Prince of Po Town (Pokemon Isekai)

[Doge The Last]

Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying and there's lots more to come. Now that Ian has more or less a competent core team, he'll be able to hold his own in conflicts with others factions (which is largely what the first arc was about getting him to).

Click to shrink...

I'm loving the story so far and cant wait for more

 

[Oceanside Lowlife]

Chapter 15 Rival

The sun beat down on the group of six Team Skull members as they closed in on the treeline of the Akua Jungle up ahead. Even in Ian's airy tank top he could feel the humidity making him sweat.

"Okay everyone, we're coming up on the meadow," Plumeria announced as she slowed her bicycle down, prompting everyone else to follow suit. Ian stopped right behind her and studied the old, faded grey backpack she wore that stood out from the rest of the group's faded black packs. The words Silph Co. were spelled out on a patch with loose strings. Oh that's the Silph Bag Plumeria was talking about.

When the group came to a full halt in front of the Akua Jungle's first row of trees, Plumeria turned to Ian. "You and Sawsbuck go find some berries to grow so we have tribute for the Oricorio."

"Not to be that guy Big Sis, but I don't think we need the tribute. Sawsbuck and I are cool with the Oricorio now," Ian said.

Plumeria scoffed. "Oh cool," she said dismissively. "I highly doubt that, as I've been coming through the meadow regularly since the Ultra Rift showed up and the Oricorio got all defensive and they always ask for tribute."

"Did Tom tell you what we did last week?" Ian asked.

"I heard you damaged more of the meadow-"

"I did, but Tom and some stewards repaired the walkway and Sawsbuck helped regrow the flowers the Oricorio get their nectar from," Ian explained. "They were giving me berries at the end of it."

Hyde suddenly snorted like he was about to hock a loogie and spat on the ground. "What a load of shit. It's really pathetic how much of a hero complex you have, kid."

"Gonna be really funny when I get to say 'I told you so,'" Ian fired back.

Hyde scoffed. "Just because Tapu Bulu thought it would be funny to bless your whack ass deer with its power doesn't mean we all have to suck your dick, fake-ass Faller."

Ian's voice rose in anger. "I was here four days while-"

"Both of you shut the fuck up!" Plumeria shouted, her face contorted in anger. "We're not even an hour in and you two are already about to fight. Next time you two get into it, I'm sending someone back to Po Town and they'll be in The Basement until I get back."

Ian gulped nervously. The Basement was essentially Po Town's jail cell. Prisoners from hostile factions and Team Skull members who were caught doing stupid stuff ended up there.

"Big Sis, he's clearly a fucking spy, just send him in to The Basement and be done with it," Hyde said.

Plumeria groaned in frustration. "First off Hyde, you'd be the one sent back. We actually need Ian on this mission, we don't need you. And second, I don't think Ian's a spy."

"But Big Sis-"

"If Ian actually was a spy, his story would be a lot more consistent than it has been," Plumeria explained with an almost smirk. "And last of all, if Ian was actually a spy, wouldn't it be better for to stay with us and watch him, making sure nothing bad happens to us?"

Hyde looked down dejectedly but nodded. "Yeah."

Plumeria then turned to Ian, her face still contorted with controlled rage. "And you need to stop falling for Hyde's bait, okay?"

Ian nodded. "I gotcha."

"No bickering between you two for the rest of the expedition, is that clear?" Plumeria demanded.

"Yes," Ian replied.

Hyde gave Ian a sour look but nodded. "Okay."

"Good, now Ian go get some fucking berries," Plumeria said matter of factly before returning to her bike and started walking it to the trail. Ian grabbed Sawsbuck's Heal Ball and released it, still feeling tense as he walked along the perimeter, trying to find newly ripened berries as the plant life shifted with growth from Sawsbuck's Grassy Surge. A slight blip of green light caught his eye, but upon looking for its source there was nothing there. Mystery meat again? Been a bit since I've seen one of those.

A few minutes later, Ian and Sawsbuck met back up with the squad, all holding up their bikes as Ian carried a handful of red Cheri Berries in his hand, the view of the wooden staircase . Not that we'll need them. He handed them to Selene, who led the group to the wooden stairs where they'd watched the Oricorio tribute ceremony, as Selene had referred to it.

"Put Sawsbuck away, you'll scare them off," Plumeria whispered.

Ian put his hands together like he was praying and mouthed "trust me." Plumeria scowled at him but relented for the time being. No great beats or cracking sounds greeted them, instead a few Oricorio popped their heads out from the tall grass and chirped happily. Two began twirling midair like ballerinas over the heads of the knelt group of trainers before landing daintily on Sawsbuck. More red, twirling Oricorio fluttered to Sawsbuck, and one even landed on Ian's shoulder and chirped happily. Plumeria and the rest of the squad watched on in complete shock as the Oricorio began to chirp and sing happily One Oricorio landed in front of Ian with a berry in its beak and dropped it in front of him, then took a low bow and twirled back in the air.

"Oh my goodness…" Selene whispered.

Ian kept his gaze focused on the jubilant Oricorio and made sure not to look in Hyde's direction, no matter how satisfying it would be to see steam coming from his hater's ears. I'll let him seethe in peace this time.

***

After a little over an hour's ride of enduring sweltering heat and high humidity, for Alola at least, the road Plumeria elicited a sigh of relief. "Finally!" Plumeria called out, pointing up ahead to what looked to be the cluttered foundations of a building that once stood on the roadside clearing.

"What am I looking at?" Ian asked.

"That's Aether Camp, yo," Tupp replied. "Used to be an old Aether research station or something. When we was fighting Breon his dudes burned it down," Tupp explained. "We struck back and hit the 'Aether House' outside of Haina Town."

"I see…" Aether House, that was the place Cosmog got kidnapped from in the games, right? And there was an Aether building over here too? Why does that ring a bell? I think it was some sort of lab- Ian gasped as the realization hit him. It was the lab you'd get Zygarde from! THAT is what the green flashes are, they're Zygarde Cells!

"Ian, the fuck you going?" Tupp called out from behind.

Ian realized he'd biked well past the group's destination and circled back, still pondering the implications of Zygarde potentially being around. Considering how long I've been here, I haven't really thought about something like Zygarde or even Cosmog for that matter. When Ian pulled up to the remnants of the destroyed building, he noticed Plumeria hunched over with the Silph Bag on the ground. Suddenly a white beam reminiscent of a Poke Ball's beam shot out from the faded grey backpack on the ground and a large duffel bag appeared. So that's how the Silph Bag works.

Upon getting both duffel bags with their tent supplies out of the Silph Bag, Plumeria gave Ian a look. "You gonna stand there and gawk all day?"

"No-"

The lightbulb came on in Plumeria's mind and she shook her head. "Do they not have Silph Bags in Unova?" Plumeria asked.

"They're pretty rare," Ian lied.

Plumeria made a sound that was almost a laugh before returning to her task. "I didn't expect that, but it makes sense. I just wanted to make sure Mina wouldn't start getting jealous or anything."

Rapp and Selene both gasped overdramatically, covering their mouths as if an emotional bombshell just dropped. "Scandalous Ian! I never thought you'd be such a tramp," Selene teased.

Ian felt his cheeks warm up and he shook his head. I can't lie, Plumeria's attractive but she's definitely not my type personality wise. Plus maybe I only think she's good looking cause I haven't done the old five-knuckle-shuffle since I got to Alola. "In your dreams, Plumeria," Ian fired back.

"Only if I wanted to be sober and vomit," Plumeria spat back. "How about you take your reddening cheeks and go find some berries for us?"

"Cheeks?" Ian asked mockingly. "Oh, you mean the ones on my face," Ian said in faux-realization.

"Next time you make that joke I'm taking Hyde's side in your next lovers' spat," Plumeria retorted.

Ian sighed lowly and noticed Tupp beside him snickering. "I guess I'll go out and bring home the bacon for everyone," Ian announced overly obnoxiously.

"Should I send Tupp with you just in case? You sure you'll be okay doing it alone? " Plumeria teased.

"Alone? I'm not alone, I'll have Sawsbuck with me," Ian said with mock enthusiasm.

Selene giggled. "Ian, I'm only going to say this because Hyde can't, but that sounded incredibly lame."

Ian's grin widened. "Just make sure he says 'thank you' while I'm gone." With that, Ian made his way to the nearby group of trees and pulled out Sawsbuck's Heal Ball, casually tossing it in front of him. When Sawsbuck manifested, Ian immediately noticed something very different about his blessed stag's antlers. Gone were the pink cherry blossoms, now it appeared like there were two bushes above its head. "Sawsbuck, why are your antlers gone?"

Sawsbuck grunted loudly as if it resented being accused. "So you're telling me it's so hot right now you turned into your summer form?" Ian continued. Sawsbuck shook its head and bleated, looking to the treeline ahead of them. Well that's unexpected. Ian felt one of Sawsbuck's vines nudge him, and Ian smiled. "Might as well go for a ride after all."

Moments later Ian had mounted Sawsbuck and his blessed stag began trotting through the nearby bank of trees. "No offense Sawsbuck, but I liked your springtime antlers more. I can't see a good amount of space in front of you with these bushes in the way," Ian said, fidgeting with the newly grown plant life on Sawsbuck's antlers. The buck seemingly ignored Ian's critique of its new do. Oh yeah, if his forms are seasonal or weather based, he can't really control it.

He spotted an Aspear Berry tree, and when Sawsbuck's Grassy Surge affected the fruits, they grew to about three quarters of their ripened size, with green still overshadowing the yellow. "We'll come back to you tomorrow morning," Ian said with a grin.

Just as Sawsbuck neared the ending of the small, natural orchard of trees he caught another green blip of light in the corner of his eye, this time on the trunk of a rather large tropical tree. "Another Zygarde cell!" Ian called out. He shook the reins on Sawsbuck and pointed to where Sawsbuck could see and his blessed stag hurried over. Ian investigated the old tree trunk, noticing the tree itself had to be at least five times his height if not more. Ian kept his gaze on the trunk, and as he studied it further, noticed a faint, green patch in the wood. Right about where the flash seemed to come from. Ian reached his hand out, thinking maybe the Zygarde Cell would somehow lift itself from the wood. It didn't appear to be a separate entity, but it had fused with the bark. Part of him thought of maybe chopping off that part of the trunk, but he realized that likely wouldn't grant him any favors with the Zygarde Cell, if it was sentient at all. Or its brethren.

Ian watched on curiously, noticing it blip with green light a couple more times over the five minute period. Oh yeah, the protagonist in the Sun and Moon games was given some bracelet or watch thing that absorbed all of the Zygarde Cells. Something tells me a device like that isn't exactly heading Team Skull's way anytime soon.

Ian finally grew bored of the seemingly dormant Zygarde Cell and waved goodbye to it as he directed Sawsbuck away. On the topic of Legendary Pokemon… If Mohn never got wormhole'd away from Aether, does Aether still capture Cosmog and keep it in captivity? Well, that's not even mentioning Aether Island is abandoned now, right? Maybe an experiment with Cosmog went wrong or something and a bunch of Ultra Beasts appeared? That would make sense… Ian sighed as he didn't realize he could get that creative. Sawsbuck's pace slowed as mount and rider came upon an incline that signaled the beginning of some of the nearby foothills. He looked up to the southern sky, seeing the great, snowcapped peak of Mount Lanakila looming over him and Sawsbuck ominously. Right where the summit would be was the bright light of the Ultra Rift, bright enough to be seen from his position who knows how many miles away.

And what about the Ultra Rift? Maybe Nebby or something of its line as at the center of it? That would make some sort of sense… Maybe Nebby's a Cosmoem and it's stuck there, being something so dense it tore open reality? Ian shook his head in disbelief. If I ever got off this crazy island I could be a big help to some physics professor… Ian shook his head again, trying to remove the notion from his mind. And this is all even IF Cosmog was found. Maybe it's still at large? There was that postgame event where you could get another Cosmog right? You had to go to this opposite world where day and night were reversed and go- Ian's jaw dropped as a second huge realization hit him in the day. You had to take a Solgaleo or Lunala to the Lake of the Sunne… Or Moone, depending on the version. And a Cosmog would be born at the weird altar thing. Maybe Cosmog's hanging out at the Lake of the Sunne? Maybe that's where Lusamine found it in the game timeline… Ian's brain continued churning through ideas. And there's the Arceus design being seen from above. What the hell did Arceus have to do with Alola in the first place? Plus Zygarde, wasn't it supposed to be in Kalos? Ian cringed as he remembered speculation from fans that there was supposed to be a sequel game to the X and Y that got cancelled in favor of doing the Alola games which explained Zygarde's presence in Alola. Am I seriously debating whether a cancelled video game from a different dimension is going to have potential real world consequences for me now? Ian shook his head in disbelief again. "This is nuts," Ian said aloud.

Being so lost in thought, Ian hadn't realized Sawsbuck had stopped in front of another tree, this one being full of freshly ripened Leppa Berries. "Good job Sawsbuck. You're the best autopilot a guy could ask for."

Sawsbuck bleated happily as if it was cheering in agreement. I'd never be able to investigate the Lake of the Sunne anyways though since Tapu Bulu almost beheaded me when I was there last time. Plus Plumeria said there's an Alpha Golurk guarding the place as well… Ian sighed, this time in frustration. But a Cosmog being there would explain why the place is off limits and so well guarded. It wasn't guarded at all in the games. Why the hell is the place so important anyways?

One of Sawsbuck's vines dangled a fresh Leppa Berry in his face and Ian's rumbling stomach got the better of him. "Thanks bud." Sawsbuck seemingly chortled with a series of grunts, and Ian rubbed the back of his blessed mount's neck affectionately. "If I didn't lose your Heal Ball and you hadn't vouched for me in front of Tapu Bulu that day, I probably die then," Ian recalled out loud. Sawsbuck didn't seem to respond as it now had a number of Leppa Berries wrapped up in its sets of vines. "So even if Nebby's there, we can't exactly go prowling around. Anyways Sawsbuck, let's get these berries back to camp."

***

When Ian returned, two tents had been set up, and a hole in one of the ruined building's exposed foundations had become a makeshift fire pit with three occupied lawn chairs surrounding it. Plumeria stood with arms folded, looking out to the horizon and the nearby shore he hadn't realized was so close by.

"Food time!" Rapp announced from her chair as she saw Ian and Sawsbuck riding up with a dozen Leppa Berries on them. Selene turned her head and smiled eagerly at the prospect of food. Hyde, who sat in the third lawn chair, turned his head away.

When Ian neared the campsite, he tossed a couple berries each to Selene and Rapp. When it came time for him to decide about giving them to Hyde, Ian caught a glare from Plumeria and tossed one. The Leppa Berry landed on Hyde's lap but rolled off as Hyde made no effort to stop it, instead just leering at Ian.

"Here, have mine," Selene said quickly, getting out of her seat and placing her own berries directly into Hyde's hands. Selene went to Sawsbuck and took a couple berries from one the blessed stag's vines and gave Ian an annoyed eyeroll.

Ian gave her an acknowledgement nod and turned to Plumeria, who seemed oddly fixated with the coastline. "Is the ocean that pretty down here compared to the view from Po Town?"

"Yeah, Mahiki Bay is probably the prettiest coastline on Ula'Ula," Plumeria said.

"So the most picturesque coastline on the island is just a two hour ride down The Straightaway? Neat," Ian said, extending a Leppa Berry

Plumeria shook her head. "South of the jungle it's the Laa Path," Plumeria said, emphasizing the ah-ah sound in the Alolan word Laa.

"Cool…" Ian said, holding a Leppa Berry out for Plumeria to take, which she finally did.

"It's also Sinclair's territory," Plumeria added between bites.

Oh yeah, the pirate guy. "The beach?"

Plumeria shook her head. "Just the waters and the islands in the bay," Plumeria said. A lot of the so called islands were really just rock formations sticking out of the sea, but he did see a couple in the distance with some land in between. "His base with all of his ships is probably on the biggest island but it's way far out."

Ian nodded, looking out at the bay, noticing Tupp doing something Ian assumed had to do with Sobble. Upon looking further into the distance, he saw two large hills sprouting up from the ocean in the far distance. Probably those, I take it. Something nagged at him though, words Tupp had said a few days prior when Ian had questioned him about why there were never planes in the sky.

"The ASF closed the skies around Ula'Ula cuz Surge and his Zapdos threatened to shoot down anything that came close," Ian recalled Tupp explaining.

"So Plumeria, Surge and Zapdos have air superiority over the island, right?" Ian asked.

"Yeah," Plumeria answered sourly.

"And you said Sinclair and his pirates raid shipping coming from the rest of Alola, right? I assume that goes to the ASF before getting distributed around, right?" Ian continued.

"Yeah, where are you going with this?" Plumeria asked skeptically.

"Why doesn't Surge take Zapdos and destroy Sinclair's boats then? Sinclair's raiding stuff that Surge is bound to get anyways."

"Good question actually," Plumeria said. "Remember that boat that woke us up this morning?"

"Yeah," Ian answered.

"We think Sinclair pays tribute to Surge through Outrigger on the down low," Plumeria explained. "That boat would have to have been sent off in the middle of the night to get to be that close to Po Town at sunrise."

"Ooooooh, that makes sense actually," Selene chimed in.

"Yeah," Ian said. "Plus it weakens the ASF."

"What?" Selene asked.

"If Surge doesn't like the ASF, having SInclair harass them is great. It keeps the ASF busy while Surge does whatever his game plan is for later," Ian explained.

Plumeria stood in silence, eyeing Ian curiously. "That's pretty well thought out actually. Where'd you come up with that?"

"I played too many strategy games with my buddies back home," Ian said.

Plumeria thought on something for a few seconds before addressing Ian once more. "When we get back to Po Town I may ask you to sit in on a strategy meeting."

Hyde cleared his throat obnoxiously loud, glaring at Plumeria. Ian wanted to cackle, knowing it would get under Hyde's skin, but he swallowed his pride instead and took a deep breath instead. "I'm gonna join Tupp down there on the beach then."

"Damn, I shoulda' brought a swimsuit or something. Water looks perfect yo," Rapp said.

"Yeah," Selene said.

"Don't go swimming in the bay," Plumeria said. "Lots of predatory Water Pokemon in that water."

"Wasn't gonna do that but thanks for the heads up," Ian said as he waved goodbye.

***

The hour of training with Tupp ended up being really productive, as Ian got to reveal his newly evolved Pyroar to his best friend. Pyroar got to show off his new moves, namely Flamethrower, Hyper Voice, and Roar. I was hoping he'd have Crunch for some Type diversity, but whatever. Ian did his best to stifle laughter when Pyroar tried doing some of its agility training. Being significantly larger and more muscular had made him clumsy. It'll definitely be something he need lots of practice to get used to.

By the time the sun started setting, Ian and Tupp were called back to camp, and Ian was made aware there'd be a night watch since they were close to enemy territory.

"So who's first yo?" Tupp asked.

"Ian," Hyde said bluntly. "I'll stay up and do a double. No way I'm sleeping when he's on watch."

Ian looked at Plumeria to prove he wasn't about to start bickering, and Plumeria sighed in frustration. "Suit yourself Hyde."

Ian took a seat in one of the lawnchairs as Plumeria led the girls to bed. Tupp stayed out for a while to make sure Hyde played nice, but eventually he yawned once too many and went to the boys' tent. From his position, Ian got to see the night sky illuminated with countless stars and a three-quarter moon. Ian had rarely gone camping, so he'd almost always been near a big city with light pollution. By the time the stars really came out, he was usually stuck in his bunk in Shady House, he found an unusual enjoyment of looking at the night sky, that is until his neck started to hurt.

Ian tried to play off how awkward the silence felt. Part of him wanted to get a fire going just to have something to be distracted with, but Plumeria said it would be visible for any of Sinclair's patrol boats. After a good fifteen minutes, Hyde moved, checking his watch and then clearing his throat.

"Just go to sleep man," Hyde said.

"And the moment you catch me snoozing, you'll go and wake up Plumeria tell her I'm useless," Ian said. "That'll be a no from me, but thanks for the offer."

"It wasn't to be nice," Hyde spat.

Ian took a deep breath, trying not to raise his voice. "Do we have to do this now? We'll just wake up everyone and get kicked off the mission in the morning."

Hyde didn't respond, opting to just sit in silence for another few minutes, and Ian took the opportunity to admire the night sky some more. Eventually something crossed his mind he'd yet to ask Hyde yet, and decided it was probably the best chance at an olive branch he had. "I heard a rumor about you," Ian began.

"Bullshit, whatever it is," Hyde croaked.

"I heard you're hostile to all Unovans, not just me," Ian said.

"Believe whatever you want," Hyde said, returning to silence for a good half a minute. "The rumor's true though."

"I assume there's a good reason why," Ian said delicately.

"There is."

Ian waited for Hyde to elaborate further, but realized he wasn't going to volunteer the information. "Can I ask what the reason is?"

Hyde sat in silence for another minute as Ian did his best to remain patient. Finally Ian heard Hyde shift in his lawn chair, and the pale moonlight reflected off Hyde's watch. "You see this watch?" Hyde asked.

"Yeah."

"It was my brother's," Hyde said. "He's dead now."

Ian gulped. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"You don't have to be so fake around me, plant," Hyde croaked. "He took an offer to go to a Unovan military academy. You're their bitch for four years, but they give you a place at the end of year Castelia Cup when you're done. You basically become a big shot overnight from there."

"You guys are from Alola though, right?" Ian asked.

"Duh."

"So why's a Unova military academy taking him in?" Ian asked.

Hyde sighed in frustration. "Dude, you being this clueless about Unovan shit-"

"Can you just explain it to me man? I think the politics in my world are way different," Ian said, trying to de-escalate.

Hyde gave an annoyed exhale but began speaking again. "They probably don't tell you this shit in your propaganda schools, but you Unova fucks do a lot of shit around the world. Even worse, you don't like doing it yourselves. So you have this military academy called the Striaton Institute that takes people from other regions, and they do your guys' dirty work for you. That's where he went."

Ian gulped. "They definitely don't tell most Unovans that."

"You don't gotta be fake with me, plant," Hyde said. "When he left he had a big smile on his face and told me he'd see me again in four years and 'everything would be different.' Six months later they sent us the news about him. I give the Unovans credit though, I didn't think they'd give us his watch back, but they did."

Ian didn't respond, letting the moment breath.

"And in four days it'll be the three year anniversary of him leaving," Hyde grunted.

Ian continued letting the moment breath, making sure Hyde didn't have anything else to add until he finally opened his mouth. "Thanks for sharing that Hyde. I know you hate me, and nothing's gonna change between us, and that's okay," Ian said.

"Still trying to be nice, you're just as stubborn as Tupp," Hyde scoffed. "You know, Palmer's Ranch is only a few miles from Malie City's outer defenses. It'd be best for you if one night you just disappeared there and never came back."

Ian gulped. "I owe Team Skull everything-"

"Nah you don't, not anymore. And a little advice, don't go thinking Mina's into you or anything," Hyde said definitively. "Only reason's she's flirting with you is she wants to piss me off."

"What?" Ian asked in shock.

"We started talkin' in the first month, back when we thought Breon would use his Tyranitar to destroy Po Town's walls and wreck our shit. We even made out a couple times. But she broke it off, saying she got some dude back home she still had feelings for."

Well that would explain her hesitation earlier today… But nothing out of Hyde's mouth can be trusted. He wants me to have no attachments so I'll leave. "Good to know," Ian lied.

"She's just gonna tease you to get attention," Hyde said. "Just like why she does her dumb murals."

Ian exhaled deeply, feeling very awkward now, not wanting to pick a fight but wanting to defend his artsy friend he was kind of crushing on. "So what time you got?"

"Twelve minutes until your shift is done. By the time you're snoring it'll be my turn anyways," Hyde said dismissively.

"Good talk," Ian said as he got out of the lawn chair.

"Fuck off," Hyde replied.

"The harder you try to get me to leave, the more likely I stay just to piss you off, Hyde" Ian said with a light chuckle.

***

Ian awoke to Tupp tapping on the forehead. "I'm awake bro," Ian said hoarsely.

"You said you had a surprise for breakfast?" Tupp recalled.

Ian smiled. "Oh yeah, we're in for a treat today." He crawled out of his sleeping bag and debated rolling it up, but figured the rest of the squad would appreciate breakfast first. He made his way outside of the tent where Tupp had already started folding up the lawn chairs and Plumeria was mid-yawn as she emerged from her tent, her long strands of hair looking uncharacteristically disheveled.

"Morning Plumeria," Ian greeted.

"Morning Ian," Plumeria croaked.

"Got a treat for us this morning," Ian said.

"You fit a coffee machine in your bag there?" Plumeria asked, wiping the sleep from her eyes.

"Hey Big Sis!" Hyde's voice called from the boys' tent. "Ian ain't even roll up his fucking sleeping bag-" Hyde froze as he saw Ian standing right next to Plumeria.

"Hyde, I have been awake FOR LESS THAN TWO MINUTES!" Plumeria roared.

"Bis Sis, I-"

"So you're going back to Po Town then, right?" Plumeria demanded.

"Wait, my bad, I-"

Ian grinned at Tupp as he ducked the escalating scene, getting Sawsbuck's Heal Ball ready. Moments later he was on Sawsbuck's back, the small shrubs on the blessed stag's summer form antlers blocking a good chunk of his frontal vision. Sawsbuck seemed to remember the route, and when they got to the Aspear Berry tree it didn't take long until they had twelve berries in their hands, leaving the rest of the berries for a return trip for his Pokemon team's breakfast.

When Ian got back to camp and started distributing Aspear Berries, Hyde seemed particularly dejected.

"So what's so special about Aspear Berries?" Plumeria asked.

"They're like if coffee was berries," Ian said, handing her a pair, then giving her another pair to give to Hyde.

"I made Hyde roll up your sleeping bag," Plumeria said lowly.

"Thanks," he whispered back. Plumeria took a bite of one of her Aspear Berries and her eyes lit up as the warming sensation came across her body. "Fuck, these are better than coffee."

When Selene took a bite of one she gasped too. "They are!"

Ian was given an old grocery bag and made a return trip to the Aspear Berry tree and a nearby Oran Berry tree for the group's various Pokemon team members. He made sure to feed his team away from camp, especially his massive Tyrunt.

Ian re-appeared at their campsite he remembered they called Aether Camp, and noticed the last tent's duffel bag was being beamed into the Silph Bag.

"Breakfast is gonna have to be fast for our Pokemon, I want to hit that Ultra Storm forming up ahead," Plumeria said, pointing to their southerly route. "Not too far out of the way either."

Ian noticed a faint white glowing dome a mile or so inland and smiled at the prospect of finally getting to go to another Ultra Storm. Maybe give Wartortle some EXP Candy… Or maybe I just save it for when Grimsley thinks a Pokemon's mentally ready to evolve. Yeah, that's a better idea.

Selene and Rapp began releasing their Pokemon, and Ian watched closely as he'd never seen their full teams out at once. Selene's Brionne appeared with a cheer, her Arcanine and Dusk Form Lycanroc immediately began playing around excitedly, while Toucannon stretched its wings out. Arcanine, as big as a tiger but acts like a dog. If I didn't already have Pyroar I would so go for one… Ian thought for a moment as Selene grabbed her last tow Poke Balls. Maybe help Tupp get a Growlithe or something. There weren't any on this island if I recall, but who knows what an Ultra Storm will bring. Plus if it's male it might give Tupp an in with Selene. Selene released her last two Pokemon, one being the floating squid-like Pokemon Inkay, floating around lazily, while her sixth Pokemon emerged from its ball and Ian recognized the primate with a helmet and hard ball looking thing under its arm as a Passimian. Neat. Never would have expected her to have an Inkay though… I wonder how they evolve if you can't turn the 3DS upside down?

Ian turned to Rapp's Pokemon, her Comfey and Galarian Ponyta were out first, but a Stufful and a Smoochum joined the other two. Interesting. Plumeria's Salazzle, Alolan Muk, newly added Varoom, and Haunter that Ian had seen before came first, followed by an Arbok and a Toxapex. Toxapex stuck out to him, as the large blue, Corsola-eating starfish moved slowly, ominously as it neared the pair of berries near it. Varoom didn't even touch the food, instead opting a patch of gravel and mechanically grinding it up underneath. Never thought that's how a Varoom would eat, but you learn something new every day. Ian turned back to Salazzle and noticed a string around its neck with a dark purple crystal hanging on it. Is that a Z-Crystal? Ian turned to Plumeria suddenly and looked at her wrist, noticing a bracelet of some sort he'd always thought was a watch.

Other than Hyde leaving the group's vision to feed his Pokemon team "where no enemies will see," everything went smoothly as the group rode down the Laa Path. Mount Lanakila loomed larger and large over them with Ian noticing the bright white light of the Ultra Rift at the summit becoming more and more prominent. One day, if I ever get a flyer I want to get a closer look. I'm sure it'd be really cool.

They were maybe a half mile out when Ian noticed the Ultra Storm's dome-like luminescence begin to become a more vibrant shade of white before cycling between red, blue, green, and yellow, before the color green returned. Moments later a boom sound hit their ears, which made Ian thankful they weren't so close to this time around. A couple minutes the group of six was dismounting, and Plumeria began barking orders.

"Ian, Tupp, you guys go around the perimeter. Hyde, you and Selene go help create a buffer zone in there, Rapp and I will occupy that buffer zone so we can watch and observe. Go!" Plumeria said.

The squad left their packs with their bikes and hurried to the fog-like barrier. Ian released his Pyroar and Tupp his Gumshoos. Selene released her Arcanine and Hyde his Torracat.

"Aw, we're matching tiger Pokemon," Selene said with a giggle.

"Switch your 'mon, I don't want Ian seeing the rest of my team," Hyde said bitterly.

"Okay…" Selene said with a trying to not be mad-customer service voice.

"Get Toucannon, it can distract while Torracat closes in for the kill," Hyde explained. Selene looked to Ian and Hyde and gave them an eyeroll, but did as Hyde bade.

Plumeria got her Alolan Muk out again, and Rapp kept Comfey at the ready. Ian and Tupp rushed in first, the morning sun dimming inside the dome. Pyroar licked his chops as he leapt in front of Ian and Tupp. Gumshoos followed closely behind on all fours, watching every movement suspiciously.

Ian noticed shards on the ground already, but knew he wanted to make sure things were more stable for leaving himself vulnerable. As if on cue, a vibrant blue crack appeared just before them and a swirling white hole expanded. Pyroar and Gumshoos readied themselves for whatever would come out. Pyroar wound up what Ian realized would be a Hyper Voice, and Ian watched as the Ultra Wormhole opened up, dropping a small, pink humanoid form with a head almost as big as the rest of its body. Big white eyes expanded as it glowed with Dark Type Energy. An Impidimp? Neat.

Ian put his hands over his ears to prepare for Pyroar's Hyper Voice, but the Impidimp suddenly knocked Pyroar right in its neck with unreal speed. Sucker Punch? Pyroar whailed in pain as it collapsed from the sudden hit in an awkward spot, and Gumshoos turned to avenge its fallen partner, but Impidimp jumped with otherworldly agility over Ian and Tupp, scurrying off and murmuring frantically as it did.

An Impidimp would be really cool, kinda go with the whole Team Skull vibe too. Ian turned to follow the pink little imp, but Tupp stopped him. "Bro, look."

Ian turned to where Tupp pointed, and he saw the last flash of electricity twenty feet or so away from them, with Selene's Toucannon falling from the sky as it appeared it had suffered a pretty brutal knockout. Toucannon hit the ground harshly, and Tupp started charging over to Selene. You owe me, Tupp. Gimshoos followed Tupp, and Pyroar clumsily got back to its feet and looked to Ian for further orders. Ian pointed at Tupp and Gumshoos. "You had a good idea though, just unlucky."

Ian focused on the situation at hand and saw the bright red eyes of an Alpha, with a huge yellow arachnid body. Gotta be a Galvantula. Ian eyed Gumshoos as Hyde's Torracat spat flames at the Alpha to prevent it from attacking Toucannon. A red beam of light got the fallen bird Pokemon off the field, and Selene's Dusk Form Lycanroc appeared in its pleace howling angrily as it charged Galvantula.

Galvantula then crackled with Electric Type Energy and suddenly sent a wave of electricity, hitting Torracat, Lycanroc, and Gumshoos. The wave seemingly fizzled at as it got to Pyroar. Good thing we're late to the party, or that Discharge would've hit us hard. "Pyroar, Flamethrower!" Ian roared.

Pyroar leapt into the air, its mane gave off some embers and then it unleashed a stream of flames as it roared ferociously. The Alpha Galvantula was hit directly, letting out a high pitched cry of pain as it endured the stream that lasted for a good five seconds. Pyroar seemed already a bit fatigued, and Galvantula turned to Pyroar with its red eyes.

"Right!" Ian commanded as a thick, white String Shot came streaming toward Ian's lion. Pyroar managed to dodge barely, but a bolt of electricity followed the String Shot, which connected, causing Pyroar to roar with pain. Ian noticed Torracat charging in, mouth ablaze with flames. Torracat sank its teeth into one of Galvantula's legs, causing more high pitched whining. It then fired off an Alpha Roar, knocking Torracat off of it, and even stunning Lycanroc who had just recovered initiative from Discharge. Galvantula stepped next to the stunned Torracat, and Ian looked at Pyroar.

"One more Flamethrower, give it all you got!" Ian commanded confidently.

Pyroar growled, forcing itself up and leapt forward. Its man gave off a short burst of embers, and another stream of flames erupted from Pyroar's mouth. Galvantula turned to the oncoming onslaught, and all Ian heard was Galvantula's high pitched whines of pain to know Flamethrower had hit home.

When Pyroar tired and let up on the stream of fire, a crack had already formed behind the fallen Galvantula and begin pulling it in. "Excellent work, Pyroar," Ian said with a smile as he pumped his fist.

Ian looked behind him to see if the Impidimp had re-appeared, but no dice. "Damn it," he said under his breath. Ian then rushed over to where Galvantula had fallen, and there sat a blue cube of EXP Candy. A medium one. Ian knelt down and picked it up when he heard nearby footsteps.

"I think I should get that," Hyde declared. "Seeing as Torracat engaged it and was bait for your Pyroar to come in and save the day."

Ian rolled his eyes. "So you do like the Alpha Poop now? I had a suspicion-"

"You just so happened to hold back so the rest of the team was bait," Hyde accused.

"Pyroar got Sucker Punched by an Impidimp, that's why we were late to saving you guys," Ian retorted.

"Boys, we are in an Ultra Storm, can you please cut this shit out?" Selene scolded.

Hyde was having none of it. "He clearly values that thing-"

"PLUMERIA!" Selene shouted loudly.

Hyde froze and grimaced, then relaxed and stepped back. "Fine."

Ian stifled a laugh but made sure he made eye contact with Hyde as he had a shit-eating grin on his face.

 

[Firejd1]

Wow! So early. Let me just slap my theory on the Ultra Crisis happening here really quickly in a spoil cause it's fucking long. I can fix spelling and stuff tomorrow when I'm on my computer, not my IPad about to go to bed

Spoiler: Part 1

Alola was already spatially unstable, but something exacerbated that. Ian was theorizing in this chapter about how it might be Cosmog or its evolution that is causing it. I personally think that could be true, but the main forces are two things: Aether and the Hisui Crisis. Okay, now just hear me out before you start replying to me, calling me wrong!

Spoiler: Part 2

This is a AU to mainline Pokémon media, with a difference being pointed out to us that Lusamine's husband is alive, and the current CEO of the Aether Foundation.

President Mohn? He's still around? Did he not disappear in an Ultra Wormhole?

Click to shrink...

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but one of Aether's(ahem Lusamine's) main reasons to get involved in Ultra-Wormhole stuff is that Lusamine's husband got lost in one. With her husband now never getting lost in an Ultra-Wormhole, and being the CEO instead of his wife, the whole of the Aether Foundation changes. One of those changes is the privatization of the Observatory on top of the mountain where the Mega-Wormhole is.

"No, it's fine. I wanted to get this internship at the observatory up there…"

Click to shrink...

"...before I started college, but the president of the Aether Foundation took over the thing and made it Aether only. Super lame…"

Click to shrink...

This acquisition and subsequent privatization could be innocent, being used to record wormhole energy and activity, or it could allow the Aether Foundation to influence them in ways that may cause the space to become even more unstable, which allows for other Space-Time anomalies to interact with the regular Ultra-Wormholes. Which segues into the second part of my theory: the Hisui Crisis

Spoiler: Part 3

When Giratina rebelled against their Father, and meddled in their siblings' domains, shit got fucked up(as seen in the Legend: Arceus), but we were every only shown things being taken into the time period, never out. Something like a Space-Time blackhole sucking things into the time period. Here, though, we have seen something taken away from Hisui for the first time(probably, don't quote me): Warden of the Pearl Clan, Irida, was mentioned in passing as being a leader to a group of people.

There's some chick named Irida who's leading them.

Click to shrink...

Irida? Like the Pearl Clan leader from Legends Arceus? What the hell is she doing here?

Click to shrink...

There is interaction between the current time in Alola to the Space-Time of the Hisui Crisis! So much so that someone has escaped the blackhole-like nature of its Space-Time to appear in the second most unstable place, Alola. The two most unstable times/places interacting are not good, and are almost certainly causing the more stable of the two(Alola) to worsen. Which causes the Space-Time rifts opening and just the whole Mega-Wormhole badness.

Spoiler: Part 4

There are a few ways I can see this being resolved, stopping Aether messing with the Ultra-Wormholes and helping Solgaleo and Lunala fix things(either through like XP candys, food, healing, or raising Nubby to help them), interacting with the Creation Trio to help patch things up(hey maybe this is after Giratina's second attempt at overthrowing their Father and they are chill now), or going straight to Arceus(lamo good look, best bet is to go to that woman in Paldea who gives out rotor cases and hope she can magic out an Arc Phone)

Spoiler: TLDR

TLDR: With Aether's CEO being different, their direction on how they do things is different. They may be messing with Ultra-Wormholes enough to mess up the local Space-Time enough that it touches Hisui's fucked up Space-Time, which causes Alola's to get even worse. Stopping Aether, helping Solgaleo, Lunala, and Nebby can be a way to stop this Crisis; or you can go to the Creation Trio; or Arceus

 

[ThunderBasilisk]

Damn good chapter. And man the dumbass just flat out accusing him of being a spy right to his face. Also do you mean Roar or Noble Roar as a move? And man Hyde being in deep shit cause he won't stop is funny but I bet he's gonna do something stupid soon. Wonder who's getting the candy this time?

 

[Oceanside Lowlife]

Wow! So early. Let me just slap my theory on the Ultra Crisis happening here really quickly in a spoil cause it's fucking long. I can fix spelling and stuff tomorrow when I'm on my computer, not my IPad about to go to bed

Spoiler: Part 1

Alola was already spacially unstable, but something exasperated that. Ian was theorizing this chapter about how it might be Cosmog or its evolution causing it. I personally thing that could be true, but the main force is two things: Aether, and the Hisui Crisis. Okay now just hear me out before you start replying to me calling me wrong!

Spoiler: Part 2

This is clearly a AU to mainline Pokémon media, with a difference being pointed out to us that Lusamine's husband is alive, and the current CEO of the Aether Foundation. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but one of Aether's(ahem Lusamine's) main reasons to get involved in Ultra-Wormhole stuff if that Lusamine's husband got lost in one. With her husband now instead never getting lost in an Ultra-Wormhole, and being the CEO instead of his wife, the whole of the Aether Foundation changes. One of those changes being the privatization of the Observatory on top the mountain where the Mega-Wormhole is. This acusation and subsequent privatization could be totally innocent in record wormhole energy and activity, or it could allow the Aether Foundation to influence them in ways that may cause the space to become even more unstable, which allows for other Space-Time anomalies to interact with the regular Ultra-Wormholes. Which segues into the second part of my theory: the Hisui Crisis

Spoiler: Part 3

When Giratina rebelled against their Father, and meddled in their siblings domains, shit got fucked up(as seen in the Legend: Arceus), but we were every only shown things being taken into the time period, never out. Something like a Space-Time blackhole sucking things into the time period. Here though, we have seen something taken away from Hisui for the first time(probably, don't quote me): Warden of the Pearl Clan, Irida, was mentioned in passing as being a leader to a group of people. There is interaction between the current time in Alola, to the time of the Hisui Crisis! So much so that someone has escaped the blackhole like nature of its Space-Time to appear in the second most unstable place, Alola. The two most unstable times/places interacting is not good, and is almost certainly causing the more stable of the two(Alola) to worsen. Which causes the Space-Time rifts opening and just the whole Ultra-Wormhole badness. There are a few ways I can see this being resolved, stopping Aether messing with the Ultra-Wormhole's and helping Solgaleo and Lunala fix things(either through like so candys, food, healing, or raising Nubby to help them), interacting with the Creation Trio to help patch things up(hey maybe this is after Giratinas second attempt at overthrowing their Father and they are chill now), or going straight to Arceus(lamo good look, best bet is to go to that woman in Paldea who gives out rotor cases and hope she can magic out an Arc Phone)

Spoiler: TLDR

TLDR: With Aether's CEO being different, their direction on how they do things is different. They may be messing with Ultra-Wormholes enough to mess up the local Space-Time enough that it touches Hisuis fucked up Space-Time, which causes Alola's to get even worse. Stopping Aether, helping Solgaleo, Lunala, and Nebby can be a way to stop this Crisis; or you can go to the Creation Trio; or Arceus

Click to shrink...

The first big theory post! This makes me so happy, not just that you typed out a whole thing but it's so incredibly flattering that you've spent a legitimate amount of time thinking about something I've written. I've been throwing hints around, and seeing how deep you're looking, every angle you're looking at, it is just so much fun for me to read. Thank you for reading and your deep thinking, I really appreciate it. I hope I'll give you plenty more to speculate on going forward! (I definitely will lmao)

So for this post and all the theorizing/speculation going forward, I can promise you that there are answers to everything, and the theories won't influence where the story goes. I won't respond and say what's right or wrong (unless you are asking about fundamental premises like "is there a Cosmog in this universe" or something of that sort). I can't wait to see what theories come up, and react to some of the "oh shit" moments I think I have brewing.

 

[Oceanside Lowlife]

Also do you mean Roar or Noble Roar as a move?

Click to shrink...

For clarity's sake, a Pokémon using an actual move will always be capitalized. Pyroar will do a (regular, not special Pokémon move) roar quite a bit. The actual move Roar will be capitalized. Also Pyroar already had Noble Roar in its moveset as a Litleo, so this is Roar.

 

[Firejd1]

I'm glad you liked it! I find it really fun to do theory stuff like this, so it was just a perfect time to put thought to word when I got there so early to a post. Thanks for not confirming or denying anything in the theory as well, I think that's the best way to interact with theory posts on something you created.

I've just spruced up some spelling and grammar, and added quotes to scenes I was referencing as well. I'll be here hoping Ian can stumble across a Core-Zygarde cell for that good doggo!

 

[Oceanside Lowlife]

Chapter 16 The Climb

"Are you sure you want to carry those dumb shards up this mountain?" Plumeria chided.

The group of six were at the base of an old hiking trail they'd be following to cross the mountain, having just hid their bikes away in some bushes they hoped would still be there in ten days' time. Or more. Ian felt the added heft of his backpack already with the six shards he'd collected after the Ultra Storm. It's a shame Plumeria didn't let us wait for the Ultra Storm to end so I could collect the Stardust. "They're not that heavy. Plus you got plenty of room in your Silph Bag right now if you're truly worried."

Hyde scoffed. "Only important things go in the Silph Bag. You gonna tell us what's so important-"

"Hyde, shut up or you're going back to Po Town right now," Plumeria said bluntly.

Hyde grunted, but didn't continue. He's on to me about something. Maybe it's the Star Pieces I have? Did he hear or see something? I think I was deep enough in Elk Grove so he didn't see me pull out the EXP Candy. And that's assuming he was sitting on the wall just watching me BS with Grimsley, which he might have an impressive hate boner for me but I doubt he's psychotic-tier watching me.

Within five minutes of hiking up the incline, Ian could feel his legs protesting the climb with soreness. I suppose those days of training in Elk Grove weren't too helpful for this. Grimsley did say something about a trainer needing to keep themselves strong physically to earn their Pokemon's respect. I'll have to start working out more. A good while passed, their pace gradually slowing the longer the incline lasted. The occasional wild Pokemon would be seen scampering out of view, but the hike seemed rather uneventful. The incline made the walking so tiresome there was little chatter.

"Big Sis, I need a breather," Rapp complained.

"We're almost to a good rest stop," Plumeria said encouragingly.

"I think I already am…" Rapp replied.

"Probably not even another mile," Plumeria said. "It's just around this bend coming up on."

"Big Sis, I'm sure you're right, but can we take a short break? Just like five minutes?" Selene pleaded.

Plumeria sighed. "I promise it'll be a long break when we get to where we're going."

The incline mercifully evened out shortly after, and when the sound of a waterfall hit their ears, the whole vibe changed. The rock wall to their left ended,and Ian feasted his eyes on a large waterfall that had to be at least sixty to seventy feet high, pouring into a spring clearer than he'd probably ever seen. "This is amazing," Ian said in awe. As he neared the edge of the spring and looked up to the top of the falls with the rest of the mountain looming in the background and rainbows appeared in the mist.

"Okay, I see why you wanted us to wait a bit," Selene said.

Rapp hurried to a well placed boulder and tossed her pack to the ground. "Finally…" Rapp said with a moan.

"There's no stream or anything coming out of it, what's up with that Big Sis?" Selene asked.

"It goes down through the rock," Plumeria said. "There's another waterfall a few hundred feet down and that way." Plumeria pointed south. "And that's where Haina Town gets most of their water supply from."

"Haina Town's water supply comes from here?" Tupp asked. "Screw that, I'm taking a dump in it."

"At least wait until after we refill our camelbaks, Tupp," Plumeria instructed.

"Oh… yeah," Tupp said.

"Ian," Plumeria said, motioning him to come closer to the small boulder she'd taken a seat on. "Give yourself a short rest then hop on Sawsbuck and see if you can find us some berries. Breakfast wasn't that long ago but it wasn't exactly filling."

Ian nodded. "Understood."

Plumeria cleared her throat to address the group. "We're about three quarters of the way to the switchbacks that lead down to Haina Town. If you squint your eyes you'll even be able to see Haina Town from here," Plumeria explained, pointing to the southeast. Ian didn't need to squint, it was a sizable human settlement a mile or two from the distant shoreline. Way bigger than Po Town, that's for sure.

"We should be able to rest for a little bit once we get close to the switchbacks. There's this shortcut I took when I came through last time, it should get us on the desert-facing side of the mountain by sundown," Plumeria explained.

"Why'd you come through here last time?" Ian spoke up.

"Guzma sent me to the Rough Raiders to see if they'd ally with us against Haina Town when the war with Breon first broke out," Plumeria said.

"Did it work?" Ian asked.

Plumeria shook her head. "Everything was in flux then, they weren't sure who to trust, they just knew Haina Town and Breon were bad news so they said they'd keep raiding and harassing them, but we wouldn't be doing anything together."

"Could've been worse," Ian said. "And what started the war anyways? Did Guzma piss someone off?"

Plumeria shook her head. "No. Three girls Breon took as concubines escaped and came our way. We took them in, not knowing where they came from. So Breon demanded them back, we said no… And he didn't exactly like that."

"Driftwood eventually sorted things out?" Ian asked.

"Breon made us promise not to take in any more Haina Town escapees," Plumeria said. "There's no way they can enforce it, but no more have come our way since."

Ian turned to Selene curiously, who realized what Ian was thinking. "I got out of Haina Town before the war started," Selene explained. "The night Breon's mutiny happened, actually."

"Sounds like you lucked out," Ian said.

"But enough of that, let's talk about something lighter," Plumeria said. Ian found a seat on a small boulder away from Hyde but also from Plumeria where he'd have an optimal view of the falls.

"Aw Smoochum, you gon' swim?" Rapp said like she was talking to a baby. Well she is talking to a baby, actually.

Tupp took a seat next to Ian on the larger rock and began slurping down the last of the water in his camelbak. Ian noticed Hyde had turned away, so he leaned in and began whispering to Tupp. "Yo man, I wanna show you something," Ian said lowly as he fidgeted with his pockets and revealed a shrunken Poke Ball. "Got a couple of these, plus a Great Ball, and an Ultra Ball," Ian said, not wanting to explain the Premier Ball just being aesthetically different.

Tupp's jaw dropped and he looked around to make sure no one had noticed his reaction. With Rapp watching Smoochum play on the edge of the spring and Selene doing something with Plumeria's hair, they were basically private. "That's awesome yo, where'd you get those?"

Ian leaned in close. "When I caught the Alpha Tyrunt, I found a Star Piece on the ground," Ian lied. He hated lying to Tupp, but he still felt nervous about the Star Piece secret. I gotta keep that to myself as long as I can.

"That's sick bro," Tupp said. "I know you got Sawsbuck for unlimited food and stuff, but are you sure you can handle eight Pokemon?"

Ian shook his head. "Nah man, my belt's only got six spots. Two of these are yours."

Tupp gawked at him like something hadn't added up. "Whatchu mean?"

Ian smiled. "Depending on whatever Pokemon we encounter, if you want to catch it, I'll give you whatever ball is best for it."

"Bro, you don't gotta do that. You bought this stuff," Tupp replied.

"I got lucky and found the Star Piece, I want to share the wealth, you know?" Ian said. "You're literally my best friend on this planet bro, what's mine is yours."

"Really?" Tupp said.

"Who else would it be? Hyde?" Ian joked.

"I figured it'd be that Mina chick you playin' the guitar for nowadays," Tupp said.

"We don't really talk a lot during that if I'm being honest. Plus she hasn't saved my life multiple times," Ian said. "Also Hyde was telling me some stuff last night about her, I don't know if it was true or not…"

"What'd he say?"

"Said he fooled around with her a bit?" Ian said uncertainly. "Didn't date but almost did or something like that."

Tupp shook his head. "Bro, Hyde will make up anything to mess with you at this point bro-" Tupp paused as he realized something. "Oh yeah… I did catch 'em sucking face one time in the early, early days."

So Hyde was kind of right. Dammit. "Thanks for the heads up," Ian said.

Tupp put his fist out and Ian reciprocated with a bump. "And bro, when you said 'what's mine is yours,' how deep does that go?"

"What do you mean?" Ian asked.

Tupp leaned in close, his eyes fixated on Selene. "You don't mean that about girlfriends, right?"

Ian stymied a laugh and shook his head. "Not at all man, I meant objects, like a spare Poke Ball not a… person."

Tupp nodded seriously. "Okay, I just wanted to make sure… Cuz that Mina chick is cool but like, I didn't wanna…"

"Please don't finish that sentence Tupp," Ian teased.

***

Ian did find a berry tree and came back to camp with a bag of Yache Berries, round blue fruits that tasted pretty sour, but it was food so no one complained. Tupp made everyone look away as he dropped a deuce in the spring, once everyone had re-hydrated and filled their camelbaks. Tupp's only regret when he finished? "I wish I had more poop to poop."

They set off again, the inclines not as bad since they were traveling across the mountain more than up it. The sun was at high noon when Plumeria got to the top of a minor incline and cursed.

"What's up?" Ian asked, pulling up the rear.

"Doesn't look like my shortcut exists anymore," Plumeria said damningly.

Ian hurried his way up the inclined trail and looked over a sheer drop of thirty feet or so. Across the way another edge beckoned to them, and Ian saw the switchback road crossing back and forth further beyond the cliff.

"We just use Toucannon, right?" Tupp said.

"Wish I could've used Arcanine instead, Hyde," Selene said bitterly. "Toucannon's too weak for this."

Hyde exhaled but remained silent.

"Anyone catch any big Flying Types since this morning?" Plumeria asked jokingly.

"Nope."

"That'll be on our to-do list going forward," Plumeria said, looking down the huge cliffside now. "This whole section of rock is just gone, how could this have even happened?"

Ian tried to imagine how many tons of rock had to be destroyed for a feat like this to be achieved. Definitely not just an ordinary landslide.

"A Tyranitar could've done this," Hyde added. "We all know who that means."

An eerie quiet came over the party as they all looked at the cliff's jagged edge. If just ONE Tyranitar obliterated all of this rock, I don't even want to imagine going against one in battle. No wonder Breon sparks fear in people.

Plumeria sighed as Ian caught her looking up the mountain, already searching for another way. "It won't be fun, and we're gonna have to go backwards a bit, but I bet we can find a different path."

This endeavor took a good two hours of harsh incline hiking, and the wind picked up slightly, with storm clouds ominously approaching the mountain now. They did run into a Bewear that needed to be scared off by a fierce Roar from Ian's Pyroar. They did eventually find the semblance of a trail, almost like it was still being developed, and they stayed on it. This time a little more on the lookout for other people.

"Didn't you say there were other people on the mountain?" Ian asked.

"Makamae town," Plumeria said. It was native Alolan so each vowel was said individually.

"That name's got a fun beat, 'Ma-ka-ma-e Town," Tupp said aloud.

"That mining town's supposed to be like two-thirds of the way up, so we shouldn't have to get too close to it," Plumeria explained. "The switchbacks lead directly up to the town, we're just trying to go across."

"Plumeria, for some reason I remember you saying that you would run into the foraging parties in the Akua Jungle because there wasn't much food up here," Ian said.

"Yeah, what about it?"

"Then we might be one of their trails," Ian said. "Especially if that destroyed path was recent."

A nervous silence came over the group at the revelation. "You're right," Plumeria admitted. "Okay everyone, if you run into anyone that isn't us, do not attack them first. And if it does come to a fight, make sure not to kill them. We might be able to trade a prisoner for safe passage."

The group nodded in agreement, and continued on. They took another break, this one shorter because Plumeria couldn't stop looking at the gathering storm overhead. Not long after that they hit another roadblock.

"Well this looks dangerous," Selene said, eyeing the obstacle. A steep incline rose up ahead of them, but with hundreds if not thousands of loose rocks and debris scattered along it. Sheer walls flanked each side of the steep ramp.

"A sloped scree field, dammit," Plumeria muttered. "We have to be so close to the switchbacks, this is insane."

"Looks like someone's put up good defenses," Hyde chimed in. "Maybe they're good climbers or something, so this isn't a problem for them but it is for anyone else."

"Good insight, Hyde," Plumeria said. "But you're not getting an invite to the strategy meeting."

Ian did his best not to laugh, but luckily for him Selene and Rapp had no such limitations. Selene composed herself from her fit of giggles and focused on Hyde. "Well Hyde, it'd be real nice if Toucannon wasn't out of commission."

Hyde scoffed dismissively. "It's been hours girl. Call it out, I bet the bird's rearing to go."

Selene grunted, but grabbed a Poke Ball and tossed it in the air. "Toucannon, show 'em what you got!" Toucannon manifested lifelessly, its wings sprawled out spread eagle style. A surge of electricity crossed the fallen bird's body.

"What the fuck? I saw you and Rapp healing it earlier," Hyde said in frustration.

"Tanking a Thunder from an Alpha Galvantula would knock any Flying Type out for a day or more," Selene lectured.

Hyde grunted. "Well maybe Rapp's just shit at healing Pokemon, I thought that's what her job was gonna start being-"

"Hyde…" Plumeria began. "Just because you don't get to antagonize Ian for the rest of the mission doesn't mean you're free to do it to the rest of the team."

Ian then stepped forward, eyeing the steep incline with an analytical eye. I've seen Sawsbuck go up things kind of like this, maybe he can help.

"Ian, I see those gears turning," Plumeria said. "Whatcha thinking?"

"I think I have an idea," Ian announced. "Sawsbuck might be able to go up this."

"I hope you try it Ian," Hyde declared. "I'll get to say 'I told you so' when you both break your legs."

Ian's mind rewound to when he'd been the guy saying those "I told you so," words the day before and he smiled. Now you just motivated me even more.

Plumeria sighed. "Hyde, maybe we just leave you down here when we all ride Sawsbuck up this thing."

Hyde scoffed. "Even if Sawsbuck could, ain't no way I'd ride on that dumb deer."

Ian then grabbed Sawsbuck's Heal Ball and released his blessed stag, who manifested with a rather different look than it just had not too long ago. Sawsbuck's antlers now sported sagging red bushes where he'd sported lively green ones rather recently. "How fast do your transformations happen, Sawsbuck?" Ian demanded in confusion. We were at the waterfall like two or three hours ago? Did you really go through your Summer form that fast- Oh wait. We're at a higher elevation and the weather's different.

Sawsbuck bleated dumbly, its mouth hanging open, making the blessed stag look anything but. Ian noticed the tops of the bushes still clung to the antlers, so riding Sawsbuck would have an even more obstructed vision. I'm going to have to trust him even more now. At the exact worst time possible. Ian held back a curse and looked upon the obstacle once more. What did Plumeria call it again? Some sort of sloped field? A nervous nausea began creeping into his belly. Plumeria gave us a vote of confidence, if even her cynical ass can root for us, then we're good.

Ian gave Sawsbuck a confident nod and patted on its shoulders, with a more weathered, vine tinted with green and orange taking Ian off the ground and onto the organic saddle. The layer of moss even had shades of red and orange in it. I hope this isn't weakening the stability of Sawsbuck's plant accessories. "Alright Sawsbuck, I trust you one-hundred percent," Ian said under his breath as he rubbed the back of Sawsbuck's neck nervously.

Sawsbuck lowered its head to inspect the ground at its hooves, then slowly raised it as the blessed stag continued analyzing the loose rocks scattered across the incline. Sawsbuck then shuffled its legs to the left and leapt suddenly. Gravel and rocks shifted underneath with the impact causing them to roll down, but the ground's stability held. Sawsbuck took a few, careful steps up, causing more gravel and darkened rocks to shift underneath. Ian realized he was holding Sawsbuck's vine-reins too tight and relaxed a bit. Being so inverted like this will be a killer on my back if this happens a lot. Sawsbuck then jumped once more, landing at the one third point by Ian's measure. This landing was far less stable and Sawsbuck's hooves lost their traction for a moment before going still once more. Ian relaxed his suddenly tense muscles, and noticed one of the green-orange vines sticking out on the ground, stabilizing Sawsbuck and its rider. Sawsbuck, you are way smarter than I give you credit for.

Sawsbuck took another couple careful steps, then did a short jump to a patch of exposed earth, causing Sawsbuck's smoothest landing so far. Ian took a deep breath, trying to calm his frantically beating heart. "Almost halfway, Sawsbuck," Ian encouraged.

Sawsbuck then leapt to another patch of stable earth, then in succession to another. Ian's head banged into the back of Sawsbuck's neck, but his fear was the only thing unstabilizing the duo. Sawsbuck then bounded up once more, this time to unsteady ground, but the stabilizing vine secured them. Ian's jaw dropped as he realized how close to the top they were. One more jump!

Sawsbuck bounded once more, confidently, and its hooves stuck the landing as they got to even ground again. "Hell yeah!" Ian shouted in triumph, patting Sawsbuck excitedly as he heard a barrage of cheers from down below. "You're the fucking man Sawsbuck." Sawsbuck gave a cheerful bleat before its vines rose up around Ian for him to dismount. "Who's next?" Ian called to the rest of the Team Skull group.

The group of five seemed rather hesitant, so Ian decided to give them some motivation. "Last one up here has to dig the next outhouse pit in Po Town!" Ian teased as he smacked Sawsbuck on the toosh and sent it bounding down the slope, which was much easier as it took just two landings before reaching the bottom. Sawsbuck pranced in a circle with pride. You've definitely earned it, bud.

Hyde shook his head, unimpressed. "If Sawsbuck can do that, Selene's Arcanine clears that easily!"

Selene suddenly cringed. "Arcanine's never been ridden, she's a bit sensitive about that."

Hyde turned to her and started bickering, or at least Ian assumed since he couldn't hear. But in short order, Selene's Arcanine appeared from its ball and Selene pointed up to Ian. Arcanine did the same scan of the rocks and quickly leapt from the bottom. Arcanine's feet clearly struggled to keep traction initially, but it finally stabilized and leapt up to the halfway point in one bound. Moments later, Arcanine met Ian at the top, eagerly sticking its tongue out for praise. "You made it look almost too easy, girl," Ian said, patting the heated mane of the tiger with a dog's behavior.

"C'mon back, girl!" Selene beckoned, to which Arcanine leapt without hesitation. Arcanine made it down in two bounds, excitedly ready to play with Selene. Selene then got close and Ian couldn't hear what was being said, but Arcanine got weirded by something, and Selene made Arcanine lower its back so she could hop on.

Arcanine gave a bothered howl and when Selene got settled in, Arcanine yelped in shock, with Selene's hands suddenly retreating from the back of Arcanine's neck. Selene's grabbing onto Arcanine's mane, which I don't think Arcanine particularly likes. Another minute passed as Selene tried to grab hold of something on Arcanine's back, with Arcanine looking more and more uncomfortable. Something really stupid's about to happen, I can feel it. Finally Selene found something that seemed to be bearable to Arcanine, this method involving her arms draped around Arcanine's neck. Doesn't look like she's holding on with much.

Arcanine then roused itself, not used to carrying such weight on its back and it jumped. Arcanine landed on unsteady ground, well short of its initial leap, and began sliding back back down. Selene let out a panicked cry.

"C'mon Selene, you got this!" Hyde shouted, to which Plumeria gave him such a dirty look even Ian could tell from his vantage point. Arcanine leapt up once more, an even shorter amount this time and its front legs slipped, causing Arcanine's chin to hit the ground. Selene shrieked in terror, but Arcanine appeared to stabilize. The fiery tiger slowly got back up on all fours with a look of uncertainty in its eyes. Why is Plumeria allowing this to continue? Even I can tell something bad's about to happen. Ian focused on their squad leader, who held her intense gaze on the act at hand. She kept one of her hands right next to her Poke Ball belt, ready to deploy anything if necessary, to which Ian realized why she was actually allowing it. If this doesn't work and Hyde won't ride Sawsbuck, he's effectively off the mission. And I know her, she's not leaving anyone behind.

Arcanine took another leap and completely missed the mark, causing the tiger to slip and begin sliding backwards. Selene began screaming in terror once more as the two began tumbling down the slope. "Sawsbuck!" Ian shouted desperately. Instead though, a flash of red light appeared below the tumbling duo's path and Plumeria's Alolan Muk appeared with a loud, low gurgling cry. Arcanine and Selene both hit the multi-colored Muk and suddenly stopped, effectively saving them. Selene's cry of relief turned quickly into horror as she realized what had stopped their fall.

"Oh, this is disgusting!" Selene cried out as suddenly looked very uncomfortable. Better than the alternative though. Plumeria's Alolan Muk began crawling down the slope like a slug, leaving sludge in its wake with Arcanine and Selene in tow. Upon reaching the bottom, Plumeria recalled her emergency stopper Pokemon, leaving Selene wiping off the multicolored Muk goop she was now covered in. The trainers down below had all plugged their noses and taken a few steps back from Selene. At least the only thing really hurt is her pride.

"So who wants to get on Sawsbuck then?" Ian called down below.

The group seemed much more averse to the idea, until Tupp came forward. "I know Sawsbuck got me, yo," he declared.

Sawsbuck trotted up to the brave quad member with vines at the ready, and quickly got Tupp into riding position. Tupp took a little bit to get used to the feel of it, but it didn't take long before Sawsbuck had squared up and started scanning the slope once more. Sawsbuck trotted up a bit of it, then leapt a short bit, seemingly less ambitious but also more cautious. Its vines stayed at the ready, and the blessed stag slowly but surely passed halfway before needing to use its vines to stabilize. Which looked like he was using them just in case. Sawsbuck made a couple quick leaps and then paused, the top not even ten feet away when the blessed stag bounded majestically, landing at the top right next to Ian. "Yeah!" Ian cheered.

Tupp had a huge smile on his face and began patting Sawsbuck's neck affectionately. "Thanks big dude." Sawsbuck mewled happily and trotted around a bit to show off. "No lie, this is hella fun yo."

Ian smiled. "I'll have to let him give you a ride sometime."

"I might have to get something for me to ride too," Tupp said as Sawsbuck's vines placed him back onto the ground.

Sawsbuck then leapt down the slope with ease, getting to the bottom and looking at the group expectantly. Ian noticed the group had essentially ostracized Selene and he saw an opportunity for Tupp. "Hey bro, I see everyone's staying away from Selene."

Tupp nodded. "Yeah, she stinks yo."

"She's gonna be all alone, feeling bad about herself. I wonder if any guy could come in and make her laugh and forget about the whole thing for a time," Ian said with a wink.

It took a moment but Tupp did realize it. "You right bro. I know Rook wouldn't do that for her…"

"It ain't about Rook, bro," Ian said. "Be more than him. Show her you got her back and think she's beautiful even if she smells like a septic tank."

"Temporarily, right?" Tupp asked, fear in his eyes.

Ian shrugged. "I'm sure. But I suppose having a stinky girlfriend would be better than no girlfriend at all."

Tupp nodded. "Okay good… You won't think I'm weird if I still like her even if she smells bad?"

Ian chuckled. "Bro, I haven't seen a stick of deodorant since I got to Po Town. We all smell pretty bad after a while."

Tupp nodded as he turned his attention to the bottom, where Plumeria was getting her bearings on Sawsbuck's back. "You're a natural!" Ian called out. Plumeria raised her hand and gave him a middle finger, causing both guys to laugh.

Plumeria's ride went smoothly, then Selene got up and went far away from the area, prompting Tupp to follow her. Ian wished his bro luck, even though Selene did smell like an outhouse thanks to Plumeria's Muk. Rapp followed on Sawsbuck without a hitch. Ian took great pride in how helpful Sawsbuck was being, and how smoothly it was traversing the slope. When Ian saw it was just Hyde at the bottom, those feelings of pride died. C'mon dude, just get on Sawsbuck. It doesn't have to be difficult.

"Hyde, come on!" Plumeria chided the lone squad member. "Sawsbuck's making it look easy."

"I don't think so. Sawsbuck's making it look all easy and shit. I'm sure the dumb deer will fuck up when I'm on his back," Hyde responded.

"Dumb deer? You're the one that set yourself up for this in the first place, dumbass!" Plumeria pointed out.

"This thing looks like it was set up by someone so most people can't traverse it," Hyde said. "But I bet there are some people that can do it, so I'll just do what they do."

"At least use your Baltoy to save you if you fall," Plumeria said.

Baltoy, he's got a Baltoy? Oh yeah, he doesn't want me to know what his team is.

"Ain't gonna need it!" Hyde fired back. He then started stepping onto the slope carefully. Gravel and loose rock shifted underneath him with each stride, and Ian shook his head, anticipating something stupid happening once more.

Hyde occasionally lost his footing for a moment as he made his way past the one-third mark of the slope, He then stepped to a spot that Arcanine had used with Selene on his back. Where Arcanine lost its footing with Selene! "Hyde, go a different way!" Ian shouted.

Hyde flipped him the bird and shook his head as he took another step. "I don't need shit from you, kid-" Hyde's foot landed awkwardly and he fell to the ground. Then he began to scream.

Ian sighed, shaking his head, trying to suppress a cackle.

"What a dumbass," Rapp said with a giggle.

Plumeria just shook her head, visibly frustrated. "Damn it Hyde! What's wrong?"

"My ankle!" Hyde shouted back between curses. "Think I fucked it up bad."

Plumeria turned to Ian. "Could you get Sawsbuck to…"

Ian nodded. "Hyde is not gonna like this."

"You've been pulling your punches, he's been pushing the envelope. You deserve an 'I told you so' after this shit," Plumeria said.

"At least," Rapp said.

"Sawsbuck! Get him before he hurts himself more!" Ian called out.

"NO!" Hyde roared back in protest as he was bent over, clutching his ankle as he began to slide.

Sawsbuck did as bade, leaping up easily and using its vines to pick up the injured party member. "Damn it, I said no!" Hyde protested.

Ian shook his head, unable to stop himself from laughing at the spectacle. Hyde, it is impressive how stupid you are sometimes. I hope you learn something from this. Thirty seconds later, Sawsbuck and its injured rider were up top, and Rapp had Comfey and her Galarian Ponyta tending to Hyde's swollen ankle.

"Is it broke? It's gotta be broke," Hyde said in agony.

"Do I look like a fucking x-ray machine?" Rapp fired back.

Hyde made eye contact with Ian, and Ian saw the shame in Hyde's watery eyes. I should give him some time, I'll probably just make this worse by being here.

***

It was late afternoon when the group set out again. Storm clouds had begun closing in overhead. Hyde's ankle was bandaged up, and Smoochum helped make a jenky ice pack to put on the swollen ankle. Hyde couldn't walk, so he had to ride Sawsbuck now, cursing and groaning in pain as he did. Funny how him refusing to ride Sawsbuck turned into him NEEDING to ride Sawsbuck. Tupp and Selene picked up the rear by some distance as they were downwind. Tupp's gotta be earning major brownie points for this. Plumeria's scowl was essentially permanent, Ian figured the squad leader was debating what to do with their injured member.

Plumeria sighed and let out an almost defeated groan. "I'm not sure how much further we can go before the storm hits," Plumeria stated.

"Hyde needs rest," Rapp said.

"And we can't get stuck up here on this damn mountain with that storm coming," Plumeria said before letting out a loud curse.

"There's that town further up the mountain, right?" Ian asked.

Plumeria nodded. "Yeah, but I don't think they'll take us in."

Ian shrugged. "Maybe we can bribe them?"

Plumeria shook her head. "Show another faction we have money and valuables? There's a decent chance they just take it all from us and then this whole expedition is pointless."

"It's really the only option we got," Ian said.

Plumeria bit her lip, but relented. "You're right." Plumeria turned to Rapp and Hyde. "Stay here, Ian and I are gonna try to find one of their guards or something."

Rapp nodded. "Okay."

Hyde winced as he felt a jolt of pain and cursed.

"Tell Selene and Tupp we'll be back soon," Plumeria said, her eyes fixating on the oncoming storm clouds.

"Should we start setting up the tents?" Rapp asked.

"Not until we're back," Plumeria said.

A few minutes later, Hyde had been relocated off of Sawsbuck's back and onto a nearby log. Ian and Plumeria set off, with Ian riding Sawsbuck and Plumeria following closely behind on foot with Haunter being the liaison. When Ian came upon the switchback road he pumped his fist. Finally. Ian led Sawsbuck a bit onto the road overlooking a good section of the mountain's face when his eyes were drawn to a motion in the distance.

A singular, shirtless man appeared to be doing squats in place. What an odd place for a workout. Ian then turned Sawsbuck around and found Haunter, who guided them back to Plumeria. "I found a dude working out?"

Plumeria chuckled for a moment. "I think I might know who that is."

"What? Really?" Ian asked.

Plumeria gave him a look. "One of the border guards works out a lot. Does he have a shirt on?"

Ian shook his head.

"That's probably him then," Plumeria said with a smirk. "Take me to him."

Ian dismounted from Sawsbuck and led Plumeria on the path that ended at a part of the switchback road. When Plumeria did finally get her eyes on the man who was now doing jumping jacks, she smiled. "Yup, that's Gaeric."

Gaeric, why do I feel like I recognize that name? Plumeria led Ian down to the switchback road, with Plumeria not trying to be sneaky. She recalled Haunter as they neared him. When Ian got a better look at the shirtless man still doing jumping jacks, he noticed long, light blue hair, and a weird amount of chest hair trimmed in a weird design. Then it hit him. That's Avalugg's Warden from Legends Arceus! Does that mean the actual Pearl Clan is here? How the hell did that happen?

"Gaeric!" Plumeria called out rather conspicuously.

Gaeric immediately stopped doing his jumping jacks and focused his attention on the two approaching figures. "Ah, it is you Plumeria, of the Skull Team!" Gaeric called out. "What brings you to our domain once more?"

Plumeria nodded her head respectfully. "I'm on a mission to collect seeds so we can grow our own food, and one of our party members is injured."

"Unfortunate. But does he not look okay? What wound must your partner have?" Gaeric asked, pointing at Ian.

"He's not the injured person in my party," Plumeria explained.

Gaeric. "I see. Then is this man your husband?"

"Oh hell no!" Plumeria said in an outburst. "He's just a squad member."

Garlic eyed Ian curiously. "My apologies young man, I was hoping you'd lucked out. What is your name?"

"Ian," Ian said. Did he just admit he thinks Plumeria's hot? Fair.

"Ian of Skull Team, it is good to meet you. And Plumeria, how many members of the Skull Team are with you?" Gaeric asked.

"Just a bit, there are six of us," Plumeria said. "We just need shelter from the storm."

"That is more than just a bit…" Gaeric said with a grimace.

"Sir, can I buy us a night of your hospitality?" Ian asked.

"Hm? Buy with what?" Gaeric asked.

"I have a Star Piece," Ian said, taking his backpack off and rummaging through it before finding the smooth, dense, red crystal in the shape of a star. He presented it to Gaeric with a slight head bow.

"That is more than adequate, young Ian," Garlic said. "I'm afraid shelter is all I can offer, as we are desperately low on food. Our crops have some time before they can be harvested."

Plumeria eyed Ian with a smirk. "You know, I think we can help with that, Gaeric."

Gaeric sized up Ian once more and nodded approvingly. "Six of the Skull Team then. I shall let our leader Irida know of your coming."

 

[Kachellzz]

I hope Hyde gets his character development soon, bcs his annoyance is starting to grow bigger than the satisfaction of Ian proving him wrong.

This fic makes me want to replay Ultra Sun for the first time,the only thing stopping me is the amount or cutscenes I remember.

 

[Firejd1]

Oh Arceus, all of the pearlclan wardens being here is just… sooooo bad. Is the Diamond clan here as well?It seems the followers of Palkia are stuck forward in time, when the followers of Dialgia are stuck in space(are they really stuck if they are just still in Hisui tho?).

Wonder if all the slope stuff is because they got basket sneaslers
I hope Ian does some more stuff with his Meta-knowledge, it's always my favorite part of SIs "So, how's the future been treating ya, followers of Palkia?" "Soooo… Almighty Sinnoh am I right?"

 

[ThunderBasilisk]

Man calling it now Hydes gonna almost die before he gets his shit together. Can't wait to see how the town encounter goes. Also I'm pretty sure it's stated that Alolan Muk and Grimer don't stink at all. Cause of their diet or solid garbage or something.

 

[Oceanside Lowlife]

Also I'm pretty sure it's stated that Alolan Muk and Grimer don't stink at all. Cause of their diet or solid garbage or something.

Click to shrink...

You're right! But I like my stinky boy stinky (honestly once I thought this was an in for Tupp I latched onto it lmao).

 

[Oceanside Lowlife]

I hope Hyde gets his character development soon, bcs his annoyance is starting to grow bigger than the satisfaction of Ian proving him wrong.

This fic makes me want to replay Ultra Sun for the first time,the only thing stopping me is the amount or cutscenes I remember.

Click to shrink...

We are gonna get a break from Hyde for a bit. It's odd, I absolutely love writing him. The way he contorts words to slander Ian is so much fun for me lmao

EDIT: But your point is also valid, he's kind of taking over things too much even for my liking (and I'm the damn writer). So I'll promise he'll be a bit more in-check. This event needed to happen as well.

 

[Oceanside Lowlife]

Oh Arceus, all of the pearlclan wardens being here is just… sooooo bad. Is the Diamond clan here as well?It seems the followers of Palkia are stuck forward in time, when the followers of Dialgia are stuck in space(are they really stuck if they are just still in Hisui tho?).

Wonder if all the slope stuff is because they got basket sneaslers
I hope Ian does some more stuff with his Meta-knowledge, it's always my favorite part of SIs "So, how's the future been treating ya, followers of Palkia?" "Soooo… Almighty Sinnoh am I right?"

Click to shrink...

It's next chapter so not much of a spoiler, but no, the Diamond Clan is not there. I don't know when I'll be able to get into the specifics as to why (I don't want to just write up a report, I want to keep everything in story, just know there is a reason for the Pearl Clan being around and not the Diamond Clan). We'll hear about slope stuff soon enough

On the meta-knowledge, Ian's trying to keep it low-key still. Yes Rylee exists (which that fact is about to be incredibly crucial in the next two chapters), but a guy with his sort of knowledge would honestly have been resented by Team Skull. We are a few chapters away from a really interesting character being introduced that might tickle a bit of that itch.

 

[Firejd1]

We are a few chapters away from a really interesting character being introduced that might tickle a bit of that itch.

Click to shrink...

Oh Arceus, Cyrus is gonna pull up trying to get in touch with Giratina, and Ian is going to have to convince everyone he is fucking crazy and wants to remake the world when he comes in nice and with hella supplies

 

[ThunderBasilisk]

Oh Arceus, Cyrus is gonna pull up trying to get in touch with Giratina, and Ian is going to have to convince everyone he is fucking crazy and wants to remake the world when he comes in nice and with hella supplies

Click to shrink...

Cyrus is absolutely the kind of man I'd feed to a Hungry Tyrunt without hesitation

 

[Oceanside Lowlife]

Cyrus is absolutely the kind of man I'd feed to a Hungry Tyrunt without hesitation

Click to shrink...

You're gonna have to add 3-4 more people to the list by the time this is all said and done.

(What do you think there's an Alpha Tyrantrum waiting in the wings for )

 

[ThunderBasilisk]

(What do you think there's an Alpha Tyrantrum waiting in the wings for )

Click to shrink...

Must hate these people a lot to feed them to a dino.

 

[Oceanside Lowlife]

Must hate these people a lot to feed them to a dino.

Click to shrink...

They'll earn it, don't you worry

 

[ThunderBasilisk]

They'll earn it, don't you worry

Click to shrink...

Honestly looking forward to it. So rare to see an MCs get physical when dealing with someone. It's always fire or nuking with a Hyper Beam.

 

[Oceanside Lowlife]

Chapter 17 Admission

Storm clouds closed in overhead as Ian saw a haze of rain fast approaching Ian and Plumeria. A gust of wind wailed as it made Ian shiver in his Skull tanktop. "How long do you think we got before the rain hits us?"

"Hm?" Plumeria said, seemingly lost in thought.

"When's that rain hitting us, you think?" Ian repeated.

Plumeria looked to the east and grimaced. "Too soon."

Plumeria's pace noticeably quickened, and while Ian's legs were screaming at him from exertion, his own ego pushed him to keep up. Plumeria remained silent for quite a bit until Ian figured they weren't far from where their companions were supposed to be.

"So… another Star Piece," Plumeria said, a hint of subtle accusation in her voice.

"Yeah…" Ian said.

"You didn't pick it up from the Ultra Storm, I watched you," Plumeria said coldly. "But you did pick up all of those shards."

Ian nodded, realizing what she was putting together. Was getting shelter really worth revealing the secret?

"I remember you saying something about the shards and Stardust making Star Pieces," Plumeria said. "I take it you've figured it out."

Ian froze up, partially from the cold but also from how tense he'd suddenly felt.

"There's something you're not telling us," Plumeria accused. "Your story hasn't been straight since you got here. I can tell when you're lying and when you're being honest Ian, it's my job to know." Plumeria held her hand out to halt Ian and peered into his eyes. "Who are you really, Ian?"

"I'm not a spy, I swear-"

"I know that," Plumeria said. "It's insulting that you're lying so much to me especially, but if you keep on doing it, it'll get to being legitimately dangerous for all of Team Skull."

Ian gulped, his mouth suddenly quite dry. "If I told you…" Ian shook his head, realizing how crazy he'd sound.

"If you told me what?" Plumeria asked intensely.

Ian looked up to the oncoming clouds. Do we really need to be doing this now?

"I asked you a question Ian," Plumeria chided. "Answer it."

Ian grimaced, looking into Plumeria's amber, accusing eyes. "If I told you the truth, you'd think I'm crazy. They'd put me in an insane asylum."

"We don't have any in Po Town," Plumeria said. "Which is lucky for a lot of people in Team Skull actually."

Ian nodded. "Yeah…"

Plumeria grunted in frustration, turning away from Ian. "If you're not gonna tell me, at least hurry the fuck up then."

***

Ian felt a drop of rain hit his exposed arm and he cursed under his breath. His legs begged for relief as Plumeria led the whole squad, including Hyde riding on Sawsbuck's back, up the paved path leading up the switchbacks. Plumeria and Rapp led the way, with Ian, Sawsbuck, and its injured rider in the center. Selene and Tupp stayed back, with Selene talking quite a bit from what Ian could tell. Although Tupp did have a bandana covering some of his face. I can smell her up here and I'm upwind.

"I think I see it yo!" Tupp called out.

Ian had been so in his head about Plumeria's questioning from before he hadn't thought to look ahead. The outline of a small batch of houses slowly came into view. While the sun was blocked by clouds, the skies darkened even more, signalling the beginning of sunset.

"Those houses look old as shit, yo," Rapp observed.

"No one lived in this place for like sixty years," Plumeria said. "So don't expect any creature comforts."

"As long as I can take a bath I don't care what else happens," Selene chimed in.

As the group came upon the middle of a switchback, Gaeric re-appeared, looking over them from the next one fifteen feet or so up, still with his shirt off, but with a belt of six Poke Balls hanging around his waist. Didn't the Pearl Clan not use Poke Balls? Why are they using them now? "Hello again Skull Team!" Gaeric bellowed, suddenly sniffing the air and wincing. "If not for the foul stench, I would be pleased to see you."

"Sorry…" Selene chimed in.

Plumeria cleared her throat. "We can't thank you enough for taking us in, Gaeric."

"His name is 'gay-rick?" Tupp said aloud with a chuckle. "Wait, is his name Rick and he's gay?"

"Tupp shut up right now," Plumeria ordered quickly, her tone somewhere between deathly serious and desperate.

"I know not of a man named Rick, but if he is happy, then that is good," Gaeric said. "Come! The rain shall only worsen and skies darken. I have sentries with me to escort you up."

Upon getting up the next switchback, Gaeric and five figures in garb Ian recognized from the Legends: Arceus game waited ahead of them, watching vigilantly. They had faded white sweaters with a circular magenta design on them Ian assumed was the Pearl Clan's sigil. Rain drops began picking up even more, and a frigid shiver came across Ian with his light amount of clothing. So it really is the Pearl Clan, like the one from the times of Hisui, just kickin' it up here? Ultra Storms usually drop one person, and it wouldn't surprise me if it did two or three sometimes. But an entire clan? Something really strange must have happened.

The town was really a one street village with no more than fifteen houses in it. He noticed no power lines, but old style lampposts with an eerie glow in their glass chambers. The dirt road running down the middle had a number of holes and plants growing in it. Ian also noticed a larger building standing out from the rest of the houses that was nearly twice as tall and three times as wide. Probably where they meet.

Gaeric led them to a house notably off the main street as the rain turned into a light drizzle. There was a wide spanning patio with an awning that gave the group mercy from the rain. Hyde was dismounted by Gaeric and the Pearl Clan sentries, who lifted him up the steps and placed him in a chair, Hyde sulking silently the whole way. Ian recalled Sawsbuck, who seemed relieved about getting its reluctant rider off its back. Hyde owes you big time for that.

Gaeric eyed Plumeria expectantly. "I have vouched for you to the council, which will likely agree to house you here for the night. This is normally where we house Driftwood Guild members and members of friendly factions when they come through. Some of their belongings remain here. I ask that nothing here be disturbed. Is that agreeable, Skull Team?"

Plumeria nodded seriously. "It is well understood, Gaeric." Plumeria then turned to the rest of the Team Skull squad with angry eyes. "Nothing will be disturbed."

Ian gulped nervously, knowing the warning was meant more for Tupp than anyone else. "Of course," Ian croaked.

"Good. Now Plumeria, as the leader of your party, I ask you and your top lieutenant to join us in our meeting place," Gaeric explained, extending his hand and pointing to the larger building up the main, gravelly street.

"Top lieutenant?" Plumeria said, a nervous giggle escaping her mouth.

She must be really stressed, I've never seen her squirm like this before. I gotta see her interact with other factions more. Ian chuckled and Plumeria cleared her throat, pointing at him and signalling him over to her with her eyebrows. Did she just make me top lieutenant? What?

"Ah, your not-husband, Ian," Gaeric said. "Very well, follow me."

Rapp coughed, doing her best to cover a hysterical laugh. Ian turned to see Selene covering her mouth, doing a better job at hiding the laugh. Ian gave Plumeria a very befuddled look and Plumeria glared at him, leaning over to whisper to him "Hyde's hurt, Selene smells like an outhouse, and Tupp and Rapp are Tupp and Rapp. This wouldn't normally be you. Remember I'm still mad at you."

Ian nodded. "Yeah… I get it. I'll just not speak unless spoken to." She must be REALLY desperate.

"Good," Plumeria growled before returning her attention to Gaeric.

As the trio approached the meeting place, as Gaeric called it, their guide pointed to an old metal lamppost which had a light flame in a chamber. "Eternal flames from our clan leader's Ninetales."

"Very pretty," Plumeria said, clearly trying to stay on Gaeric's good side.

Upon reaching the door, a short young man wearing something on his head that slightly resembled a cowboy hat who Ian recognized as Kleavor's warden stood. Lian? Or was it Liam?

"These them, Gaeric?" The warden asked, leaning back against the wall next to the doors with his arms folded.

"Indeed, Lian," Gaeric said.

"I need you two to remove your Poke Ball belts," Lian said.

"Surely that is not necessary," Gaeric said. "I have vouched for them-"

"It's not a problem," Plumeria said quickly, un-latching her belt with six Poke Balls and holding it up to Lian, Ian quickly followed suit.

"We appreciate you, Skull Team was it?" Lian asked.

"Team Skull, but call us whatever you want," Plumeria said. "This storm looks like a nasty one."

Lian nodded. "At least it's not snowing."

"We're not exactly dressed for either…" Plumeria said.

"You're right about that," Lian replied and took Ian's belt, holding his gaze. "You're awful quiet. Shy or something?"

"Just don't want to say anything wrong," Ian said.

Lian chuckled. "That's my problem too, which is why I'm out here and not in there." Lian pointed behind him.

"Enough Lian," Gaeric said.

"Yeah, yeah," Lian said, turning around and holding the door open. Lian gave Ian a nod as he passed, which Ian reciprocated. Plumeria cleared her throat, getting Ian back to the situation at hand.

The darkened, windowless room they entered reminded Ian more of a cafeteria with how wide open it was, and the tiled floor quickly gave way to rugs as Ian followed Gaeric and Plumeria closer to a blazing fire pit. Ian spied a glimpse of some foldable chairs in the darkness resting against the walls. Definitely their meeting area. Gaeric led them around the firepit where a long table with white cloth and two Pearl Clan symbols embroidered onto the front shown. Ian noticed the third symbol on the right side of the tablecloth: a shield with a black outline and quadrants where the colors blue, yellow, pink, and green showed majestically. Never seen that symbol before. Three barely illuminated figures sat behind the table, Ian could easily tell Irida in the center with her distinctive blonde hair. To her right (Ian's left) was a much taller figure with a captain's hat on. That's gotta be Ingo! Did he really go from this time, back in time to Hisui, to come all of the way BACK to this time? Talk about a traveler. The third and final shadowy figure was someone Ian was completely unfamiliar with, but had the brown skin of a native Alolan and long dark hair to match. She has the shield in front of her… Are those Tapu colors on it? Maybe she's ASF.

Gaeric held his hand out to stop Plumeria and Ian, then stepped forward alone and bowed before the table. "Honored council members, I, Gaeric Wolfhart, bring to you two members of the Skull Team. This is Lady Plumeria and her lieutenant, Ian."

"Team Skull," a lower feminine voice corrected, the disdain not subtle in her tone. Something tells me she's not a big fan of the brand.

"Yes, councilwoman Nui," Gaeric said with almost reverence. "They are humbly requesting to stay in Makamae Town for the night. They have an injured team member. They also were willing to pay for their stay with this." Gaeric took out the Star Piece Ian had given, and Gaeric showed it above his head, where it glimmered against the fire light.

"Stolen, no doubt," the same, disapproving voice said. Councilwoman Nui, she's the one that hates us.

"Councilwoman, Ingo and I hold Gaeric in high regard, and he has vouched for the character of this woman… Plumeria," a softer, feminine voice said. The elegance with which she spoke made her soft voice oddly authoritative. "Why, pray tell, do you believe the Star Piece stolen?"

Plumeria spoke up delicately. "It wasn't stolen-"

Gaeric turned immediately, shooshing her.

Councilwoman Nui cleared her throat, asserting it was her time to speak. "Team Skull has a rather bad reputation of criminality amongst the people of this island. Although I have heard of this 'Plumeria' from my work with the Driftwood Guild, and they do speak highly of her character. If it were just her, I would let this slide. But five other Team Skull thugs in this sanctuary that is our town is not something I will stomach easily."

A gravelly male voice coughed before speaking up. "The Pearl Clan's foragers, which have been crucial in keeping all of Makamae Town fed, have gone into Team Skull territory, and even encountered members of Team Skull while there. There have been no issues though, which means we are already on track to a working relationship." Was that a train reference Ingo? He's already on our side by the sound of it. Let's keep it that way.

"Those are good points, Councilman Ingo. Unfortunately, Team Skull's history does predate your clan's arrival on this island," Nui said with a tone that just made Ian want to smack her.

"Psssst," Plumeria said lowly to Gaeric. "Can I say something?" She whispered.

Gaeric held up his hand carefully. "Council members, Lady Plumeria would wish to address you." I don't think I'll ever be able to get over Gaeric calling her Lady Plumeria. Gaeric then motioned Plumeria over and whispered something in her ear. Plumeria then bowed deeply, so deeply her sections of long hair hit the rug below before she stood up straight once more.

"Honored Council Members, my squad has been tasked with acquiring seeds from the other side of Ula'Ula Island. We have no hostile intentions, and are simply on a diplomatic mission," Plumeria explained. "One of our foolish party members tried to scale a steep incline without aid and hurt himself. We just need a place for him to rest for the night, and we will be on our way, without issue."

"Which incline?" Iridia asked.

"We don't know its name," Plumeria answered. "I have traversed the mountain once when going to the Rough Raiders to help us fight Breon during our initial conflict with Haina Town. I crossed this face of the mountain on the switchbacks a little under halfway up the mountain."

"Mmmm…" Ingo said. "Breon's Tyranitar has since destroyed that path."

"I believe you attempted to scale our 'Sneasler Wall' on the western face,'" Gaeric suggested. "Lots of loose rocks on a steep ramp?"

"Yes," Plumeria said, then realized something. "Our injured person, it was all his own foolish action, we do not blame his injury on any of you, especially for a defensive measure."

"No slight felt," Irida said. "What troubles me most is your food supply. Have you enough to keep your party well with this added complication upon your journey?"

This could be our way in!

"We are food secure," Plumeria said. "This may make us ration things out a little more, but it will not be a problem."

Irida did not respond, and he got the vibe of the answer was a tad disappointing. Why didn't she mention Sawsbuck? Ian coughed to disguise him saying "Sawsbuck" to Plumeria, and she turned around with a sour glare.

Councilwoman Nui gave a disappointed scoff. "And when what little food we have left is raided, they will be on their way."

"Councilwoman… Nui was it?" Plumeria said. "You seem to have quite a bit of dislike for Team Skull."

"I do," Nui answered. "I was a member of the ASF under Commander Franks, the man Breon overthrew when he took over Haina Town. I took what people I could up here to Makamae Town and met the Pearl Clan here. I still follow the situation in Haina Town, and I know the conditions on which you ended your war with Breon. 'All Haina Town escapees will be sent back to Haina Town for punishment.'"

"Terms that are un-enforceable by Breon," Plumeria said. "We essentially agreed to nothing."

"You never told the Driftwood Guild you would secretly take refugees," Nui explained. "Leaving them little choice in any attempted flight. They could try the treacherous, well guarded path up this mountain here, or go to the Rough Raiders who treat everyone from Haina Town as a spy. Or they must leave their fate to the Haina Desert. Most stay in the terrible condition of Haina Town rather than face death in the desert."

"The Driftwood Guild is not an ally to be trusted," Plumeria said. "They cozy up to Surge, and they've tried gaining access to our town multiple times."

"Perhaps they want the successors of Keahi's Cinders to not make the same mistakes and further drive this island to ruin," Nui said damningly. Ian thought deeply, trying to remember what Mina had said about Keahi, the former Kahuna and the Cinders, her followers. Oh yeah, they attacked the Lake of the Sunne.

Plumeria shook her head in frustration. "I cannot speak for the Driftwood Guild or its intentions, but we in Team Skull value survival most of all. Doing something destructive to the island as a whole would go against that."

Nui gave a quick "Hmph," but didn't respond further.

"And before I commit my vote, I have one question," Ingo said. "Yesterday morning we spotted a man in black on the summit trail that leads to the Ultra Rift. Would you happen to know anything about them?"

"No," Plumeria said.

"And to bring up your food situation once again," Irida began. "Is that one of the modern wonders called a 'Silph Bag' on your back?"

Plumeria nodded. "Yes it is, councilwoman…"

"Irida," Gaeric added.

"Councilwoman Irida," Plumeria concluded.

"Forgive my ignorance, as we of the Pearl Clan have crossed space and time to this age, so we are unfamiliar with these wonderful inventions this age has. If that is a Silph Bag, can you not show us your food rations and be done with it? You appear to have Ingo's vote, but not Nui's vote. I would break the tie, and if you have food for yourselves, any doubts of mine will be laid to rest."

Shit! Plumeria froze, unable to say anything.

"Meowth got your tongue, Lady Plumeria?" Nui sneered.

Gaeric eyed Plumeria with sudden suspicion. Ian took a deep breath and mentally apologized. There's only one way we get Irida's vote. "Honored council members!" Ian bellowed, putting his hands up to show his peaceful intentions.

"Ian…" Plumeria grunted, glaring daggers at him.

"I must apologize for my leader's lack of words, as she was doing a favor for me, and that has put her in a precarious situation where it may appear she is being dishonest," Ian said.

"Ian was it?" Irida asked. "What favor has Lady Plumeria done for you?"

"Plumeria has-"

"Lady Plumeria," Gaeric corrected.

"Yes, Lady Plumeria…" Please don't laugh. "...is safeguarding a secret that I am very protective over. But I would like to disclose it to you now. If you think she's attempted to lie to you, know it was on my behalf and her trying to cover for a subordinate, like a good leader does. So put any and all blame on myself."

"What is your secret young man?" Ingo asked bluntly.

"I expect they have no food," Nui teased.

"Quite the opposite, Councilwoman Nui," Ian said. "I assume as a resident of this island, you are aware of Tapu Bulu?"

"Of course," Nui replied.

"And I will also presume you have informed your fellow council members as well?" Ian asked.

"I have. Where is this going?" Nui asked sourly.

"One of my Pokemon that I handed to Lian upon entry, Sawsbuck specifically, has been blessed by Tapu Bulu, and gained its ability Grassy Surge, which makes plants grow incredibly quickly," Ian explained. "We have effectively lived off the land wherever we've gone on this expedition, because of Tapu Bulu's blessing."

"Tapu Bulu has never blessed a Pokemon on Ula'Ula Island in its history, and you are to have me believe it has blessed some Unovan Pokemon?" Nui questioned.

Ian bowed his head once more, holding it as he spoke. "I would be honored to demonstrate it for you all."

"Only if there are multiple sentries present," Nui said, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

"Sawsbuck you say?" Ingo asked Ian, his chin resting on his hand. "I have never heard of that Pokemon, yet something about it conducts some familiarity to me…"

"Lieutenant Ian," Irida began. "I am going to ask a question of you which may help placate the resident skeptic."

"This is hardly necessary since you don't need my approval if you and Ingo agree," Nui said bitterly.

"But since this is no monarchy, I would still like your approval," Irida said, her dignified, elegant voice finally showing signs of delicate frustration. "Ian, may I ask how long you've been with Team Skull?"

"About three weeks I think," Ian said, turning to Plumeria, who watched him intensely. "I went to sleep at home one night and woke up in an Ultra Storm outside of Po Town," Ian explained. "Lady Plumeria and her squad helped rescue me, and I've been with them ever since."

Councilwoman Nui began laughing with her mouth closed, which seemed even more disrespectful than laughing outright. Let me guess, she's about to say something like "there's no way a Faller who's been here three weeks got his Pokemon blessed by Tapu Bulu" or something like that.

"What's so funny, Nui?" Ingo croaked.

"Ian, has Plumeria told you why the Ultra Rift appeared in the first place, and why you're stuck on Ula'Ula Island now with no chance of going home?" Nui asked, an obvious, knowing smirk appearing across her face for the first time.

"Uh… what?" Ian replied, completely dumbfounded.

"Go ahead and tell him, Plumeria," Nui ordered.

"With all due respect Councilwoman Nui, even if what you're implying was true, it's hardly confirmed," Plumeria said.

"So you haven't been told, Ian?" Nui asked, over-fascination in her voice. She's trying to tear us apart right here, don't fall for it.

"I suppose I haven't," Ian said.

"Well, I take no pleasure in telling you this…" Nui began. Liar. "...but this so-called Lady Plumeria was a member of the former Kahuna's group of followers, called Keahi's Cinders."

"I've heard of them," Ian said. He noticed Plumeria looking at him, fear in her eyes. If she's freaked out then maybe there's a lot of truth to what Nui's saying. Ian gulped.

"And have you been shown Keahi's declaration?" Nui asked.

"What?" Ian asked.

"I take it you haven't then," Nui said. "Keahi sent a declaration to all of Alola, declaring Po Town and its people free from the Alolan government, and that she would wipe away the Original Sin of Alola by destroying the sacred altar at the Lake of the Sunne. Keahi and her closest companions then attacked the Lake of the Sunne. Nearby rangers saw Tapu Bulu racing to the temple complex as it was happening. What transpired is known by only few, but Keahi and her Cinders were defeated, and the bonds Keahi held with her and all Pokemon were severed, meaning they would never listen to her again. She's not allowed back on the island, but whatever damage that needed to be done was done. The Ultra Rift appeared moments after Tapu Bulu was spotted returning to its home ruins."

Ian remained silent, taking in the entire revelation. Things just got really weird… When he finally felt comfortable enough to speak. "Councilwoman Nui, may I ask how you learned this information?"

"It's all true," Plumeria admitted sorrowfully.

"Some Lady you are, Plumeria," Nui said. "After your group drives the island into chaos, you re-brand and dress your crimes' real victims, like this young man, in the garb of the people who did him wrong. That is evil."

"I…" Plumeria hesitated, a sob escaping her. "Those weren't my crimes… We've just been trying to help…" A tear fell from Plumeria's eye as the flames exposed one half of her face. Councilwoman Nui then made a big deal of pushing her chair away from the table and getting up, walking off smugly into the shadows beyond.

Irida cleared her throat. "I believe I'd like that demonstration now." The other two councillors got up from their chairs and Ingo and Irida made their way to Ian and Plumeria. Irida put her hand on Plumeria's shoulder soothingly. "I apologize for Councilwoman Nui's harshness. We are down to eating once per day, and today's meal was not exactly filling."

Plumeria sniffled, putting her head up, blinking back another tear and returning to her resting scowl face. "It's okay… Everything she said was true."

"And what you said was true as well. They are not your crimes…" Irida then indicated Ian with her hand. "...and you are just trying to help. For that is what a good leader does."

Plumeria nodded, eyes still watering. "Thank you, councilwoman…"

"Just Irida is fine," Irida said, guiding Plumeria out.

"Shall we get this demonstration on track?" Ingo asked, looking at Ian. There's another train pun!

After collecting their belts from Lian, the doorman joined the group and Irida reached for her own Poke Ball belt filled with antique, apricorn-made Poke Balls. They must've adapted after the events of Legends Arceus.

"For some shelter," Irida said, and out from Irida's apricorn Poke Ball came a bright white, floating body with wings Ian recognized as a Togekiss. "Reflect, please," Irida ordered elegantly. Suddenly the drizzling rain began hitting the pink, translucent barrier surrounding the group of six. They made their way to a collection of raised beds behind the western row of houses. The wind still blew and he was damp from the frizzle before, but they made it to the raised beds behind a row of house quickly.

"Well this one's supposed to be something good for us, think they're called Tateroots," Lian said, pointing at the first raised bed. "Supposed to be really heavy and grow quickly. Driftwood gave us these seeds two months ago and even with Palina's Vespiquen and worker Combees working overtime, they're barely halfway grown."

Ian smiled. "So Councilwoman Irida, your 'yes' vote depends on my Sawsbuck's ability?"

Irida nodded.

"We good to go?" Ian asked.

"All aboard," Ingo replied. Fucking train lingo.

Ian took a deep breath and tossed Sawsbuck's pink ball into the air. Sawsbuck manifested, but different from its autumn form. Oh yeah, we're pretty far up the mountain now. Sawsbuck's antlers were now a brilliant white with no signs of plant life. Thankfully. It had a cloak of white fur around its lower neck, and each of its lower legs had what looked to be leg warmers covering them. "You changed again Sawsbuck? That's the second time today!"

The three Pearl Clan members suddenly gasped as the soil in the raised beds shifted, and brown lumps formed fully on the ground. They're potatoes!

"Already to the last stop of growth…" Ingo said in disbelief.

"That's special right there," Lian added.

"Very impressive," Gaeric observed.

Irida stood in stunned silence, mouth agape as the plants in front of her now were loaded with harvest-able food.

"Sawsbuck, let's walk along these raised beds, show 'em what you can do," Ian said. The group watched in awe as beds of Ian recognized as slight variations of carrots, turnips, cabbage, and barley all grew to full maturity. Upon arriving at the final bed, Ian recalled Sawsbuck with a proud smile. "Councilwoman Irida, do we have your vote to stay the night?"

Irida looked over the row of raised beds chock full of fully grown plants. "Yes. I may insist you stay more than one night, Lieutenant Ian."

Ian smiled and gave Plumeria a fist bump. Plumeria's eyes still looked watery, but her scowl had turned to the closest thing she had to a smirk.

"Is there a limit to your Pokemon's effect?" Irida asked.

"It takes three hours for it to refresh and repeat on the same plants," Ian said. "It usually grows berries about halfway, the actual trees grow a marginal amount. But after prolonged exposure we've noticed they're growing more berries overall."

Irida nodded, her eyes increasingly focused on Sawsbuck. "Excellent job Sawsbuck," Ian said. "I promise we'll have some food for you in the morning." Sawsbuck gave an annoyed bleat, but bowed its head as Ian recalled his blessed stag into its ball.

Gaeric cleared his throat. "Council members, I believe it is high time we got out of this rain and allowed our guests some rest."

"Indeed," Ingo croaked.

"Oh Ian…" Irida's voice hit his ears like a beautiful melody. "...what is the name of your line?"

Of my line? What?

"I believe it is called a 'last name,' in these times," Irida said.

Plumeria's head turned quickly in his peripheral vision. "Cougar," Ian said with a dumb smile, remembering his renaming at the direction of Guzma.

"Ian Cougar…" Irida said, her pale blue eyes looking to where Sawsbuck had been as if envisioning something.

Oh boy, things are about to get even weirder aren't they?

***

"And no boys allowed until Selene's finished her bath!" Plumeria barked as she slammed the guest house's door to the three Team Skull boys on the patio. Tupp and Hyde at least had blankets, while Ian had been out in the rain with no cover and was shivering his ass off.

"Can you at least get me a blanket! It's cold as shit out here!" Ian yelled back.

"Fine!" Plumeria fired back.

Ian curled up at his designated spot nex to Tupp on the patio under the awning, leaning against the wall and relieved to finally rest his aching muscles. And a lot of information got dropped on me in there. With the Ultra Rift being at the heart of it. Plus what was that "Alola's Original Sin" all about?

"You know Ian, for once in my life, I don't want to punch you," Hyde chimed in.

"Really? That's an improvement," Ian said dismissively, returning back to his thoughts on what Nui had just told him.

"You haven't run any victory laps on my ass," Hyde said.

"Plumeria said we need to stop bickering. We're in someone else's territory, far from home… The six of us are all we got," Ian said. "You have plenty of reasons to hate me, we don't need to add anymore."

Hyde paused for nearly half a minute, with Tupp even not wanting to break the silence. "Same, dude."

Ian gave an agreeing nod and the door opened, with Plumeria tossing him a folded blanket. Ian wrapped it around himself so it was just his head exposed.

Tupp picked Ian's brain about the council meeting, with Ian not mentioning the Keahi's Cinders bit, but making sure to mention one of the council members didn't like Team Skull.

"So we on thin ice with that ASF chick? That's fine I guess," Tupp responded.

The door opened suddenly and Plumeria marched out. "Tupp, Hyde, inside."

"Big Sis, I can't walk," Hyde protested.

"Tupp, help him up, I need to talk to Ian in private," Plumeria said.

Ian shivered, the blanket warming him considerably but not to a truly comfortable level yet. "Can't we do this inside?"

"We got two rooms in there and I want no eavesdroppers," Plumeria said as Tupp helped Hyde out of the deck's chair. Plumeria then took a seat across from Ian, her eyes focused on him. "I should've brought a blanket…"

"You can go get one," Ian said.

Plumeria shook her head. "No, let's just do this now." Plumeria sighed, seemingly preparing herself emotionally for something deep. Here we go. "Tupp, back away from the door! You're not sneaky!"

"Aw c'mon Big Sis!" Tupp groaned.

"I'll tell him about your naked picture stash!" Plumeria fired back.

"You know about that?"

"Yes, now fuck off!" Plumeria barked. Plumeria returned her focus to Ian, her face returning to its resting scowl-face self. "Okay, a lot went down in there. A lot of information you probably don't know-"

"I heard about Keahi attacking the Lake of the Sunne," Ian said. "Not the part about the Ultra Rift though."

Plumeria nodded. "I want you to know I had nothing to do with that attack. I was a part of Keahi's Cinders, like most trainers from Po Town were. I was a part of Guzma's squad, like you are a part of mine. Keahi had four close followers, Guzma being her fifth, and probably her most problematic one, which is why she left us in charge of Po Town instead of sending us to the Lake of the Sunne."

Ian nodded, comprehending everything. "Plumeria, with what little information I have, I don't think you caused the Ultra Rift to appear. It was screwed up she tried to pin that on you. And even if Keahi did cause it, there wasn't a way you knew something like the Ultra Rift would happen, right?"

Plumeria nodded. "Not at all." Plumeria then grimaced. "But even if I did, I wouldn't have been able to change anything."

"I see…" Ian said, a question that had been bothering him since the meeting came to the front of his mind. "Nui said something about Alola's 'Original Sin.' What did she mean by that?"

"So, I don't know exactly, but I think it was some sort of secret knowledge only Kahunas were supposed to know or something. But I'd sometimes overhear things… It had something to do with why Ultra Wormholes appeared around Alola, even before the Ultra Rift opened."

Ian's eyebrows rose. "Oh…" That never got explored in the games. "So what you're saying is, Alola's 'Original Sin' is somewhere at the Lake of the Sunne, and it causes Ultra Wormholes to appear?"

Plumeria nodded. "That's very possible…"

I'm going to assume it has something to do with Cosmog then, or whatever force makes it appear there. "Thank you," Ian said. "And one more thing that might help you sleep better. If Keahi did cause the Ultra Rift to appear, why wasn't it over the Lake of the Sunne? Why is it here on Mount Lanakila?" Ian asked.

Plumeria gave a genuine, full smile. A rarity for Plumeria. "That's a good point…" Plumeria took a deep breath and nodded once more. "Thank you for understanding, Ian."

Ian smiled. "Of course."

Plumeria's eyes locked onto his, and when she opened her mouth, she spoke with an incredibly delicate tone. "I'd like to return the favor."

"Return?"

"Understanding," Plumeria clarified, letting the rain hitting the wooden awning fill the silence. "I'm sure you already know what I'm going to ask."

Ian grimaced, eyes going to the cold, hardwood deck's floor. Anything but this please. I haven't fully thought this through yet.

"Ian, do you remember when I told you about the people who live up here?" Plumeria began. "I said they were led by some woman named Irida, and you started thinking about something, and then out of nowhere you said 'Pearl Clan.'"

Oh shit, I did do that. Ian remained silent, unsure of what to say.

"And don't go saying you read it in a book somewhere. Irida's not a common name, but it's not uncommon, especially in Sinnoh," Plumeria explained, her tone still very careful, soft. "You knew who she was, knew what group of people she led, and none of us had any clue. How?"

Ian bit his lip involuntarily. "I…Driftwood uh-"

Plumeria shook her head, keeping her tone soft and approachable. "You don't have to lie to me anymore Ian. You know things you shouldn't, and your story changes as you go. I promise I won't think you're crazy."

Ian shook his head. "Plumeria, I'm sorry, it's just gonna open this whole can of worms-"

"Then let it open," Plumeria whispered. "I promise I won't tell anyone."

Ian threw the blanket off of him and began getting up.

"Ian, please!" Plumeria said loudly. "You don't have to…"

Ian was already off the patio and in the nighttime downpour and heading to a dimly lit streetlamp, thinking through all of the scenarios, all of the ways this could go bad. If I tell her, I'm crazy, if I don't, I'm dangerous.

"Ian!" Plumeria shouted angrily, having followed him into the rain. "Come on you're not going to get a better chance!"

Ian turned around, quietly glad he was in the rain, masking how overwhelming his emotions had become. Plumeria's look of concern shown in the dim light as she neared the streetlamp he'd coincidentally stood next to.

Plumeria put her hand over her heart. "I swear, I won't think you're crazy, and I won't tell anyone. Please, I want to understand. I want to help you, Ian," Plumeria pleaded.

Ian grimaced. "It's gonna change everything…"

"Then I'll help you with that too," Plumeria said.

Ian grimaced, breathing heavily, mind racing. I have to tell her, so how do I do it? Plumeria put her hand on his shoulder, eyes looking deeply into his. Ian closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. "Okay…"

Plumeria nodded, looking at him attentively.

"Rylee," Ian said.

"What?" Plumeria asked.

"Rylee, the little Faller girl from that Ultra Storm. The one where we fought the Alpha Crawdaunt?" Ian asked.

"Yeah," Plumeria remembered.

"Have you talked to Auntie Pula about her?" Ian asked.

"Yeah, she said Rylee talks about how Pokemon weren't real in her world, how they were a TV show…" Plumeria stopped as the realization hit.

Ian glared at Plumeria solemnly, his eyes confirming what she had to be thinking.

"Oh my goodness…" Plumeria said, mouth agape and awestruck eyes looking at him. "That's what it is? Pokemon aren't real where you're from? They're a TV show?"

"They were also video games for me," Ian admitted. "I played them growing up."

Plumeria watched him him as if he'd just done magic, her eyes full of wonder, mystery, and a hint of fear. "That makes so much sense though. You know these random, very specific details, and then you turn around and don't know the absolute basic stuff about what we do…"

Ian watched on grimly as the gears in Plumeria's began turning. Now comes all of the terrible implications. "Let's get out of this rain," Ian said, remembering he was shivering non-stop.

"Sure…" Plumeria said, turning around and heading back to the shelter underneath the awning. Once underneath, Ian tried to sidestep Plumeria for the door. "Where you going? I'm not done."

"Well I am," Ian grumbled.

"There's so many things, things you know then-"

Ian shook his head. "I don't. So many things are different."

"Like what?" Plumeria asked.

"The Aether Foundation is apparently good? How the fuck is Surge here and why does he have a Zapdos? Not even mentioning I have no idea what the fuck the Ultra Rift is-"

Plumeria signaled him to lower his voice. "Okay, I… I understand. This was a lot for you. You can go inside."

Ian felt a raindrop that might've been a tear fall down his cheek. "Thanks, Big Sis."

Plumeria nodded. "Of course."

 

[Aureus]

Honestly I think you handled the reveal well.

 

[Oceanside Lowlife]

Honestly I think you handled the reveal well.

Click to shrink...

Thanks! This wasn't supposed to happen until arc 5, but characters decided otherwise. I bet peeps will be able to spot the scene it was supposed to happen when I (eventually) get there.

Next chapter won't be as heavy, I promise!

 

[Kachellzz]

I normally hate it when the 'this is actually a story's thing gets dropped, but this was all handled really well.
It's also good Ian has someone he can trust with this. The whole Original Sin thing is interesting, looking forward to learn about the true origin of all this bullshit.

 

[ThunderBasilisk]

You handled this reveal pretty damn well. Wonder if Hyde was listening? And man a nice bit of background lore we got if the potential cause if all this.

 

[Oceanside Lowlife]

You handled this reveal pretty damn well. Wonder if Hyde was listening? And man a nice bit of background lore we got if the potential cause if all this.

Click to shrink...

Having Rylee as a character really helped make the scene work imo. Also it's easier to do in this setting where there are a number of Fallers, most stories have just one person getting Isekai'd and that's it and the whole thing has to get explained which... usually bogs down the scene imo.

The lore stuff is so deep, it's borderline ridiculous imo. I did a lot of brainstorming for this while working on Wonders of Alola, so I got to just add complexity and mess with things.

 

[Doge The Last]

I wonder if the Original Sin has to do with Necrozma's light being taken to illuminate the world and made into Z-Crystals.

Surprisingly, this is one of the times where I'm not disappointed about a character doing the whole "Your world was fictional" reveal.

Also I wonder if the Pearl Clan will find out that he knows about Hisui

 

[Firejd1]

"I believe you attempted to scale our 'Sneasler Wall on the western face,'" Gaeric suggested. "Lots of loose rocks on a steep ramp?"

Click to shrink...

Yeah, I'm just that good #predicted #put2and2together

"And before I commit my vote, I have one question," Ingo said. "Yesterday morning we spotted a man in black on the summit trail that leads to the Ultra Rift. Would you happen to know anything about them?"

Click to shrink...

Ohhhhhh Cyrus when I get you I mean fuck man when I get my hands on you arghhhh! Raghhhh!!

---

Also hopefully Ian can help out our boy Ingo! Assuming this is after Ingo has been sent to Hisui, you just know Emmet is running himself ragged looking for his twin.

From what I've read so far, Ingo can probably actually just get off the island and go back to Unova, as long as he remembers what is there for him(his twin and Pokémon and I guess previous life as a Train Master).

Author, I demand cannon Ingo and Emmet reunion scene in the future! Or else I'll get you!

 

[Vanbers]

Also I wonder if the Pearl Clan will find out that he knows about Hisui

Click to shrink...

Personally I just want him to tell Inigo about his past.

His brother misses him, man. His train never returned to the station.

 

[Oceanside Lowlife]

Author, I demand cannon Ingo and Emmet reunion scene in the future! Or else I'll get you!

Click to shrink...

I will confirm Emmet will appear at some point in this story. (Pls don't hurt me)