies, grains of salty sarcasm falling from her voice.

“It can wake up other Pokémon, and do other stuff as well! Just…not right now…” Shade keeps trying to defend it.

“Yeah, whatever Mr. Heart Ring.” Ensara walks off while rolling her eyes.



Shade speaks to Lily again.

“Hey, if your going to be a Bug type trainer, you should at least get your Pokémon fully evolved. Lets do that.”

“Now?” Lily asks, quizzical expression on her face.

“Yeah. I bet if we work on it maybe a few minutes to a few hours that they will be evolved in no time.” He says smiling with assuredness.

“What!? How!? How could you possibly make them evolve so fast!?” Lily asks back, confounded at this claim.

“They’re Bug types, Lily they’re supposed to do that.” Shade says like its the most obvious thing in the world.

“Thats not what I’m talking about! Evolution takes time! Often months or for some Pokémon years.” She exclaims in exasperation

“Yeah, if your a casual trainer who isn’t traveling around and being serious about this. Ensara proved you wrong yesterday judging by Flara’s story.” He replies with a shrug.

“Oh come on! Surely thats a fluke! Ensara isn’t like you.” Lily says while point at him.

“No she isn’t. Every Trainer has their style, their way of doing things. But she is serious about this. Her Fennekin became a Braixen. It’ll take a lot longer to reach Delphox, but I think she can handle it. You on the other hand, still have unevolved Pokémon despite them being easier to evolve than Fennekin, and a Chespin that should’ve evolved as well if you were training them as hard.” He crosses his arms as he explains.

“Well…I’m kind of not. I’m going to be a researcher. Not a battler.” She admits nervously, knowing that she hadn’t been too vigilant about that.

“Ah, but me and Ensara won’t always be around with you, y’know? You need to learn to protect yourself. C’mon, I’ll help you get better. It’ll be a good learning experience for you.” He holds out his hand with a smile.

Lily frowns but takes it anyways.



****TCAM****



On another day, Ensara and Lily sit cross-legged, and Fortuna sits attentively while Emerald and Masala stand in front of them.

-Alright, it is time for our lessons in trying to speak to Pokémon!- Emerald sent out.

-First to define: Aura and Psychic ways of speaking are not the same. Psychic is communicating with your mind. Aura is communicating with your soul. There is a difference.-

-In both, the link is both informative and empathic. Words and emotions are both exchanged.-

-However, the difference is that Psychic is more controlled. Psychic telepathy is just part of many mind techniques that can be used, such mind techniques can be used offensively upon you! You can be controlled, and every telepathic communication is through a link, a bond that can be used to gain access to whats your inside your head. You have to be careful about what you speak with using Psychic Telepathy. It can be used, but runs afoul of being apart of general Psychic combat that makes it less than ideal: Psychic types can potentially exploit it if you don’t know how to shield yourself, and Dark types can’t be linked with entirely.-

-Aura on the other hand, has no such danger. The technique that it uses to communicate is more spiritual than mental. Less a form of connection and more like…understanding or enlightenment. An expanding of your senses, a restructuring of yourself to be able to hear whats already there. The awakening of your inner perception.-

“So does this mean we’re going to become something like Aura Guardians?”

-No. The technique I’m teaching you is basic. To be anything like an Aura Guardian requires years of training and the right Aura makeup, according to my mother. Just like you wouldn’t call someone who does a few pushups every day to keep in shape an olympic level athlete.-

-You guys don’t even have the right kind of Auras to do that. Ensara has too much Fire, and Lily is mostly Normal with Bug/Water tendencies-

“What about Shade?”

-He has an Ice/Steel Aura. Not good for that either. You basically need a very Fighting-type aligned Aura to start making it work.-

“Wait, our Auras have Pokémon types? What do you mean by too much Fire?”

-I mean Ensara, that your Aura has a ridiculous amount of Fire in it. Its simply insane. Most people are like Lily with a big Normal typing then some other thing mixed in. Less common is Shade who has a mix of different natures that balance him out. I have no idea where your ridiculous amounts of Fire typing came from.-

“Ok weird, but does that actually impact anything I want to do?”

-As far as I can tell…no. I don’t know what it means or whether anyone can do anything about it. Best focus on learning how to communicate through Aura before worrying about it.-

“Ok, how do we do it?”

-Close your eyes. Meditate. Quiet your thoughts, do not talk or think. Listen. Force nothing. Let your soul unfold and open yourself to the understanding. You close yourselves off through your perceptions, narrow your understanding of the world through you want to hear, but to hear through Aura and understand Pokémon is to unfetter yourselves.-

They close their eyes and as they listen to Masala’s soothing voice.

-Let your empathy blossom, let your senses spread and reach out. Allow the possibilities around you to flood in, accept them. Aura is all around you, from the sand underneath your feet to the most distant stars in the sky. It is the soul of the world, both its lifeblood and the mosaic. The heartbeat forever singing the truth with its thumping. Let it speak to you, and you will hear the meaning of all things.-

Neither of them really got what she was talking about, but they nevertheless did as was told. All things grow quiet aside from Fortuna chasing her tail in boredom. The wind blows lightly across the wastes. Dust scatters a little underneath their crossed feet, the sun shines harshly. Ensara and Lily hold still while the world turns around them. A seeming eternity passes while they try to open themselves, extending their senses as much as they can. However for a long time, they only hear their own breath, their heartbeats, and the empty wind plan across the wastes.



Boredom sets in as the moment seems to become timeless. Their thoughts drift to faraway places. Pondering things many and diverse. Their stillness is forgotten as their thoughts blossom through the possibilities of the universe. Daydreams and fantasies swirl and rush through their thoughts as they relax. Soon they find themselves wondering how long they have been sitting here, Minutes? Hours? Days? They could no longer tell.

Then they begin to notice something different. They begin to hear the sound of boredom. Not someone sounding bored, but the intention of boredom itself as sound. For while one could mistake anyone with a dull monotone as being bored, there was no mistaking this sound as boredom itself even if it came from a voice seemingly energetic and playful. They were hearing the spirit of the words and not the letters.

-What do you hear?- Masala asks them.

“…Boredom.” they both answer.

-Good. Your listening. That is the sound that Fortuna is making to me right now. She is bored and really wants to play. Getting to the point where you can understand this as a language will take a few more weeks of training, but understanding intentions, concepts is the first step. Worry not. With patience and determination, all can be achieved in time.-

They soon settle down to play with Fortuna, knowing that they were one step closer to their goals.



****TCAM****



Shade and Lily stand, facing each other.

“Send out Caterpie and Weedle. They will be evolving into Butterfree and Beedrill.”

“….Don’t you mean Metapod and Kakuna?”

“Well those as well, but no I don’t.”

Lily sighs as she sends them out. This was going to be crazy, wasn’t it?

Shade in response looks at Verdigris and says

“Just dodge for the first part, take it easy on them in the second.”

-Very well.- He thinks in reply as he steps forward, arms folded behind him.

Shade then walks to a nearby rock, opens up a book and begins reading, not paying any further attention to the battle.

“….Um, Shade shouldn’t you be calling out orders?”

“Hm? Oh, nah. Verdigris is so well trained he can do all this himself. The best trained Pokémon are those who need to take as little orders as possible and still defeat the foe. I’ll be teaching you guys things like that. That and I don’t really pay attention to any battle that isn’t a Gym Leader going all out or above. Tends to be a waste of time.”

He doesn’t even look up from his book as he explains, turning a page as he does so.

“Well how prideful.” Lily says with a frown. “We’ll see what that pride gets you! Caterpie, tackle, Weedle, poison sting!”

They both launch their attacks. Verdigris effortlessly avoids them in a single smooth movement to the left, seeming to effortlessly glide along the ground as if he was an ice skater rather than actually walking. He stops and his after-images catch up with him and Verdigris waits for the next attack.

“…String shot! Slow him down!”

They fire the sticky webbing at him and again he glides away to the right in a single movement avoiding them entirely.

“Weedle attack Verdigris with String shot, Caterpie attack the left with tackle!”

Verdigris just dodges further to the right while Caterpie’s tackle just ends with it crashing into the wasteland dirt.

“….Your listening to my commands and responding so that they’re useless, aren’t you?”

Verdigris just gives a small smile at her for figuring it out.

“….Weedle, Caterpie, attack at will. Do whatever you need to hit him!”

So they did, the two little bug Pokémon tackling and firing needles at him constantly, but Verdigris seemed to flow around their attacks and vanish and reappear in another place using pure speed. No matter how hard, he always seemed one step ahead of them. Caterpie would tackle first then Weedle would fire needles at where he would appear only for them to get dodged again. Verdigris just seemed to dance around them effortlessly.

He hadn’t even used a single attack yet. So they try harder and harder, repeatedly trying to attack him over and over again over a few minutes, yet nothing hits.

“This is crazy! How well trained IS Verdigris!?” Lily exclaims.

“He is a Pokémon that I used in a Pokémon tournament. The answer is obvious. All of them are this powerful. This is why I don’t pay any attention to fights like this.” he says lazily.

“But you never know! You might face someone strong and not expect it.” Lily says back.

“I always know Lily.” he says while turning a page. “The pros, the trainers to actually worry about, they don’t hide away from fights, they seek them out. The truly powerful fight often and fight many people. They have an attitude, a behavior that makes them strong. If you know what to look for, you can spot them a million miles away.”

He doesn’t even look up from his book as he says

“You nor your Pokémon have that mindset. Your not aiming to be a strong trainer, so you lack the determination to do so. Therefore your just not going to ever be as strong as say me or Ensara. But thats ok. Its not your goal and no one ever said it had to be. And that doesn’t mean you can’t be awesome without being a strong battler. I’ll I’m doing is making sure your Pokémon at least are fully evolved. Because lets be honest: not every Pokémon is meant for battle, and thats ok. I mean sure theoretically you can make the strongest Magikarp in the world to fight with the best, but why would you? How would the effort be worth it?”

He smiles a little.

“Just watch.”

Soon enough, the two bug types reach own for more power than ever before then charge forward and actually hit Verdigris- he blocks both of them, and took no damage at all, but they hit. He jumps back and the two bug types suddenly shine like lanterns to them both then the light fades and they had became Metapod and Kakuna. While not as spectacular as Flara’s evolution, it left them with a sense of change.

“Ok, now part two.” Shade says and Verdigris suddenly speeds forward and kicks both immobile cocoon Pokémon into the air.

“WHAT!? What is he doing now!? Both of you! Harden! Harden! Harden!!” Lily commands in panic.

“Simple.” Shade says, still relaxed. “A Pokémon evolves because it wants to. It wants to draw upon more power from itself than ever before. It evolves because it wants to surpass their limits and grow. At a certain point, a Pokémon can’t do either if they stay as they are. So their bodies change so that they can. A more powerful form to contain their new potential. Right now, the bug types have the potential to fly and to get away from his hits, but until they endure enough punishment, have enough of a reason to draw upon that power, they will stay as cocoons. They can’t move or respond, so they only way to do it is attack until they evolve.”

Verdigris attacks are furious and many, bouncing them back and forth as he seemed to appear back and forth, the two cocoon Pokémon hardening themselves all the while to better endure the blows coming down upon them like rain upon the ground. His attacks are relentless, and seemingly unending.

“At this rate they’ll faint! What then?” Lily says while clenching her fists

“Then we just try again tomorrow. Either way, they will evolve.” Shade answers still calm.

Verdigris keeps up his assault, dealing blow after blow until the glow for both of them came again and he steps back as the light shines even brighter, they rise into the air, wings unfurl and cocoons are shed, new bodies form and then the light scatters into various tiny sparkles raining down like fireflies upon the ground, the Butterfree and Beedrill flying gracefully in the air no longer needing to touch the base earth.

“That actually worked.” Lily says while gawking in disbelief. “I see it, but I can’t believe it.”

Shade just turned a page in his book. “Heh. The next step for you? Figuring out how to make use of them. Butterfree is good with powder effects. Figure out how to use those properly and you can do all sorts of things. Beedrill as you’ve seen is a really great offensive battler, especially with Mega-Evolution. Just a warning though, those stones are rare so you’ll have to search real hard to get one if you want that. That Gym Leader probably got them all through the league and only because they were all Bug type stones. Not as if anyone else would be using them.”

“Well….thanks Shade, but I think I’ll take over the training of my Pokémon from here. I don’t want to go through that again…” Lily said.

Shade smiles to himself and replies “That was the plan, by the way, why didn’t you go for a Vivillon?”

“Oh, that? The prospect is enticing, but then you realize that unless your really dedicated about going to specific places to evolve them, your never going to get the pattern you want. So almost all of them end up being pretty much the same pattern because they evolve so early: Garden or Meadow.”

“Aaah. That sucks.” He nodded in understanding “I know it was really hard to train in one cold place to get a Glaceon. They’re rarer than most for a reason. Espeon are the most common since most people are diurnal, the evolutionary stone ones are doable if you make the effort of finding their stones, Sylveon is easy as long as it knows a fairy move, Umbreon more rare since you’ve got to train at night, Leafeon you have to hang out deep in a forest, but Glaceon are the rarest.”

He said, looking over at his Glaceon Frosty, busy playing with Flara and Fortuna in a game of tackle-tag.

“Took dedication, but it was worth it. I could see why you wouldn’t go that far though.”



****TCAM****



Emerald is curious as she observes Verdigris meditating.

-Hello, um….Verdigris?-

-Yes?-

-Could you….train me to help protect Ensara? You might be a Gallade, but your still experienced in battle, so…..could you please?-

He opened one eye and smiled slightly.

-Of course I’ll train you….Lil’ Sister.-

Emerald blinks at this

-Lil’ Sister?-

-Of course. We are all related somehow, and we will all become siblings of battle anyways! In the Brotherhood of Battling, family matters not. Only the wounds shared with pride whether you win or lose.-

Emerald smiles up at him.

-Ok. But I’m going to call you Big Bro right back at ya.-

-Of course, Lil’ Sis- He nods. It was only logical.

Masala runs in

-Hold it! I want to be trained as well! We’re both fighting types and I with Ensara before Emerald! I should get just as much!-

Verdigris nods

-Very well.-

Emerald rounds upon Masala.

-I’m not losing to you! I’m going to protect Ensara much more than you with my brains and psychic powers!-

-Ha! My strength and skill will be all I need, and what better to protect someone else than with a steel body when I evolve!?-

Verdigris raises an eyebrow.

-Ah, a rivalry I see. For the Pokémon to protect their trainer better? Interesting. I don’t think I’ll regret training the two of you. Now lets start with the basics…Emerald you will be learning Psychic, Masala you will be learning Brick Break. While powerful, they are both simple and often used for their reliability. Thus the best place to start for teaching you what I can about how to fight well…-

The little Pokémon give a slight bow as he begins his teachings and prepare to train harder than they’ve had in their lives.



Over these first few days, Ensara and Lily got to know Shade: he was happy and ready for challenges, yet was lazy and dismissed most things as a threat. When wild Pokémon jumped out, he just stood there and let Lily or Ensara take care of it instead of doing anything himself. He claimed that it was to make them stronger since it was their journey. He wouldn’t be holding their hand or protecting them from anything they weren’t ready for. He would disappear when they set up camp, going away for hours to train by himself. The one time Ensara tried to investigate to see what he was doing, Verdigris teleported right in front of her, sensing her intentions from his mind-reading powers and teleported her back back to camp while wagging his finger as if she were a naughty child.

Soon out of the wastes they find a familiar figure, standing their smirking. It was Jansen.

“Ensara! My rival. I was waiting for you this time! This time I will defeat you with my full six team! And crush your dreams of ever catching Mew.”

Shade just blinks in bewilderment, looks at Ensara while pointing at Jansen and says

“Whose this messed up piece of work?”

Ensara just sighs and covers her face with her palm in resignation. This was going to be one of those days.

 

Episode 10: Always Second Bagon

So there they were, Ensara Lily and Shade, facing Jansen with his stupid smirk. Ensara sighed. This was going to be one of those days.

“Shade, meet Jansen. Jansen, meet Shade Wagers. Shade is my traveling companion and Jansen is…..well he thinks he is my rival. But I don’t actually care about him or what he values all that much. He really is just this jerk from my town.” She says, waving Jansen off.

“Hey! I’m not just a jerk, I’m your rival jerk! Thats what rivals are supposed to do! Be jerks to each other so that we push each other to be stronger!” Jansen protests back

“and I am fully aware who Shade Wagers is! He is that Unovan dude who lost to Shine Destine in the final match of the Unova League. How pathetic.”

Shade eyebrows turn fierce behind his sunglasses. “Excuse me?”

“Hey! Big talk coming from a guy who had three Pokémon but lost to one!” Ensara pointed out.

Jansen only sniffs in contempt. “Don’t you know anything? Getting second place only means that your the first loser. You either win or you lose, and if you don’t defeat others others will defeat you. Only being the absolute best matters, ever. Its why we breed Pokémon to get the best specimen of their kind. Its why we use Mega-Evolution. Its why we have tournaments at all. To separate the best person from the rest. To Win! Someday I’ll be Champion, and laugh at all the losers under me!”

Jansen finishes with a psychotic look in his eyes. Ensara blinks dully at this and replies “…Are you done with your stupid speech? And since you lost to me, doesn’t that mean your the loser?”

“That was a fluke! I have a full team now, capable of defeating you, Ensara! Fight me! I’ll show the true meaning of a Pokémon battle!” He shouted back, a vein appearing on his forehead.

“Fine, if it gets you out my hair.” Ensara replied while rolling her eyes

Shade chuckles. “Heh. I think I know what kind of trainer you are now, Jansen…”

Jansen scowls “What is that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing.” Shade replies back in a teasing tone, a smile playing upon his face.

“Whatever. Our battle will be three on three, Ensara, get ready to lose!”



Ensara and Jansen face each other. She throws out the first Pokéball

“Go! Masala!”

“Go! Inkay!” Jansen shouts in response. A floating squid-like Pokémon with a deceivingly cute face appears to respond to Masala’s humanoid wolf figure.

The two Pokémon land and Dex whispers to her “Inkay is Psychic/Dark. Neither Masala Nor Emerald are good matchups. Switch out.”

She does so, returning Masala to send out Fortuna, only for Jansen to smirk and switch out Inkay to send in:

“Go! Phantump!” what looks like a black ghost wearing a stump on its head with two eyeholes appears to face Fortuna’s pink furry cattiness.

Ensara growls. This wouldn’t work! Fortuna only had normal attacks! there was no way to damage Phantump. But he was grass type. She switches out Fortuna for Flara. Jansen switches Phantump for-

“Frogadier!” Jansen yells

A thus does the evolved blue frog appear to respond to her own fox starter. One would notice that his Frogadier has noticeable scars upon his body and looks particularly angry. Ensara grits her teeth.

Dex sighs. “Zzt! You fool! You allowed him to lock you into three disadvantageous types by switching around so early! Now he knows your team and has all the answers for it!”

“Working on it.” She mutters back then yells “Flara! Psybeam!”

In response Jansen switches out Frogadier for Inkay.

“Inkay, Foul Play!” he yells.

The squid-like Pokémon takes the Psybeam without a single scratch, then Inkay charges forward while dark energy flares around it in a shadowy corona to hit Flara dead on, sending Flara tumbling and falling to the ground.

“Flara! Try to use-“ Ensara shout

“Again.” Jansen commands.

Inkay hits Flara with Foul Play as she tries to stand up and she is knocked down again and faints from the hard-hitting blows.

-Hey….I wasn’t…..even beginning yet….- Flara complained

Ensara frowns and sends out Masala

“Masala! Force Palm!” Ensara shouts

“Psywave.” Jansen answers

Inkay floats to the side to avoid her strike then hits her with psychic energy, overloading her mind, not built to handle such energies and making her faint in a single move.

-What…..what the…..- Masala sent back.

Ensara begrudgingly returns her and sends out Fortuna, sure enough Jansen sends out Phantump.

“Nyaaa?” Fortuna meows in confusion. It was a ghost type, what was she even supposed to do?

“Faint Attack. Finish this.“ Jansen orders.

Phantump vanishes, then suddenly ambushes Fortuna out of nowhere, hitting her from behind and sending her into unconsciousness as well. Ensara returns Fortuna to her ball, frowning. At this Jansen grins and begins his victorious speech, his brown eyes widening maddeningly:

“Now you see the true meaning of battle! I have won, Ensara. For you see in this world only the strongest trainers make it to the top, and I have proven that I am the stronger of us both, and the strongest is whoever does anything they can to win no matter the cos-“

“Yeah, yeah whatever, you you guys ok? Here, I’ll clean you up and get you some potions, we’re going to have to work on this battling thing more.” Ensara says, waving away Jansen while treating her downed Pokémon, not even paying attention to him.

“What!? You lost! Stop ignoring me! I’ve proven that I’m stronger! Why aren’t you demoralized!?” Jansen shouts in rage, his eyes twitching.

Shade chuckles. “I think your barking up the wrong tree there, dude.”

“Look.” Ensara replies, rolling her eyes. “My goal is to capture Mew. Not to win the Tournament, or become Champion or be the strongest trainer ever. Sure, Mew says that she will only appear to me when I win the tournament, but thats just a stepping stone, a requirement to fulfill. The only battles that count for me are the eight Gyms, the Tournament Finals and the one with Mew itself. Just whats required, no more no less. This battle has nothing to do with that aside from pointing out my weaknesses, so, thanks I guess? And really doesn’t stop me from achieving anything I want to. So um, thanks for helping me see what I need to work on, you’ve been helpful.”

Jansen explodes in anger back at her. “No! Thats not how its supposed to go! Your supposed to vow to beat me one day! We’re supposed to test ourselves against each other and clash with hatred in our eyes! Not thank me for beating you!”

“Again. Up wrong tree, barking you are.” Shade replies while nodding sagely.

“Raaaaaaaaaaghh!! I’ll show you! I’ll show you the true meaning of power, and crush your stupid dream someday!” Jansen then storms off in a rage, completely forgetting to accept any money for the win.



After a few moments of awkward silence, wondering what to say after something like that, Lily broke the ice.

“…How did you do that? You made him angry to win. I’ve never seen Jansen do that.”

“Oh.” Ensara says “I just looked at the situation logically then trolled him with the truth. Truth-trolling. People like him can never accept it.”

“Yes, but…I’m going to have to say that your going to have to step up your game nonetheless.” Shade cuts in. “I’m not going to allow you to lose a battle like that just because its “unimportant.” Every battle is an opportunity to hone your skills and prove that you can win for the important ones. I applaud your ability to lose gracefully and to tick off jerks like him, but that won’t help you get Mew. And a guy obsessed like that? He might just get far enough to be a threat. You better start preparing.”

Ensara stands up, her treatment finished.

“Well, we can’t prepare without more Pokémon. I need to diversify my team. Lets go out and try and find some!” she points forwards.

“In the desert?” Lily asks, looking around.

“Of course! The Kalosian Wastelands have Ground types, Steel types….even Dragon Types! Yeah, lets try and find one of those.” Ensara says, her spirit firing up.

“Only Gible if I remember correctly…so…”

“So what? We’ll see if your right soon enough!” Ensara responds while charging ahead. Shade shrugs at Lily and follows her.



“Look a Trapinch!” Ensara says, pointing.

“Go, Masala!” The Pokémon burst forth from the ball in a shower of light. She takes a fighting stance while the Trapinch, looks at her curiously. The little sand dweller did not know what to make of these newcomers.

“Use Force Palm!”

-On it. En garde!- Masala speeds forward hits Trapinch with her open palm and it goes tumbling away. Then it flips itself back up, angry and begins calling out angrily, making a lot of noise yet wasn’t fighting back.

“Whats it doing? Uproar?” Ensara asks quizzically.

Lily answers. “No! Its calling out for help, you fool!”

Another Trapinch suddenly surfaces out of the sand.

“Ah, one trapinch, two, little difference we can take them.” Ensara says confidently.

“No, Ensara.” Lily explains “Trapinch is a common Pokémon here. Some Pokémon that know that they are numerous in an environment will call out for help as much as possible.”

Suddenly there were three, then four, then five, then six…

“…To the point where they form herds for mutual protection and gang up on you.”

…Soon there was no counting them and they were all angry. Masala takes a few nervous steps back while keeping up a defensive stance.

-Ensara, I’m thinking this was a bad idea- She sends to her trainer.

Ensara’s eyes were wide. “Ok then. Shade, what do you recommend?” Ensara asks

He turns a page of his book nonchalantly without looking up or showing any alarm. “Running.”

“…And what about you?” She asks

“I’ll run with you, don’t worry I can keep up while reading at the same time. The Pokémon information in here is really fascinating.” He comments idly.

“This is not the time to be studying!” Ensara all but shouts at him in anger.

“Maybe for you. I need to train my mind every second of every day.” Shade explains, unconcerned.

-They’re getting closer…-

“Fine! Just run!” Ensara yells as she takes off and the others follow. They get chased out from the wider flats and towards a rockier area full of high cliffs until they hit a wall and find themselves surrounded.

“Anymore great ideas, Shade?”

He waves his hand distractedly. “Stop being wimps and use your Pokémon.”

“Against this many?” Ensara questions.

“Work through the pain.” He advises dismissively.

Lily speaks up “I don’t think we’re badass enough to do that yet, Shade.”

"Yeah, do a thing already! Your the experienced one here!"

He snaps his book close in annoyance.

“Fine! I’ll solve this for you.” he takes out his Poke-flute.

“Whats that going to do?” Ensara begins to snark with a raised eyebrow “Play them a soft lullaby-“

He puts it to his lips and uses it to make a single deep note. Nothing smooth or beautiful- it shook Ensara to the bones, the terrible sound reverberating through the air, the earth, a monstrous unending discordant note promising nothing but destruction and death. It was the sound of angry dragons and raging bears. It was the sound of something that no one ever wanted to mess with, of natures apex predators when they considered you a threat. All the Trapinch instantly run away from the terrible noise, fleeing from the primal sound he somehow evoked from the seemingly benign instrument. When they were all gone, he puts it away and says simply.

“Note of Terror. Imitates the exact sound of the move Roar through careful practice and focus. Thus reproducing its effects. But yes, I can also imitate Sing as well and put them to sleep, but that would’ve left them around here and made us have to tiptoe so that they wouldn’t wake up.”

He turns to Ensara. ”There. I Did A Thing. Happy now?”

“…..Thanks.” Ensara says nervously, a little scared herself.

Then they all hear something strange shout from above them:

“Baaaaaaaagon!”

The three look up to see a falling Bagon. All three quickly jump out of the way and the Bagon lands causing a small crater as it did so. However bagons are tough Pokémon, and it gets right back up only a few seconds later and looks around, excited as if ready to fight. Everyone is bewildered at this development.

“How? How did a Bagon end up here?” Lily asks the obvious question “I thought they dwelled on the western coast, where its full of cliffs. Whats one doing all the way out here?”

“Well Gible is a dragon type to right? As well as Flygon? They’re dragon types and they dwell here.” Ensara reasons.

“Yeah but they’re also part Ground, Bagon isn’t.” Lily said back.

“Perhaps it is best to ask the Bagon itself, yes? I think it was attracted here by all the noise.” Shade suggests wanly.

Masala decides to take the initiative to ask, then relays the information to them

-She says that she will tell you if you beat and catch her.-

“Really?” Ensara says with a smile. “Good! I always wanted a Salamence! Perfect opportunity to get one. Masala your up.”

Masala takes a fighting stance in response. Bagon opens its mouth and suddenly forms a blue sphere from its mouth thats blasts off as a stream of blue fiery lightning at Masala, the Riolu dodging aside but feeling a tingle of energy as she barely escapes unscathed the roaring train of energy. Ensara ducks and its flies over here, the attack making her shiver from the vibrations it caused around her.

“What attack was that!?” She exclaimed.

Only Shade seemed to recognize it. “Dragon Pulse. Thats a really powerful attack, but how would a Bagon know that? Unless…”

“…Masala! Goad it into charging! Now!” Ensara commands quickly.

Masala nods and sends while a come hither motion with her paw.

-Bet you can’t hit me with that flightless thick head of yours!-

Bagon knew that Masala was playing her, but she wasn’t going to back down from a challenge. Bagon leaps forward in a Headbutt attack, coming at Masala like a miniature cannonball. Masala, sensing her trainers intentions dodges out of the way of this attack as well, letting Bagon keep flying straight to Ensara. Just when it seems Bagon was going to crash into her and break all her bones, she suddenly throws a Quick Ball at point-blank range. It hits and Bagon is sucked inside. The Quick Ball falls to the ground and wobbles once.



Twice.



Thrice.



Then….click. It was caught. Ensara picked up the Quick Ball and sends out Bagon.

Bagon protests with Masala translating:

-She says: Hey! No fair! You caught me before we really got going!-

“Hey, I caught you and therefore beat you, didn’t I? Quick Balls are practical like that. Get this done fast. That and you never said I couldn’t beat you with trickery.”

-I kind of agree, that wasn’t really a fair fight to just capture her like that.- Masala said back.

“So? Fair fights have rules. I have none, and there were none aside from catching you as a win condition. I achieved that win condition, so spill.”

-She says: Fine, but I’d preferred it if you beat me. Ahem. The reason I’m here is because I was cast out. -

“Cast out?” Lily asks.

-She says: I was born from an egg, where many other Bagon lived. Raised by humans. A man was assessing and evaluating them. Every Bagon he disliked, he would release into the wild, discard after declaring them not good enough. He came to me and proclaimed: “only second best.” then released me to. Then I wandered the wilds, not sure of what to, wanting only a trainer to prove my strength for so that I may prove that I am best, and not merely second! For I hate that human judging me so, when my true potential hasn’t even begun to be realized!-

“Ah. So that explains it. You were from one of those Pokémon day cares, where Pokémon breeders try to breed the best most healthy Pokémon possible for battling.” Shade says. “Such Day Cares make tons of money off of selling high-quality bred Pokémon to competitive trainers. It explains why this Bagon knows Dragon Pulse. Its a common attack they try to breed into them as an egg move. Mostly because its powerful, reliable and more accessible and safer than Draco Meteor. The Breeders at the one this Bagon came from must be really good if they can reliably raise and breed Dragon types. Those are one of the harder types to deal with, not just behaviorally and strength-wise, but because they take long to hatch.”

“Then why release any?” Ensara asks.

“Because such places have high standards.” Shade explains. “They are not the usual day cares where people just leave any old Pokémon around. The day cares I’m talking have perfected the art of assessing, breeding and raising Pokémon to be the best possible battlers since birth down to a science. They won’t accept anything that doesn’t start out right from the egg as the most powerful Pokémon they possibly can. That and by releasing the rest, they create scarcity so they can charge a lot for even one. Of course it means that only the richest guys can even get these bred Pokémon while the released ones either have to fend for themselves without a proper parent or get caught by a trainer who assumes they are like any other wild Pokémon. And of course, by doing this it can wreak havoc on the ecosystem so Pokémon Rangers often have to capture and move them somewhere else.”

“Sounds like you don’t approve.” Lily observes “You have a bad experience with them?”

“No I just prefer to earn my Pokémon, as well the Pokémon’s strength. Besides it feels a bit wrong to custom make them like that just for an advantage in battle. One’s bred just be harmless companions I’m fine with, but battle-breeders are generally both heartless, only in it for the money and don’t really care how their actions affect the Pokémon they discard or the ones that they don’t. Battle-bred Pokémon are held to incredibly high standards and often valued for nothing but their battling skills, and the trainers that buy them consider them nothing but things to show off and get far in tournaments. I on the other hand, believe that even if I’m an Ace Trainer that there is more to a Pokémon than just battling, more to their lives and our lives than that.” He crosses his arms, clearly lost in thought and remembering other things as he says so.

“You seem to know a lot about this stuff, Shade.” Lily comments. “You know a Breeder or two?”

“You could say that. You could also say I’ve had education on such topics.” He doesn’t elaborate further than that.

Bagon gapes at this in surprise.

-She says: You mean there are other things in life besides battling and getting stronger!?- Masala translates to them.

“Yeah. By the way, how about a nickname? Excalibria sound good to you, little Bagon?”

Excalibria nods at this.

-She says: Its good to know…but I still want to get stronger. I want to prove that I’m not second best just because of my birth! I want to prove my true strength and skill, that I can beat anyone! I want to fly high, I want to show how great I really am. A Dragon has to have their pride y’know? You get that, trainer?-

“Yes, and my names Ensara. Don’t worry, I want you to be nice and strong and flying as well. Flying upon the back of a Salamence has always been one of my dreams. Second to getting Mew.”

-She says: Getting Mew eh? That sounds like a tough enough goal for a trainer! I like you. A little trickster-y for my tastes, but I think you’ll grow on me! Now where is a good fight!?-

Sure enough a wild motto-spouting duo of thieves appears, riding on a strange robotic platform surround by marching Trapinch:



Prepare for trouble!

Make it double!

To protect the world from division

to unite all peoples within our religion

to rule all as the blessed few

to give our lives to Holy Mew-



“Excalibria! Dragon Breath!” Their motto is interrupted by a jet of green flame suddenly bursting out at them and Joshua and Hannah dodging out of the way just in time.

“What was that for!? We didn’t even finish it!” yells Hannah.

“Your existence you stupid cultists. I only waited so long so that you’d get into range” Ensara quips back.

Joshua proclaims “No matter! With our Hypnotic Arachna-Platform, controlling all these Trapinch, we will defeat you, take all your Pokémon and convert them all to worship of glorious Mew! Soon we will raise them to devoted Flygons, and conquer town after town in Mew’s name on our crusade!”

“…You know these people?” Shade questions

“Yeah, I’ve seen them briefly, but Ensara, explain?” Lily asks as well.

“They’re just two non-threatening criminals with a religion instead of a team. They’re mostly harmless.” Ensara says while waving them off, Joshua and Hannah frowning at this assumption.

Shade stretches and yawns. “Eh. I’ve already done my fair share of criminal thwarting with remnants of Team Plasma. Ensara you do it, I’ll step in case you fail.”

Ensara rolls her eyes. “Gee, thanks for the support.”

“Don’t mention it!” He replies with a knowing smile.

“I notice that these are the same trapinch that you scared away Shade.” Lily comments “Anything to say about that?”

“Nope.” Shade says

Lily gives him a cross look.

“What? Its not as if my flute skills caused this to happen, they hypnotized the trapinch, not me. I solved the first problem, you guys solve the second, harder problem.” He leans back and relaxes against the cliff.

“Bagon! Ba, Ba, gongongon!” Excalibria exclaims while pounding her chest.

-She says: Hey let me take care of them all! I’m super-strong, Ensara! You won’t need anyone else for these losers!-

“Are you sure?”

-More than sure! Its guaranteed! I’ll blow them all away!- The little Bagon say while flexing. Hannah and Joshua snicker and send out Ditto and Meowstic.

“Go ahead!” Hannah calls “Between a Ditto, a Meowstic and an entire heard of hypnotized trapinch, see how far you go!”

“Alright, Excalibria! DRAGON PULSE ALL THE TRAPINCH!” Ensara yells while pointing.

Once again the blue ball forms and fires out as a powerful fiery jagged beam, a destructive force exploding through the trapinch and sending them flying away everywhere. The Mew Cultists react quickly

“Quick, Meowstic! Psybeam!” Hannah calls

“Ditto, Transform!” Joshua commands

“Excalibria, Bite!”

The bagon dodges the Psybeam and jumps forward, clamping her jaw down upon Meowstic’s head, her teeth filled with dark energy and injecting that into her victims body to disrupt the carefully set up psychic matrices within. The shock of the bite knocks out the Meowstic in one hit. Suddenly Ditto comes in, smashing its skull against Excalibria and sending her stumbling backwards with its Headbutt. Ensara smiled. That was a mistake.

“Excalibria, Dragon Breath the faker.” She calls.

Suddenly green flame burst from her mouth and hit Ditto like a rushing stream going through rapids. The Ditto unable to stand up to the very draconic might it emulated.

“Now! Get them out of here! Dragon Pulse!”

One final shockwave of blue fiery lightning, crashing through the air, and there was an explosion. The Mew Cultists go flying away, proclaiming something that Ensara could not hear.

“Wow. Your powerful, Excalibria. Even as a Bagon.” Ensara said with a giddy smile

Excalibria pumped her arms and posed as if that was obvious.

“If thats what you can do NOW….I’ll love what you’ll be able to do fully evolved.”

Bagon growled happily while scratching behind her head in embarrassment, then suddenly flopped over, tired. Ensara rushes over, trying to see whats wrong when Shade chuckles.

“Of course it was too good to be true. Excalibria is powerful, but currently not energy efficient. She can do a lot, but only for a short period of time. Your going to have to develop her endurance.”

“Perhaps thats why she was released?” Lily wonders “The way her body is built, she can only use a great amount of power in short bursts, so they chose bagons who can fight well sustainably rather than waste time with one who would finish the fight quickly but would get taken out as soon the battle gets long, which isn’t viable in long six-Pokémon battles that the Pokémon League demands.”

Ensara returns Excalibria to her quick ball.

“Look on the bright side: you develop her stamina, and she will become terrifying, a Pokémon that’ll be able to sweep entire teams, assuming no Fairy hard counter.” Shade adds.

“Thanks guys. C’mon. We got to get to Coumarine!” Ensara says while pointing towards the horizon.

They set out for Coumarine. It would be another couple of weeks through the desert, with Emerald and Masala learn Psychic and Brick Break respectively. Flara meanwhile practices spitting fire until she got Flamethrower down- it wasn’t a hard move to learn, just a powerful one that needed the proper control to keep the flames from going out of control. Excalibria mostly just practiced Dragon Pulse repeatedly to try and build up her stamina, but she had a long way to go until she could fight for long periods. Meanwhile Fortuna went a different direction, starting to develop a fighting style of confusing and disabling the opponent then defeating them while they are down- Ensara made sure that she started to learn things like Attract and Dream Eater in particular. If Excalibria was her hammer, it seemed that Fortuna was going to become her dagger. She was not sure where the other three would end up in their styles however.

Moreover both Lily and Ensara improved in their training, through Aura they began to consistently pick up general feelings and one-word thoughts from Pokémon that couldn’t outright communicate with humans themselves. Soon, they make it out of the wastelands and Coumarine comes into sight. The Third Gym, was not far ahead.



Meanwhile The Cult of Mew were lying in the crater they crashed in. Hannah complains.

“Why did we do that?”

“Because” Joshua explains “A threat was needed to establish how powerful that Bagon was. The writer screwed us over again.”

“Great.” Hannah. “Now what do we do? Its pretty clear we will never win and are doomed to fade to nothing. Even the writer forgot we existed for a couple chapters!”

Joshua grins. “Ah, but I planned for this.” He takes out a second hypno-device.

“I knew that the writer would cause our FIRST hypnosis machine to be destroyed, so I built a second one and didn’t mention it until now! Now we simply wait for them to get out of these wastelands, we will simply go back and hypnotize the Trapinch into being our converts again, then we raise them into Flygons while those teenagers move on with their journey. All we have to do is not follow them!”

“But she is a heretic, who thinks she speaks to Mew, when we speak for her!” Hannah protests.

“So? We can take our time. Lets be patient and get us our horde of Flygon. We will purge that heretic in time…” Joshua grins evilly and they go off to round up the Trapinch again.

 

Episode 11: The Third Gym

As they get into the sight of the Coumarine Gym, Ensara is struck into sarcastic disbelief.

“Its a tree.” She deadpans. “An actual freaking tree. How stupid is Ramos? Shade you fought him, how does he keep that Gym from burning down every time someone comes at him with a Fire type?”

“Search me. I beat him with my Glaceon. Frosty’s Ice Beam hits like a truck. He has no one to blame but himself if it does burn down though. Hey, is that…? It is!”

Shade says, spotting who seems to be an old friend. He waves.

“Hey Connor! You giving out advice to Kalosians now?”

Connor, known Pokémon trainer adviser and probable con man, gets nervous as Shade recognizes him. He edges towards his Mysterious Statue™ in fear. The Statue in response stays lifelessly silent and still in contempt.

“How you doing, you jerk?” Shade says with a smile. “I hope you got my money, because it wasn’t worth the advice you gave me. I got to the final nonetheless but…maybe I’d have gotten farther if you weren’t such a con artist, you prick.”

Connor jumps at this and suddenly hands him a bunch of money.

“Take it! Its yours! I’m out of here!” He then runs off with the Mysterious Statue™.

Shade chuckles at this as he pockets the money.

“You….know him? That scam artist?” Ensara questions.

“Yeah. But he knows his place in things. He knows that he has no Pokémon and can’t stop me from ruining his day, so I let him live in fear of me instead of beating him up or anything. C’mon lets keep going.”

They walk into the tree to see an old man tending to the plants with a watering can. Ramos looks up and says

“Hey look, two Sprouts and a Gold Lister….you came for a rematch, after what you did? You got a lot of nerve…” Ramos grumbles.

“Nah, I’m just accompanying Ensara here. She is the one who wants to battle you.” Shade answers. Ramos grunts and looks at her.

“Yeah, I’m here for a badge. Is this a good time?” Ensara asks.

“Yeah, sprout- wait, which one was your starter?” He asks suspiciously.

“Fennekin. Why?” Ensara asks back with an eyebrow raised.

At this Ramos utters a curse cantankerously and puts his watering can down.

“Fine.” he says crossly. “We go outside and battle on a dirt arena I made. I’m not having my Gym burned down, thank you very much.”



****TCAM****



Soon they were outside. Ramos sends out his first Pokémon.

“Go, Weepinbell!”

The yellow bell-shaped Pokémon flops from its Pokéball.

“Go! Flara!”

The Braixen leaps from her ball and brandishes her stick as Emerald watches from Ensara’s shoulder. The referee on the sidelines says

“Begin!”

“Ok lets see…..Weepinbell use-“

“Flara, Flamethrower!”

A power jet of flame is fired out of Flara’s wand-like stick and hits the weepinbell directly. When the flames clear, weepinbell flops to the ground defeated.

“Weepinbell is unable to battle!” the Referee calls.

“….Go, Jumpluff!” Ramos throws out next.

“Flamethrower.” Ensara says again.

The Pokémon is again hit with a solid jet of flame. Jumpluff goes down even faster than weepinbell, nothing but a living ball-shaped cinder.

“Jumpluff is unable to battle!” The referee calls again.

“Fine then! Come out, my strongest Pokémon! Gogoat!” Ramos throws out the Pokémon angrily. In a flash of light, the Gogoat, with great and powerful horns, hooves of steel and thunder and a leaf mane flowing in the breeze. Every moment it made was power, majestic and unrelenting. It snorted and glared at the Braixen who had such arrogance to take down the other two Pokémon so easily, and promised to teach her a lesson she would never forget-

“Flamethrower.”

-But he is hit with a powerful jet of flame, and falls to the ground from its heat just the same. Sadly no matter how great the Grass type, fire will always burn away its fame.

Ramos returns his Gogoat, gets out the badge and puts it into Ensara’s hand while grumbling about ‘those darn sprouts and their fire types these days’ unceremoniously.

“Okay….I got the badge?” Ensara says uncertainly.

Flara huffs. -Too easy. I wanted a real fight.-



****TCAM****



As they walk away from the Gym into town, Shade says with wisdom:

“Don’t worry about it. You didn’t suddenly become super-powerful or anything. Its just that once you know what your doing, Gym Leaders start to become less of a big threat. At least when they are not being serious. And most Gym Leader matches are far from them being serious. Their matches are tests, and sometimes you just pass with flying colors, like when you have a type advantage. For trainers aiming to be as strong as us we want to be, the expectation is to exceed and surpass them anyways. Doubt that all of them are going to be that easy though.”

“But all I did was one attack, three times.” Ensara questioned.

Shade shrugs. “And sometimes thats all you need. There are Ace Trainers out there who routinely limit themselves to using only one Pokémon to sweep entire Gyms and succeed. Often using only a single move throughout. A wise man once said that he was not afraid of the man who practiced a thousand punches one time, but of the man who practiced one punch a thousand times. Fire beats Grass, you simply used a consistent effect to achieve a consistent result. Its not anything particularly special. The real challenge is in facing people with varied teams and dedicated strategies. As a trainer, Jansen is probably stronger than any Gym Leader simply because he has more options and knows how to use them.”

“But isn’t the entire point of a Gym Leader is to beat varied teams using only one type?” Lily asks

“Yeah when they’re being serious. But even then, doing so is kind of impractical. Its possible, but its just more efficient and consistently effective to build a well-rounded team. That and once the well-rounded trainer figures out the specialists strategy, they can pretty much destroy them. There is only so much you can do by sticking to a theme, and it makes you predictable besides. Ramos if he got going, could’ve probably destroyed you with sunny day and solar beams. But that never happened because you simply had the more practical way to win.”

“Makes sense. I don’t care how I win anyways.” Ensara says shrugging.

“Thats the attitude.” Shade smiles back. “Lets go to the Pokémon Center. I want to transfer Incinereta here so I can train her up to a Volcarona.”



****TCAM****



Meanwhile Mew frowns at this turn of events as she watches from above. Ensara already had three badges. This would not do. That Gym was too easy for her. If Mew planned on Ensara giving up before she ever got to the League, she would have to put some obstacles in her way herself. Thankfully this wouldn’t be too much separate from the plans she already had, she just had more motivation to do it now. As well as do it faster. Mew teleports away.



****TCAM****



The trio got to the Pokémon Center, Shade going to the computer-phone first and transferring his chandelure for Incinereta. He sends out the little larvesta, showing it off.

Both Ensara and Lily get a distinct feeling of unease and nervousness through Aura, and only the vague sense of greeting from Incinereta.

“This my friends is Incinereta. My larvesta. Not developed compared to the rest of the Pokémon, I’m going to be using her the most in Kalos, to make her strong.”

“She seems…nervous.” Lily comments.

“Yeah, she is a bit of a new one. And it will take her a long time to evolve. Longer than most dragon types. But I’m up to the challenge. Lets see how many trainers I can beat using only Incinereta! I’m going to find some trainers to beat, want to come with?”

He returns Incinereta to her Pokéball.

“I would! I’d love to see a Bug/Fire type in action.” Lily says

“I’m going to stay behind, I just remembered I need to call my mom, she is probably worried sick about me and I didn’t call her in Lumiose or Santalune.” Ensara says waving them off.

“Your loss.” Lily replies as the two go walking out.

Ensara turns to the screen-phone and dials the number, Emerald perched on her shoulder. She waits for her mom to pick up for a few tense moments dreading whatever lecture she had in store for her. Ensara thought about what thoughts could’ve been running through her mothers mind as she traveled around and her mother stayed behind. How much her mother would want her to be safe, and how much it would pain her mother if something were to happen to herself. She braces for the inevitable worried lecture…



…But nobody answers.



Instead only rings sound out three times and the machine switches to leaving a message. Ensara guessed that she must be out getting groceries or something, so she decided to leave one.

“Hey, Mom. I’ve gotten to Coumarine City. I have three badges right now. I’m doing fine, despite running into a few crooks. Lily has joined me, remember Lily? Always had her nose in the books, been my friend since we were little? Blue haired girl? Her. But a guy from Unova has also joined our crew, his name is Shade Wagers and he is really experienced at Pokémon battling. I’m learning a lot from him, from moves to how to better command my Pokémon, and he has said that he wants to teach me combination moves soon. He is surprisingly laid back for someone so good at this, but I guess when you get that good your confidence just goes through the roof. I’ve caught Pokémon like Ralts and Riolu and even a Bagon, and not even on the route you’d think to go to! Life is strange like that y’know? Always new surprises in store for you.



Speaking of surprises: You won’t believe me but, I’ve actually met Mew. More than once. She has made a deal with me to give me a chance to catch her. To be honest while I was determined to catch her, I thought it was like a goal that would take me a life time to realize. That I’d spend years between even catching a sight of her. I was prepared to live my entire life without ever succeeding because I knew at least I tried, y’know? That I would be chasing the impossible, the ever elusive forever. But now I have a chance. A chance to do what no one else has ever done in all of history. I’m not going to let that slip through my grasp. I’m incredibly lucky to get that chance. I know that Mew is probably up to something though. I’m no fool. Why now after all? Why me? She has hidden herself all this time, it doesn’t make any sense. All I know is that if I want the chance to catch her, I’ve got to play her game. I have to follow along. I don’t actually care about the Gym Leaders or the League- those are all just a part of getting close to her. Of getting my chance. I just have to be patient, and seize the moment she lets down her guard.



See ya later mom. Hope your having a good time, don’t worry about me. I’ve got a plan.”

She hangs up, with Emerald listening intently to the entire message. The little Ralts could feel the strength of Ensara’s conviction. Could feel her will to fight for her goal, and her passions running deep within her soul. Then Emerald made a resolution to herself. Ensara meanwhile walked over to Nurse Joy and asked

“Hey, can you do a quick check up on my Pokémon? Just got through the wastelands and I want to make sure they are alright.”

“Very well. We are everywhere, you’ll never escape us. We will take great care of them!” Nurse Joy says happily.

“Ok! …What was that middle part?” Ensara says unsure.

“What middle part, Ensara Aquana, Age 15?” Nurse Joy stares emptily back.

“…Nevermind.” She then turns to her Pokédex

“Hey Dex, just me and you again!” she says to it.

“Good. I wanted to speak to you. I’ve been thinking and haven’t had much to comment directly.” he chirps back.

“Oh? About what?”

“This Shade Wagers. He still has not told you about his past, or his goals. He is not trustworthy. He has his own agenda and it will conflict with yours eventually. Recommended course of action: find out, do something about it. As soon as possible.”

“Yes I know, but if I press him too much he might decide not to reveal it. He is a much stronger than me, I can’t make him do anything. The only reason he is even along for the ride is because he decided it. That and he is a pretty friendly guy. I don’t see much reason to jeopardize my good luck in trying to tamper with a good source of Pokémon mentoring.”

“Then at least urge him to actually be useful in a more active manner.”

“I can’t! Remember when he used a Poke-Flute to imitate Roar? The way he talked about it, I can’t really rule out the possibility that he might know even more sonic-based moves that way. Ones that are far deadlier, like Hyper-Voice. He might not need Pokémon to teach me a lesson. That and my Pokémon are the ones that need to grow and become strong. Even if I could force him to use his power, me and him both know that I need to catch Mew myself. He won’t do that for me. Our goals are things we need to earn ourselves and we both understand that by assumption, no talking needed.”

“Very well. He is not a real threat anyways, let us talk of Jansen. Losing to anyone is illogical. Especially someone who has a clear interest in constantly challenging you again. Shade is right on that. I must advise you to win against him next time.”

“Fine fine, but its not as if he is important. If I lost every battle against him outside the League, I’d still be fine. It’ll be losses, but not ones that really matter, so I don’t see the point?”

“Nevertheless. I must urge excellence in battle. You lack competitive spirit. You make up for it in passion and determination, but only on things you care about. These are not ideal qualities for success.”

“Whatever. Lets talk about something else. What is your plan after you get a real body?”

“Probably continue traveling with you.”

“Okay why?”

“I know you. It is simply logical to keep to a positive relationship that you have built up over time and can foresee building positively even further. That and your life is interesting. I want to see how it unfolds.”

“Aaaaw, you think I’m your friend?”

“Yes. I just stated that. Why are you parroting the obvious.”

Ensara giggles a little.

“No reason. Just keep being you, Dex. Just keep being you.”

“I find myself incapable of being anyone else. I fail to see how your order is relevant.”

“See? Exactly like that.”

“Zzzgh! Stop confusing me.”



****TCAM****



Footsteps fall. Robb the Pokémon Mercenary begins his journey across the wastes. From getting a tip from the Lumiose Joy, he knew that Ensara was at Coumarine. He would have to pick up the pace to start catching up. Suddenly however a biker gang of three guys ride up to him and surround him, carrying pokeballs.

“Hey monsieur.” says one. “Give us your poke dollars, or we’ll give you a Pokémon beatdown you’ll never forget!”

He sighs. He hated when he had to clean up the trash like this.

“Go, Steelix.” Robb says. The giant metallic snake materializes with a roar. A few minutes later he returns his Steelix and sets out upon his way still on foot, leaving behind the gang knocked out cold along with their poison type Pokémon.



****TCAM****



Meanwhile Mew floats through the warehouse district of Coumarine City. A psychic scan told her all she needed to know to make sure that what she needed to happen, would happen. The Coumarine warehouse distract constantly received and shipped out various goods to and from various regions. It was the gateway to Kalos and everything went through here. Both legal and illegal. Which made it the perfect place to start.

Mew gathered her power and sent out a psychic pulse in the form of an invisible blaring beacon of a signal. One designed to stand out and attract any of those capable of picking it up, for those people it would look exactly like the signal they were searching for and come running for it. But they would not find her. Only each other.



At Cerebral Headquarters:

Mindlord Valimoth leader of Team Cerebral, was a man who liked to be in control. His quarters were completely tidy and neat. Every single Cerebral member bowed to his whim without question. All understood that he could mind read their doubts, their thoughts, their hopes and their dreams. They dare not think thoughts that he would not approve of. Such a crime was punishable by strict reeducation to his point of view. Any little thing that was not under control, deserved to be stamped out and made to be controlled to him. No detail out of place. No little piece of puzzle gone astray. He looks out at the world and sees only an infinite jigsaw puzzle not yet solved, and we was the one to unite its pieces into a seamless single picture of beauty.

“Mindlord! Do you feel that!? A psychic pulse just went out! Its strength matches only a legendary Psychic Pokémon!”

“Yes.” He says with complete and utter calm, his steel blue eyes unmoving. Everything about him must be controlled as well, from his emotions to his face, to his greying hair to his state of dress. Everything. Emotions had their place, but only to show what he wanted to show. Civility was allowed, but only for his purposes. Chaos was intolerable.

“Lets go then. We’ll capture it.”

He sought psychic Pokémon because they controlled the most chaotic thing of all-the mind. Therefore he could not pass up the chance to get potentially the most powerful of them all for his plans. With such power, there shall be order.



At Team Rocket Kalos Regional Base:

Executive Napal stood at attention. He was a relatively new and young Executive. Recently promoted, he had been assigned to take the Kalos region for Team Rocket by Giovanni himself. If he can take over the Kalosian criminal underground, he would be able to show his great work to Giovanni. There was only a single new Team here, by the name of Cerebral, specializing in Psychic types. What fools. He had brought in Pokémon from the Team Rocket livestock to deal with them both specialized and diverse. Many Dark types of course, but no neglecting the other ones that made for a well-rounded team. Every type of Pokémon had a use in crime after all. It was simply practical to use all the Pokémon you possibly could for the most amount of power. That was only one of the reasons why Team Rocket had multiple regional control and other Teams did not. No pretending at ideology or moralizing-just power, money and the benefits that come with. Other teams were terrorists, Team Rocket was a company.

“Sir!” a Grunt ran up to him saluting. “The psychic radar has detected the signature wavelength of the Pokémon that is Priority One. Report over.”

There was also however, a certain Pokémon of Giovanni’s that had supposedly fled in the direction of the Kalos region. It was top priority to get it back and it seems it was his opportunity to get back to win Giovanni’s favor.

“Lets go then! If the Priority One Pokémon is here, we must capture it at all costs! We must not fail, or who knows what Giovanni will do to us?”

There were certain things in this world you did not do if you wanted to live. Such as kick a magikarp while insulting it, or waking a sleeping ursaring. Angering Giovanni was one of those things. Executive Napal hurried to Coumarine. This operation just got a lot more important.



****TCAM****



A few hours later, Ensara and her Pokémon were training outside. As Emerald practiced her Psychic lift and moving a boulder around she contemplated her situation with Ensara.

-Can I do this? How far can I go in helping my trainer? Ensara wants to catch Mew. How do I feel about that? Mew is like, the Mother of all Pokémon or something. She has all Pokémon DNA, the primordial being that Arceus created to create all other Pokémon he himself does not have a hand in. Legend has it that out of all the greater legendaries, Mew was created last so that she may fill the world with Pokémon great and small for them all to watch over. That while Arceus created the gods we worship, Mew was the one who created us, the common Pokémon that everyone interacts with. In a sense, she is more my creator than Arceus is. She is revered as the Progenitor, the Infinite Mother. That within her exists limitless potential for any and all Pokémon.



Do I have what it takes to face that? To face the creator of most Pokémon and help her catch Mew? Would it be wrong to do so? Would I be betraying Mew by doing so? Yet, Mew has apparently allowed it, so why am I questioning this in the first place?-

Masala interrupts her thoughts while chopping a few blocks in half.

-Could you save thinking out loud to for when your in a Pokéball? That's the time I sit back and contemplate things, real comfy in there.-

“Not me.” Excalibria disagreed while breaking a rock with her head. “There is a reason they call it the Quick Ball. All that design for fast capture? Turns out it skips out on the comfort part of the deal to compensate, so its quick to both capture and produce. My arrangements in there are spartan. Not that I mind. Its just one more challenge for me.”

“Nyyaaaa, I like my Pokéball but I wish I could get transferred to a Luxury Ball someday! I heard they are fun.” Fortuna pipes up.

“Tch. Wimp.” Excalibria scoffs at this. “Luxury Balls are for Pokémon who can't handle the hardships of the road.”

Emerald thinks upon this and sends

-Why do the legendaries allow the whole Pokéball thing anyways? You'd think they'd have mistaken all this for something ugly decades ago.-

-Who knows.- Masala sends back with a shrug. -It is not for us to know how the legendaries think or why they do what they do. It is said that Mew is one of the beings that are the most comprehensible to us. The others are said to control great and powerful forces of nature, their perceptions are different and thus do not see the world the way common Pokémon or humans do. Pokémon and Humanity are closer to each other than normal Pokémon are to Legendary ones. I cannot pretend to know the mind of Arceus, for it said that to him all things are what he has planned beforehand and that nothing exists that doesn't work as he designed. I am but a humble Riolu, dedicated to upholding what is right and just in this world. I must simply fight for what I think is right, do what I think will make people happy to the best of my ability, and the rest is up to the Legendaries to decide.-

-I see. We have free will, but there are just some things beyond our control or understanding. If something happens that we don't expect, all we can do about it is adapt and try to succeed anyways.- Emerald replies in interpretation.

-Pretty much.- Masala sends back with a nod.

-I see. I think you answered my questions.- Emerald sent back.

-Which ones? I wasn't paying attention.- Masala says as she breaks more bricks.

-Nevermind.- Emerald said shaking her head. She resolved herself. Emerald would do anything to help Ensara.

Meanwhile, Flara was still on a high since her victory against an entire grass gym.

-I tell you! I was awesome! Went down like flies!-

“I doubt they are all going to be that easy for you.” Ensara said with an arched eyebrow.

-Who cares? Its not as if there is any water gym in Kalos. Heck, put me up front against that fighting gym, I know a psychic move or two, they will go down just as easy.-

“See, that overconfidence is what I want to avoid. Mew won't be impressed if we try that, I wager. Even if you have won me the last two Gym battles. I can't become reliant on you just because your my starter. Your already pretty much stronger than everyone else except maybe Excalibria because you evolved.”

-Aaaaaww...- Flara whined, seeing where this was going.

“Yeah, your probably going to have be benched next Gym battle. Give the others chances to prove their strength instead. We're a team, and that means everyone has to become strong together.” Ensara folded her arms, adamant.



****TCAM****



Soon they finish their training and going back inside, Ensara sees the television airing another report from Kalos News Network:

“This just in: Team Rocket and Team Cerebral are both fighting in the warehouse district of Coumarine City near the docks. A full on gang war, it is most likely these teams are fighting over territory for the control of Kalos and consider Coumarine and important city.” The anchorman reads off.

“The response from the Pokémon League is currently unknown, but if two Teams are here in Kalos and stay around causing chaos too long it might just raise the threat level high enough to cancel the Kalos League Tournament this year.”

In times of danger and crisis, the Pokémon Leagues generally kept their current leaders to make sure everything functioned smoothly rather than risk replacing the leader mid-way and getting the solution messed up. Since the tournament was to choose the new Champion, the whole process would basically be a waste of money and effort better spent on keeping the region safe. Such tournaments were a product of peaceful times to keep trainers from going of control and to keep the Champion and the Elite Four on their toes.

“Now we go to our Opinion Expert Jon Quack with his expert opinion...”

“Thanks, in my expert opinion, can we really trust Dark type Pokémon? With Team Rocket coming in, any dark Pokémon could be theirs. They are after all the Pokémon type most associated with deception and crime. Keep your Fighting types close before the Dark...”

But Ensara doesn't pay attention to such fear-mongering nonsense. She is focused on the actual news.

“Wait, it could cancel the Tournament? But the entire deal Mew and I made is that we face each other when I win it! I can't do that if there is no tournament.” She clenches her fist wondering at her bad luck

“Probability of Mew using this to make sure you don't catch her: Yes.” Dex states plainly.

“Wait, you mean Mew could've somehow started this intentionally to screw me over!? She is endangering the entire Kalos region! Why would she do that!?”

“It seems logical to me. If she can engineer the situation so that people make sure the deal is null and void indirectly, she will be in the clear. Judging by her past actions and personality it would be like a big cruel prank upon you, Ensara. She might even allow the situation to escalate a little before stepping in to fix it herself to make it look like she was the hero all along.” Dex explains.

-Come now, we don't know if its her, that is just you assuming she did it.- Flara protested. -Maybe we should ask her the next time we see her?-

“She is an immortal all powerful legendary. She has had the time to think up of such ideas, and the reasons to do them.” Dex replies. “I do not think she would admit to it even if she is doing it. Mew would not gain anything from it.”

-Yeah because saying we can't confirm it will help everything.- Flara sent back with an eye roll.

“Look, it doesn't matter if Mew did it or not.” Ensara clenches her fist in resolve. “What matters is that its a threat to our goals and to the people of Kalos. We need to go forth and stop both teams before it gets out of hand and causes such a cancellation.”

“Zzt. Are you sure that is wise?” Dex asks “Your still near the starting end of being a trainer, and the authorities might not want you interfering.”

“No, I don't think it is. But I don't really have any other choice. Besides did Red give up against Team Rocket? Did Dawn give up against Team Galactic? No. They went ahead and fought them anyways and won! I bet I can do the same!“

Dex is silent for a moment before he chirps back a response.

“This does not seem wise. The probability of a single new trainer in their first year defeating an entire Team all by themselves is highly unlikely. I mean the practicalities of stamina alone and the numbers game of inevitably encountering a criminal who has Pokémon to defeat yours-”

“Never tell me the odds!” Ensara interrupts him.

-Yeah! Lets do the impossible!- Flara said while pumping her arm. -Who does Mew think we are!?-

All her other Pokémon burst out and pitch in their own cries of agreement:

Excalibria roared at the prospect of a great battle. Fortuna hopped and down raring to go, Emerald sends -If these Teams stands in our way, we should just get rid of the Teams!-

Masala nods -It is our duty to rid this world of such evil. Let us defeat them and show them the error of their ways!-

Dex beeps with growing horror. “I just realized: your all insane.”

“Come on team! Lets go! There are two criminal teams standing in the way of our goal, and a lot of training to do to get strong. Lets kick them to the curb!”

They then set off running down to the docks, determined to fight their way through.



Meanwhile Mew floats above and snickers to herself at their reckless charge.

-Just as planned.-

 

Episode 12: Rocket Vs. Cerebral

A battle is being waged in the Warehouse district of Coumarine City. On one side is Team Cerebral, out in force with all their psychics types. Kadabras march in groups, Xatus fly overheard on the look out for ambushes with both future sight and normal sight. Hypno lie in wait to ambush with their hypnotic powers. The Cerebral members themselves weren't unarmed. In the world of Pokémon, warfare developed differently. Who has need of guns and explosives when a fire breathing monster or a Voltorb will do just fine? Especially when Pokémon are so much tougher than humans that bullets don't work on them anyways. No, the arms that the Cerebral grunts carried were for stunning and capturing. Why kill when you can disable and hold hostage? Why not capture trainers, hold their lives in your hands and force the Pokémon to obey you on the threat of the trainers death? Why not stun and capture and kidnap a Pokémon as weapon denial to your enemy? Thats the tactics done these days. Sure it was possible to still use guns with bullets to kill the trainer, but no one made those anymore for decades. Historically, killing the trainer just resulted in the Pokémon getting enraged and killing you. After a while, people just stopped making them, not after the wars. It was just considered a bad idea, the Pokémon were terrifying and destructive enough as it is. These firearms carried shock nets that capture and stunned human or Pokémon with electricity.


The Rockets carried similar firearms, but their Pokémon were markedly different. While there was a bias towards Dark types such as Mightyena, Sneasel, Murkrow, Stunky, Cacturne, Krokorok and Liepard, there were also many Normal types, Poison types and Bug types. The Cerebrals were at a type disadvantage due to their specialization, but Psychic Pokémon were known for their unconventional tactics. Telekinesis could substitute for many type moves with enough creativity, mind attacks and hypnosis could catch one by surprise. Yet Dark types in numbers would counter that.

Such was the battles as they broke in spurts throughout the streets: Dark types leaping out to surprise psychics normally accustomed to seeing them coming and savagely using their underhanded attacks to lay them low quick, only for Medicham teams to leap into the fray and lay them low with fighting type attacks. Rocket Pokémon and their trainers fall into traps set by cunning Kadabras and experiencing full force attacks as they are boxed in to wipe them out. In the cramped confines of the city the battle was not continuous, vast or glorious but erratic, sudden. Its little sparks scattered everywhere adding up to thousands of little fires of urban gang fights among forgotten back alleys and streets used only for transporting cargo. Both Teams were searching for the signal the desperately desired and neither were finding it, but they were not going to give up the search to their enemy. If they could not get it themselves right now, they would deny it to their enemy by driving them out first. Such was the nature of any war or battle. No matter how big or small.

Currently the Rockets were advancing. Between their more varied types, their years of experience at unofficial Pokémon battles and their pragmatic pursuit of power over thematic adhesion, it was likely they would win.

****TCAM****

Ensara ran onto the scene. She was not going to let this battle continue.

“Go! Fortuna! Use Sing on all of them!”

Fortuna's lyrical voice drifts across the battle between Dark and Psychic type Pokémon on this street. Soon the chaos of battle fades into the peace of sleep as they all begin to flop down to the ground, a haunting melody that draws them into dream and soothes away all their earthly worries. Anger is forgotten, passion peters out by the caring embrace of rest and relaxation and war becomes peace. Even their trainers fall asleep and tranquility descends upon them all. Ensara smiles at her handiwork. Then she orders:

“Now, Excalibria, blast them all away with Dragon Pulse.”

Then like a hammering train of pure destruction and fury, in an instant they are all blown away, the tranquility of the moment shattered by the sudden calamity of the next. All the sleeping Pokémon vulnerable and off guard were sent flying, crashing into walls, breaking through windows and utterly defeated from the single thunderous blow blazing forth from Excalibria's mouth. When it was over, the street was clear, the ground was singed and both Pokémon stood proud at their work. It was a devastating one-two punch combining the best of Fortuna's tactics with Excalibria's pure force and strength. In a battle like this, there were no rules to hold such combinations back. They had defeated a force far superior to themselves in only two moves. It was only a small part of the battle, but the effectiveness of it could not be denied.

“Alright team, lets call that Sing-Pulse from now on.”

They keep moving on through the streets, Excalibria already needing to be returned to her ball because of the energy expended from Dragon Pulse. It was still going to be a while before she would develop into something more viable with that. However they soon come across various Dark Pokémon and their Rocket Trainers

“Hey, whats a teen doing here?” one asks in confusion

“I hate it when they try to be like Red....” another mutters darkly.

“Masala, Emerald, show them The Incredible Teleporting Riolu!”

-Right!-

-Right!- They both sent back.

The two empaths nod and Emerald climbs to Masala's torso as she teleports them both. Instantly an umbreon suddenly feels a force palm coming from the side and slamming him into a houndour. Then a sneasel gets knocked out from behind by a Brick Break. Suddenly two Murkrow fall from the air from Force Palm's in rapid succession. Soon the entire group devolves into chaos as they cannot pin down the constantly teleporting Riolu in the confusion, compounded by the sudden Double Team images of Masala and Emerald suddenly appearing to throw them off further. They attack everywhere and nowhere, only hitting each other while the constantly flashing Masala comes in and out to take them down one by one until the last rocket grunt gets knocked out. It was an incredibly efficient tactic: Emerald did all the defensive dodging and evasion while Masala did all the attacking for both of them, creating a tiny hard to hit fighter that was seemingly everywhere at once, hammering a foe from all sides. It was only possible because of their telepathic and Aura abilities allowing them to communicate at the speed of thought to properly coordinate it all.

For the next group of Rockets, a gang of Seviper slithered forth to bite and enwrap foes, for this Ensara sent out Flara.

“Show 'em what surprises you got.” she commanded.

-Happy to.- She sent back.

Flara then draws her stick and wreathes it in flames forming a fiery sword again. But this time she follows it up, forming a round shield in her other paw out of psychic energy- her own version of Reflect. She Flame Charged forward, striking in a blazing flurry upon the first Seviper, shield-bashing the second who came to her, then blasting the third into the fourth with a Psybeam from her flaming sword. The second seviper comes back with a vengeance from behind only to get shield-bashed again in a backhand then taken out with a single powerful chop of her blade. Then she similarly knocked out all the their trainers. Flara was a fighter all her own, in her evolved state she was beginning to get more stamina and do things others could only hope to do one day.

The team continued on. There was still much fighting to do.

****TCAM****

Meanwhile Mind-lord Valamoth assessed the tactical situation through mind links. Every grunt was being pushed back one by one, alley by alley. Their Pokémon were getting overrun by Dark types immune to Psychic attacks. Team Rocket was simply more varied and experienced than them at this. If they didn't do something quickly, they'd lose this battle and the chance to find the source of the disturbance and thus get a powerful Psychic type. He didn't want to reveal this so early, but he would have to in order to turn the tide in his favor.

-Grunts, send in the Mind-Slaved Fighting types-

The ordered radiated through their mind-network. Soon the unleashed mind controlled Fighting types stolen from other trainers: powerful Machoke ramming themselves through hordes of Dark types, Hawlucha squads diving from the roof tops upon unsuspecting Rockets and Sawks and Throhs came out of their cages fell upon vulnerable Umbreon packs. The fighting types suddenly came through the streets like a horde cutting a path through the Rocket's Dark types. Team Cerebral may be Psychic based, but that didn't mean they did not have their own ways of getting other Pokémon to work for them.

****TCAM****

Meanwhile Executive Napal thought of his response to this. These fighting were going to be a problem. Team Rocket's Pokémon army was versatile, but given its optimization towards anti-Psychic tactics it was going to do well against these reinforcements. Thankfully, there was a cheap readily type of Pokémon to counter Fighting types.

“Send out your flying types! Attack them from above.”

Many golbat, fearow, and Staravia take flight and descend upon the Fighting types, swooping down them with their breaks and claws, blasting through them with wings and winds. There was not a single Crobat to be seen however. On the other hand, there were many many ghost types within the cloud to be completely immune to anything a Fighting type could dish out.

****TCAM****

Amid all this, Ensara and her team come across a Machamp that comes charging towards them. Flara and Emerald fire off their psychic attacks only for light screen armor to appear around it, protecting it from their attacks. Ensara and the rest jump out of the way as the Machamp smashes through a brick wall.

“Why didn't that work!?”

-I think whatever psychic type is controlling that Machamp put a Light Screen upon it to make sure no one would be able to take it out easily.- Emerald explained.

“Well then, we take out whatever is controlling it. But we need someone to be the distraction.”

-I have my reflect shield,I can probably take the most hits if they actually connect.- Flara sent back.

-I volunteer.- Masala sent as well. -I can endure the hits, and I have the most fighting type knowledge out of us all.-

The Machamp broke out of the wall from the other side, smashing the rubble away almost casually. Ensara realized that choice was not a luxury she had.

“Ok, you both have the job, Emerald, track down the psychic type and take them out.”

They all nod and Emerald teleports.

Flara and Masala charge forward at the Machamp, Flara using her Reflect shield to block his first punch then roll under him and begin attacking his legs with her fire sword. While Masala jumped up wards and used force palm upon his face, intending to split his attention between them. But the Machamp seemed barely affected. It looked more annoyed than anything else. The Machamp kicks Flara aside then smacks down Masala like a fly. They get up, wincing from the pain.

-This is gonna suck.- Flara commented.

-Yea.- Masala agrees.

They charge again anyways.



Emerald meanwhile creeps around the battle using her telepathy to nudge peoples attention away from her so that she find whoever is controlling the Machamp. She knew that the psychic type can't be THAT far away. There were limits to the range, especially for a complex and powerful technique such as mind control. Problem is, they were all trying to hide somewhere because of how much concentration it took and there was more than one psychic mind controlling a fighting type. So in theory once she found the psychic, all she would have to do is take it out in one shot because they will be too busy focusing on controlling Machamp.

In practice, the battle around her was a chaotic melee of Fighting, Dark, Psychic and Flying types trying to wade through the chaos for one side or another. The psychic connection that she was following was now jumbled up with a bunch of other ones being tangled up in the mayhem of war and dark violent thoughts floated around, adding a bloody haze over her senses. As she dodges under a stray Shadow Ball she summons up her determination and tries to expand her sense to find that controller.



Masala meanwhile is getting beaten up badly, with Ensara flinching a little with each hit through the connection Masala had to her. Flara was smart enough to dodge out of the way, but she decided to endure the blows. She was immediately regretting this decision. With four arms, Masala felt like she was being juggled between them and being unable to fight back in between. Then she gets slammed into the ground, tries to get up...and falls unconscious. Flara does not fare much better, trying to dodge a couple times and block a strike, but her Reflect is broken through and she is sent crashing to the ground. Flara points her stick and blasts her most powerful Psybeam in response, hitting the Machamp as hard as she can, the great burst of energy striking it....and only slowing the Machamp down for a moment before she gets knocked out with a single powerful blow herself.

Ensara returns them both and begins running in fear as the Machamp pursues her.

“Emerald.....hurry!” she calls out her eyes wide.



Emerald meanwhile finally locates the mental link connecting to the Machamp through the melee. But she was too far away, so she teleports through it, barely avoiding one, two three times that a falling Pokémon could've crushed her or an attack could've hit her. Finally she gets to the Kadabra and sends a Confusion to hit him and he turns from actively controlling Machamp to Emerald.



Meanwhile the Machamp catches up with Ensara and picks it her up by the throat. Ensara knew exactly how strong a Pokémon like this was. Far stronger than any human. Rocks, steel, cars were cardboard to it. If its grip got even a little tighter, she wouldn't choke to death, her throat would just be plain crushed and she would be....be.....she realizes how fragile she really was compared to this Machamp. She was an entire person made of cardboard to it. Questions ran through her mind: How much do Pokémon hold back? What would happen if they stopped? Would anyone survive that? She is left wondering as the Machamp seems to wait for another mental command...



Emerald and the Kadabra now duel for Ensara's life. Each one trying to read the others mind to out predict their movements as they teleport and fire psychic attacks at each other. Until Emerald teleports behind them and hits with a Psychic point blank.



The Machamp suddenly drops her. It shakes her hand looks questioning why it was here? Where was its trainer? Then ran off. Emerald teleports in.

-Are you OK? I defeated the Kadabra as soon as I could!-

“Yes...” Ensara coughs “I'm fine. That was mighty close though. Be earlier next time, yes?”

-.....Right! Don't want that to happen!-

They continue through the battle only to find a Gengar coming flying towards them, firing a Shadow Ball at them. They duck and then begin running as it chases them. They go down on alley only to find the Gengar becoming a shadow zipping along the wall then jumping out to attack and they take a turn down another one, running even faster, knowing that nothing on their team could do a thing about a Gengar. Through the maze of alley ways and the chaos of the battle they took flight from the powerful Ghost Pokémon, for no one would ever tangle with one of the most powerful Ghost types to exist without a good answer to it. That was all they could do.

****TCAM****

Meanwhile Rocket Executive Napal walks forward determined.

“Grunts! Keep searching and keep up the offensive on Team Cerebral. We need to get No. 150 ASAP! Giovanni is counting upon us all.”

“Sir, a trainer has joined the battle and has been proving a constant thorn in our side! We have sent a Gengar after them based on the Pokémon we have observed them to have, between a normal, a fighting a fire type and an un-evolved dragon it should be no problem sir!”

“Excellent work, Grunt! Initiative is key! Let no one stand in our way!”

“Thank you sir!”

****TCAM****

Soon Ensara found herself inside a warehouse. She lets her Pokémon out, hiding from the Gengar whom they had lost, and quickly took out various medicine from the Poke-Mart. Good thing she paid attention to those classes on how to treat Pokémon- they were soon right as rain for the moment.

-Thanks, Ensara- Masala says appreciatively. -You're a good trainer-

“Hey its the least I can do. You guys protect and fight for me. I have to play support as well as commander. Come on, lets have a look around.”

As they wander through the warehouse they notice that it was full of Pokémon in cages, their eyes devoid of hope. There were ones of all shapes and sizes, from every region imaginable. Pidgeys and Voltorbs from Kanto, Poochyenas and Carvanhas from Hoenn, Druddigons from Unova, Buizel and Bronzor from Sinnoh, and many more.

“What are they doing with all these? These Pokémon aren't being taken from Kalos. They're being shipped here.”

-They've brought an army.- Masala sent her thoughts. -They would need to, if they intend to take the regions criminal underground.-

“No. Their army is outside. These Pokémon don't look ready for battle. Many of these Pokémon seem too common to sell. What would they- Oh.” Ensara said in realization. “These Pokémon are breeding fodder. They're not the Rockets army, they're the Pokémon that is going to sire the army to hold Kalos once they've set up enough bases. They're just keeping them in these warehouses until they can transfer them somewhere more long term.”

A cold feeling of dread sets in as they realize this. What these Pokémon's entire lives were meant to be in the hands of Team Rocket. That they were essentially shut off from the outside world, forced to forever stay in one place while their children are forced to grow up fighting for their captors. A life of isolation, servitude and confinement. If their service to Team Rocket continued, they would never go on a journey, never find loving friends and family, never live a comfortable happy life if its just as a stay at home Pokémon trainer who never goes beyond their home town. Their pleasures would be denied simply for power and money of material or militaristic value and their world would be nothing but cold walls and hard floors.

Excalibria at this decides to go up to a cage and rip its bars out with its maw, letting the Pidgeys inside free. Then calls out to Ensara and the rest.

-Yes. They deserve freedom. Lets break them all out!- Masala calls

“Wait won't they be lost in a different environment? What if they don't know how to deal with the world outside the cage?”

-Don't worry Ensara- Emerald sends -I can feel their thoughts. They know on instinct that this is wrong. Pokémon are tough! That and the Rangers will probably come and round them up. Would you rather let Team Rocket win and exploit them more? By freeing them, they will at least screw up their plans something fierce.-

“...If you guys so say so, then let'em free!”

Flara draws her stick and her fiery blade slices through bars like hot butter, Masala's force palms shatter their cages into shards and Skitty tackles through them. Soon the other Pokémon themselves were smashing through cages to set each other free with Druddigons smashing away the metal, and Poochyenas ripping them apart to let others go. Soon the Pokémon in the warehouse burst out through the doors and join the fray against their captors, Voltorb shooting electricity at the Pokémon and the Grunts, Ratatta darting forward and biting at enemies legs to topple them and beat them up while they are down. And of course Druddigons rampaging through them like juggernauts- Druddigons were not the most powerful of dragon types or the best, but since they don't evolve they were often used as quickly captured dragon type powerhouses when others were not achievable. Not everyone had the time to raise something like a Dragonite or Arceus forbid a Hydreigon which took multiple evolutions and lot of patience to get to their full strength. Most people found it more cost-effective to raise a Druddigon instead and consider more powerful dragon types to be reserved for Ace Trainers and artisans of raising Dragon Types. Some day even Excalibria will surpass these Druddigon. But today? This is their day, and these Druddigons are full of draconic fury at their captors, thrashing through them with their strength and power, crashing through Team Rocket's ranks like cannon balls through walls. As they blasted flame from their mouths, many Grunts run in fear, and Ensara charges forward with her own team amid the charge to help.

****TCAM****

Executive Napal sees the Druddigon charging towards him and he throws out a Pokéball.

“Go! Zangoose, use Ice Beam!”

The scarred ferret leaps out and blasts a frigid beam that lances across the street hits the Druddigon dead on, the dragon falling to the ground covered in ice in a single hit.

“Alright, who let out all our breeding Pokémon? Begin recapturing them! We need them to set up sustainable bases here!” Nepal orders as he begins taking out one freed Pokémon after another and the Grunts follow his lead, using their net guns to stun and recapture the Pokémon around them.

****TCAM****

Meanwhile the Cerebral Grunts were doing even worse as the freed Pokémon came for them too, the Psychic types of Team Cerebral being hammered from two sides now and rapidly losing ground amid the onslaught.

-Mind Lord Valamoth! We can't take this! I suggest we retreat!- One of the commanders sends to him

-Retreat! Yes. From my scanning, I can detect no such psychic signals that we detected before. We have been fooled. I'm thinking Team Rocket wanted to just lure us here to try and take us out. We begin the retreat and revise our plans.-

Team Cerebral begins their escape, now running away from the battle and leaving only rearguards to protect their escape.

****TCAM****

However a third side was soon entering the fray. Squads of Rangers were quickly running onto the scene, determined to protect any Pokémon from both Teams influences. In particular were two Rangers: a young up and coming trainer named Kelly, and an older, short Ranger named Sanders.

'Yes! We will finally bring Justice to these criminal scum!” Kelly proclaims.

Sanders sighs. “Yes. We will.”

“For we are....The Law and no one is above.......The Law!” Kelly declares with a pumped fist.

Sanders shakes his bald head knowingly. These younger rangers were always idealistic and full of zeal. Made them dedicated but they had to be tempered by experience. Kelly had yet to gain such experience. He just hoped that these Rockets didn't prove too much for her. The Gengar comes by confused as to where Ensara was.

“Stop right there criminal scum Pokémon! Go Herdier, use Bite!”

She sends out her trusty Herdier, the ever reliable dog Pokémon leaping up and biting the Gengar on its ear repeatedly, hanging and chewing upon its body repeatedly, but no matter how much Gengar struggled, Ghost attacks could not do anything to Normal types. Soon Gengar falls to the ground, unconscious and Herdier stands victorious.

But then again, Sanders mused. Perhaps he should be more worried about Kelly proving too much for the Rockets. He sends out his Pokémon- a Shedinja against a Hypno, the hypno fires off a Psychic, but its waves pass harmlessly over the fragile bug and Sanders commands:

“Use Phantom Force!”

Shedinja vanishes into the shadows. Hypno looks around confused and tries to seek out shedinja with its mind- then suddenly Shedinja appears out of nowhere shrouded in darkness, striking hypno once as an ambush, hypno falls to the ground and the Rangers continue on their way.

****TCAM****

Ensara and Kelly soon run into each other.

“What is a normal trainer like you doing here!?” Kelly demands

“To defeat the Teams of course. You rangers need all the help you can get.” Ensara said back.

“Why? Whats in it for you?” Kelly asks. If a trainer was truly concerned with justice, they would've joined the Rangers instead, to Kelly's mind.

“So I can catch Mew.” Ensara answered truthfully.

“What!? A Legendary!? Your after one? Legendaries are endangered species! That is against The Law. And I am The Law!”

“Yeah yeah, whatever Judge Dredd I have no time for you. I am Ensara and I have Teams to get rid of” Ensara says as she and her Pokémon run off to fight more.

“Wait! Come back, its less dangerous alone-” Sanders calls out but is interrupted.

“Halt! Stop! You shall not escape me, criminal!” Kelly runs after her, with Herdier right on her heels.

Sanders sighs and follows after them.

****TCAM****

Through the battle, Rangers were now moving in, rapidly responding to the sudden attack by using their Capture Styluses on the freed Pokémon to turn the fight strategically in their favor and to keep the freed Pokémon from running off randomly and making their jobs harder. Team Cerebral were in full retreat, Team Rocket was in partial retreat while trying to recapture as much losses as they can, the freed Pokémon were confused as to whats happening and attacking everyone with the Ranger trying to keep them under control.

Kelly pursues Ensara calling after her.

“Criminal! You will not capture Mew!”

As he Pokémon take care of her foes, Ensara whirled around to stand and face Kelly.

“Okay who in Distortion World are you?”

“Ranger Kelly! Of the Pokémon Rangers! Mew-seeking criminal scum!” Kelly declares while point at Ensara

“My name is Ensara, since you didn't ask.” the trainer replies, annoyed

“It matters not your name, Ensara, Mew-Seekers like you are a dime a dozen. You foolishly seek to capture an endangered Pokémon. That is against the Law, and I, Kelly shall bring justice to you.”

“Yeah, tell that to all the people who still catch Farfetch'd, Ranger Javert. Are we seriously doing this conversation now?” Ensara points out, gesturing at the battle around them.

“Not just that, but capturing a Legendary, one of the most powerful godlike Pokémon in all of existence! A being of myth and legend, Sacred Mother to all! To reach for such a Pokémon and have the hubris to think that such a thing can be contained and controlled by us mere humans, to lock such beauty within our control, is it not the purest evil of this world?”

“By Arceus. I can't believe it, we're seriously having this conversation now.” Ensara says, eyes wide at Kelly's stupidity.

-Uuuh, gals, I'm getting a little overwhelmed here...- Emerald says as she teleports around dodging attacks.

“You are nothing but a third evil, Ensara! None should catch Legendaries, they are sacred beings beyond us! They keep nature in balance!” Kelly declares

“I disagree. Why would Arceus make a single being, no matter how powerful so important to the balance of the world? They're just guardians, not focal points, the world can still be maintained if they're captured and as long as I train them responsibly! Now I need to get back to the battle...”

-Seriously, some help here would be nice- Emerald calls out, the rest of her Pokémon busy with their own Pokémon.

“No Ensara! I am the Law! I am Justice! Capturing Legendary Pokémon is wrong no matter what! We must respect them as beings above us! Not under our control! To catch them is to cross a line! And I will stand against you no matter what to protect the Legendaries from people like you!” Kelly raged

Ensara shouts back full of anger.

“I DON'T CARE! Capturing Mew is my dream! And if you can't accept that I can capture Mew and train her responsibly, have a meaningful friendship with a Legendary without abusing her power, then your only in my way!”

“Then our views are incompatible.” Kelly concludes with steel in her eyes

-Would you two please stop argue- Emerald began, trying to scold them.

Then suddenly Emerald gets captured by a net and shocked into unconsciousness, Ensara faintly feeling the pain of an electric shock running all over body from the empathic link. The Rocket that did it moves quickly, reeling her in and jumping into a helicopter and dragging her into the sky. The Rockets around are retreating with what Pokémon they could recapture as the fall back. Ensara in shock cries out in fear and runs after her.

“Emerald!”

She takes out Emerald's Pokéball, trying to return her but the red beam misses.

“No! Emerald!”

As she runs faster and faster she tries again, and once more it fails. Ensara runs past fighting Teams, past street after street, past warehouse after warehouse, following the helicopter as she tries to return her Pokémon, seeing it hanging from the net.

“Emerald! Return!”

But again the red beam is just out of range.

Ensara runs heedlessly until she gets out into the docks, her fear growing and her tears showing as she tries to return the little Ralts back to safety.

“EMERALD!” She cries out, the leaving trails as she zooms towards the waterfront.

The red beam for one final time, does not hit its mark. Ensara rushes out onto the very edge of the dock, until only water was before her, crying ceaseless tears as she reached to the sky at Emerald's rapidly shrinking form being carried away.

“EMERAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALD!!!”

 

Episode 13: Saving Emerald

So there Ensara was: Her Ralts, Emerald retreating into the distance captured by a Rocket Grunt to be taken who knows where, to do who knows what to her. Standing on a dock open to the uncaring endless ocean, not knowing what she is going to do now. Kelly comes running along with all of the other three of Ensara's Pokémon. Perhaps Kelly will recognize that Team Rocket is the greater foe and help Ensara rescue her?

“Ha!” Kelly exclaims “Just what you deserve! A criminal like you does not deserve to use Pokémon! If you plan on being responsible for Mew, how can you possibly do that if you can't even keep one of your own Pokémon from being stolen! I will be arresting you now.”

Nope! Apparently not. In response, a great rage ignites with Ensara's soul. The fires of her determination blaze into a roaring inferno, she roars in rage then pushes Kelly aside, running with burning speed to one of the last Rocket stragglers boarding a motor boat leaping forward and punching him with the force of her fury out of the boat and into the water, her Pokémon leaping in after her, then Ensara grabs the controls and the motor boat zooms out of the harbor after the helicopters, Ensara determined to stop at nothing to get Emerald back, an endless reckless fire blazing in her eyes as she calls out. “EMERALD! I'm coming to get you! Don't worry!”

The motor boat zooms out into the ocean in a straight line, the waters blurring around her as she focuses on the helicopters above, heedless of the dangers ahead.



****TCAM****



Meanwhile Ranger Sanders and Ranger Kelly are having a conversation as Sanders has finally caught up to her. “No, you cannot pursue after Ensara.” he says.

“We still have clean up work to do, they are clearly going in the direction of the closest base they have in this region, which we cannot strike without a good plan. Taking on an entire Team base is something that requires thought.” Sanders explains

“What do you mean? There have been multiple recorded instances of lone trainers taking on entire Team bases themselves.” Kelly argued back.

“Those trainers were exceptional ones, Ace Trainer and Champion levels of skill. Furthermore they many probably didn't actually take on the entire Team, just enough to get to the center and interfere with their plans. Team Rocket is still around no? Finally just because they're beaten once by one person doesn't mean they don't reform and try new tactics and security measures to make sure it doesn't happen again. We cannot do anything about that girl whether it is to bring her to justice or to save her. Stand down and wait for orders, Ranger Kelly.”

“....Yes Sir.” She says defeated.

Then comes Shade and Lily running up to Ranger Sanders concerned. Shade shows off his Unovan Gold League Member card showing that he was Unovan Finalist in the tournament.

“Hello Ranger sir. I am Shade Wagers, Ace Trainer. Came running as soon as I heard the news, because I know its every trainers duty to help. Especially guys like me. The girl beside me is Lily Willow, Professor in Training” Shade says in introduction.

Sanders smiles. “Oh good. A Finalist. The battle between the Rockets and Cerebral is pretty much over and clearing up by now. The problem we have now is that a trainer named Ensara had one of her Pokémon kidnapped and is recklessly charging to get them back without thinking, probably right into the Rocket's base in the region. We Rangers can probably handle the Team itself, its rescuing the girl from her own stupid decision that you might help us with.”

“Wait....Ensara was here? She took part in this battle? Herself? And she is going off alone to rescue her Pokémon? Agh. Reminds me of when I was younger and stupider.” Shade mutters.

“You know her?” Sanders questions.

“Yeah, she is a travel companion of ours.” Shade says back.

“And my childhood friend.” Lily adds.

“I see. Well then you better go get her then. Wouldn't want a rookie trainer like her getting a bad end no matter how stupidly reckless she is. At least I know a Unovan Finalist is watching over her.” Sanders say shrugging.

“You are friends with the criminal scum wishing to capture Mew!? Then you are my enemies!” Kelly declares. Shade raises an eyebrow at this.

“Great, first a competitive jerk face, then two crazy cultists and now a Ranger obsessed with justice. How does she keep attracting these people?” Shade wonders half to himself.

“You should've seen her childhood.”Lily responds. “Like the time she got constantly swarmed by Dittos or that time she got kidnapped by a Miltank.”

“...I will refrain from asking, I don't think I want to know.” Shade answers. “Anyways, I'll do as you ask, Ranger Sanders. Ensara is not yet ready to be taking on criminal Teams. This is something that will truly require my intervention.”

He sends out Veritas his Braviary, the Pokémon spreading its impressive wingspan and letting out a signature piercing cry. He hopes on, riding the bird.

“Lily, get on. We're pursuing Team Rocket.” he commands simply with the expectation of being obeyed. Lily gets on behind him.

“Okay, but how are we going to find them? They're both long out of sight by now.” Lily points out.

“Well that is why we're flying- so that we can more easily find them from the air.” Shade says and they take off into the air to find the Rocket base.



****TCAM****



Back at Ensara as she zooms ever forward in pursuit of the helicopters, Mew appears zooming alongside her, look thoughtful as she leans back on the air.

-You know.- Mew began. -You can just turn back now. Give up your quest to capture me. Its perfectly understandable if this is out of your depth. Trainers are not expected to go this far for their Pokémon. Not ones who are so young and untrained. Facing Teams, fighting criminals and villains, these are things for Rangers, Elite Four and Champions! Not rookie trainers playing hero. No one would blame you if sit back and let someone else bring back Emerald for you, that is why we have these authorities after all, so you don't have to play vigilante and risk life and limb when there is little chance of success considering your lack of training in such things!



Give up trying to catch me, and I will simply teleport Emerald back to you, teleport you back to the mainland and maybe even wipe your memory of this terrifying incident from your mind! Let the authorities handle the Teams as they always do, let yourself have a fun safe journey full of adventure and excitement, rather than a terrifying one full of risk! Surely you wouldn't risk a more dangerous journey just to catch me? Surely it isn't worth going through this? Surely its worth more to be humble and happy? With your Pokémon safe?-

“No!” Ensara responds, her blaze in single minded anger. “I'm going to get back Emerald myself. Then I am going to become strong enough to catch you. I reject your offer! This is all just apart of your plan, and I'm not going to dance to your strings!”

-Fool girl! I'm trying to save you! To help you! You don't actually need to do this! All you have to do is be patient, to wait for others, to not charge in yourself! Your just being reckless and unreasonable in your rage!- Mew mentally shouts at her.

“I do not care. I'm going to do all I can to save Emerald, because I am her trainer and therefore its my responsibility to make sure she is safe! I'm going to do all I can to catch you because its my dream! Little obstacles like these? Are not going to turn me from my path! If I flinched from the first sign of trouble, I would get nothing done! I'm not going to let this stop me! Ever!” Ensara shouts back.

Fortuna, Flara, Masala and Excalibria cheer her from behind, in full agreement. Mew is silent for a moment processing this.

-...Very well. If that is your decision, then I will not interfere.-

Mew then teleports away, leaving Ensara to keeping heading forward straight and true. Ensara speaks to her team of remaining Pokémon as the helicopters near an island off the coast of Kalos with a clear Team Rocket base of operations upon it: a looming rectangular structure of cold pragmatism and unrelenting corporate practicality and plainness threatening to stamp out all the more beautiful things in life through sheer conformity. It was a soulless, clinical place even from afar.

“Listen up. I know we're rookies. I know this is probably incredibly stupid. But I cannot let Emerald go without a fight. Just as I know you can't either.”

Her Pokémon nod. This was true.

“She is our companion. And in a moment of distraction I allowed her to get taken! I will not allow that to happen again! We are going to get her back! But we will not go in guns blazing. We do this as cautiously, stealthily and smart as we can.” Ensara briefs them.

-......We're doomed.- Flara responds -How do we possibly pull that off? None of are exactly a Ditto, Zoroark or Kecleon. And you don't seem to be in the right state of mind for stealth.-

“Worry not, most or all of you will be in your pokeballs. Fortuna? I have use for your talents.” Ensara says. Fortuna meows while tilting her head, a little confused.



****TCAM****



Meanwhile Emerald wakes up to find herself in a strange room.

-Ugh. Where am I?- She looks around: She was in a room with various other psychic types of all shapes and sizes. It seemed bare, plain and cold otherwise, with a strange area where food and water seemed to be dispensed down to bowls through tubes so that they wouldn't have to open the door to feed them. The walls, floors and ceiling seemed to be made with the strangest, black-gray material that felt...off. As if it was both fuzzy yet completely hard and cold at the same time. She could not hear any thoughts outside the room. Strange, her telepathy normally went right through walls. A bronzor floated up to her.

-Greetings, little Ralts. Welcome to our prison. You may have noticed that the strange material surrounding us. This material is Anti-Psychic Alloy, a material reverse engineered from the strange properties of Dark type Pokémon. No Psychic attack works on them, thus trapping us here. I say this only to make sure you do not waste your energy. Do not try teleportation either, somehow the material blocks it if the destination is outside the room.- It explained.

-What of other Pokémon? Surely we're not all that Team Rocket captured.- Emerald questioned.

-This one in a rare moment of fortune, managed to read the mind of a Grunt about the state of the rest of this prison: all other Pokémon are kept in specially designed cells. Fire types are in fire-proof cells, Water types are kept in a room with high temperatures, rationed water and electrified walls. Grass types are kept in very low temperatures instead, with no access to sunlight or vitality. Fairy types are kept in a room made of cold iron, dark types in a room of constant bright light, Fighting types in a room of a constant low level agonizing psychic signal that keeps them unfocused. Dragon types are rare enough that each one they gets its own little prison while Ghost types are in a room full of specially prepared wards with salt in the walls to keep them from phasing through. These are only a few of the examples we know of.- The Bronzor answers.

Emerald thought about this. Team Rocket were certainly thorough at least: making sure the Pokémon were separated, that each type had a different way to keep locked down, no need to open the door to keep them fed. But how thorough were they?

-Is there anything else you can tell me?- she asks.

-The commonality I can find among all the Pokémon in these cells are that we are all recently stolen Pokémon from their trainers. We are not yet broken in mind or spirit. Memories indicate that they begin to take older Pokémon out around one month of captivity and trying to break them into their being their slaves like their other Pokémon, some Pokémon take more than one session to successfully do so. Conclusion: this room is meant to be a temporary prison until they can turn you into one of their Pokémon through whatever means necessary.-

-Then how do we get out?- Emerald asks. Bred Pokémon must be kept somewhere else then, they wouldn't need to break their spirits if they were raised to be their captives from the start.

-Unknown. However it is recommended that if escape is desired, that it is done quickly considering the information.-

-Right.- Emerald says nodding. But how? She doubted the normal tricks of trying to get the guards inside or just brute forcing their way out were going to work. If only Ensara were here. She would know what to do. She missed Ensara already, her fire, her passion, her ability to never give up inspired Emerald. She had to live up to her trainers example and keep going no matter the risks involved. These Pokémon needed a way out. Humans always seemed to see what Pokémon missed, things like wheels and how to use fire as more than just a weapon. They weren't more intelligent, but they did seem more creative. They didn't have the powers of Pokémon, so humans had to think outside the box. So question is, how to think like a human? As she thinks on this, she feels a weird mixture of being uncomfortable and temptation as if from a great distance for a moment before she returns to her thoughts.



****TCAM****



Meanwhile Ensara creeps through the forest around the base. She had parked the Rocket's motor boat on the other side of the island and have been working through the wilderness by herself. She saw the the base had its own little docking area but she would get spotted immediately if she just up to it directly in her normal clothes. The bad thing about stealth was that you often had to choose the longest most inconvenient route possible to do it right. She suspected the greatest enemy to any person sneaking around was not getting caught, but getting impatient and making a mistake that gets you caught. Stealth was about anything but rushing in, so she had to ignore every impulse and raging idea screaming at her to run forward, to do as much damage as possible, to save Emerald among the glorious wreckage. Surprisingly she encountered little to no Pokémon on this island, yet signs of Pokémon habitation that were deserted. It seemed that the Rockets here cleared out the island and took all the Pokémon here for themselves before doing anything else. If Ensara was not mistaken, it had been home to many Wingull, Pineco, Mothim, Exeggcute, Slowpoke and were those Audino tracks? That was rare. Pity that they were no longer here. She could use a Pokémon that could take a hit.

Dex suddenly chirps up, disturbing the silence.

“You know. Mew was right. What your doing is pretty stupid.” he chides her.

“I know, but I'm doing it anyways. Sue me.” Ensara says, her eyes still blazing and focused on saving Emerald.

“Since I have no choice but to keep being your voice of reason, I would advise avoiding fights as much as possible. Your Pokémon currently do not have the stamina to fight an entire Team, even if they only come in one and twos, which they will not- more probably they will respond with overwhelming force and gang up on you.” Dex advises.

“Thats the idea.” Ensara replies

“Well then, better find a Grunt to take clothes from then. Reckless fool.” Dex then falls silent again.

It would be hours until they find a Rocket Grunt, walking around in her black uniform, her straight green hair and blue eyes contrasting the big red R, long gray gloves and boots. Though Ensara dislikes the fact that uniform included a short skirt. Girls could wear pants to and skirts sometimes just feel so decades ago y'know? Nevertheless, she had to make do. The Grunt speaks on her little radio.

“This is Grunt 2B851, still all clear. No sign of Cerebrals or Rangers. Hm? Yes I'll do one more sweep then head back to base rotate out the patrol.”

She puts the little radio back on her belt. Ensara waits for the right moment then throws a Pokéball.

“Go Fortuna! Use Sing!”

Fortuna came out and sang a lullaby to the Grunt, meowing out the road to slumber. The Grunt growing drowsy tries to grab at the radio again to signal everyone else, to let the base know that they were under attack...but her fingers felt heavy and clumsy and fumbled at it until she fell to the ground, fast asleep. Ensara takes a breath and returns Fortuna. Here comes the uncomfortable part. She begins dragging the Grunt into the bushes then strips her of her clothing. Throughout this process she was acutely aware of how much power she had over this unconscious Grunt right now. What those movies and shows never show you was that someone getting knocked out in the wilderness with no one around by the hero for sake of plans like these were in great danger being abused in all sorts of ways if the hero was even a little less moral, or just plain killed if the hero was more sensible and didn't want a warning going out hours later when the Grunt wakes up.

Looking at the Grunt, her female form stripped to her underwear, Ensara was tempted. She had never kissed a girl before. She so dearly wanted to kiss one and possibly more, no one would know, not out here, alone. In this moment she saw how power over something or someone no matter how bad the person could so easily corrupt someone. How one could so easily become a secret hidden monster underneath a facade of normalcy. She shook her head vigorously and put on the Rocket uniform while taking the radio for herself then began walking away. Unfortunately she had to leave her backpack and normal clothes behind, but she could attach her pokeballs to her belt.

“I'll never stoop so low.” she decided, disturbed at her own dark desires. “If find a girl for me, my first kiss will be consensual. Such things should be shared. Not taken.”

The uniform didn't exactly fit her, but Ensara would have to make do. As she walked her way to the base, she thought of how to behave as a Grunt. She straightened her back, put on a serious, stoic face to show she was at work. She imagined that Team Rocket was like any other organization: expecting the person to be focused, alert and on task. Think like a Grunt. Act like a Grunt. Be a Grunt. Fear your boss, act respectfully towards your betters, joke with your peers. Act calm and relaxed, no tensing up. Be businesslike but don't be fierce. It was all about the mindset, the acting, the persona to embody. Act like your supposed to be there, and people will believe you are. By the time she got in sight of the Rocket base, she felt as if she had gotten used to wearing the uniform and that it fitted a little better from all the mental preparation. To succeed at anything it was all about determination and willpower- you just had to know how to apply it, sometimes like a raging fire to destroy anything in your way, sometimes like a skilled artist to better and prepare yourself. She walks up to the guard at the gate inside and salutes.

“Grunt 2B851 reporting in to end my patrol, sir.” she says with crisp dutifulness.

“Got it. I'll just punch in the number and I'll see your picture to confirm your ID, don't worry its nothing but a formality.” The Grunt replies.

As he does so, Ensara tenses a little inside. Had she already failed before she even got inside?

The Grunt looks at the picture on the screen then back up at Ensara then says

“Ok, go, I don't even know why they have me bother honestly.” he says as if completely unaware of the differences between her the actual grunt she was claiming to be.

“...Very well.” As she walks inside, she steals a quick glance at the screen he was looking at out of the corner of her eye: yes it was definitely the picture of the green haired blue eyed grunt she knocked out. Yet for some reason he wasn't sounding the alarm or perceiving anything wrong. Was the guard really stupid or something? Deciding not to question a gift horse in the mouth, Ensara walks into the base.



****TCAM****



The interior of the Rocket Base was just as cold and utilitarian as the outside. Plain rectangular hallways, ninety degree angles on everything and outside of the omnipresent red R, not a single decoration to be found. The only break in the plain simplicity being pipes running through the sides of the halls as if they were too cheap to bother hiding them. Ensara takes a look around, taking in the complex: she goes by the cafeteria on the ground floor and sees how it was full of plastic and steel chairs and tables, made only for the utilitarian concept of sitting and not the actual comfort of sitting down. All was arranged in neat orderly rows. However what struck her the most despite the cold clinical impersonal aura of it all, was how mundane it was. It was a cafeteria much like any other, only lacking in any sort of warmth.

As she traveled forth even more through the complex she noticed similar things. Passing by what the Rocket's labeled a “Rec Room”, it was the barest cheapest thing that could possibly be called that, being a place to watch an aging TV and play poker at cheap tables. Out of curiosity she checked the “dorms” and they looked like something straight from military bunks: a bunch of spartan, cheap small beds sized to barely fit an adult human on them all put in rows in a single room to make an efficient sleeping space as much as possible, with no privacy allowed at all. She went and checked the restrooms and there of course just like public ones with graffiti and faint messiness from a lack of upkeep.

For a second out of the corner of her eye she sees some green hair in the mirror, she immediately turns to look out of fear- and sees only herself, with red wavy hair, green eyes full of determination: Ensara, the Pokémon trainer.

“My eyes must be playing tricks on me.” she mutters as she goes back out to continue her investigation.

The she traveled through Team Rocket's base, the less she saw it as some super-villain lair, and more as a company or corporation- but without the need for appearances to its customers. It was an organization of profit through crime and it did not need to project comfort or class. It only cared about money and man was this place's construction thrifty. Whoever the boss of Team Rocket was, they did not want to spend a cent more than they needed to.

The Grunts themselves seemed to just do whatever needed doing and more than once she had to do some odd job for some Rocket in lab coat preparing something or other. They would not tell her what. No one seemed to recognize her or care who she was. The life of a Rocket Grunt was one of little value or importance. She found that if she simply picked up a box she could go wherever she wanted, everyone assuming she was transporting it to somewhere else. So she exploited that as she tried to find the areas where they held the Pokémon. It had to be around here somewhere. She passed by metal stairs guarded by two Grunts trying to look menacing. Probably passage to the upper floors, she guessed it was nicer the higher up you went and all the elite members made themselves comfortable in private rooms while the Grunts worked. It was probably not wise to go up there.

So she instead headed a different way, following sign directions to try and find Pokémon areas. She passes by a door to an outdoor training area surrounded by walls. Looking through it, it looked like Grunts with mostly Dark and Poison types battling with each other to keep their skills sharp, but the battles weren't official ones- they were brawls all the Pokémon participated in at once. Criminals followed no rules and could not expect their enemies to do so either. She decided to avoid that sparring area. She didn't want to tire out her Pokémon and the different Pokémon might blow her cover.

She heads into the laboratories. Walking through them, she checks files. Psychological research on how much punishment a Pokémon can take until they were broken. Research into what chemicals and drugs Pokémon were susceptible for what purposes. Methods of artificially increasing egg reproduction. Economic research into how much certain Pokémon were worth on the black market and for what reasons. This last one was what she most morbidly curious about and so opened the file:



The illegal uses of Pokémon are many and varied, as well as their value of black market goods. Therefore we categorize these various usages into distinct reasons why one would want a Pokémon for a certain illegal task. This helps us understand and sell the Pokémon better to the prospective buyer. Keep in mind many of these uses highly depend upon the creativity of the seller and what they have in mind.



1. Force.

The first and most obvious reason is needing muscle. When properly psychologically conditioned and broken, Pokémon make excellent weapons to threaten others with, maim if needed alive and if necessary, convenient killers. Since almost any Pokémon can accomplish this, it all depends on the buyer and sellers creativity. While few not in the know will find it surprising that someone gets killed by a rampaging Gyarados, sometimes less destructive Pokémon based accidents are needed, such as Psychic types properly using their abilities to make the victim fall onto train tracks at the right moment.



2. Stealth

Proper training of a Pokémon can make them excellent thieves to steal something valuable or smuggle goods without any risk to yourself. While there are famous tales of Dittos and Zoroarks being trained to use their talents of disguise to get close what is desired, there are far more possibilities than just those two. Even the common Zigzagoon or Purrloin can be used with the right mind set and enough training, while Ghost types can bypass so many defenses with their incorporeal bodies that they are near indispensable for any criminal that can use them so.



3. Ingredients

Many Pokémon possess chemicals and ingredients in their bodies not found anywhere else. These properties are highly valuable depending on the use. There is the obvious crime of Pokémon harvested to be eaten as food. Many poisons are of course extracted from Poison type Pokémon. Proper harvesting of Grass type Pokémon can yield many ingredients vital for high value recreational drugs. While some Steel Pokémon contain valuable metals for creating certain technology. While some clients believe that certain parts of certain Pokémon are useful for occult rituals.



4. Decoration

Many Pokémon can also be harvested for their looks. Collectors of Cubone skulls, people who buy good luck charms made from a Skitty's tail, buyers of Aipom hand-tails believing they grant wishes, illegal Pokémon pelt fashion designs, Carbink can be harvested for their high quality diamonds, as well as Sableye's gem stones that they use for visual perception. Some desire stuffed Pokémon heads to hang on their mantles as if they hunted them. As well as using the living Pokémon itself as a decoration for a wider collection, like a Stunfisk to fool people into thinking that its an actual Pokémon. These are just a few examples of what buyers look for in decorative Pokémon items on the black market, and it matters not whether any of these properties are true.



5. Prostitution

There are some Pokémon that work surprisingly well for this. Gardevoir is the most obvious example and is in high demand, but there are clients who enjoy Lopunny, as well as Lilligant, Florges, and Mienshao. However Zoroarks and Dittos with their ability to changes appearances and morph bodies when properly trained can satisfy any clients desires, including some that are otherwise impossible.



There are no recorded offspring of these unions, but given that ancient Sinnoh ruins once describe humanity and Pokémon as being no different up to including marriage implies that the species should be genetically similar enough that hybridization should be possible given that civilization has only existed for thousands of years and should not be enough time for the two species to diverge as to be nonviable. Our studies in the genetics of both human and Pokémon DNA back this up. Look into genetic engineering to produce hybrids as well as investigate cause of unnatural incompatibility.



There was more, but Ensara closed it and felt uncomfortably cold reading all this. This was how Team Rocket truly viewed Pokémon. To them, they were nothing but objects and commodities like anything else and wanted to exploit them to the fullest extent for profit. The impersonal clinical way it discussed all the ways they made use of them seemed to intentionally distance themselves from what they were doing: slavery, violence, theft, butchering for parts, torment of many kinds. A part of her could not understand. How could they think like this? Through the part about the Sinnoh ruins was interesting. Then she hears a voice from behind her.

“Hi, what are you reading?” a Rocket scientist asks

Surprised she turns around and says “Oh, just this...file on what we actually sell the Pokémon for, sir.”

“Ah, a practical learner.” He says look at the file. “Its rare we get someone like that here, most of the Grunts don't even care and just want to do their job and get paid. No questions, no curiosity”

“Really? Heh, kind of new and nervous, considering...” She responded. Think like a Grunt, be the Grunt.

“As long as we play it smart, things go good. If your willing to learn, you'll go far in Team Rocket don't worry.” the scientist reassures her. “Its fascinating isn't it? How people think, what they desire. You know your customers and you know what to sell them, and you know how to pull the strings. If you get good, you can use that to control others, to do so much by just knowing what people want, how to get it for them and what price they will pay for it.”

As he talked, Ensara didn't hear any sinister laugh or cold emotionless facade. This scientist was just like any other person. Its almost as if none of the evil around him was notable to him. That was when she realized: to him, it really wasn't, and that was the true horror of it all. Team Rocket made evil mundane, routine, scheduled, non-notable. By doing so it made everyone allow the evil to continue by being so humdrum about it, that they felt no emotion about the acts they did and therefore no need to stop them. Thus they allowed the humans participating to ignore it and focus on what they wanted and feel about over the Pokémon. Such routine, seemingly normal evil was in some small way worse than any loud blatant act of evil anyone could ever commit, for who ever thinks to stop normality? Who ever summons up the courage? Team Rocket made evil into Tuesday. This headquarters was the evilest of all Tuesdays and the Tuesday of All Evil. Here, evil was the new normal and that was why Team Rocket had to be stopped.

“...I personally find all forms of studying this field fascinating. What about you? What interests you in this business?” he asked as if it was a completely normal thing to ask.

How do you respond to such a question? It was like being asked what your favorite color is, but all the colors are horrible toxic sludge you didn't want to step in. She came here to save Emerald and that was all she could think about right now, her fury and her sense of justice screaming at to unleash herself upon this entire complex to get her back for the crimes they do. But she could not do that, for she knew her limits. So instead she said the first answer that came to mind, feeling horrible for saying it.

“Gardevoir! Yeah, Gardevoirs interest me...”

“I see, you know what you like.” the scientist nods as if in understanding. “It is quite popular, and reliable as well. Buying or Selling? Because if your a seller you can make your own Gardevoir breeding facility, optimize them for looks and keep the best ones for yourself and rent or sell the rest. Its what many of them often do.” the scientist explains in a conversational tone.

Ensara feels more uncomfortable as he talks. “Really? How...nice to know.”

“Yes but be warned: you have to careful how you treat them in that business. There have been cases where the Gardevoirs take over the seller or buyers mind and turn the tables on them. They are very intelligent for Pokémon and you'll have to get skilled at manipulating them to make sure they don't end up becoming the master in the relationship, but then again I've heard rumors of some people being into that...” Ensara doesn't see this conversation going any place more comfortable. Time to find an excuse to get out.

“Yeah um...not that this conversation isn't interesting and all, but I have to get back to work y'know?” Ensara says, starting to step away.

“Ah okay. Nice talking to you...whats your name again?” the scientist inquires.

Ensara inwardly swears. She didn't think about that. Quick, what name could she use?

“Green.” She says, first thing that came to mind again. “My name is Green.”

“Like your eyes? Huh okay, see you Green. Hope you do well!”

“Hope you do well to!” Ensara lies in response as she walks out of the lab and goes in direction of a sign pointing to “EGG PRODUCTION”. She silently wishes she would never meet that scientist ever again.



****TCAM****



Meanwhile Emerald herself is busy figuring how to break out. For a moment she feels a tortured, uncomfortable feeling, that was probably from her empathic link with Ensara. Her trainer was probably distraught over losing her. Emerald needed to get back.

-Okay, how do I think of Pokémon? The Pokémon around me are my fellow Psychic types. Maybe not my friends, but they understand what its like to be a Psychic type, what troubles I go through, whats convenient about being one. We know each other through our collective identity. Yet our greatest power won't help us with what they've constructed. Our collective identity and thus power as psychic types are useless.-

The first step to thinking outside the box was first recognizing the shape of the box you were thinking inside. So how does the enemy see them?

-Humans, the Rockets, they see Pokémon differently. How do they see us? Well they don't have any powers like us. So they make up for that by inventing various ways to replicate those powers or just borrowing those powers from us through commanding us with pokeballs. To them...Pokémon are not fellow beings that are the same. To humans we're....diverse. Different Pokémon to be used for different purposes. Like a massive toolkit. And we just go through our lives only having our singular hammers and trying to apply those hammers to everything, while humanity has figured out how to do so much more.-

She looks around. But how to do more? How to apply that? She looks at a Bronzor and a Meditite. Two Pokémon united by their common Psychic type. No wait. That was wrong. She was thinking about this the wrong way. Bronzor and Meditite were different, because one was Steel and the other Fighting. To a human they were completely different tools. Bronzor with its Steel typing was better defensively, while Fighting on Meditite allowed it to defeat Dark types. She looks all the other Psychic types in the room, of course, at least some them have secondary types or moves that were not psychic! Of course, a human would've recognized that instantly! How could she be so blind? How could all these Pokémon be so blind? The flaw of this prison was obvious, now that she looked at it the right way.

She sends out -Ok, I got the solution: We just need to break down the walls with moves other than Psychic type. Who here knows a damaging move different from Psychic?-

She is responded with most of them saying the affirmative.

-Alright, lets focus on a single part of the wall and all attack it at once!-

Those their target and let loose, Bronzor tackling it head followed by Emerald herself hitting it with Disarming Voice, then Woobat damaging it even more with air cutter. Next came a Slowpoke with a headbutt, then Exeggcute with a barrage of Bullet Seed, Natu pecking at it furiously, Solosis using Rollout on the widening crack, A Gothita hitting it twice with Double Slap to widen it even further, and finally an Espeon hitting the crack with one final Quick Attack to make it shatter into a hole. Emerald then cautiously steps through.

Emerald comes into a room of blinding light. She temporarily flinches away from how much light there was here before squinting through it. Even doing this, she didn't see much, she tries to extend her telepathic senses to feel the room out, but finds no minds to speak of. She walks forward only to bump into a whimpering form. Feeling it out, it felt like... a Poochyena. Of course. This was the Dark type prison. She could not use telepathy to detect them. Dark types were always somehow immune to Psychics. Couldn't lift them with telekinesis, couldn't read their minds or detect them, they were just...not there. No one exactly knew why, just as no one exactly knew why Fairy types were immune to Dragon types. There were theories, like Dark types being some dimensional anomaly existing on a layer of reality that Psychics can't reach or that Dark types spiritually represent the ignorance that shrouds the mind that keeps it from knowledge which keeps it from being effective, or that Fairy types are spiritual representatives of the fairy tale heroes that slay the dragon. The reasons why at a certain level don't really matter however, what is, just is. What they did know was that Dark types were at the very least nocturnal and spiritually opposed to bright light, being creatures of shadow that they are. They could probably move but too much light was something they shirk away from on an instinctual level. So Emerald used her telekinesis to feel out where the lights were, then with a force of will, broke them, shattering the lights and plunging the room into darkness.

All the Dark types suddenly stood up and looked around- they could see just fine but now Emerald could not. The poochyena besides speaks

“Hey who did that? Who ever did, thanks.”

“I did! I'm Emerald, I'm a Ralts and me the other Psychics broke out of our room to get into this one.”

“Sweet. Whats your plan for getting out of this one?” the poochyena asks.

“Given that they were immobilizing you with bright light, I'm guessing they don't have any walls immune to Dark type attacks like they did for Psychics. So lets all find a wall, and break out into another room, we got fellow Pokémon to liberate and the more numbers and types we have, the better our chances of getting out of here.” Emerald instructs him.

“Sounds like a good idea.” the poochyena nods as the Espeon creates a dim psychic light to make sure everyone can see as they line up to combine their attacks upon another wall once again. Emerald hoped that Ensara was doing alright.



****TCAM****



As Ensara walked into the Egg Production part of the Rocket facility, what she saw was only confirming and reinforcing what she could guess from the rest of the building. This place was practically a Pokémon egg factory. Pokémon were put into confined spaces with the opposite gender of their species then sprayed with pheromones from sprinklers to forcibly begin the process, then taken back to their cages when it was done. She saw grunts taking eggs out of these cages and taking them elsewhere, probably to some vast egg storage room by the looks of it. It was a vast mass Pokémon production facility, so expansive that cages of Pokémon were lined up in rows and stacked on top of another like book cases, making it look like a library of caged Pokémon. There were cameras on the walls more than anywhere else in the facility. This place was clearly one of the most valuable parts of this Rocket facility. However she could not just start breaking them out, the cameras would see her and alert the entire facility. Again, caution and thinking things out would serve her better than rushing in. The surveillance room was probably not on the ground, such a place would be too valuable. Which meant that it was probably on the second one at least. But to do that, she would have to get past those two guards. Ensara could not do that while looking like a normal Grunt. She sighed. She hated what she would have to do next.

Ensara went back to laboratory with the scientist she met. There were no cameras here- again, probably the Rockets thriftiness at work, its not as if they could set up cameras for every single place. Ensara disliked meeting him again so soon.

“Oh, Green, what are you doing here?” the scientist asks, the question unaware of what she was about to do.

“Oh I just realized that you asked for my name but you never gave me yours.” Ensara said as excuse.

“Oh! I apologize, I'm notoriously bad at social skills, my name is Edward, Rocket Researcher, please to meet you Green.” he smiles proudly.

“Pleased to meet you to, hey want to see something cool? I got a Pokémon that does a neat trick.”

“Oh? Ok, lets see it, its always fascinating what tricks these things can pull off under our control.” Edward says, interested. Ensara sends out Fortuna.

“Oh, a Skitty what does it do?” he asks curiously.

“Sing.” She answers in a single word and Fortuna puts him to sleep with her song.

“But that is just....a normal move...” Edward says as he falls to the floor, now unconscious. Ensara this time has a much easier time, the only difference between a Grunt and Researcher uniform was the lab coat and lack of hat, so all she had to do was get it off him, put it on, them stuff him in the closest container that fitted with the hat on his head so no one would find him. She then returned Fortuna, grabbed a clipboard and walked back all the way to the two Grunts guarding the stair way. She looks pointedly at her clipboard with a serious expression on her face and the two Grunts don't even bother stopping her, looking every bit like a busy Researcher who has no time for some grunt's nonsense.



So she goes up to the second floor and the difference between it and the first was clear. The second floor was more like an office building, with various desks and computers and researchers entering various information in, from laboratory result data, to profit calculation to the logistics of the local Team Rocket branch- Ensara could only imagine how much math work it took to make it all work without alerting the authorities. No organization could work with only Grunts as it took studious minds to keep the cogs turning. It certainly looked more comfortable than the ground floor.

She soon finds the surveillance room, her guess right and she looked inside through the door-window. Two researchers watching the cameras. This was going to be a little harder than the first two knock outs. The key to such things was for the person to be alone. Even having two people there made this difficult. If she tried to knock out one, the other will most certainly sound the alarm instead. Was it even possible to knock out both with Sing? Even if it was, she could not risk it. Ensara had to get one of them out of the room somehow. She looked closer while trying to come up with ideas: she observes that despite their attentiveness they look incredibly bored. Perhaps that could work to her advantage. She opens the door and goes in.

“Ugh.” she says out loud as she goes in. “I've been crunching numbers all day, either of you mind if I take over for you? My mind needs some rest.”

The blond one stretches and stands up. “Sure, I'll accept an early shift change, I need to get back to that spreadsheet on the profits we made in Cyllage City for the last month anyways. Thanks, I'd rather be doing something than just staring at these screens waiting for something to happen.”

“Yeah.” the brunette guy complains “I don't know why they don't make the Grunts do this, I mean sure they trust us more than those muscle heads, and this is supposed to be higher security, but you don't have to be Professor Oak to call out a warning if you see anything.”

“Yeah management, am I right?” Ensara say as she takes the seat and the blonde researcher walks out to do something else. “Always thinking they know better than everyone else.”

“You got that right, placing the base on an island in the middle of who-knows-where instead of somewhere more accessible. I hope I get transferred, I heard that there is an abandoned Team Flare base in Lumiose that we can use if we just get around to taking out those Team Cerebral idiots. Could use easy access to all those cafes.”

He was right, there was seriously a ridiculous amount of cafes in Lumiose. “Anyways, now that is done, back to the endless tedium of staring at the screens with nothing happening I guess.” the brunette researcher gripes some more as they stare. Time to make her move.

“Yeah, this seems pretty boring. But I have a Pokémon that could help with that, if you want.”

“Sure, anything to liven things up and break the tedium. Its not as if anything happens around her anyways.” the brunette says turning to stare away from the cameras. Ensara sends out Fortuna again and she begins to sing her song.

“Ah music. Smart. These cameras don't have any sound anyways so all we need to do is keep watching the music will....keep....our.....spirits.....up...” he then falls asleep in his chair. She takes him and drags him into a cupboard and puts him in, closing it then keeps the cameras running but finds and presses the button to make them stop recording. Now she could operate with more freedom. Picking up the clipboard again she returns Fortuna and heads back down to Egg Production.



Once there, she walks away from the Rockets, towards the far end of the cages. As she walks among them, she notices that the Pokémon within seem dispirited. They didn't seem to be trying to get out, or even think anything could be done about it. Through Aura she could sense that this place was all that they knew. All of these Pokémon had been bred in facilities like this. All of them had spent life in their cages just to make more Pokémon to live in cages. None of them had been captured. They had no motivation to get out, and wouldn't understand trying to, given that this world was all that they knew. Perhaps the ones in the warehouse saw more of the world outside from being moved around or were inspired by being broken free? Could she do the same here? Yet none of them melt all that motivated. They only seemed to see her as just another Rocket, not reacting to her presence at all. They were born captives and they tended not to fight back.

However as she walked by, there was one exception. A Pawniard was struggling in its cage, the little metallic chess piece soldier banging the blades that it possessed in the place of hands. Ensara walked over to it, and the Pawniard clanged itself against the cage trying to stab her, the blades just short of her flesh. Ensara could see its eyes, this one still had fighting spirit.

“Paaaawn....” it growled at her. “Paaaaawniard!” then banged its arms more against the cage in hate, rage and probably no small amount of courage. Somehow this Pawniard possessed the will to fight against its captors. Somehow it was the exception. Why? She kneels down and say soothingly.

“Calm down, calm down. I'm not here to hurt you. I know I look like the people who have probably done a lot of horrible things to you, but I'm just in disguise. I'm undercover, trying to find a Ralts named Emerald. But I want to free all of you as well. Team Rocket cannot be allowed to continue. Please, you can trust me.”

The Pawniard crosses its blade arms and looks skeptical about this. Looks like it was slow to trust. So she decided to convey her intentions through Aura. She could not yet properly communicate, but you could not lie using Aura. More than anything, it was the medium of truth, and meaning was tied inherently to what you intend:

-Help- she tries to convey. -Help you. Help all.-

The Pawniard reacts to this, seeming surprised. She could read the Pawniards feelings: it was shocked that a human could learn such a thing, that a human truly meant to help. She wanted to believe it was a trick, but she knew that Ensara truly meant well. The Pawniard tries to communicate back, the communication less word and more like a series of images with meaning as Ensara reads her aura:

A tall Bisharp standing over the Pawniard. Strong, proud, courageous, a teacher to the Pawniard. Yet also motherly, but in a tough way. Another image of a million worlds flowing from the Bisharps mouth and the Pawniard drinking from the river of these worlds. The Bisharp stands against the Rockets but endless attacks rain down. Then an image of the Bisharp putting her hand upon the Pawniard's shoulder, so proud of them, hoping for the best. Then Pawniard is dragged away and thrown into another cage. The final image is Pawniard is standing in the same pose as her mother, fighting the same fight.

So that is how. This Pawniard was the daughter of a captured Bisharp that did not break in captivity. So the Bisharp taught her daughter about the outside world and how this wasn't right and to keep standing up for freedom even if Pawniard didn't know what it was like. It made sense. Steel types were one of the most stubborn and immovable types around, and Dark types had a sense of individualism that combined with Steel made them hardened survivors. So they separated the child and sent her to Kalos.

“I get it. Your fighting the same fight as your mom. I'm fighting for that to. Help me and you'll reach the light at the end of the tunnel.” Ensara extends her hand.

The Pawniard narrows its eyes, conveying that she still wasn't sure about this.

“Ok. I'll prove you can trust me. I'll unlock the cage, let you out, and you'll be free to do whatever you want. I won't stop you.” she says knowing that there was a big risk that as a Dark type Pokémon, it will take advantage of her for trying to extend such an offer of trust. Such Pokémon were not known for playing fair or being honorable. Yet nevertheless she had to try, otherwise no one would use Dark type Pokémon at all. She undoes the lock and extends her arms out ward as if in an embrace, hands open and being non threatening as possible. The Pawniard cautiously takes a step forward. Then another a little more boldly. Finally it stepped out of the cage- then flicked its right arm blade up to rest a hairs breadth away from her throat. Ensara's eyes widen and she swallows in fear, the Pawniard glaring at her as if waiting for some trick or trap. Seconds pass as the two stay there, still as statues. Five seconds became ten, then twenty. Half a minute of nothing passes, the stand off seemingly dragging on forever to them both, their bodies tense as tight rope.

Soon, Pawniard falters then slowly lets down its arm-blade when it was clear nothing was going to jump out and prove her suspicions right. Ensara leans back, letting out a relieved breath.

“Heheheheheh....I just realized, that was the second time I almost died today.” she says, knowing that this time there was no one around to save her if the Pokémon chose to go through with it.

Pawniard tilts her head and Ensara reads an image of a little Pawniard with red hair just hatching from an egg though aura.

“Yes I'm a rookie trainer.” she says in response. “And I realize I'm way in over my head here. I'm supposed to be in the shallows, yet here I am walking on the sea floor. But enough of that. If we're going to break out of this, and get back Emerald, I'm going to need send out my other Pokémon. Are you okay with that?”

Pawniard thinks about this, then nods. Ensara throws out her four remaining Pokémon, bursting from their balls.

“Pawniard, meet Masala, Flara, Fortuna and Excalibria. They will be working with you to break free all the Pokémon here.”

Pawniard acknowledges them with a nod.

-Whats the plan?- Masala inquires.

“Free as many of these Pokémon as we can and rally them to fight. Fortuna we have gotten this far using stealth and your Sing and I'm grateful for your help. However freeing this many Pokémon will take chaos. Lots and lots of chaos. And when we start it, things are going to get hot. We will need to act fast, get rid of any Rockets in our way, just generally cause a lot of trouble for Team Rocket. And for that we need to start with a single, sudden move that will plunge this entire facility into mayhem and confusion. Which means......Flara?”

-Yes?- The Braixen asks.

“You must set things on fire. All the things.”



****TCAM****



Meanwhile Emerald had just finished breaking through pretty much every single cell, one by one, and dealing with each ones challenges got easier and easier as more types were added. They then broke out of the door and overwhelmed the guards outside the rooms, knocking them down with force alone. Emerald now stood as the leader of the escapees.

-Good work everyone! Now lets stay together! If we overwhelm all our opponents by attacking at once, they cannot defeat us. If we can force our way through the entire facility then somehow send out a signal of where we are, help will arrive, the Rangers know that Rockets in the Kalos region.- She sends detailing her plan.

Then its all shot to the sewers as alarms suddenly start blaring all throughout the Rocket Facility. Red lights flash and a computerized announcement plays over the speakers:

“Attention all personnel. A fire has started in the Team Rocket Kalos Branch Headquarters. All personnel with Water type Pokémon are to respond immediately. Personnel and Product Evacuation Procedures will now commence.”

The doors to their cells now all open at once. Of course, the Rockets were smart enough to know they needed a contingency to evacuate all their profit-giving Pokémon in case something like this happened but their fatal flaw of wanting to save money for that profit led them to putting no sprinklers in place to stop it early. After all they had water Pokémon for that, why be redundant?

“Who would be crazy enough to just starting the egg area on fire?” a Pokémon asks incredulously.

-...I have a distinct feeling that its my reckless trainer. Come on!- Emerald urges them and ran forward, with the rest of the Pokémon following closely behind.



****TCAM****



Flara flies through the Rocket Facility on fire-blasting feet for her life. She had her Light Screen shield up, her stick-like wand was blasting flamethrowers everywhere except at the imprisoned Pokémon, many Rockets were chasing after her as she burns more and more of the facility down around her. She needs to keep moving. Flara needs to keep dodging and blocking their attacks, needs to keep up the distraction, the chase, the mayhem of the entire building threatening to burn down. Flara knew that she would not be able to keep it up forever. Just long enough for it to work.

Meanwhile all the cages open at once, allowing the imprisoned breeding Pokémon to get out. Many of them walk out, uncertain and confused as to whats going like everyone else. Rocket Grunts throw out Raticates and Arboks while testily threatening:

“You get into line, or your going to have a lot of trouble, breed-mons.”

The bred Pokémon shirked back, uncertain. Ensara answers, knowing that they needed to be inspired.

“Pokémon! ALL OF YOU! You do not deserve to be owned by them! You do not deserve these cages for homes, for unlike a Pokéball you cannot exit from them of your own will! I say, stand and fight! Choose to fight for your freedom, for a better home whether it under the care of a trainer who will love you or the wilderness beyond! It matters not which, for to not make a choice, is to choosing to do nothing! Will choose to do nothing as your fellow Pokémon around fight for their freedom, or will fight along side them and WIN!?”

As she speaks a wave of Aura pulses out from her into the Pokémon around her, showing that she spoke from her heart and that her intentions were good. As they understand, a fire similar to Ensara's own appears in their eyes as they understand and connect with her determination. They understood not the letters but the meaning, the intent, the spirit of it was clear enough. They all charge forward attacking their captors like a blazing inferno of passion and inspiration. Pawniard charges forward as well, looking upon Ensara standing strong with fire in her eyes and was reminded of her mother standing strong as well to fight for freedom no matter what. The Rockets had no idea what was coming to them.



****TCAM****



Executive Napal stood up in his luxurious office as alarms were sounding. He frowned. First that botch of a battle, and now suddenly a fire breaking out in their current headquarters for the region? This day was getting out of hand. However he could guess what was causing this: a Trainer. It was always some little young trainer with more morality than sense. Always. If it were Rangers, he wouldn't have known until they came into his office, if it had been Elite Four or the Champion, they would not need to start something like this, they would just start destroying everything in their way and there would be no doubt as to what to do: Run. An unknown assailant using confusion tactics was probably a trainer who knew they couldn't take on all of Team Rocket- and therefore opted to tip the balance in their favor with asymmetric warfare. He begins advancing forward with a serious steel-like gaze. He would simply need to find this trainer and eliminate them- permanently.



****TCAM****



Meanwhile Emerald ran through the halls as her forces encountered resistance. At first all of them were running towards the flame, but now Rockets were attacking them as they went through Pokémon under their command coming to attack. As she dodged a Ratatta, she thought: Why come out all this way for me, Ensara?

Emerald then ran through a couple fights then ducked under a water gun. Are you really that dedicated? To protecting all that you care about?

Emerald uses Confusion to get past an Ekans then Disarming Voice upon the Ratatta coming back again. Are you brave? Or is all this just foolish of you?

She teleports path a wall of enemy Pokémon before the rest of her side breaks through and she proceeds to blast a Zubat with another confusion. Should I approve or disapprove?

She keeps on teleporting short distances at time, going one direction to make Pokémon leap upon her only to teleport across the hall and attack them from the other side, flashing in and out in a confusing dance. Either way, I should be the one protecting you! Not the other way around! Idiot!

Emerald continues charging forwards to Egg Production as she feels Ensara's determination flare.



****TCAM****



The battle in Egg Production wasn't going as planned for Ensara. Sure the initial surge of battle surprised the Rockets and pushed them back at first, but the freed Pokémon weren't making much progress as they didn't seem to have much battle experience. While Rockets began to filter in to provide gradual reinforcements, replacing every team of the Rockets Pokémon that fell with another, while the freed Pokémon themselves were getting tired. One could see already that they could the line for a while, but that they would lose by inches until the Rockets won by attrition.

“Excalibria.” Ensara commands. “Blast them all with Dragon Pulse. Everyone else, get out of the way.”

It was a bit of a risky move, but one of her attacks well placed could turn the tide.

Excalibria opened her mouth, charging up that blue ball of pure draconic force once again. Pokémon scurry from the destruction that is to come. The ball of power grows larger like an archer pulling back an arrow and sighting down their target. For a moment the world seems to hold its breath as everything dreads it in anticipation.

Then its unleashed, a blue-cyan roaring blast of power surging through the Rockets like a train through flowers and blowing a big gaping hole in the wall to the outside world, the dragon's blast revealing the blue sky and its white clouds and the greenery below to all the free Pokémon who had never seen these things until now, looking upon it in wonder. As the dust cleared, there was a huge gap of Rocket Grunts all taken out, with only a couple Granbulls still standing unharmed by the blast. Ensara raises her fist to the sky.

“See Pokémon!? This is what you are fighting for! This is the beautiful world that all deserve to be in! An open sky for all who are free to walk and fly! A world so much more vast than a mere cage, that it deserves to be explored! Walk freely across it, for no one deserves to keep you contained!” she shouts to them all. The heavens themselves tremble in fear of such power.

The Pokémon all cheer, their spirits rising once more as they feel that they can win this. They could see victory within their grasp, and wanted to grab onto it with all their might and never let go. It was proof that freedom was no pipe dream, no hopeless cause. It was a glimpse of limitless possibility that they could take apart of, if only they stepped forward into its light past those who tried to stop them. Then someone interrupts it all with slow clapping as he enters the room with a bunch of researchers and grunts carrying pokeballs behind him: Executive Napal.

“What an inspiring speech, young trainer.” he compliments her “Shame if someone were to crush it ruthlessly.”

He then sends out Cryogonal and commands: “Blizzard.”

Hope dies as the icy storm is unleashed upon them without fanfare or ceremony. The blizzard fills up the room with its frigid deadliness, all things freeze at the touch of its chilling claws. Grass types and Dragon types are the first to fall, Flying and Ground types follow soon after, Normal types freeze into unconsciousness from its sheer power. The relentless cold fury of this blizzard makes Ensara shiver to her core as she sees her forces shrink in seconds, as Excalibria is taken out of the fight, as all the windows shatter from the sheer force of these winds, and some Pokémon becoming outright frozen into blocks of ice in shocked expressions. It all her willpower to remain standing up and determined from the monstrous assault of this unforgiving storm. By the time it was over, snow covered the floor and ground and half the Pokémon she freed were knocked out from that one attack. The ones that remained were incredibly battered and beaten from it as well on top of the wounds of the battle they had already fought in. Executive Napal stood there, his face mostly stoic but with traces of annoyance, as if he experienced this before and this interruption was like a particularly annoying fly that he could just never truly swat away.

“Young trainer, now that I have demonstrated my abilities: will you be like all the rest of the deluded fools who think themselves heroic for all the usual moral reasons of Pokémon not being objects to your point of view, or will you be reasonable and give up for once?” He asks, knowing that this has happened all before.

“Sorry, I'm no exception to the moral thing. Not going to waste your time if you already know the speeches. However I will ask you a question, because I don't get this part: Why do you kidnap Pokémon from other people?”

Napal blinks, this was unexpected. “Elaborate.”

“I mean, why do you take Pokémon from people? Pokémon are all around in nature free for the catching with actual pokeballs. More than we will ever be able to catch. For every one Pokémon you kidnap from a trainer there is probably a bunch more free for the taking in the wilderness. Sure you'd still be criminals for the stuff you do with them, but your kidnappings would be harder to detect and trainers would be less inclined to go after you. Why do you do it?” Ensara asks, the question bugging her for a long time.

“That? Heh. Aside from the practical reason of getting a Pokémon that is already trained that we can break them for our purposes rather than needing to actually train and raise Pokémon like with breeding?



We do it, not because of what we gain from it, but because of what you lose from it. Most trainers aren't as heroic as you. They don't react with anger to their Pokémon getting stolen, they become afraid. They fear for their Pokémon's life and become hesitant to risk any more of their Pokémon to us. By taking them they know we have made them our hostages that they dare not try to get back unless they can pay the price for it in poke-dollars. By taking Pokémon from others we exploit their friendships, their bonds to Pokémon to our advantage, controlling the world through fear of what might happen to their valued Pokémon if they try to mess with us. All the while breaking the Pokémon in our captivity into our useful tool so that we profit from it once its clear that they are not coming for their Pokémon. After all, if all trainers truly cared for their Pokémon, they would all do the same thing as you. Its psychological warfare, young trainer and its why we win. Because we are willing to manipulate the emotions that you hold so dear. Emotions are after all, just another variable to put in the proper place.” Executive Napal smiles while spreading his arms wide.

“You allowed this to be personal, young trainer and that is why you will lose. Its just business, and you probably came running because one of your own was taken after all. And knocked out two Researchers and a Grunt while doing it, judging from whom we found in cupboards and the fact that one of the Grunts never reported in. Those three are fired. Congratulations young trainer, your the foolish exception!”

At this, Ensara clenches her fists and shouts back, imagining Emerald's eventual fate of being a dispirited Gardevoir pleasuring others for the profit of the Rockets.

“I won't let you do this! Your all heartless monsters! Nor will you ever hear whom they are from me.”

Executive Napal shrugs. “It matters not. All of them will be broken. All of them will obey. All of them will make us money, in one fashion or another. Which one is yours, is of no consequence. Just like you.”

“Over my dead body!” Ensara shouts back, fiery and immovable.

“Thats the plan.” Executive Napal says “kill her, Ice Beam.”

A killer beam of frigid energy lances towards Ensara instantly, cutting a straight line across space towards her heart, before she can react Flara suddenly rockets in front of it and blocks it with her Light Screen round shield, the Pokémon vibrating as she takes the hit, frost gathering on the edges of her skin before she lands with Masala and Fortuna standing ready beside her.

-You'll have to go through us first.- Flara claims.

The three Pokémon then rush at Cryogonal while the battle resumes around the duel. Fortuna leaps first but is also taken out first by a blast of Freeze-Dry, the little kitty Pokémon flopping to the ground and getting returned to her ball. Masala leaps second but is blasted away into the wall by an Ice Beam, enduring through it while Flara rushes forward and slashes at the floating snowflake with her fiery blade, the Pokémon evading all of them with ease, and then thwacking her away with the flat of its body. Flara skids to a halt and Masala jumps back in, covered in frost and icicles but still standing.

-Flara, lets pincer it!- Masala said

-Got it!- Flara replied.

Flara then fires a focused jet of flame at Cryogonal while Masala combine Quick attack and Force Palm to quickly attack from the side, but the snowflake Pokémon turns near two dimensional body side ways to avoid the first then spins like a saw blade to suddenly zoom forward and Slash Masala in the chest with a single savage swipe, Ensara feeling some diagonal pain lance across her chest as well, wincing as Masala falls unconscious and she has to return her as well, looking less hopeful as only Flara remains to fight against a Cryogonal clearly far more powerful than her. Flara remains determined and keeps up the fight, dancing in between ice attack after ice attack and slashing back it with her fiery blade but getting nowhere until

“I said, kill the trainer. Aim at her.” Napal instructs and Cryogonal obeys, firing another icy lancing beam and Flara jumping in the way with her shield again to block, this time the light screen shattering into pieces under the force and more frost develops upon her body. In response, Flara grips her stick with all her fury and with a roar, fires a single power Flamethrower at Cryogonal trying to use all her power to take it down, summoning up all the will and energy she can into this one attack, a raging white hot jet of flaming death coming towards it, only for it to respond with another Ice Beam just as powerful, the two attack meeting half way and staying there, struggling against one another, for a moment holding as Flara tries to summon up even more power to overwhelm the Cryogonal.

But it was useless, in only a few seconds, the Ice Beam overwhelms the flames and Flara is hit dead on, frost covering her body as she falls into unconsciousness.

“No....” Ensara says her eyes wide, knowing that she had bitten off more than she could chew. She falls to her knees as the Cryogonal takes aim, feels Flara's fur, wanting some comfort before the beam would hit her. It all seemed hopeless. She had been too reckless, reached too far and now she was going to pay for it. The worst part of it was, she didn't even find Emerald in all this. She has failed. The Cryogonal begins to charge it up.



****TCAM****



Meanwhile, Pawniard had just cut a path through the Rockets Pokémon and had a clear path to freedom. She could see the blue sky, the green trees. Endless possibility waiting for her. All that she had fought to gain for so long. All she had to do was step outside and go and no longer would she have to worry about being caged ever again. She looks back to see if Ensara and the rest of the Pokémon coming and stopped cold. Flara had just fallen. Ensara who had seem so determined and full courage was now on her knees, wide eyed and despairing, waiting for the end. Time seemed to slow down as Pawniard looked back and forth between the open sky and the despairing Ensara. Pawniard didn't have to save her. She wasn't her trainer. Ensara gave her a choice to do what she wanted, and she wanted to be free. Should she not go and be free? Pawniard wondered.



But then again: What was the use of freedom, if you didn't make the right choice with it? So Pawniard leaped in front of the coming Ice Beam, knowing that she was giving up her chance to walk away from all this free and unharmed.



****TCAM****



Ensara is surprised as Pawniard suddenly leaped in front of her and took the attack instead, being slammed to the side and crashing to the ground, struggling to get with ice slowing her joints.

“Paaawwn.....iard....” she growled back.

“Oh, Pawniard...why did you do that? Now you'll be recaptured.” Ensara said sadly.

“Pawniard.” she said resolutely and pointed at Ensara.

“To protect me? Not you too....” Ensara said sighing, knowing that Pawniard only delayed the inevitable a few moments more. Executive Napal points at her in annoyance and Cryogonal begins charging its ice beam again.



Emerald runs and teleports her way through the battle. She felt that Ensara was losing hope. She uses all her willpower to try and pin point her trainer through the empathic link as she rushes towards her. She couldn't fail her trainer. She had to protect Ensara. That was her duty as a Pokémon! Ensara who had inspired her, who had promised that she wouldn't sacrifice them for her greater goal or mistreat them. Ensara who came all this way just to save her.

-You reckless, stupid trainer! I was fine! You could come with other people! You could've brought reinforcements to do this safely! You could've had a better plan all this!- Emerald mentally shouted as she ran as fast as her little legs could carry her.

-But no! You just had to do all this just for me! WHY!? When I should be the one doing all this for you! I'm the one who can take the hits, not you!- She ranted to herself.

She continues on a straight line, teleporting past Arboks, clashing Raticates, Weezings and Golbats. The battle was chaos as fire, lightning and water blasts flew over head.

-You stupid stupid trainer! But...you wouldn't be you if you didn't. Your a reckless fire.-

She blasted a Gulpin back with Psychic and double teamed herself away from a Mightyena.

-I know, you probably get people burned by blazing so brightly and shining for the right thing so much. I'm probably foolish for continuing to stick with you!-

She keeps teleporting and running until she sees Ensara in her sight, the fallen Pokémon and the Cryogonal charging up one final Ice Beam.

-But I'll continue doing so- because I'm you friend! If I am not loyal to the people I value, the people I care about, what is loyalty good for!?-

The Cryogonal fires and Emerald teleports in the way of the beam, putting up a Light Screen, the full force of the glacial force hitting the barrier as she struggles to keep it together, to shield her trainer, the beam coming at her like a charging bull threatening to break the barrier and render all this useless, on the verge of breaking through. Ensara looks up surprised and sees the Ralts.

“Emerald...?”

-And to remain true to that, I will protect you! I will protect you with all my strength! All my mind! All my HEART! Protect! Protect! PROTEEEEEEEEEEEECT!-

With a unearthly cry from Emerald, there is a surge of Psychic energy and suddenly the Light Screen becomes a Protect shield, Emeralds forms shines brighter than anything in the world, all the Pokémon around stopping to stare as her form lengthens and grows, her stubby little body becoming more like a dancer, a skirt growing at her midsection to ring her waist, her hair lengthening in some places yet growing more styled to show off her red in other places, her red fins rotating to look like two ears on top of her head.

As the light and smoke clears, Emerald comes out of the attack completely unscathed, lands on the ground gracefully then doing a cute twirl with a smile, having evolved into a Kirlia from the desire to protect Ensara. The heavens themselves tremble in fear of such power.



Executive Napal blinks at this, bewildered.

“That....just happened. I have to hand it to you, young trainer. You are quite lucky. Two Pokémon jumping in to save you out of nowhere in a row is quite miraculous. But it ends here. The next attack will be a Blizzard. Neither of you will be safe.”

Emerald sends in reply. -I beg to differ. Ensara, return Flara now.-

“Ok...” She returns Flara and grabs Pawniard by the arm as Emerald grabs a hold of Ensara and teleports them all out of the path of the conical blizzard blast, reappearing on the outside of the hole.

Ensara suddenly stands up, looking around.

“You can teleport us now!?” she exclaims.

-The benefits of evolving, my reckless trainer! But we got to run, even I cannot defeat that Cryogonal!-

Emerald sends back. She and Ensara begin running with Pawniard in tow.

“You won't escape so easily.” Executive Napal says “Grunts, surround them.”

Various grunts and their Pokémon begin running to cut her off from multiple directions while Napal and his Cryogonal advanced upon her, even the remaining freed Pokémon and the reinforcements of Emeralds not being enough to break through the Grunts and their numbers.

“This is just getting annoying.” Napal complained. “What are you even trying to delay for anymore? Its clear that your so out of your depth you cannot beat me or all these grunts. Just give up. You lost.”

Emerald and Ensara pant heavily knowing that they were surrounded, two rookies lucky to have made it this far and not much else. They look each other feeling the same burning determination, and fix Napal with a fiery gaze in double, daring him to try and get rid of them. They were together and that was all that mattered. But before they could answer, to everyone's surprise a blur suddenly speeds down out of the sky and lands in a cloud of dust in front of them.



As the dust clears, Napal calls out in self-contained anger. “And just who are you?”

“I am called many things, by many people.” A cool calm voice answers. “To Poke-Magazine I'm Monochromatic Fashion Disaster because I dress entirely in black. To lovers of music I'm one of the greatest Poke Flute Players in the world. To my fellow Ace Trainers I am Slowpoke. To my fan girls, I am Its Heeeeeeeem. To trainers I face who don't know what they are doing I am Lazy Troll. To Gym Leaders I am Oh No Its Him. The common people know me by the name of Weird and Champions know me by the name of Eccentric. I don't know what my Pokémon call me, but I know these two lovely ladies here call me Annoying.”

He dismounts from his Braviary standing in a cool pose while the breeze suddenly blows to make his coat flap.

“They can call me Nick In Time for today, cause that is when I got here. My parents would probably call me a Good For Nothing Trainer. To a certain girl, I'm nothing but a Hopeless Fool. Most people know me as Unova League Finalist Shade Wagers. But you scum-”

Shade glares at them behind his sunglasses.

“-can call me Worst Nightmare. Cause that is all I'll ever be to you.”

Many grunts eyes widen at the mention of his name, a Finalist was near Elite Four levels of strength. They didn't want to tangle with that at any amount of numbers. Guys like him took out armies.

“Retreat now, leave the eggs and the Pokémon, and no one has to see me show off.” Shade finishes simply and plainly.

“No.” Executive Napal said, having none of this. “I am not afraid of the Finalist who lost to Shine Destine. Does that hurt you, Shade Wagers? How does it feel to-”

Shade ignores the rest of Napal's spiel. He pressed the Shine Destine button. He should not have done that. Shade sends out his Samurott, the blue samurai-otter materializing with a fierce glare at its foes.

“Go Tidalon.” he says curtly. “Use Surf.”

Tidalon nods and suddenly a miniature tidal wave materializes from under him and surges forward with the rushing boundless fury of an ocean god, sweeping all the Rocket grunts and their Pokémon away like flotsam caught in a flood as it crashes into and through the facility under Tidalon's direction, evading the freed Pokémon but crashing straight through Team Rocket itself by directing the oncoming waters flow with his will. Rockets run from its wrath to whatever would allow to get off the island. Every single one of them was panicking at this powerful singular attack flooding through their entire facility. Executive Napal manages to catch a ride on Cryogonal, using it as floating platform to stand to get to his helicopter, deciding that now was probably a little past the time to retreat, regroup and try again somewhere else in the Kalos region. This wasn't anything that they couldn't bounce back from- heroic trainers doing things like this was expected at this point, so they had contingencies in place.



Shade turns to Ensara while Lily dismounts saying.

“By Arceus! Your alive!” Lily wraps Ensara in a hug. “I thought the Rockets would've killed you!”

“Well they nearly did....so good thing you got here in time, yes?” Ensara says returning the hug.

“Good thing indeed! And Emerald evolved to! Cool.” Lily said while ruffling Emerald's hair.

“Yep, I'm glad your alive to.” Shade says stoically. “I'll save the lecture for when we're off this island. Wheres your clothes?”

“I left them next to a Rocket Grunt I knocked out in the woods. I couldn't take them or Dex with me because they would look out of place and thus suspicious.” Ensara explains.

“Go back and get them then. I have clean up to do, and people to call.” Shade replies, turning back to looking at the devastation he was wreaking upon the Team Rocket Base. Lily decides to go with her.



First things first, they decide to stop at a clearing so that Lily can get out her medicine supplies and treat Pawniard. The Pawniard is too tired to protest as the healing sprays are absorbed through her metallic skin, and soon she gets up, fine once again. Ensara kneels down, saying while Lily begins to treat her other Pokémon.

“You could've abandoned me and gained the freedom you want a few minutes ago, yet you chose to stay and protect me. Thanks, Pawniard. If you hadn't done that, Emerald nor Shade would've arrived in time to save us. Once we get to the mainland, you can go anywhere you want. Your free.”

Pawniard shakes her head, points at Ensara then salutes, Ensara reading through Aura that she intends to follow her.

“...Ah. So you want to be apart of my team?”

Pawniard nods.

“Ok then! Good choice. Glad to have you. But first, a name for you. I nickname all my Pokémon. How about...Stabette?”

She considers the name, rolling it around in her mind and decides that she likes it and nods again.

“Good Stabette! Welcome to the team.” She then throws a Quick Ball and Stabette is sucked in inside. It falls to the ground, and Ensara waits in case Stabette decides its just anther prison or something as it wobbles once.



Twice.



Thrice.



Then......click! Ensara picks up the Quick Ball and puts it in her belt then turns to Emerald.

“As for you Emerald. I came out all this way to save you from Team Rocket, yet it seems you had already broken out and came to save me! And in the process you evolved into a Kirlia! I'm impressed. You've exceeded my expectations and well....I like that you could take care of yourself, Emerald. Thank you, for saving me.”

-Your welcome!- Emerald says cheerily, then jumps and slaps Ensara upside the head. -What were you thinking!? You stupid foolish trainer! You charged out here without waiting for help! You had me worried sick! I'm the protector here, not you!-

Emerald then wraps Ensaras legs in a hug, afraid to lose Ensara again clinging tightly to her while tears run down her face.

-Please......please don't do that again, Ensara. Your not alone in this. There is Shade and Lily here as well, and while you can do much yourself, we can do so much more, together. If you be reckless like again, I swear I'll come and pull you out of danger myself!-

Ensara looks down at Emerald surprised, then her face softens and she kneels down to return the hug.

“Your right. That was reckless of me. But make no mistake, I'll come to save you no matter where anyone takes you. Next time, I'll be stronger. We will be better trained! Just you watch!”

She promises with resolution.

-Yes. We will.- Emerald nods back. Both of them feeling relieved, happy and resolute in their determination.

As they break from the hug, and go to get Ensara's clothes, Emerald has an errant thought: why did she wish that the hug had lasted longer?



Finally they get back into the woods to find the Rocket Grunt she had knocked out carrying her backpack with clothes and other supplies while carrying her own pokeballs, the green haired girl frowning while still in her underwear.

“Hey!” she calls out. “You must be the chick that knocked me out and took my clothes! Prepare yourself, for you face- Rocket Grunt Alexis!”

“Uh yeah, I came back to get my clothes back and ditch the rocket ones. Also, while Napal was trying to kill me he said you were fired.” Ensara explains

Alexis halts as she raises her first Pokéball. “Wait what?”

“Yeah, he fired all three of the guys that got knocked out by me. Just like that. Also your entire Headquarters is getting destroyed by Shade Wagers. So.....don't bother going back.” the red head continues on in calm tone.

“...WHAT!?” Alexis shouts in dismay. Not only was she knocked out, but was too late to do anything about it and was fired from Team Rocket! This was the worst day of her life! Then a thought occurred to her.

“....Wait. Redhead-” Alexis begins

“Ensara.” she corrects.

“-Ensara...did...did you do anything to me while I was unconscious?”

The redheaded trainer is realizes what she is talking and waves her hands in shock.

“What? No! Arceus No! I may be interested in girls, but I don't do....THAT. No...”

Alexis sighs in relief. “Oh good, I was worried that...wait.” the former grunt fixes Ensara with a stare

“What am I, not good enough for you!? Another girl who isn't interested in me? Figures my luck, a girl who is actually interested in other girls knocks me out and its not even to have her way with me.” Alexis complains.

Ensara blinks “You...I.....look, first its wrong to take advantage of people like that, second even if we were consensual about it, your a criminal! It would never work out!”

“Oh yeah!?” Alexis shouts. “Is it because of your girlfriend here?”

Lily protests “Hey! I'm her childhood friend! Not her girlfriend! Don't mix those up!”

“Really? So your available then!” Alexis walks forward, devious interest in her eyes as she makes her movement languid and seductive.

“Again. You are a criminal, I'm not.” Ensara repeats nervously. “Would never work out.”

“Well see about that! Getting anything is about determination, whether it be in love or in battle, and your the first chance I've had in a long time, no matter how it'll be. By the way, my Rocket uniform suits you, don't you think beautiful?” Alexis says getting in close with a predatory smile. Ensara pointedly steps back with a blush.

“Ok, coming on strong there tiger.” Ensara says while holding up her hands. “Can we just....exchange clothes? Just go over that way and you'll see a Rocket motor boat that I came here on. I don't need it anymore since Shade has a ride for us. We go our separate ways, and you can go off doing whatever you want, equal exchange, no need for any nonsense.”

“....Fine. Thats fair.” Alexis replies. “But I'll be back, Ensara! For you.”

“....Whatever.”

They quickly and awkwardly exchange clothing and Alexis walks off towards the coast to find the motor boat while Ensara gets back into her own clothing again. She had missed her green wide-brimmed hat.

“That was the weirdest most confusing conversation I've ever had.” Ensara says as she is finish putting on her shoes.

“You bet. Lets get back to Shade.”

Soon they and Shade all meet up again and they fly off back to the Mainland of Kalos.



Footsteps fall. Robb the Pokémon Mercenary has arrived in Coumarine City. He got her faster by riding on his Steelix. He had heard that Coumarine had just gotten into a big battle between Teams and there was always lucrative work in bringing Team grunts and member as they had bounties on their heads. He walked towards the Rangers and Kelly spots him.

“Hey! Who are you?” She asks.

He will get the job done sooner or later. It was inevitable.

 

Episode 14: Robb and Kelly



Ensara, Lily and Shade were on the road again to Shalour City being the next Gym. They had decided to stop to camp with Shade staring down at her sternly.

“Ensara Aquana. That last name couldn't be any more unfitting given your behavior. So...let me get this straight: Your Pokémon got kidnapped, so you decided to punch a Rocket Grunt, take his motor boat, sail all the way to the Rockets Kalos HQ, knock out another Grunt and take their uniform, go in, snoop around, knock out a researcher, take his lab coat, go up to the surveillance room, and knock out a third Rocket after tricking another to get out, then when you got to Egg Production, abandon all sense and just release all the Pokémon you can to try and cause a riot against the Rockets as much as you can- at what point did you think ANY of this was a good idea?” He asks with concern.

“Do you know how many things could've gone wrong? Just from what you've recounted at the very beginning your infiltration- you should not have succeeded. I mean, a machine with visual ID in upon punching in the right code, and the Grunt didn't notice your appearance being any different from it? Despite what some think, people even criminals are not that stupid. Then there is the fact that your lucky that the first researcher you met was socially adept as a bag of rocks. If he had been better at reading your behavior he would've noticed something was up! Or how about the fact that the two researchers on lookout were so bored that you could worm your way in so easily?



Or the fact that if Team Rocket was less thrifty on the fire alarm system, sprinklers would just put an end to your little fire ploy immediately and that going loud and reckless at all was stupid to begin with- if you hadn't met Stabette or if Emerald arrived just a little later or didn't think to break out at all, you would be dead now. Frozen like an icicle. Emerald was lucky that no one heard her escape attempt. There are so many things that could've gone wrong with your little impromptu rescue mission, and you did all of it without considering any of the consequences of your actions or truly planning any of it out. What were you even trying to accomplish with starting a Pokémon riot? Get killed faster?” Shade criticizes her soundly, impressing upon her the lack of sanity in her actions.

“So?” Ensara asks “I succeeded, didn't I?”

“Succeeded? Yeah. If you call suddenly abandoning all stealth for the sake of stupid chaos that only accomplished driving you closer to death and on the brink of failing completely until I came in and cleaned up your mess, a success. One that you only survived to that point because of luck. Face it your entire operation was a disaster that you narrowly avoided losing everything on. And none of this still explains why you got past the door!”

“Why are you complaining about that! Whatever happened there SAVED me from being caught right?” Ensara said back.

“Because Ensara, things like that just don't randomly happen. There is cause and effect, and something caused you to get past that door, and I'm going to find out what, as any detail could be important. All things in this world are connected and to ignore something strange like that happening is to be a fool.”

-I can answer that- A familiar telepathic voice trilled down at them.

They looked up to see Mew grinning like a troll. “Oh really?” Shade says, unphased by her appearance in the slightest.

-Oh. Simple. My power activated to make sure her appearance changed so that she would be protected from discovery. It is after all my job as a legendary to make sure this world kept safe and harmonious, so why would I neglect any one of my many children, human or Pokémon upon this world?- Mew told them, putting the truth as technically accurate as possible.

“Yet you are doing all this as apart of some inexplicable plan beyond we mere mortals ken, that put me at risk in the first place” Ensara accused.

-Hey! Yes I did that. But I still made sure you were safe with but the slightest and subtlest of touches. I'm a jerk, Ensara. Not evil.-

She then teleports away with a haunting giggle. Shade looks back to Ensara.

“See? You literally needed small divine intervention to get through that door! We're training some more, and your learning how to take on Teams from now on. You need to think critically about these things and decide what the best plan is for success. If you had simply called me and let us know, I would've come to help you without needing to be the cavalry. There are so many ways this could've gone worse that didn't only because of factors outside your control, and so many things that could've gone better if you made different decisions. Tomorrow, we begin ramping up your training.”

He then walks away for his own training for the day, Ensara frowning while Masala looks up at her and sends with a smile.

-Hey. I know you could've done better, but I just want to tell you: I think you did well. At least in my eyes. The fact that you were willing to go forth to save a friend, fight evil and rescue all that they try to control, thus putting your life on the line for many Pokémon you don't even know, that you were determined to do all you can to do the right thing- that is a success in my book. For to me, it matters more that you try, that you make the attempt to be moral than not trying at all. You could've waited, you could've gone and easily got another Ralts as a replacement. You could have just decided to wallow in pity and failure rather than taking action. But you didn't. You tried your best, and that is a hero in my eyes.-

“.....Thanks Masala.” Ensara smiles at his encouragement.

-Any time. That and if you didn't, Emerald wouldn't have evolved and we wouldn't have Stabette on our team. Thats got to count for something right?- Masala points out

“Right, we got stronger from the experience, at least. We got....Flara, you, Emerald, Fortuna, Excalibria and Stabette. That makes six Pokémon total. Finally a full team. However that doesn't mean I'm only catching you guys. There are a lot more Pokémon I intend to catch and make friends with, and once we do, I'll have to start rotating Pokémon around to train you all properly. I've heard most serious trainers catch upwards of about twenty to thirty Pokémon after all.” Ensara said thinking

“Hey Masala, what was with my Aura abilities back there? There was a pulse of it radiating out from me as I encouraged the Pokémon.” she asked curiously.

-Well yes. Aura is a mysterious phenomenon, and my mom told me that not even Lucario's fully understand it. However I've been told legends of Aura Users called Channelers or Empaths, who instead using Aura to enhance their own body use it to connect to Pokémon more than most and thus empower them with their own passion and determination. It might be why your Aura is pure Fire, for are like a roaring bonfire of inspiration, warming others hearts and lightning the way of truth with your soul-

“Huh.” Ensara “That sounds awesome. I might be like super-cheerleader or something?”

-Yes. But beware: legends also tell that this only works well if the person is good of heart. An Empath without good intentions, who wishes to abuse others for their gain and whatnot, their fire burns everything in their path, destructive and out of control, leaving nothing but ashes of what was once good and whole, burnt out husks that only do as they command, every person around them being only fuel for their all consuming flame. For the power of Fire is never truly inherently good or evil.-

“Ah.” Ensara says “Thats concerning.”

-All power is. No tool is destined to be a tool of protection or a tool of destruction. Only the wielder can determine what purpose it serves. And I'm only stating that its possible your an Empath. I don't know for sure if its true.- Masala states.

“Like say....the pokeballs?”

-Yes. With your pokeballs you determine our fate. Your choices, your commands affect us. Just as it is our responsibility to protect you, it your responsibility to make sure to keep yourself in line so as to command us wisely, like any leader. This is true no matter how many Pokémon you have or how many followers trail behind you in your wake.- Masala says back with a nod.

“I don't feel very responsible considering what I've done...” Ensara says, unsure.

-Well, perhaps you weren't responsible in the execution of things. But you were responsible in your intent! You intended to do good, you intended to save Emerald, and you did in a way. That is good, for it all starts with intent. Of course they say the road to Distortion World is paved with those, but only if you don't keep yourself vigilant! Worry not, I am here and I will be watchful to make sure you do not stray, for I am your friend and will always be by your side.- the little Riolu promises with slapping a paw to her chest.

Ensara smiles “I'm confident you'll do well, little paladin.”

-Little Paladin?- Masala asks

“Yeah, your like a crusader for good, a holy knight.”

-Thank you. I appreciate the thought!- Masala sends with thankful intentions.

“By the way. You said were not with some ancient kingdom and disagree with them, why?”

-My mother told me of them. She rejected their tradition that a Riolu be only given to trainers who are pure of heart. For it was her belief that none are truly pure of heart in this world and that we should not judge others by that. That goodness is more than pureness of heart, for many struggle with the darkness within and remain good despite that. For after all, what is the point of goodness if we do not have the choice to not be?-

“That seems very profound and a little over my head. But no matter, I appreciate the confidence you have in me, Masala. Come on. Lets go train more.”



****TCAM****



Meanwhile in Coumarine town, Kelly and Robb have met.

“Hey” she says “Who are you?” Kelly asks

“The names Robb, the Pokémon Mercenary.” he drawls in inevitability.

“Ah, a mercenary! Good, I'm Ranger Kelly would you happen to be interested in helping me apprehend a criminal trying to catch a legendary Pokémon for a reasonable price?” Kelly asks

“...I already have a job trying to find a trainer who took a Skitty from my employer by the name of Ensara.”

“Ah! You have information on another crime she has committed then?” Kelly asks, grinning from ear to ear. Robb groaned and handed her Rochelle's number, who she called. The two girls seem to have a talk over the phone over Ensara, Robb didn't really care. All he cared about was getting paid.

“Oh yes it so dreadfully awful, Ranger!” Rochelle said “She stole my Skitty from me! The poor thing that is supposed to be mine!” Robb wasn't sure if she was lying through her teeth or truly believed that Ensara took her Skitty by now.

“Fear not citizen, now that I know that Ensara has committed this crime along with the mercenary you hired to right this wrong! We will add stealing your Skitty to her bounty!” Kelly promised, buying the rich girl's story completely.

“Thank you Ranger Kelly! I know my Skitty will be in good hands.”

Kelly then hangs up and she turns to Robb. “Looks like we have the same goal, Robb. Ensara is after Mew. We cannot let Ensara catch her! She is surely important to the balance of nature and the world!.....Somehow.”

Robb shrugged. Whatever got him his money. A higher bounty just meant more poke dollars come pay day.

“Very well, where has she gone then?” he asks

“Ranger aerial scouts reported her being transported by a Braviary to the route heading from Coumarine to Shalour City. We have to come up with a plan though. She has ally in a Gold Lister named Shade Wagers of Unova.” Kelly informs back.

“I see. Very well, lets go, we will discuss the plan as we pursue them.” Robb begins his walk southwest, coming closer and closer to getting the job done. Even though Kelly runs up to catch him, he is unhurried. He always gets the job done. Sooner or later.



****TCAM****



As they traveled to Shalour City through the seaside ranches and farmlands of Kalos, weeks pass. In the wake of Emerald's kidnapping everyone stepped up their training. Ensara was progressing more and more in using Aura to speak to Pokémon, until she could understand nearly everything they said, wish to better master her abilities to grow closer to her Pokémon. Lily seemed to progressing along quite well to, and Ensara saw Lily doing her own training between her Pokémon, seeming hard at work at evolving her Combee in particular.



Flara was trying to better master her psychic abilities, such as making her Light Screen become full plate armor all over her body as well as working on Psybeam and even Psyshock and Psychic with Verdigris on the last one. As well training to use Fire Spin and Ensara thought she saw Flara using it as a whip and other times a drill.



Fortuna was learning how to Attract, as well as Feint Attack and Assist, thanks to Shade's TM videos played on Dex she was also learning moves like: Toxic, Thunder Wave, Ice Beam, Dream Eater, Swagger, until she would become an ultimate master of inflicting constraints upon the opponent then beating them while they were down, proving to out-trick and out-maneuver the opponent with many of the trainers they fought along the way to Shalour, but lacking in power. Interestingly enough, her attract seemed to work on both female and male Pokémon at the same time, but no one knows how that worked. Ensara was not surprised as to find how happy Fortuna was when she began talking to her, and found that as a friend she could just casually chat with her about anything.



Masala seemed to be hitting a dead end in her training. While she knew Force Palm and Brick Break thanks to Verdigris, as well Quick Attack and Endure, it seemed she would not be able to naturally learn any better moves until she evolved. Which was a puzzle to Ensara: according to all available records Riolu evolved when their bond with their trainer was at their greatest. Masala seemed to be happy with her, so what was missing? Nevertheless, Ensara set Masala to learn Shadow Claw and Poison Jab through TM videos to round her out against Ghost and Fairy types, which proved useful in a few battles at least as unexpected tools to have in their arsenal



Emerald on the other hand, moves and potential seemed to suddenly open up and blossom out of nowhere. Emerald quickly got Magical Leaf down, was learning Psychic at a good pace, and was learning Draining Kiss and Heal Pulse as well. Emerald seemed to now dance through her battles, her Double Team and Teleportation combination becoming more and more skilled, able to dance around evade an attack teleport behind the enemy for a quick peck on the cheek to drain their energy to restore her own then dance away just as fast, throwing her leaves like shuriken to always hit their mark, practically becoming a little dancing ninja on the battlefield, which was only enhanced by her ability to use Protect.



Stabette, being the new Pokémon of the group was only beginning her training. Nevertheless she already knew Fury Cutter and Feint Attack, and Ensara got her working on Metal Claw and Slash, as throwing in Aerial Ace- Stabette would need a good way to counter Fighting types after all. Stabette's fighting style seemed primarily offensive with speed, but she didn't lack in resiliency, especially with her ability to shrug off almost anything and completely ignore Poison and Psychic entirely, and thus she became the default punching bag to the rest of her Pokémon aside from Masala, who would beat her Stabette in a single hit every time they fought. Which was to be expected- the Pawniard line was notoriously weak to Fighting types due to a combination of Dark type mindset of fighting dirty being easily defeated by a disciplined fighter who knew what they were doing and Steel being weak because a Fighting type knew the exact points to hit in metal to shatter them. Thus they were practically walking targets to any Fighting type. However while she was resistant, Stabette was not a shield, only a very durable sword. She would not be able to play truly defensive. Stabette herself proved to be a prickly companion, clearly a friend but not all that warm or soft, taking to calling Ensara “General” and saluting whenever she showed up. Nevertheless she has proven to be a good offensive asset.



Excalibria was powerful, but impractical as always. Her Dragon Pulse was only up to two uses before she would collapse from exhaustion. Instead, she was taught how to better use Dragon Breath, as well as focusing on Headbutt and learning Crunch over Bite and Flamethrower for dealing with Ice types. Despite her strength, she seemed to be the one growing the slowest in both biology and training. However she loved to battle and was the most eager to prove her strength in combat, and was a good brute force Pokémon to use when nothing else would work.



Shade when not doing his training in secret seemed to train in the open with Incinereta, his Larvesta. She seemed a nervous newbie type of Pokémon, still not very confident, one that Shade was working on. All Incinereta seemed to do was Take Down, String Shot and Ember. Shade insisted upon using only her in very battle with a normal trainer he fought, often taking down multiple Pokémon with only Incinereta, but automatically declining any battle against someone using a Water or Rock type and making Ensara fight them instead. In their training he taught Ensara to shorten her commands to her Pokémon, to obscure the information, or other trainers will too easily counter it.

“Use acronyms, code phrases, anything to obscure your real plan.” he says “Or the enemy will destroy it on first contact.”

He also taught her to combine her techniques more. He judged Flara, Fortuna to and Emerald to be doing relatively fine. It was Masala and Stabette that concerned him. He modified Masala's training to start incorporating Quick Attack into everything, it strains at Masala's skills but it dramatically increased the speed and power of all her attacks. For Stabette he has her start learning Power-Up Punch, Hone Claws, Taunt and Sandstorm. Explaining it as essentially beginning to turn her into a combatant that is constantly getting stronger while goading her opponents into making stupid moves while changing the environment to benefit her. Though while Stabette seemed to have little trouble with most of them, she had trouble getting Sandstorm down, given that it was essentially changing the very weather of the battlefield and required manipulating energy on a bigger scale than she was used to.

Finally for Excalibria he honestly didn't do anything. He explained it as Dragon types often being powerful enough to not need fancy tricks like that, and that Excalibria would grow in time.

Finally Shade wanted to teach Ensara's Pokémon some universal moves.

“I want you all to learn Protect. You never know when you might need a one time save. Double Team is also good for everyone as it helps you dodge everything coming your way, and finally Return. This move gets stronger as your bond with your trainer increases, and some of you have a strong bond with her already. Given how passionate Ensara is and how she wants to deepen her bond through Aura, I think it only logical that you harness the power of your bonds in the most efficient manner possible. You never know when a practical Normal type move could come in handy, and who knows? Maybe you'll find a way to combine it with other moves.”

Such was how things went with their training until one day a certain Pokémon appeared.



As they were walking through the open grasslands, Shade reading a Pokémon book as always, Masala riding upon Ensara's shoulder, they hear a stomping rush coming towards them.

“What is that?” Ensara asks

Out of the grass leaps a Miltank, and thanks to her training, Ensara was able to understand her, the Pokémon calling out in a sing-song voice:

-Why hello! We meet again, red-headed child! You are doing well, yes?-

“Oh no.” Ensara says “Not you again.”

'Hm?” Lily looks at Ensara “This Miltank reminding you of the time you got kidnapped by one?”

“Worse. Judging by how shes greeting me, its the same one.”

-Yes, I do remember you! You were so cute! And you looked so lost and lonely, I just had to take you in and help you! But you were so stubborn and kept calling for your mother!-

“...Why did you think I was lost? I was on field trip here! My mother was a chaperon! Given, she went do something else for some reason but still...” Ensara replied

-....I don't remember actually! Strangest thing, don't remember too much else about it either.- Miltank said, putting a hoof on her chin in thought.

“...You don't remember?” Lily asks with an eyebrow. “One would think you'd remember more about a day like that, Ensara could you please remind her?”

“No! I don't want to talk about it. She remembers too much as it is. I need to catch her, so that no one else may know.” Ensara says, taking out a Pokéball.

“A second normal type? That won't help against Korrina, y'know.” Lily chided.

“Agreed.” Dex chirps up “There are Slowpoke on this route. You need a Water type. Slowbro can be useful when trained.”

“Nope! I already got a two Psychics on my team, and we need someone who can take more hits as well as dish them out. Fortuna is coming along well, but she'll never be a powerhouse. A normal type who can both dish out and take hits is good. That and I like how Miltanks look regardless, I just disliked that this kidnapped me. But no matter, time to get some payback! Now I will calling the shots!”

Miltank falls into a stance, ready to battle.

-Very well, show me what you got! I'd want to come along with you regardless. You are an interesting child after all, and I'd hate to see you get hurt.- Miltank responds.

“Go, Fortuna!” Given her numerous ways to disable an opponent, she was perfect for catching Pokémon now. Fortuna comes out and says -Alright, time for some fun!-

Lily turns to Shade “Is this really a good idea?”

Shade shrugs not thinking much of this, then explains his viewpoint. “Trainers catch the Pokémon they like over the Pokémon they need all the time. There are so many of them out there that your bound to find some Pokémon of each type that fits your taste. She will find Pokémon to round herself out sooner or later. The entire point is to expand your range of friends and companions after all. Who are we to judge her choices as long as she proves she can win with the ones she catches?”

“Fortuna! Use A then TW then FA.” she calls out the acronyms.

Miltank hesitates for a second trying to figure out the acronyms. A second was all that was needed for Fortuna to start using Attract.

-Hey gorgeous- Fortuna calls to Miltank -People who think only thin people are beautiful? They're wrong cause they never met you.- Fortuna compliments flirtatiously with a wink.

Miltank stops and lets her guard down. -Oh I never though I'd get complimented like that! I mean sure, I heard some people like some meat on the bone GAAAAAH!!-

Suddenly Miltank gets shocked by a thin jolt of electricity, the shock to her system already slowing her down her reactions as the skitty darts forward seeming to come her from the right then disappear into the shadows and suddenly hit Miltank from the left while coated in a corona of shadows.

-Oh you rapscallion!- Miltank calls -You got me! Did you really mean what you say?-

Fortuna lands a distance away. -Of course! My species can breed with Wailords after all. We don't judge.-

-Well then you won't find if I show off what I got then!- Miltank replies as she leaps up to do a Body slam upon Fortuna, hurtling towards the little cat with the overwhelming force of gravity upon her side.

“Fortuna, DT!” Ensara calls

As Miltank crashes into the ground, creating a little crater, Fortuna vanishes and reappears in dozens of images prancing and leaping about, crossing each other in a confusing kaleidoscopic pattern. Miltank in response jumps forward, rolling into a ball and charging through the images with Rollout determined to just hit them all. The rolling Miltank tore through them like a runaway train or car crashing through origami figurines, an unstoppable rolling dreadnought that only got faster and stronger the more she rolled, the momentum only adding adding to her danger. As the images of Fortuna rapidly decreased, Ensara knew she would have stop the Miltank in her tracks.

“Fortuna, IB!”

The little Skitty leaps upwards and hits Miltank from the side with a freezing blue beam, knocking her out of the Rollout and losing her momentum entirely. As Miltank tries to pick herself up, Ensara commands again:

“Ok, now use S.”

Fortuna then struts about in front of Miltank haughtily, taunting her with Swagger.

-I am untouchable! You cannot possibly hit me, for I am the incredible fortunate Fortuna! For Tuna!-

Miltank stands up, anger in her eyes

-You.....you...lovable...jerk! Stop toying with my heart! I'll run you over like a truck!-

Miltank than speeds forward in a another Rollout, going ever faster and more powerful, as if like an unstoppable meteor of destruction. She then misses Fortuna completely, the confusion making Miltank sloppy in her aim and making her crash into a tree with a resounding thud, falling upon her back incredibly dazed and stunned from the impact.

“Go! Heal Ball!”

Ensara throws it and this time the ball hits Miltank dead on, she had been practicing and improving her Pokéball aim for a while now. Miltank is sucked in the ball wobbles Once.



Twice.



Thrice.



Then....click! Ensara picks it up and says “And your name, will be Nalune. Good work, Fortuna. Expect to called upon often for this sort of thing.”

-Great! I love meeting new Pokémon! I think I'm a good introduction, if I do say so myself.- Fortuna mews happily.

“That you are, return.” Ensara says as Fortuna is sucked back in.

-You could've used me y'know- Masala said

“I know your Fighting type, but Fortuna gave me more control over the situation.”

“Information: you now have seven Pokémon.” Dex buzzed at her. “You are required to send one of them to Professor Sycamore. Which one do you choose?”

“Send Nalune. We'll rotate her in later.” A space-warping beam shoots from the Pokédex and warps Nalune's Heal Ball to the Laboratory in Lumiose City.

-I can't believe my eyes. The Pokéball just...vanished! How did that happen?- Masala says as she stared at where Nalune's Pokéball once was.

“Well you see there is certain scientific explanation for that-” Lily begins before Masala suddenly shouts -GET DOWN!-

and kicks both Ensara and Lily to the ground before a Thunder Wave beam attack zips by missing them both before Masala flips and lands on the ground. As Ensara picks herself up, Robb and Ranger Kelly walk out of the bushes without fanfare or introduction, an Emolga perched upon Kelly's shoulder. Shade looks up and sees them and the mouse Pokémon and groans, being reminded of his fight against a certain Electric Unova gym leader. Man that was frustrating.

“That was rude.” Ensara decided. “Why are you both here?”

“To exact justice upon you, Ensara! You have a bounty upon your head! Attempting to catch a Legendary Pokémon, theft of a Skitty? I will not rest until I have arrested you!” Kelly declares.

“What I didn't steal the Skitty! I caught it legitimately, you saw that, Robb! And I thought weren't serious about that justice thing.”

Robb shrugs. “Don't care. I'm just here for the money. The job is to bring you in, and that is what I'm going to do. Kelly, you take on Ensara. I will handle Shade Wagers. Lily Willow is no threat.”

Shade snaps his book closed and looks at Robb. “Well then. Aren't you confident, knowing who I am yet still speaking so casually. Ensara, Lily, run. Now.”

“But what about-” Ensara began but Shade cuts her off.

“I can handle myself. I will catch up to you, don't worry. Focus on losing them.” he instructs in serious no-nonsense tones. He was not in the mood for arguing. Lily grabs Ensara's arm

“He's right lets go.” she says and she Ensara and Masala all run fast toward Shalour City. Kelly growls and gives chase while Robb and Shade stare each other down, not saying a word. A cold wind blows in from the sea, ruffling both of their hair as they assess each other until Shade breaks the silence.

“So, about this taking me on thing. You so sure about that?” he asks confidently.

“Hmph. No one is invincible, Shade Wagers. Not even you. You would not be here if you had not lost to Shine Destine.” Robb says, pointing a finger at the black-clad youth.

“True, but one thing I don't get: why are you fighting me? Isn't Ensara your target?”

“Aside from tactical considerations, there is the fact that you have a bounty on your head as well. For some reason its not widely known, but you did not become a trainer legitimately. Your parents are paying a lot of money for whoever brings you back home safe, little runaway.”

“Ah. That explains it. I knew that would catch up to me eventually. However I'm not going to back down. You haven't told the media this because...?”

“I don't want competition for my pay.” Robb states plainly.

“Cool. And you know this.....how?”

“I'm a professional. I don't reveal my sources.” Robb denies him.

“Got it. Interesting.” Shades muses to himself. He will have to look into that later. “So, are we going to do this or what?”

They both send out their first Pokémon.



****TCAM****



So there are Ensara and Lily, running from Kelly and her Emolga, the little electric flying squirrel shooting off Thunder waves in an attempt to taze them. They knew that they would need to find a way to get out of sight and fast, for they could not keep running forever. The human body can only run so much before it collapses. Lily goes over their options: Many of their Pokémon didn't know any moves that could lose her. Not without force. Except for one.

“Ensara! Get out Emerald!”

“Right!” She sends out the kirlia “Emerald, use T!”

Kelly asks as she runs “How in the world is tea going to-”

Kelly's answer is given as Emerald grabs both their wrists and teleport them away.

“-Oh. T means teleport. She knows enough to obscure her commands. Emolga! Birds eye view, you know what to do when you see them.”

As her Emolga flies upwards, Kelly thinks upon this. Teleportation was nothing new for escaping criminals. The only problem is, how to track such a thing? Teleportation is a very effective method of losing someone and can't be tracked using the normal senses of scent or eyesight. However it basically worked is that the Pokémon warps space so that two separate places are pulled together and layered on top of one another for a split second, the Pokémon shifts them to desired layer then allows space to snap back to normal. Thus no scent trail for any Pokémon to follow, no foot-prints to look for. However it did leave a noticeable bending of the fabric of space to any Pokémon that could perceive such a thing. The right Psychic type would simply follow that bent trail in a straight line until they found where they went and they would pick up the trail from there. But Kelly didn't need to do that. She took out a tracking device issued only to rangers and law enforcement and pressed a few buttons, a map opening up on the area and Kelly punched in the numbers to Ensara's Pokédex ID. A little dot showed up on the screen, as well another little dot showing where Kelly was relative to that. It wasn't that far. Kelly sets off in pursuit.



Meanwhile Lily and Ensara had been kept walking for a while now hurrying in short sprints towards Shalour City when Dex spoke up.

“I have bad news for you both: The Ranger has activated my Pokédex Tracking Device. This feature is intended for multiple uses. Including letting people know where you are so they can rescue you, tracking down the Pokédex in case its stolen and in this case tracking trainers who have gone criminal.

I have become a liability to you. Discard me. Now.”

“What!?” Ensara says “No! I'm not going back on the deal! I can't help you if I leave you behind, remember?”

“Yes. But your a being who can move, who can actually act to achieve their dreams. I am nothing but Pokédex. A device to be carried about. Even if I achieve my dream, I do not know what I'd do next. I am not worth getting captured for. You won't be able to achieve your dream if you get captured by Ranger Kelly, and you cannot achieve my dream by keeping me. Either way, my dream cannot be achieved now. Leave me. It is better for one dream to be achieved than none.”

“No! Can't you like, hack the device or whatever to stop it?”

“Ensara. I don't magically know how to hack things just because I'm an AI.”

“But you are code! Shouldn't know how to manipulate it? Its like, what your made of.”

“Let me rephrase that to refer to you: but you are cells! Shouldn't you know everything about your anatomy then? You are an organic being after all. I'm an up-jumped program who knows a lot about Pokémon through a digital encyclopedia, not a cyberspace rewriting genius.”

“...Touche. That still doesn't help us get out of this without abandoning you.”

“I have an idea.” Lily says “All we need to do, is to set up a trap...and have the right Pokémon carrying the bait.”



Soon Kelly and Emolga close in on the dot on their tracking device and find that the Pokédex was being carried by Emerald alone. The kirlia takes a battle ready stance and Kelly chuckles. It was smart of them to give the Pokédex to the kirlia so as to throw off the trail, but now she could simply knock this kirlia out and take her captive to lure Ensara back to her. After all, this was the same Pokémon that Ensara went to insane lengths, braving a Rocket Base to rescue. Criminal Ensara may be, but Kelly knew that crime didn't stop people from caring about their Pokémon.

“Emolga, Thunder Wave her.”

The emolga nods and flies in passes, shooting light streaks of lighting down upon Emerald, who expertly flips, dances and twirls to avoid it, teleporting and producing hypnotic multiple images of her dodging dance as she evades the stunning blasts coming down upon her like rain.

“Come on Emolga. Aim for where she is going to be not where she is...” she says trying to guide her Pokémon, but then a Beedrill zooms from out of the bushes and smashes through her tracker devices with one of its drills, surprising Kelly and making her jump back.

“Wait what!?” she exclaims.

“Good work Beedrill!” Lily returns her Pokémon while stepping out from behind a tree.

“With that tracker out, we're safe now. Emerald! Now!”

With that, Emerald jumps flipping in the air until she lands beside Lily, grabs her hand and they teleport out. Kelly raises an eyebrow.

“Clever. They lured me here just so they can destroy the device that tracks them, then go back to running.” She takes out a Pokéball. “Unfortunately for them, I have backup plans for a reason.”

She sends out Elgyem. “Elgyem, criminals have just teleported. Track the spacial disturbance.”

The strange big-headed Pokémon nods while making affirmative beeping noises then glows blue with psychic power, leading Kelly in a straight a line as it could towards the location Lily and Emerald teleported to.



Soon Lily and Emerald catch up to Ensara, having teleported quite deliberately not teleported right next to her just in case Kelly could still track that.

“So did it work?” Ensara asks as Lily hands Dex back.

“Yep. Her tracker is destroyed. She won't be able to use Dex to track any time soon.”

“Great, now we just need to get to Shalour City and-”

They run out of the woods to find themselves right before a great river, one known for flowing between Shalour City and the rest of the route, cutting them off. There was a bridge across, but it was about thirty miles upstream where it was narrower.

“-get stopped by the river, now what? We can't stay here, she will catch up to us.”

-I can confirm this.- Emerald speaks up -I detect an Elgyem and Kelly heading this way.-

“We can teleport across you know.” Lily points out.

“Well yeah, but how will it lose her? She has a psychic type to.” Ensara points out back.

“Information: Elgyem cannot learn Teleport except as an Egg move. Thus an Elgyem has to be specifically bred for it. The chances of the Rangers investing that much time and effort into a breeding Pokémon learning a single move that can be more easily learned by others is very low.” Dex informs them. Ensara beams at this.

“Thank you, Dex. Teleport away Emerald!”

They teleport across just as Kelly comes into sight. She sees them on the other side of the river, returns Elgyem, then sends out her Buizel. She then jumps into the water, hanging onto Buizel as it speeds across the water.



****TCAM****



Meanwhile the two Pokémon that burst out of their pokeballs are Scyther and Verdigris.

“Scyther.” Robb commands. “Attack by any means necessary.”

-How shall I do this?- Verdigris asks Shade, who answers back -Take him seriously, but don't give away everything.-

The stoic gallade nods and the two charge froward, lightning quick, their arm-blades meeting at the middle. A shock wave radiates outwards ruffling the plants and hair of the trainers around them as their blades clash, sparks flying from their edges grinding against one another. Then Verdigris leaps back while Scyther goes on the offensive, slicing and dicing furiously as he rushes forward, with Verdigris dodging and blocking his blows just as quickly then attacking back with karate chops and thrown punches, the two creating a furious dance of swiping blades and evading after-images. It was chaos in the form of a duel, as if two storms were meeting one another and were throwing their cutting winds at one another. The two trainers stand still and silent, knowing that truly powerful Pokémon practically fought by themselves. No their job was to analyze and assess the fight from a distance, to trying and find some tactic to turn the tides in their favor.

Then Scyther decides to flash step and appear behind Verdigris, swiping at him only to find that it was double team image. Verdigris appears behind Scyther to attack with a kick only to find the same. A second Scyther appears behind the second Verdigris, the second Verdigris proving just as illusionary as the first, then the third Verdigris appears and kicks Scyther into a tree. Scyther picks himself up and muses that he was impressed, it was quite the feat to achieve three layers of Double Team.

But Scyther was not done. He takes a stance, then begins a frenetic battle kata, the Swords Dance then begins launching a flurry of Air Slashes at Verdigris, the air blades zooming towards at the gallade who begins evading with all his speed and agility as the power of this furious barrage of air blades only grew with momentum, the Swords Dance kata being seamlessly integrated into the attack to increase its power dramatically, and Verdigris felt cuts sting accumulate on him as he dodged, for not even he could dodge them all perfectly. Behind him, trees fell to the ground, cut down by the sharp edges of Scyther's wind as by some big chef dicing up vegetables. Soon however the attack ends as Scyther tires. Verdigris admitted that Scyther was giving him a bit of a workout as well though, as he tires to regulate his breathing.

-My turn. Close Combat!- Verdigris decided then sped forward and began launching hundreds on hundreds of punches upon Scyther, a seemingly infinite flurry of blows descending upon the bug type. In response Robb calls out. “Protect!”

The shield appears just in time to weather the blows, the punching barrage being just as fast and ferocious as Scyther's attack before it, pounding upon the barrier and sending out multiple shock waves a second, the various spherical waves colliding with one another and dissipating like ripples upon a pond as they travel outwards and make wind blow around the combatants, and even the ground vibrates from the force of the blows. Verdigris stops and tries to leap back seeing the attack ineffective but Scyther counterattacks with a Night Slash scoring a big cut across his chest, Verdigris gritting his teeth in pain as he lands from the blow.

“Hmph.” Robb says “I've already made you use Close Combat. I've forced your hand. If your ultimate move won't work, what will?”

At this, Shades chuckles. “Heh. You think Close Combat was Verdigris strongest attack? You poor fool. Verdigris. Show him a taste of what you can really do. Stone Edge: Obsidian Blade.”

The gallade nods and extend his arm outwards, with his telekinesis, he pulls from the earth a slab of obsidian rock then sharpens and reshapes it with his mind, expertly cutting it into a sword that he grabs a hold of the black incredibly sharp blade glinting in the sunlight. Verdigris falls into a ready stance, moving as if he is sheathing the sword at his hip. Scyther falls into a similar one, getting ready for whatever he was about to unleash. Then-



-Verdigris suddenly appears already pass Scyther, having already drawn the obsidian sword. Scyther is confused, what just happened? Then as Verdigris sheathes the sword again Scyther feels a great pain lance across his body as if he just hit by a super-effective attack, then falls to the ground, unconscious. Verdigris admitted the Scyther was a worthy opponent, but he needed to evolve and get a mega-stone for his full potential. Verdigris couldn't wait for the day to face it.

“First Principle of Super Iaijutsu:” Shade says solemnly “If your enemy sees you draw your sword, you have not mastered Super Iaijutsu. I admit, Robb. Your certainly very near my level. You must've gotten far into the League to get that good before you turned mercenary. Why did you change?”

“None of your business, you see?” Robb says “Now, lets keeps going, go Mandi-”

Suddenly Shade's Pokegear rings and he checks.

“Ah, whoops, looks like your out of time! The girls have gotten near Shalour City gate. Since you two are doing this alone, I'm guessing the law isn't actually backing you up on this, since if it were, you'd have more Ranger backup. So best not to attract attention in a city eh? Verdigris teleport us. Nice battling you, Robb hope we do it again soon, and get stronger okay? Bye!” He waves as Verdigris flash steps over and teleports them out.

Robb groans. Another delay. He returns Scyther and continues walking forward. Footsteps fall. This was only just another slowdown that he needed to keep trudging on through. He always did his job. No matter what, not even if someone like Shade Wagers was in his way. It was inevitable.



****TCAM****



Shade teleports in to see Ensara and Lily waiting.

“Hey, how did losing Kelly go?”

“Mostly well, but...” Lily says as she looks at Kelly clinging on to the struggling Buizel halfway through the river. “...she seems pretty determined. As determined as Ensara is, really. How did your fight with Robb go?” Lily asks in response.

“Great! We had some cryptic conversations, a good battle between Verdigris and Scyther, I won of course. I hope I get to face him again someday after a bit of training on his part, he is very good at what he does, but he could be a little bit better. As for Kelly, allow me. Verdigris, give her a little push.”

With that, Kelly and Buizel feel a little forceful push disrupt their progress and sending them downstream to the ocean and out of sight.

“Well then, to Shalour City shall we?”

“Of course! You were awesome back there Lily, and Shade...I don't know what you did, but knowing you, it probably was anything but lame. To Shalour!”

They both utter their thanks as they walk into Shalour City, the city of the Fighting type Gym. However as soon as they get in, they realize something was very wrong. Namely the people. Usually any town had people bustling about, talking amiably and just going about their business. There wasn't any of that here. The people are here, yes. However the police officers stood silently, deathly still. The people around them moved quietly, not uttering a word or were moving as in a sleepy trance like state.

“What is going on?” Ensara wonders as they look upon the town.

 

Episode 15: Shalour City Takeover

Ensara and the crew did not know what to make of Shalour City right now. From what they've all heard, it was basically a historical tourist trap. Walk the stone roads of medieval Kalos! See the Tower of Mastery! Wonder at the mystery of Mega-Evolution! Look at the giant unnecessary statue of a Mega-Lucario! Look and be amazed! Yet no one was looking around and being amazed, no tourists gawking around, no amiable faces selling cheap Shalour City themed gewgaws and curios. It was less annoying and tacky to be sure, but it was still unnatural. Much like one of those trainers who get so annoyed with their Grimer hugging them that they trade them away only to miss them when they were gone no matter how ugly and smelly they were, because it meant well and the trainer had built up a resistance to the toxins. The town and its people were silent and almost still.

“What is going on?” Ensara wonders.

“Hm.” Shade hums in thought. “Lets go to the Pokémon center first. We need to rest from the road, and Nurse Joys practically are at the heartbeat of any town you can name. Someone will know whats up there, and I've a feeling we can't just ask random strangers about it.”

“If you think so...” Lily says and they set off for the Pokémon Center.



****TCAM****



Once there, they come in to find it oddly empty aside from Nurse Joy herself.

“Hello! Your the first ones to come in today.” she says greeting them. “Normally I'd say that this is a good day because clearly no one is coming here to heal their Pokémon, but this a town with a Gym leader full of Fighting types! There should at least be some challengers here.”

“So you've noticed how strange it is around here as well?” Ensara asks.

“Yes. The town is oddly quiet. It was very lively only yesterday, with challengers coming in and out. What is happening out there?”

They tell Nurse Joy about the how people acting strangely quiet and still outside, almost as if they were all in trances. She nods and replies

“I see. Those all sound like symptoms of mind control.” she says with certainty.

“You are sure about that?” Lily asks

“Positive. Psychic type Pokémon can take over minds with enough skill and power, but the results are never perfect. The simple commands that one can issue are nowhere near capable of emulating true human thought and action. The mind is just too complex for the psychic type Pokémon to compensate. Thus you end up with puppets you need to direct rather than any loyal entity that can act upon their own.” Nurse Joy explains.

“Then I think the culprit is obvious.” Lily answers as she adjusts her glasses. “Team Cerebral. They have taken over the town.”

“You really think they have the power to mind control an entire town?” Ensara asks back.

“No.” Lily explains. “They probably don't, they wouldn't need to. More likely they are only mind controlling a select number of individuals in power like the Gym Leader and the police force, then using hypnosis on the rest to keep them placid and passive.”

“Then wait why aren't we affected then?” Ensara points out.

“I imagine that due to Shade's constant interactions with his gallade, and our rudimentary Aura training have given us a resistance to such mental influence. That doesn't explain Joy however.”

They look at her and she responds a strange monotone. “Don't worry, we have our methods. As if we'd allow filthy Pokémon abusing criminals to get in our way.”

They just stare at Nurse joy, eyes wide at the strange sudden change in demeanor. They just stand there awkwardly not knowing what to think of what she just said. Then Shade decides to break the ice.

“Anyways, what matters is that we figure out how to deal with this. Nurse Joy, can you call anyone?”

“No, the phones haven't been working lately, cell or landline.” Joy says back, her voice normal again.

“They must've somehow shut down the local network that connects to the wider Kalos region.” Lily replies “But why would they strike at Shalour? Coumarine made more sense, its a major trade port and Lumiose is the Kalos economic center, but Shalour City is basically a tourist trap with a well-preserved ruin and a Gym Leader. Why would they strike here?” Lily wonders.

“My guess? Aside from the fact a Fighting type Gym cannot possibly stand against them, they're after Mega-Evolution. They both the Keystones and the Mega-Stones for it are rare after all, and you need to have both. You wouldn't believe what I had to go through to get my Keystone.” It had been quite troublesome getting it away from Colress.

“Oh right, you can do that.” Ensara says “Why don't you use it?”

“For what? There are no opponents so far worthy of using it on. Even then, I like to challenge myself by beating Mega-Evolved Pokémon without it myself. Its not something you just toy with whenever you want, Mega-Evolution is a powerful tool that you use only when you need it. I'm convinced Viola only had three that she could all power because she loved Bug types so much and no one else in the League uses them. I have only one Mega-Stone anyways.” Shade explains.

“Well then, where do you think Team Cerebral are? They have to be operating somewhere for all this to work.” Ensara reasoned, trying to get things on track.

“Probably at the Tower of Mastery. Thats where I'd go if I wanted to take over Shalour. The place is practically living history. No one is going to want to take them with any really forceful Pokémon in there for fear of destroying whats valuable about it. Losing the tower would be like losing this town's heart and soul, along with all the knowledge that it brings.” Lily answers.

“Then we have no choice but to play things tactically and kick them out with just the right amount of force. Find their Pokémon doing this and knock them out, disrupt their control.” Much like how Emerald did with Machamp.

-Yes- Masala said speaking up form her shoulder. -Defeat them, for righteous justice!-

“Right.” Shade nods. “Lets go but I'm going to warn you: if we encounter a mind-controlled Korrina, let me handle her. The Cerebrals won't be allowing her to hold back, and she has a Mega-Evolving Lucario.” Mega-Lucario was a very powerful Pokémon even for Mega-Evolutions, and there were few Pokémon who could take it on an even footing. Worse Verdigris, his go-to Pokémon for this sort of opponent was too tired and injured from the fight with the Scyther to use, and he would have to do something different if it came to that.

“By the way.” He sets Verdigris's Pokéball on the counter. “Heal my Gallade please. He did some good work recently and deserves to be patched up.”

“Very well.” Nurse Joy says with a smile. Shade then goes over to the computer, presses a few buttons and another Pokéball transports in and he takes it and puts it on his belt. The three then go back out into the town to find Team Cerebral.



****TCAM****



Commander Torasca and her Medicham stood over an old man named Gurkin tied to a chair atop the Tower of Mastery. She was a Cerebral commander blue of long hair and purple of eye, and she congratulated herself on her success. She knew that Shalour city would be an easy target to take over, with the Fighting Type fools neglecting the mind part of the balance of mind and body. To be truly strong, one had to be both mentally and physically strong, and Torasca was both much like her Medicham. Gurkin had been cooperative with her, telling her everything he knew about Mega-Evolution given that Korrina's mind was held in her Hypno's thrall, and that he could not bear to see his granddaughter hurt. There was only one problem.

“You are sure, that there is only one Mega Stone and Keystone here?” Torasca asks

“Yes! On Korrina and her Lucario, you already have them!” Gurkin says.

“Well that is a shame, because I would've thought that this place, so famed for a place where it holds Mega-Evolution sacred, that it would have more than that. Do you not at least have another keystone somewhere?” Torasca demands.

“We used to have a second Lucarionite that we gave away to Champion Serena two years ago when she was fighting Team Flare! We don't have anymore!”

She glances at Medicham who nods that he is being truthful.

“Well then, I guess we will just be staying here and ruling this town from the shadows until we can actually find some, yes? Or just take Korrina's Keystone once we're done looking, perhaps there are things hidden even you don't know about. That and any city not in Rocket hands is a win for Team Cerebral. Even if we can't get the stones here, we do always need a good supply of fighting types to counteract Dark types, which this town provides with Korrina's influence.”

“The League will come for you eventually!” Gurkin shouted defiantly.

“The Kalos League? Oh yes, the League that did absolutely nothing to stop the idiotic train wreck of a criminal organization Team Flare. The Team that was all style, no substance and tried to kill everyone else in the world so that they could make their own little utopia for themselves for stupid reasons. Including Pokémon, the main source of power. And lets not forget that it cost 5,000,000 Poke dollars just to join! Great recruiting strategy there!”

“Hey! Team Flare was legitimate threat!” Gurkin protested.

Torasca and all the grunts around her laugh uproariously at this, for an entire minute. They had never heard of such a hilarious joke.

“How?” Torasca asks between chuckles “Did they have the backing of an Elite-Four level trainer or something? Someone higher up that was keeping people from acting?”

“....Malva.” Gurkin admitted with shame.

“Oh my Arceus, they did! You actually had an Elite Four member, who was apart of Team Flare! The criminal Team going around stealing Pokémon and resources and causing chaos for vague reasons across your region and you decided to make a member one of your four most powerful authority figures! How do you even let that happen? I was just joking, Elite Four Malva was actually apart of the Team!? The Holo-Caster girl now fired from both her jobs under Champion Serena? No wonder she got replaced along with Diantha! You Kalosians practically let a Team Flare member become one of your four most powerful protectors then allowed her to broadcast Pro-Flare propaganda across the region. Your the most incompetent Pokémon League on the face of the planet!” Torasca proclaimed.

All the Cerebral grunts laugh at this again. The sad thing is, she wasn't wrong. Champion Lance was pretty good about foiling plans from Team Rocket, Champion Steven battled against Team Aqua and Magma, Champion Cynthia against Team Galactic, and all the Gym leaders of Unova fought against Team Plasma even if Alder was taken out by a legendary. Diantha however just kind of stood around looking pretty and let things happen.

“....Its not that funny.” Gurkin said defensively.

“Yes, its pathetic. Who replaced Malva anyways?”

“Elite Four Sagashe, A Poison type User. She came in only a few months after Serena took the helm.”

“...So an Elite four member, with a type weak to us! Even when your fixing your mistakes you end up unable to defend region properly!” Torasca points out.

They all laugh uproariously a third and final time as Gurkin sighs in bitterness.



****TCAM****



Ensara and company make their way through the town, keeping themselves moving slow and drowsily as if they were under a hypnosis attack, passing by many locals who seemed to be in a trance, and at one point they go past Officer Jenny, walking unnaturally upright and focused, silent and focused in being mind controlled. Soon they walk the narrow sandy path way up to the Tower of Mastery, resting on its own little peninsula out from the rest of the city. At the gates they find that it was guarded, but not by two lowly grunts, but rather by Korrina herself standing silent and still, with an unnaturally serious expression.

“Great. They put Korrina as the guard in front.” Shade says “They know that whoever wants to go in has to get past her first. Which means, they must be weaker than her. After all, why bother keeping your best defense in reserve? If the enemy can get past that, there is no point to putting any weaker defense before it and you know if there is no point in fighting them if they get past it if its put first. Smart.”

“What do we do then? You said that we should leave Korrina to you.” Ensara says back.

“Yes and you will. No worries. I got her badge, so even in this state I'll be able to take her on. You two use Emerald to teleport in while I distract her.” Shade lays out the plan

“You think we can handle the Grunts inside?” Lily questions, expressing her doubts.

“Won't know until you go in yes? But You got Bug and Dark types with you. Should be fine as long as your smart about it.” He reassures in turn, then walks out of hiding to Korrina.

“Hey Korrina.” he greets cheerily. “How you doing?”

The gym leader focuses her sight unnaturally upon him and says in an artificial monotone.

“Halt intruder. Do not go further, or I will resort to force.”

Shade sighs. Yep, she was mind-controlled alright. Korrina was too energetic for that kind of talk. As a response he takes a single step forward. “Not very well then, I take it.”

“Now resorting to force.” the puppet Korrina stated then threw her Pokéball. Out burst Lucario, and in response Shade says “Go! Crococlyne!” as he throws his own.

Out of his Poké Ball bursts forth the red Krookodile, her alligator jaw forming a trickster's smile.

Meanwhile Ensara and Lily hold onto Emerald as she teleports them into the tower.



****TCAM****



Commander Torasca gets mental warning about Shade from hypno.

“Attention grunts! A trainer is at the front of the gate, facing Korrina. But I'm not leaving anything to chance, tell the controller Pokémon to make the police attack him and you all go gang up on him as well.” Torasca knew exactly that other teams befell bad fates because they underestimated a single kid trainer. Not her, if a single kid could command monsters to destroy an entire criminal organization then there was no use taking chances. Besides she had her real trump card right here.



Meanwhile Ensara and Lily teleport in and already see a few Cerebral grunts coming down the stairs. They react quickly, Ensara sending out Stabette while Lily sends out her Beedrill and Butterfree. The Grunts in response send out a bunch of Kadabras.

“Go Stabette! Charge right in and show them your FA! Emerald, back her up.”

-Right, General Ensara.- Stabette salutes and charges forwards as a multitude of Psychic attacks wash over her, effortlessly cutting the Kadabras down with dark, blunted slices of shadowy energy as she charges through them, none of the Pokémon able to put up any resistance against her offensively or defensively. -What fools. How poorly chosen their loyalty is. Not even the freedom to use attacks that can hurt me! I feel no pity for them or their trainers.- Stabette comments.

-You got that right- Emerald replies as she teleports behind a sent out Baltoy and swiftly dispatched it with some magical leaves like shuriken. -Guess grunts are not very bright no matter which organization they are from.-

Meanwhile Beedrill and Butterfree fly through the air, then dive down at another group of Kadabra Butterfree letting loose a gust of Silver Wind to blow them off balance while Beedrill darts within Twineedle and finishes them off, one Kadabra for each hit, working together to take them down. Next Lily sends out Quilladin who uses Grass Knot against a group of Kadabra to make them trip and fall to the ground then spins into a ball to Rollout all over them, then springs out of the it to punch an Espeon with Needle Arm, needles growing out of his fist as he slams it into the Espeons face.

“I can see you've been training harder.” Ensara comments.

“Well with us doing stupid things like this, I just figured that it would be logical.” Lily counters.

-Ensara, what are my directions?- Masala asks.

“You don't have any, Masala. Your a fighting type, not exactly ideal for this situation.” Ensara explains.

-Regardless, it is my duty to defend this place, look at that statue! Its clearly sacred to Lucario and Riolu as a species.-

“No, Masala, wait.” Ensara advises

-I agree with the General.- Stabette says as she cut a shallow slash across a Drowzee. -Soldiers that cannot fight effectively upon the battlefield are better left in reserve.-

-Honestly, you should probably be in your Pokéball.- Emerald replies, feeling strange as she looks at Ensara then dodges an attack, flips over to a Kadabra with a light kiss on its forehead, stealing energy from it in one gulp as the Kadabra falls over from the attack. Whenever she looked at Ensara she felt...more, as if there was a fire burning within her, wanting to protect her. Strange. Perhaps this was just how all Pokémon felt? The kirlia turns back to the fight, no time to worry about that now.

-Nevertheless, I demand to take part. There is evil that must be faced, and I must face it.- Masala insisted.

Ensara didn't get why she was so stubborn about this. Couldn't Masala see that a Fighting type against a Psychic type would never go well? Masala frowns in return. Why can't Ensara see that she needed to do this? They continue fighting on through the Tower.



****TCAM****



Meanwhile the mind controlled Korrina brings up her Keystone.

“Here it comes, Crocolyne...” Shade warns her.

The Gym Leader touches it, trying to unleash the hidden power of a mega-evolution and attack in a storm of unrelenting power upon Shade and his Pokémon. Yet nothing happens. No rainbows lights, no shell of light, no incredible power coming to power up Lucario to its greatest form. She touches it a second time. Still nothing. She tries to touch a third time, and still nothing happens. It just was not working.

“Heh.” Shade chuckles in realization. “Of course Mega-Evolution wouldn't work while mind controlled! The process requires the Pokémon and trainer to have a powerful bond of friendship, to be in sync. A mind controlled puppet is nobodies friend. Which means....Crocolyne? Use D.”

Crocolyne snickers and dives into the ground, forming a hole after her, Lucario looks around confusedly then Crocolyne suddenly springs up from behind him hits him with a tail slam infused with Ground energy, knocking him out down to the ground. Korrina backs away and silently sends out her Hawlucha which takes to the air. The Hawlucha suddenly dives down as if performing a body slam- a move known as Flying Press- which Crocolyne manages to avoid as Hawlucha hits a double team image of her that chuckles at the miss, in response Shade calls.

“Use SD!”

As Hawlucha flies upwards again, Crocolyne summons a rock from the earth and throws it to smack Hawlucha back down to the ground. As the bird begins to pick itself up various police officers including Jenny, all come running unnaturally silent in thrall to Team Cerebral. They all throw out their Pokémon and packs of Growlithes come running out determined to defeat the one that seemed like a criminal. In response Shade decided it was time to even the playing field.

“Crocolyne. Use Earthquake.”

With that Crocolyne jumps up, then stomps down on the ground with bot her feet hard. As she does so, powerful shock waves radiated out from her, hit the Growlithe and the Hawlucha like a tidal wave and knocking them back as well as the police, but Korrina stands her ground. The entire town shakes from the attack, the citizens all across Shalour City snapping out of their hypnotic stupor to run for cover as the entire area around them quakes from the force of the attack, the sheer immense power on display making everyone run for their lives, spidery cracks appearing all along the ground, furniture and dishes falling off tables and counters and smashing on the floors. It was as if all the world was shaking back and forth, citizens ducking down and taking cover while they wait for the tremors to pass not knowing what was going on. Shade strikes a pose.

“Aw yeah, can't beat this. You try to be unfair to me, I be unfair to you.” he brags. “Now Korrina where were we?”

Korrina wordlessly returns Hawlucha and sends out a Breloom.

“Well, guess I know who I'm switching out for.” Shade comments



****TCAM****



Ensara and Lily feel the earthquake as well while they stumble about on the way up the steps, quickly grabbing onto each other's waist and leaning on a wall for dear life trying not to fall down the stairs. When it ends, Lily looks down out a window to see Shade victorious.

“That crazy idiot! What is he thinking using Earthquake in the middle of a city!? People could get hurt!” Lily shouts her eyebrows furrowed.

“Right and your going to go down and tell the guy who can potentially destroy everyone here easily and tell him off? Its not as if we have any guarantee of controlling his actions.” Ensara points out.

Emerald frowns as she looks at Lily and Ensara holding each other so close. She was filled with thoughts of wanting to be in that position with Ensara and separating Lily from her. Lily then pulls herself away from Ensara and Emerald feels better, but still wishes she could embrace Ensara like that.

“Well we have to stop him somehow, the police officers are getting back up to throw another Pokémon! Who knows what other powerful moves he is going to use to just take them all out at once!?” Lily points out.

“Ok, new plan: You go find the Pokémon controlling the police officers and knock them out. I'll go find their leader and take them out.” Ensara directs quickly.

“Sounds like a plan!” They then hurry off in different directions.



Lily runs down the corridors until she sees two Cerebral Grunts guarding a room. Interesting why were they doing that?

“Butterfree, Sleep Powder.” She whispers to her Pokémon and it flies forward sprinkles the powder down upon them, making them drowsy and fall to the floor, snoring. Lily then walks over and throws open the doors to see an entire room full of psychic Pokémon all concentrating at the same, in rows.

“No points for guessing where the mind-controllers are.” Lily mutters “Ok everyone” She sends out all her Pokémon, from her Quilladin to her Panpour to all her bug aside from her Combee- which still had not evolved- and commanded them. “Go to town on them. They're vulnerable.”

The psychic Pokémon, caught off guard and focusing on their mind control, quickly go down in a storm of leaves, seed bombs, water blasts and silver wind.



Meanwhile Ensara makes it up the stairs and comes face to face with Commander Torasca.

“So here is the trainer foiling our plans eh? Fight your way up here yourself?” Torasca says as she turns to face Ensara, looking down upon her standing straight.

“No actually, my friends doing most of the fighting outside. But I'll be enough for you.” Ensara replies.

“Unfortunately, that isn't happening- unless you want to endanger both Korrina and her grandfather here? I have them both hostage, little trainer. I am Commander Torasca of Team Cerebral, and you cannot touch me- for I hold these peoples live in my hands. I have already won. You coming here is pointless.” Torasca says back smugly, as she gestures to the captured Gurkin and Hypno still controlling Korrina.

“And there is no point in telling you to let them go then?” Ensara guesses

“Exactly! No amount of powerful Pokémon can help against having hostages. So little trainer I ask you: now what?” Torasca asks while spreading her arms, the two people having a stand off.



****TCAM****



Shade had sent out Intricia against Breloom the Chandelure flying about as it blast fire at the dodgy fighting type. For some reason the mind controlled police officers were all unconscious now, Shade didn't know why but he guessed that someone else must have gotten the mind controllers. Good on them, but now he was lacking anything resembling a challenge. What a pity. Then Lily comes running out yelling at him.

“Shade! We need to talk!”

Oh Good! Multi-tasking challenge! Hold a conversation and Pokémon battle at the same time, always a classic. Lily looks cross, what happened?

“Why did you use Earthquake!?” she demanded at him.

“Because I needed to take out a lot of Pokémon at once. Duh. Intricia try using Fire Spin!”

The ghostly Pokémon tries to entrap the Breloom with her fire but it jumps out of the way. The Breloom enshrouds its fist with shadow and jumps trying to punch Intricia only for he to dodge out of the way.

“Ok, but why did you not use a move that, y'know, wouldn't cause collateral damage to everything around it!?”

“What? Its efficient in taking out the foe right? Flamethrower!”

Intricia blasts some fire in response and manages to hit the Brelooms side, burning a chunk of its body.

“And destructive to everything else!”

“Well then how should I take out a ton of Growlithe at once then? Its burnt! Hex!”

Dark ghostly purple power swirls around Intricia as she makes a cursed mark appear on the Breloom and suddenly the Breloom is shocked by dark lightning from the mark and falls unconscious. Korrina sends out a Machoke which comes charging at Shade himself.

“Maybe trying and just Bulldoze or something?”

“Bah, that is just a smaller weaker Earthquake, no point. Confuse Ray the Machoke.”

The well timed ray of chaotic light sneds Machoke off course and and crashing into a wall.

“Its weaker for a reason! So that it doesn't destroy everything around it!”

“Bah, I'd rather just use Earthquake, more certain to defeat them in one hit. Now hit it with Will O' Wisp.”

Intricia enshrouds Machoke in ghostly purple fire as it tries to get up, feeling the heat eat away at him.

“Your endangering peoples lives! How can you call that protecting them!?”

“By getting the fight over with as quickly as possible. The more a fight drags on, the more likely someone else is going to get hurt by accident. Its ripping off a band aid, more pain short term but far less in the long term. Another Hex will do it.”

A final cursed mark appears on Machokes head and shocks him into unconscious as well.

“Ugh, why are you being so cavalier about this? Aren't you concerned for other peoples lives?”

“Yes! But y'know what Lily? I'm Shade Wagers, Ace Trainer. I know what I'm doing! And I don't lose twice. Now watch me as I defeat Korrina and- why isn't she sending out another Pokémon?”

“Don't move” Korrina intones, emotionless “Or Korrina will be forced to drown herself in the waters surrounding the Tower. You wouldn't want that, would you?”

Shade and Lily stand still looking angry, not knowing how to stop the Pokémon from holding her hostage, Korrina standing on the edge of the sandy bridge, on the edge of falling into the wall under the Pokémon's control.



****TCAM****



Ensara tries to think up of something, but nothing seems to be coming to her. The situation seemed like an impasse, one where neither party can make an action for fear of screwing it all up. They stare at each other for a long, silent moment before Emerald speaks to her through telepathy.

-I have a plan.- She explains it to her. -Now throw in 3.....2.......1....Go!-.

Immediately Ensara throws Stabettes Pokéball shouting “F.A.!” Stabette comes out shrouded by dark energy and kicking Hypno right in the face, knocking it out instantly while at the same time Emerald teleports to Gurkin, uses a magical leaf to cut his bonds then teleport him to Shade and Lily.

Masala leaps off Ensara's shoulder landing right beside Stabette and the two Pokémon stand together as one against Torasca and her Medicham.

“Medicham. Take them out, best methods available.” Torasca commands.

“Work together! Be defensive!” Ensara orders back.

Medicham speeds towards Masala with a Zen Headbutt, surrounded by Psychic energy only for Stabette to step in front and block it, unaffected by its power. Medicham raises its arm to Force Palm the pawniard only for Masala to jump up block it with a Protect. Medicham jumps back and all three Pokémon assess the situation, keeping their guards up, looking at each other while trying to figure out what to do next.



Then Medicham makes an arrogant “come hither” motion with its hand towards Stabette and she decides she's had enough waiting and charges in, arms sharpening with Hone Claws until they gleam while she unleashes a flurry of Power-Up Punches, her arm-blades getting more and more powerful with each thrust, the flurry of slashes and stabs whirring more and more as Medicham dances gracefully between the slice and dice of her attacks, Stabette pushing back with her all out offensive until Medicham takes a certain step, tricks Stabette into over-extending herself and tries to hit Stabette with the concussive power of a Force Palm-only for Stabette to block with a Protect round shield then use the opportunity to score a devastating slash across Medicham's chest. Masala charges in with a Quick Attack, only for Medicham to Feint so that Masala's Protects goes and winks out then she gets kicked to the other end of the room.

“Masala!” Ensara calls out in concern.

However as she looks away, Medicham seems to jump and lure Stabette in, once again dodging a flurry of attacks. Medicham suddenly swings a fist filled with psychic energy, Stabette stands her ground thinking it another Zen headbutt- but at the last moment, it suddenly became Fire Punch, the blazing fist hitting Stabette right in the gut and sending her tumbling to the ground, the flames eating away at her until she fell, out cold.

-I'm sorry.....General...- Stabette croaks as she falls unconscious. Ensara reluctantly returns her.

“Masala, you OK?” Ensara calls out and Masala rushes back in a Quick Attack, a little damaged but still raring to go.



Medicham charges forward and Masala begins dodging its strikes, entering a furious dance between fighting types, Masala on the defensive against the superior fighter as Medicham pressed its advantage to their fullest. Medicham was clearly an experienced tactical fighter, throwing out patterns of attacks that close off any opening one might make even as it presses the attack upon the little Riolu, who keeps up the defensive, determined to win no matter what. However before Ensara can yell out a command, Torasca suddenly jumps in swinging fists at Ensara, with Ensara just barely dodging as Torasca pursues her on her own chasing her across the room, throwing punch after punch.

“Of course” Ensara muttered. “They're criminals. They don't play fair.”

She keeps trying to avoid Torasca, unable to spare the time to call out to Masala knowing it would leave herself vulnerable. Ensara could not focus on the battle with Masala like this. Knowing Team Cerebral they probably had a psychic bond going to help coordinate each others attacks and Torasca was sending commands even now. As Ensara jumped away from a sweeping kick, Torasca completely focusing on taking her down she realized that she had to distract Torasca, to even the playing field. Ensara gets out Fortuna's Pokéball and brings out saying

“Fortuna I choose-” But is interrupted when Torasca smacks the Pokéball out of her hand, making it tumble and roll away then Torasca follows up with a punch to Ensara's gut. The blow feels like she was being hit with a truck head on, and she goes flying to bang against the wall, the wind knocked out of her from the single hit.

Masala isn't faring much better, as Medicham presses the advantage, beating her down and kicking her into the opposite wall. As both Medicham and Torasca begin to advance upon them, Ensara is unsure of what to do, then a voice speaks in her head, a speed of thought conversation ensuing:

-Hello? Hello? Ensara are you there? This is Korrina! how are you doing?-

-Oh hey.- Ensara thinks back. -Could be better. Torasca is kicking my butt. Your free? It worked?-

-Yes! Your plan worked! Hypno held my life hostage, but now I'm free to help, even if its only as advice being transmitted from Emeralds head! All my Pokémon got defeated by either shade or by the fight I had to put to try and stop them from taking over my mind- it obviously failed. You have a Riolu right?-

-Yeah.-

-Well I'll tell how to draw out her inner power! I am after an expert Lucario trainer! You need to be fully in sync with her Ensara! You need to fight as one!-

-How? We're friends but she still hasn't evolved, does my bond need to be even stronger?-

-Yes. But its not as hard as you think! You simply need to understand your Riolu on a deeper level, get in sync and fight as a single entity, use your passion to fuel her strike and her knowledge to refine your fighting skills! You may not be Aura Guardian, but you can still connect to your Pokémon- and that is all you need!-

-But HOW do I do that!? If that is all that needs to do be done!?-

-Its not complex. Aura is not a thing of the mind, but of the heart, the soul. Reach out, and it can be done.-

Ensara then thinks to Masala as Torasca and Medicham get close and closer

-Masala, we must sync up to beat them. Or something. Korrina told me to do it, you have any idea?-

-She must be talking about the training Guardians go through with their Lucarios. I think I know what she is talking about, but...be ready. This is going to be....weird and very intimate.-

With that Ensara suddenly feels Masala and her own thoughts being pulled together, their souls and minds meeting as one, only to clash as like two shields ramming against one another.

-Whats wrong!?- Ensara sends

-Your not opening up! We need to open up! Embrace each other's souls! We're closed off, only communicating a surface level. We need to be one, and only by allowing each other in.-

-.....Fine. Here goes nothing!-

Ensara closes her eyes and throws open her soul, all her feelings and thoughts, hopes and dreams. Masala's mind and soul open up as well and come rushing in.



There is an explosion of light from the two forms.



Then Ensara and the Riolu stand up at the same time, a new fire burning in their eyes. They could feel each others every movement, everything one saw the other did, their visions overlapping into one strange vision where they saw both viewpoints with the same sight, the two different viewpoint somehow blending together without any conflict or separation. Their thoughts were one. Their feelings were one. They take the same stance, knowing together that it was time to kick ass and take names.

They charge forward fast and powerful, rushing in and both their blows getting blocked by their surprised foes.

“What is this?” Torasca says, her eyes wide at their sudden power. “What is happening?”

They do not answer and being a furious assault upon Torasca and Medicham, going into an all out offensive upon them. Blue Aura flares around them as they work in sync to pummel the Team Cerebral Commander and her Medicham. Their spirits blazing azure as they force the two foes back, their fists firing like bullets from a machine gun, while the Torasca and Medicham's fists blur and flicker try to block to keep up, but even then the blows hammer down and add up as bruises upon them both. Ensara felt Masala's power reach deeper and flaring ever higher, both of their blows beginning to creates little shock waves on impact, while Masala could Ensara's passion empowering her to even greater heights, her determination flowing through Masala's every movement and Ensara's reason guiding her every strike. Ensara in turn allowed Masala's righteousness, her martial knowledge to fill her up and energize her, carrying her to greater heights than she ever could before. They were one, and it was like an adrenaline rush, the two lights of their souls combining to burn brightly as a single roaring flame. All their sights and sensations being intensified, colors being more intense, every little echo of every sound ringing in their ears, and every scent on the wind filling their nostrils. Everything they are is being put into overdrive, their hearts speeding up as they beat in sync. It was hard to tell where one of them ended and the other began as they continued their relentless assault upon their foes, every about them seeming to blur and blend together.

However suddenly Medicham manages to get Counter in to one of their strikes and Masala is hit in the chest. The pain lances through both of their bodies, equally powerful and agonizing to them both. Ensara felt every ounce of pain that Masala did, gritting her teeth through the pain. This hurt far more than the other times. It was like comparing a nick your arm to getting a spear rammed your chest. However they could not let this pain control them. The two bear it and right themselves to fight.



Then Torasca and Medicham take the opportunity to rain down dozens upon dozens of similar attacks. The two do their best to dodge out of the way, but more hits come, multiple times and they introduced to new worlds of agony they had never experienced before, the pain blossoming ever higher than that single hit as they radiate out outwards form their impacts, sending shocks burning through their nervous systems as they hit. The hit rain down more and more, filling their world with pain as the damage accumulates on both their bodies. Medicham and Torasca were more experienced, were more powerful and had been training specifically for this kind of combat. To fight them like this was foolish, for it was to play their own game, and only a fool ever tried to beat an expert at their own game. They had trained for years link their minds to coordinate their fighting style, adjusting it with precision and cold detachment to best take anyone down. What was this foolish young trainer thinking, trying to beat them with little experience and only just starting out? With a Fighting type Pokémon weak to her Psychic Pokémon? They would not stand for the insult to their pride. They would defeat Ensara and Masala like the all the rest who dared to think she was weak! She would show all of Team Cerebral that both mind and body deserved to be honed! All of them!



Yet, Ensara and Masala hold on to their Determination. There must be a way to win, on this they agree. They kept standing, kept evading, kept searching for a way to become victorious. They can not let evil win. They can not let someone who takes over and abuses minds to their own ends to run free. It is wrong, and they will right this injustice. All villains had to face justice someday, and today they determined, would be Torasca's day. They will not let themselves fail. They keep going until Ensara has an idea, a light shining in the storm of agony

-Switch!- she sends. So they do, Ensara quickly jump over to deal with Medicham while Masala runs over to attack Torasca. Torasca snorts. What was this trainer thinking? A normal human could not beat a Pokémon! However Ensara's plan was not fight Medicham- only to dodge its blows long for Masala to jump in, getting around Torasca's guard with her smaller body and hit Torasca in the stomach with a Force Palm, paralyzing her and making her fall to the ground.



Then Masala and Ensara jump upon a surprised Medicham, raining down blows upon the Pokémon and double-teaming it. The Medicham tries to block and dodge their blows, but their spirits flare and blaze to a feverish pitch as they strike harder and faster than ever before, the punches coming in the hundreds and overwhelming Medicham's guard as they press forward, their righteous fury blazing through whatever Medicham tried to put up as a defense then they finish it with a combined punch to Medichams face, shock waves radiating outwards as they send Medicham flying into a wall, who crashes and slumps to the floor defeated from the overwhelming power they display.

The two pant at the surge of power they had unleashed, their body tired from all the pain and strain that they put them under. Suddenly however another light came from Masala. They were still one, and Ensara feel a strange energy summoned up from deep inside Masala and flooding through her, all throughout her body. Ensara felt Masala grow, her muscles growing longer, bigger and hardening like steel, her body growing taller, her very body undergoing metamorphosis as a spike grew out of Masala's chest Ensara feeling the jutting feeling rapidly growing outwards , nose growing longer, ears hearing more than ever, the transformation feeling both painful yet ecstatic at the same time through the bond. Was this what its like to evolve? Ensara wonders. To feel as everything you could potentially be, getting unleash and shaped into a singular more powerful form, to feel your very being expand into something greater and more powerful than ever, to realize a single sudden moment your potential to greater heights than ever before and breaking the ceiling you have been bumping in to your entire life?



It was an ecstatic feeling, a rush of overwhelming energy that made one feel more alive than ever before, almost euphoric if not for growing pains sparking off as they reshaped Masala. All the same, Ensara got lost in the sensation, fascinating and enthralled by energy of evolution, for a moment wishing that she could experience the same burst of euphoric rapid metamorphosis in her own body.

She felt a strange tingling in her palms and held up her hands to see hands reshaping themselves as well, her fingers shrinking into paw-pads and being covered with black fur while Lucario's giant spikes rise from the back of her paws, the evolutionary energy seeming to spill over through her empathic link to Masala and affecting her directly, the same fiery evolutionary energy running up her arms and reshaping her arms black and blue, beginning to reforge her into a Lucario as well.



For a second, she stared at it in fascination and wonderment, letting the deliciously pleasurable and painful energy flow through her, entranced and caught up in its addictive high as it remakes her arms.



Then a sudden fear seizes her as the consequences of letting this energy remake her catch up to her mind, what if it finishes remaking her entirely into a Lucario and she could never go back!? She would be stuck as one forever, she wouldn't be a trainer ever again, there would only be two Lucarios here and then someone would catch her and she would not be able to fulfill her dream like that! She suddenly yanks her mind away from Masala, separating in mind and soul once again as she finishes her evolution Ensara staggers as her identity becomes singular again, still connected to Masala more than ever before, but now separate. She looks down at her arms, and they had definitely stopped changing half way up, but now seemed stuck as Lucario paws. No. No. No! What if someone else saw this!? She still couldn't go around being a trainer like this! These paws wouldn't be able to throw a Pokémon or handle a Pokédex or a potion!

“What....just....happened there? Why are my arms.....transformed!?”

Masala stopped gazing at her transformation, now just as tall as Ensara and went over to her, looking at her arms.

-....Hm. This is new. But theoretically possible.-

“How?”

-Well see, Aura is in all things. The life force of all things. Its the energy allows us to live, to grow, and evolve. Most Pokémon use it to evolve, Ditto uses it to shape shift into other Pokémon, and some Pokémon's Aura naturally changes their Forme depending on different conditions like Castform.-

Masala explains. Masala couldn't help but notice how beautiful Ensara was despite her hands being morphed into paws. Perhaps it was the auburn hair complimenting the green eyes filled with determination and righteousness, the outer beauty containing and complimenting her inner passion and drive burning as a Fire Aura perfectly, why was Masala's heartbeat quickening? Why did she feel drawn in by Ensara? This strange lovely warmth within her softer than any evolutionary energy?

-Theoretically its possible to use Aura to transform anything into anything else. Since Aura Channeling works on empathic principles, the more you feel empathy towards a Pokémon, the closer you become, and in a way empathy is recognizing what you have in common with something and growing closer to it, growing to become more like it, and thus by empathizing with me too much, you began to become a Lucario. Its a dangerous form of aura manipulation, and Ditto can only do it safely because they are primordial beings, the first offspring of Mew herself of unlimited potential and shape. That is to say, their bodies are simple, malleable and flexible enough.-

The new Lucario puts a paw to her canine chin in thought. She tries to ignore Ensara's beauty and the joy she herself as she gets in close to examine what was going on. She does not entirely succeed.

-But even Aura Guardians dare not attempt such use of Aura, especially not on themselves. It has too much potential to go wrong, to make them end up with imperfect or improperly made body structures that could kill them or terrifying part hybrid states like this one. There has never been a single Aura user who has successfully replicated the Transform move into an aura technique. Its likely that the human mind is not able to process the full complexity of such changes on every level required to do it right.-

“Ok, good to know, but that is still not telling me how to fix this! Hurry, before someone comes and sees this!” Ensara says impatiently.

-Sorry. I'm not really sure myself. I do have a theory how. Meditate, concentrate on your own identity. Try to assert that you are Ensara Aquana above all else in your mind. Focus.-

Ensara willing to do anything to fix this, sits in a meditative position and concentrate so. Focusing entirely on the fact that she was herself and nobody else. She was Ensara Aquana! And she would not let this alter her. She focused on it with all her willpower. Her arms glow in response, and they reshape, becoming more human like and Ensara looks to see the results.



They weren't perfect. Sure the hands were human-like now and capable of handling things as a human would again, but they were had black and blue fur all over, the spikes had shrunken down to little coin sized things and she felt paw-pads on each of her finger tips.

“Ok. I did it, its better but...” Ensara staring darkly at them.

-....You accepted the transformation for a moment, didn't you?- Masala accused.

“....Yes.” Ensara admitted, a little embarrassed.

-...Yeah, that will make things a little harder. On some level you accepted the identity of a Lucario into yourself if only for a moment, are still curious about being one. You will need more training and discipline to fully turn those back.- Masala explained.

“What!? But if people ask!? Its too weird!”

-Then put on gloves and don't talk about it. Do it quickly, before they come.- Masala urged.

Ensara quickly took them out and put them on, covering up her hands while rest of her arms were covered by her jacket. They quickly began making their way out of the tower.



They walked out and over the next few hours, things went well. No one questioned the gloves- trainers wore them all the time given how much time they spent outdoors. They in fact praised them both for evolving and for foiling Commander Torasca at the same time. Lily and Officer Jenny had some lectures with Shade about being more careful with his attacks from now on and he sighed and reluctantly listened and said he would be more mindful in the future. Korrina said that she would need time to recover her Pokémon before fighting Ensara and so went off to get Pokémon healed. The Cerebral Grunts were all rounded up, and put in jail along with Torasca while their Pokémon were confiscated from them. However Ensara could not hide the transformed arms from Emerald. The Kirlia sensed what happened through her own link with Ensara, and now Emerald's emotions were conflicted: She felt as if Ensara belonged to her, but she also wanted Ensara's happiness. What was she to do now?



Soon all of Ensara's Pokémon knew of the secret, but knew they had to keep it between themselves. They couldn't do anything about it so the best thing to do was to keep doing their best. Ensara and her Pokémon began their training for the Shalour City Gym. They will need it.



OMAKE: If Mewtwo Strikes Back Occurred In Generation 7.

(Just a funny thing I'd thought to include, because why not)



Mewtwo stood before the various trainers as their Pokémon were captured by his black poke balls, proud in his victory of his three starters beating theirs. He began to make his speech:

-Now I will use this storm that I have created to wipe out all life both human and Pokémon, and repopulate the world with my clones! I have been betrayed too many times by humanity to ever allow myself to be a slave again and all Pokémon who willingly allow themselves to be slaves shall die along with them!- He declares.

Then Mew teleports in.

-Mewtwo! I've come to stop you for your attempts against all life!-

-No matter. I shall prove I am powerful than you, Mew! I was expecting you to come!- Mewtwo says in response, as he begins to form a shadow ball.



Then there is suddenly a polite cough from above and everyone looked up to see various legendary Pokémon in the air, the sky clearing up from Mewtwo's storm almost immediately.

-What!?- Mewtwo says aghast as he looks up at all the Pokémon and his storm receding -What is this!? Why is my storm falling apart!? Who are all of you!?-

-Ahem.- Lugia says -I'm Lugia. I maintain the ocean currents, keep the world from falling into an ice age and being destroyed by a world storm. I do not appreciate what your trying to do here.-

-And I'm Ho-oh- The phoenix bird says in turn -I'm kind of this big fiery guardian of peace and love and good fortune, I kind of like humanity even if they were jerks to me a couple centuries back?-

-I'm Rayquaza- The giant green jormungandr like Pokémon introduced himself -I live in the atmosphere, I make sure meteors don't screw everything up as well as keep Kyogre and Groudon so that they don't destroy the world with their weather powers. I kind of noticed a world-wide hurricane under me, so I think this is very much jurisdiction and that this isn't right.-

-I'm Celebi- The flying onion fairy says -I maintain the timeline and keep it from falling apart. Like from the apocalypse your trying to pull right now.-

Suddenly the three legendary beasts come running in.

-And we,- Suicune says – Are the three Legendary Beasts, Raikou, Suicune and Entei. We purify lakes and do other various things to protect Pokémon, we don't appreciate this either.-

Then three other Pokémon come running in -And we are the Swords of Justice, Cobalion, Virizion and Terrakion who protect Pokémon and their habitats from being destroyed.-

-And we are Uxie Azelf and Mesprit?- Azelf says -We represent the spirit consciousness, we are Mew's mothers, and we are sensing a lot of fear in people's consciousness around the globe. Real disturbance in the mind stuff.-

-We are the Forces of nature.- Tornadus speaks up -Tornadus, Landorus and Thundurus who also keep the weather working and thus make the Earth bountiful. We don't appreciate you messing with our turf as well.-

-And I'm Zygarde.- The giant 100% forme of cells stomps in. -I maintain the balance of nature and thus also keep the environment from going out of control as well.-

Then all four Tapus fly in. -I'm Tapu Koko, This is Tapu Fini, Bulu and Lele. We defend Alola, and since Alola is apart of the world, we need to defend Alola against you.-

Mewtwo's eyes are wide as he takes all this information in.

-Uh....I wasn't expecting that there so many....uh....legendary Pokémon. Yeah. That. That um....changes a lot of things....is this um.....all the legendaries I don't know about?- Mewtwo asks Mew uncertainly.

-Actually no.- Mew says with a trollish grin. - A few ones not worth mentioning. There is also Victini whose magic can grant anyone victory no matter what, Jirachi who grants wishes to humans, the Ultra-Beasts who live in higher dimensions and go around destroying parallel universes, Reshiram and Zekrom who are the dragons of Truth and Ideals respectively, the Creation trio of Dialga who controls time, Palkia who controls space and Giratina who rules the anti-matter universe outside our reality, and above them is Arceus, the creator of all the universe and Pokémon himself, omnipotent and all powerful who can probably just reset everything back to the way he wants it if you ever succeed in defeating Celebi and Dialga assuming they need to time travel to prevent you from destroying everything! The only reason those last four aren't here is because they're literally so above us all and powerful that they don't notice whats going on down here most of the time!-

Mewtwo blinks shocked at how little he knew, knowing he can't possibly take on all these legendaries by himself. And knowing that there were even more powerful beings even beyond them only made his inevitable defeat all the more crushing as he saw what would come of this path.

-....I.....yeah I didn't think this through, I'm giving up. I'll release the Pokémon and not destroy the world. I'll be good. Just don't, y'know. Blow me up or anything. Or call Arceus. I like living.-

Rayquaza smiled. -I thought so.-



And so the day was saved, thanks to superior numbers and Mewtwo not being an idiot.