1x1 Pokemon: Jewels of the Aether - On the Run (Tala x 1:22)

@WavePearl (Lets see... what if either Leon or Michelle were to say or do something significant that would cause Bonnie to remember the performance in a flashback?)

 

@WavePearl @Shady Pirate

It wasn't long before Leon and Michelle were back at the throne room where Prince Clemont and Princess Bonnie were sitting. Leon, having taken the details of the maps and all that, made his formal announcement of his venture so that there would be less sense of worry for everyone's sake.

"So here's the position," Leon said. "It may sound ambitious, but I bet it will be the only way to save Kalski's markets and probably for Illumis too, as well as getting a way out of Kalski unharmed. For my home... we're going to take on the main fortresses situated in Kalski. Yantara, Romantia, and Flusselles are our targets. However, what concerns us most is that the fortress under renovation at Setekai may serve as the real problem once it is up. If it is running, we'll have a problem getting out of Kalski for sure. There is also a second fortress under construction at the junction between Nouvaria and Fractalia, which probably is serving as their base to control trade routes. There is rumoured to be a weapon in that vicinity."

"For the time being," Leon continued, "we ought to lie low for a bit and take out these fortresses quietly. The last thing we need is for the whole guild to bear down on us, since..." - Leon glanced at Michelle - "Michelle has hostile connections with them. It'll be a miracle if I can meet up with my little cousin and her minstrel friends."

(Drawing a blank on how to set up the flashback...)

 

@WavePearl

Leon sweatdropped. "Milady," he coolly said, as usual, "I thought I mentioned the lady Serena before..." Suddenly, his eyes became wide. "Hold that thought! Do you know who she is, milady?! Have you heard of her?"

(Initiate the flashback)

 

@WavePearl

Leon smiled. What a coincidence that the princess before him had more indirect contact with his younger cousin! "That is very interesting," he said, keeping his cool. However, his voice showed he was getting some hopes up. "If you don't mind, may I hear what happened here? Or rather, what this lady Serena has done? She seemed to have made an impact!"

(Your call, as long as it fits Serena's character)

 

@WavePearl

Princess Bonnie's retelling was such that Leon could well understand the level of performance this Serena character was capable of. "That is a very nice story," he remarked. "So she is both a storyteller and a musician, eh? I can't imagine how she would react if she could recognise the Fletchling you sent to my cousin. After all, my cousin is travelling with her! How long ago did you say this was? Six months? It's amazing how you can remember all of this. Is there more to it?"

Even so, he realised he might be taking a little bit too long with his conversation, but he was very curious. He nearly forgot about Michelle for a bit, but as she was standing right beside him, that wasn't happening.

 

Leon rubbed his arm where Michelle had pinched him, but he also flinched. He rarely had a girl touch him before. "Right... We just have to figure out where to head first," he said. "Can you believe it? We were just a day's journey from Setekai when we were at Relievera. It was a miracle we weren't attacked! But anyways... yeah, there are three fortresses to the east of Illumis - at Romantia and Flusselles, and the heavily guarded one near Nouvaria. The other two west of here, at Yantara and Sekitai especially, may have to wait."

"The problem is, we can't really get out of Kalos unless we get the latter two out of the way..." Leon muttered. He turned to the prince and princess. "Thank you for all your assistance, milord and milady. I hope we aren't intruding too much of your time..."

He yawned. "Alright, Michelle. Where shall we go first?"

 

Leon and Michelle eventually were out of Chateau Prisme and were on their way to the northern side of Illumis. Knowing that things would be quite dangerous once they left the city premises, Leon made sure that his gear was in place and his equipment secure. Before long, the two were walking near a field where some children were playing. It looked welcoming at first, but what came next was a massive swamp that looked anything but welcome...

 

Both Leon and Michelle started to walk through the swampy route uninterrupted. Unfortunately, they had to be more on edge now, as they were getting further away from the safety of Illumis and towards hostile ground. Leon's guess was that because Romantia was home to a Flare Guild fortress, the grounds would surely be watched. For good measure, he had Belle sent out from his Heart charm just in case if anything happened. While walking, Leon kept an eye on Michelle just in case if anything happened to her, but he found that her red top and black vest and skirt was quite attractive. He

"We're used to surveying stuff like this, aren't we, Belle?" Leon said, as he looked around the swamp. He kept a grip on his bow just in case. Noticing that Michelle had white boots, he added, "Hey, Michelle. Aren't you worried your boots will get dirty?"

Belle looked at Leon immediately, squeaking, "We're on a campaign, and you care about her boots?! Leon! Why?!"

Elsewhere, the two Flare Guild merchants that had followed Michelle in Illumis before were once again navigating their way through the swamp to keep track of the travelling group. However, they kept the chatter low and actually moved ahead of the group unnoticed.

 

Belle rolled her eyes. Was Leon caring for Michelle too much already? He has been behaving weirdly ever since Michelle had kissed him. What would Maria say about this? She would probably be happy that Leon had finally found a girlfriend... but Belle decided it was impossible.

Leon smiled, though. "I guess I am overthinking."

Things were uneventful, but the two of them passed by what looked to be an abandoned house, two Pokémon appeared! They didn't seem to be part of the Flare Guild, but what was for certain was that they were out to give Leon and Michelle a scare - or so they tried.

(Leon and Belle encounter a wild Haunter! Michelle encounters a wild Haunter!)

Leon and Michelle
HP: 20
Atk: 8
Def: 20%

Belle and Ian
HP: 20
Atk: 4
Def: 20%

Haunter
HP: 24
Atk: 4
Def: 25%

 

"Right... Belle. Here we go," Leon said. "However, I don't think I'll need to use my bow. You can handle this."

"Aw...! But Leon! That's not fair!" Belle complained. Nevertheless, she fired a round of Magical Leaves anyway.

1st round
Ian uses Flamethrower... Critical miss!
Haunter A uses Shadow Punch... Hit!
Ian takes 8 damage.

Belle uses Magical Leaf... Hit!
Haunter B takes 8 damage.
Haunter B uses Shadow Punch... Miss!

Belle (12/20)
Ian (12/20)
Haunter A (24/24)
Haunter B (16/24)

"Uh... I think I may need to give you some help, Belle..." Leon said, as he drew out his bow.

(Just testing out our strengths here...)