Pokémon Magic & Transvolution 2

[Sonic Ramon]

Scarlet, the melancholic. Travis, the furious. Faten, the uncaring. Jacob & Joey, the determines. Ramon, the wounded. These six’s tales will unraveled in the mystical Wizlore region:

Scarlet seeking her beautiful self-worth, Travis combating his vengeful past, Faten learning his honorable sympathy, Jacob & Joey striving their strongest willpower, and Ramon discovering his disheartened reunion. Six characters, five stories—one true adventure.

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M&T2 Chapter 1 will be live soon.

 

[Sonic Ramon]

AN:
YOOOOO, IT’S FINALLY HERE!

Been looking forward to the release of this chapter (along with MM’s) for so long now. Once again, future chapters will take awhile to release due to me hyper busy on working on them along with other stuff going on in my life! And in case some of you don’t know:

I’m unfortunately going to focus on just the M&T series and MM in terms of my written works instead of introducing a new PMD fic (or a fanfic in general) like I said I was going to do in the two fic’s summaries. Hopefully though these fics will suffice since I’m still looking forward to the many twists, turns, actions, character growths, and overall just having fun writing them!

With all of that out of the way, I hope you all enjoy. n_n

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Chapter 1: The Prospective Institute.​

"I GOT HIM, BOSS!" one person shouted.

"Watch out for that Lucar—OOF!" another person was jabbed.

Within the large forest was a group of scientists: All either using their magic or fists to fight, some even having their Nativus tackling the Pokémon Hunters'. A young man and his Lucario friend were helping those scientists: Standing in front of a trembling Zorua with his collar shuddering.

One hunter swung his bat at the young scientist, the black-haired man ducking in time and pushing him. And then the jackal punched crook, knocking him down. The scientist lifted his thumb. "Nice one, Travis!"

The Lucario's paws glowed yellow, his brows furrowing at a decent portion of Bisharps. "You're welcome, Xander." He Force Palmed a few of them before sweeping the last one, backflipping when two Hunters swung their crow bars: Hitting themselves.

One hunter gnashed his teeth, clenching his fist. "Damn they're good!" He then eyed the Zorua—zero protection being at sight. The pale skin man formed yellow aura around his fist, smirking. "I got his ass now!" He dashed after the fox, grabbing him by the collar as he yelped. The hunter raised his fist, unraveling his hand to display a net-like projectile before cosmic energy blast him away. "GRAH!" He slammed against a nearby tree, sliding.

The Zorua dropped to the ground, eyeing up at the scientist running near him, caressing his head. "Hope you're not badly injured there," Xander said before glaring at the hunters.

One ally shoved a hunter towards the ground, punching him nonstop. Xander encased his hands in cosmic aura, dashing over to multiple hunters. He jumped, twirling horizontally. Many Cosmic Ardors slammed into those thugs, a few of their Pokémon dodging out of the blast before the man clashed down—blowing them away.

A Nidorina rushed after Xander, jumping. "RIIINA!" Her claws brightened into white glow, getting closer to him until—

WACKS!

The rabbit-like creature coughed, Travis' Bone Rush swinging her away. The Pokémon crashed into a group of others, one scientist speeding towards a Diggersby and kicking it towards the established pile.

The leader clenched his teeth, sweating. "Shit." Taking out his Pokéball, he retrieved his Diggersby. "Screw this: These guys are too tough. Let's skedaddle!" The others agreed, all scurrying away afterwards.

Xander folded his arms: He and his small group nodding at each other. "Phew...They sure put up a fight, huh?"

Travis' bone faded away. "No kidding." His eyes closed, shaking his head. "With strengths like that, they should've partake in the All Star Tournament."

"And yet, they've chosen a life of a Pokémon Hunter." Xander rustled his messy hair, sighing. "For shame, indeed."

Everyone soon turned to the shaky Zorua: The fox moving back slightly, cornering himself against rows of bushes. Xander walked forward, his hand to his chest—sympathy spreading across him. "It's okay…" Smiled. "You're safe from those crooks now."

The fox shivered, eyes shaking—ears twitching. He remained still, whining. The scientist sighed, a somber look sprouting itself.

"I know those awful men scared you. But I promise…" He gestured to his group. "We mean you no harm."

The vulpine's shakiness began to wane, his head perking up, staring around: Travis folding his arms while the others waved at him—some smiling, a few looking with interest. His attention then stopped at Xander, who simply nodded. It felt like an eternity—years, even—that he was keeping his gaze onto Yvonne's orange eyes, his furry body being as still as a pole.

The black fox walked forward, nearing Dr. Yvonne. The young man embraced him into a hug, caressing his head. "There there…It's okay now..." The Zorua leaned close, nuzzling the man's chest. Xander carried him, nudging back. "Yes...You're safe, buddy." The scientist turned to the vehicles by the road, strolling ahead while everyone followed.

Travis' paws rested behind his head. "Uh, why are we taking him?"

Xander paused, blinking. "...Good question." Eyeing the fox, he gazed at the collar. "I assume maybe because he's a lost pet? Judging by this collar he's wearing here." He took a closer look. "Ra-moan," he pronounced. "Seems like that's his name." The man then gasped. "Wait, I got an idea!"

"Hmm?" Travis tilted his head.

"Ramon will be our next subject for Project Transvian!" Xander exclaimed.

The Zorua tilted his head, unsure on what this 'Project Transvian' is. Travis lifted his brow, eyeing him. "Are you...sure about that?" Squinted.

Xander nodded. "I'm certain! It'll be fine since some coworkers and I are willing to use our magic blood for this project."

"Not what I meant." Travis shook his head, stopping Dr. Yvonne in his path. "The hunters, the Zorua suddenly being here, and now we're having him in your continuous project?" His arms fold, a frown painting over. "Don't you think all of this is out of the blue?"

"Not...really?" Xander tilted his head. "I mean, hunters trying to capture this fella is sudden, yes. But I'm not quite sure about the rest of what you're saying."

Travis glared at the fox, Ramon tensing up. "I don't know: Feels like he could've suspected us to come 'save' him." He leaned forward, the fox curling—shielding behind the scientist's arms. "Maybe to enact his sneaky plan on backstabbing us later." His teeth gnashed, the Lucario growling. "Like the shady Zorua he is."

The fox whimpered, lowering his ears. The young man eyed his jackal friend: Appalled. "Travis!" Xander shook his head. "There's no need for such a hasty and frankly rude conclusion."

Travis quirked his brow. "Have you not seen a Zorua before?" He pointed. "They're capable of formulating fake scenarios for us to side with them."

Xander blinked. "What."

The Lucario lowered his brow. "I know what those guys are capable of: They can deceive us at any given moment." He clenched a fist, the Zorua's trembles returning. "We're idiots if we don't stop this right now."

The scientist blinked once more in bewilderment. "Buddy, I...don't know where you even got this assumption from, but I'm aware of their usage of Illusion." He stared back at the fox. "He's shaken from the kidnapping he almost experienced: I doubt he'll purposefully be in danger just to attack us after saving him." He caressed the Zorua, calming him. "He's not even trying to hurt us right now: I'm not sure if he even can use his Illusion, for that matter."

Travis opened his maw. "But—"

"Travis: He's harmless. Otherwise, he would've been hinder us." Sighing, the scientist smiled warmly at the Lucario. "Trust me."

Travis gazed at Ramon, staring long and hard. He then sighed. "If you insist, pal."

"Thank you." Xander lifted the Zorua, the sun showering down at the group. "It's a good thing your owner puts a collar with your name on it. Otherwise, we would've come up with a silly name for ya!"

"Yeah: Like Illusio!" one scientist exclaimed.

"That actually doesn't sound bad," another one said, raising their finger.

"Meh. I'd think of something more creative like uhh...um…" The third scientist got stumped, poking his dark cheek. "Shoot, coming up with names is difficult."

"Wait, why would I want to name him?" Travis asked, quirking his brow.

Xander shrugged. "Why wouldn't you?"

The Lucario shook his head in bewilderment. "The hell does that mean?" A silly laugh sparked out of everyone, the Lucario pouting. "Hey! What's so funny about that!?" Ramon had no clue what's happening, but even he too ended up smiling.

"Nothing: Just josting ya, that's all." Xander brought the fox back into a cradle. "His owner must have see him as family enough to give him a collar. I hope they're doing okay."

The Zorua's ears flickered at the word 'family', the fox instantly squirming—yapping beyond belief. Xander flinched, grunting as he struggled to keep his grasp.

"Whoa whoa, relax little fella!" The scientist shushed the fox, cradling once more. "It's okay. Again, those hunters are gone and won't be hurting you anymore," he softly said.

The group continued forward, Travis caressing his paw while eyeing down. "Hmm...Should we go find Ramon's owner first?"

Xander lifted a finger while still holding the Zorua. "Right after I test the magic blood on him first."

Travis huffed, folding his arms—shaking his head. "So much for caring about the Zorua, huh?"

The scientist eyed down, melancholy painting him. "I do." Sighed. "It's just...I want to help Noctis. I want this project to be a success so that Noctis doesn't have to worry about his Charizard form anymore." His attention shifted over to the confused Nativu. "His depression is getting worse and…" Xander winced. "I just need to do something about it quickly."

"...Right." Travis' ears lowered, he and the others nearing the vehicles by now. "I understand, yeah. I hope it's a success, too." He looked down. "For Noctis' sake."

Xander nodded. "For his sake, yes. It's the best I can do for him."

Travis rubbed his arms. "Speaking of which: I'll go head home to check up on him while you continue your project."

"Sounds good to me. Let's drive there first."

Travis nodded as the group head inside of the cars, driving off.

. . .

Over at the Prospective Institute, gray walls laid itself across this fairly sized room: Scientific equipment and gadgets rest on the counters, opened and closed ones. One of those items even sat on a blue table in the middle of the room, being an empty flask. Sitting on the table was Ramon, eyeing ahead at Xander along with another scientist beside him.

This scientist had the usual lab trench coat, a small mustache, dark gray eyes, and short dark blue hair. The name tag, 'Dr. Mabel Prospective', was displayed on his coat as he was holding a paper—reading over its Project Transvian letter Dr. Yvonne wrote as a refresher. Behind the two was a wide window displaying the lab's outside, containing another group of experts gazing on with intrigue.

Xander walked to Ramon, wielding a syringe containing purple blood. The young man took a deep breath, smiling. "This'll sting a little, okay?"

The fox whimpered, shivering before nodding. Dr. Prospective lowered the paper, caressing his mustache. "I hope this will go smoothly, Dr. Yvonne."

Xander flicked the glass. "Likewise, Dr. Prospective." He stared hard at the piece. "I've carefully crafted the magic blood to be less potent after extracting some from myself and mixing it with the donated Intellicates' blood." Smiled. "This will be successful. I'm certain of it."

"Hmm. Very well, then." The man nodded. "Go ahead."

Dr. Yvonne injected the blood into Ramon, a grunt exuding out of him. Xander and Mabel then joined the others behind the glass window, watching the fox. Nothing happened for a moment: A few grunts here and there being conveyed from the Zorua.

"Hmm...Must be a succe—"

Ramon screamed: Squirming and quivering, clawing the table. Xander shook in place, clenching his teeth.

"No…" The man gripped his hair. "No no no NO!" Whined. "Please, not again!" His eyes shook, his hands quaking. "I made sure the blood isn't deadly this time! I modified it into perfection!"

The Zorua screeched, baring his fangs while tears sliding down his cheeks. Mabel laid a hand on Dr. Yvonne's shoulder, staring down. "Just...look away, Xander." Sighed. "You've done all you could."

Yvonne eyed at his hands, trembling. "I...I can't. I—"

Blood seeped through the fox's maw, being a mixture of red and purple—his fur standing up, bones cracking throughout him. The man looked back at the fox, horror yet melancholy took over his entire being—undergoing various levels of grief. "...It's another failure," he uttered. "Another Pokémon, destroyed by this project." He gripped his fists.

"N-Noctis…" He mumbled that last bit: His fists quivering.

Dr. Prospective shook his head. "It's perhaps...time to put this project to rest. We don't need more Pokémon dying from it." The scientist stared off. "I'm sorry."

That alone got to the scientist: Everything feeling as though it was frozen in time, trapping itself in the constant present. The realization, the moment—all of it was there, kicking in without breaks. Zero stops. Tears appeared itself as the scientist closed his eyes, quaking. He was ready to let loose his misery until—

"Wait, look!" Dr. Prospective exclaimed, pointing at the window. Xander glanced: Ramon panting heavily on the table safe and sound, sweating beyond belief. He was more calmer than earlier, gazing down.

Xander and the others entered the room, approaching the fox with caution. Xander raised his hand. "How...are you feeling, Ramon?"

The Zorua lowered his ears. "Horrible."

Xander gasped, lifting his arms. "WE DID IT!" He slammed the table, spooking the Zorua. "PROJECT TRANSVIAN IS COMPLETE!" Everyone cheered as he grabbed his journal from his coat's pocket, scribbling away.

Mabel smiled, patting the young man's back. "Congratulation." He sighed, sliding the paper into his pocket. "I thought this was going to be unsuccessful, but with your perseverance: I was sorely mistaken." The man smirked. "I'll mark the Project Request as a success later on. My apologies, Dr. Yvonne."

Xander nodded. "Sweet! And it's alright: I thought I was going to fail, too." The scientist gazed at Ramon: Joys sprinkling throughout him. "Just when things were looking bleak, Ramon here managed to pull through!" His hands laid by his hips, laughter erupting out of him. "What a trooper!"

The fox glanced down. "It's rather...rude to celebrate. When I'm feeling unwell."

"Ah." He rested a hand on the Zorua's head, Ramon flinching at first before feeling comfort at the rubs. "I apologize there. I'm just...happy to have finally accomplished my passion project, that's all."

Mabel nodded. "Same here!" He elbowed the young scientist. "Once again, well done."

Xander sighed in relief. I can't wait to see that happy look on your face again, Noctis! The man smiled once more. "Let's get you cleaned up and ready for freedom, pal. Where do you want to go afterwards?"

The fox teared up, shaking. "I-I want to go home…" His lips curled. "I want to see my family again."

Xander looked down. "Don't worry: I'll help you return there."

More tears flowed out of the fox. "I...I don't get it."

"Hmm? I'm simply trying to hel—"

"Why would mom and dad do this to me?" Ramon sniffled. "Why…"

The scientist stared on with perplexion. "...What do you—"

WOOAN! WOOAN!

The alarm went off, the room turning red. Screams echoed outside of the lab, everyone all staring off in perplexion.

"Huh?" Xander commented.

Ramon shivered. "Wh-What's going on?"

Mabel caressed his chin. "I have no clu—"

BURST! SCHLICK!

The three jumped back: Eyeing a large black goo stabbing rows of scientists ahead of them, blood spewing across the room within a flash. Their eyes widen, teeth gnashing as horror spreading—Mabel dropping on the ground yelping.

"What in the world!?" Xander asked. The moment those substances lurched towards the three was the moment Xander snatched Ramon, Mabel quickly getting up. "Let's get out! Now!"

Mabel nodded, the three heading out the back exit and slammed the door: A loud bang being heard. They dashed through the linear hall, passing by many gray corridors. After a few turns, they made it to the center: Multiple splotches attacking people left and right, shapeshifting into all sorts of forms—humanoids, bipedals, amorphous. Some even took on a quadruped look before latching onto a scientist running away, biting down into their neck. The trio grimaced.

"What...on Earth are they?" Mabel exclaimed.

Xander bit down his lower lip, sweating. "I have no idea!"

Ramon whined, his ears lowering: Gazing upon the many violent nature tossing around the facility. He then gasped. "AAAH!"

Multiple spiky arrows jotted towards Xander and Mabel, the two ducking. The second scientist scanned around, coming across a large hallway.

"Let's head there, fast!"

Xander nodded, the three traversing over: Evading and dodging the many cryptic beings' attacks. One of them was a biped wolf transforming its arm into a large cleaver, slamming it towards them. Dr. Yvonne snapped his shield up, firing a Mystical Projectile afterwards. Once the creature was hit, the three kept going.

Ramon whimpered, lowering his head. "Home...I want to go home…"

Xander petted the fox, caressing his head. "I know, I know. It'll be okay."

"Mom...Dad...Please…" Is all the Zorua uttered next, whining. Xander glanced at him, pique spreading across his mind. Before he could question the fox however—

"Those things…" Mabel narrowed his brows. "I've never seen anything like them before." Concerns spread throughout him. "Are they even...Pokemon?"

"Maybe? But...something about them feels so off." Yvonne groaned, the three making a turn. "Just: What are those creatures!?"

Eventually they made it to double doors: Another scientist burst it open before they got the chance to touch it. The lone man was going to say something until he got stabbed by one of those creatures, getting dragged back screaming. The duel doors slammed itself, the forceful wind being strong enough to blow the Project Transvian paper out of Mabel's pocket and landed on the ground. Dread spiked throughout the three, all shaking to their very living beings.

Xander clenched his teeth. "Okay, change of plans: We're getting out of here. Now."

Prospective nodded. "Good idea!"

The three turned around, dashing off before a couple of black creatures appeared in their way. Yvonne grunted. "Darn it! Okay, fall back to the other room!"

Without wasting further time, they returned to the double doors: Plowing through it. They ran throughout the interior, Xander glancing around in caution. Sudden blotches aimed at his direction, the man casting his Mystical Shield—protecting everyone. One creature splashed against the shield, letting out a loud screech that only said one thing and one thing only:

"IT'S. YOUR. FAULT!"

The scientist stared on for a moment as it slid off his shield, chills spiraling within. Before he could process this entity's words, Mabel tapped his shoulder quickly.

"Come on: We need to hurry away from here!" he pleaded.

Yvonne gazed at the creature going limp, shivering. "Y-Yeah...Right." The three took off.

. . .

After many more roaming, they reached a door leading to one of the facility's rooms. Xander touched the handle and tried twisting it: Stuck.

"It's locked," the scientist confirmed. Holding Ramon in one hand, he slid into his pocket and took out his ID card. Pressing it by the scanner aside, the monitor skimmed over the card before going red: The door remaining locked. Xander tried again, and it yielded the same result. "Drats…"

The young scientist knocked on the door. "Hello? Is anyone there?"

Brief silence presented itself before a voice said, "G-Go away!"

"It's me, Dr. Xander Yvonne. And I'm with Mabel Prospective. Please let us in!"

A small whimper was heard on the other side, conveying an ounce of hesitation, Ramon picked up. The Zorua shook again, snuggling close to Xander. The scientist patted his head, sighing.

"It'll be fine...We'll remain in this room until we figure out a way to escape," Yvonne said, smiling softly at the fox.

Soon, the door opened: Revealing a man with pink glasses and short black hair. The tan skin man whimpered, staring at the three. "I-It is you two...g-good to know." He stared off. "What's going on here? Where did these…" His eyes widened. "M-Monsters come from?"

Xander frowned, staring down. "I have no clue either." Prospective was about to say something until he gasped at the side, Xander continuing to speak, "Those things suddenly came out of the blue. One of them can talk, too. Saying it's 'my fault'...Does it know me? And what is my fa—"

"LOOK OUT!" Prospective yelled.

Everyone stared at the rows of black slime forming into a humanoid body, unsheathing their claws. One of the creatures lunged its elongated arm towards Ramon, latching onto his collar. The Zorua yelped.

"AH!" Once pulled, he fell off from Yvonne as the collar got snatched: Lying onto the ground.

"Ramon!"

The illusion fox grunted, gazing up at one of the creatures readying their claws. He whined, shielding himself.

SCHLIK!

The Zorua eyed up, staring at the tan skin scientist coughing up blood: His back having been clawed by the monster. Ramon's eyes quivered, gazing on in horror before the scientist fell. He then saw the creature morphing its head into that of a canine, sharp teeth and all. Tears began to slid down the fox's cheeks—the quaking returned, paralyzed within his whole entire core.

The creature unhinged its jaw, lunging forward. Xander jumped in front of the monster, his Cosmic Ardor blasting it away: Colliding against many others. Magical aura cast around that specific being as it roared, attacking the others of its kind—prompting a few to stop it. While they were distracted by the move's side effect, Xander picked up Ramon.

"Are you okay?" he asked. Ramon shivered, shielding himself into Xander's chest.

"I-I want this to end!" the fox pleaded, spiraling into a teary mess. "Let me go home! Away from here, please!"

"I know. I…" Xander paused, guilt sprinkling throughout. "I never intended for us to have things get this bad. I'm sorry…"

"You. Should. Be."

Both Xander, Ramon, and Prospective yelped at the deep, monstrous voice: Quickly picking up on their shadows being darker than usual. They looked ahead at a giant blob, its melting arms pointing towards a large orb ahead.

"We are like this because of YOU, Xander Yvonne!" the giant monster stated. "YOU'VE. MURDERED. US."

Yvonne backed away. "Wh-What the—"

FWOOSH!

The orb screeched towards the three, black substance oozing along the way. Xander gnashed his teeth, gazing at the dark empty room beside. He and Prospective were about to head inside until the attack smacked them away.

"ARGH!"

Ramon was tossed out of Xander's grasp, rolling forward as the door closed from the immense force. The fox hit his head hard against the wall, sliding down. He was rendered from the conscious realm.

Xander and Mabel slammed against the wall further from the room, a grunt escaping from them. They slumped, the giant creature along with the rest of the entities crawled close to them.

"U-Ugh…" The young scientist's vision was blurry, spotting the already knocked out Prospective. Before he can say anything, explosions were vaguely heard: Staring briefly at the creatures being blasted away by multiple figures' gunfires, bomb throws, and Pokémon moves.

"Wh-Who the…"

Xander succumbed to darkness.

. . .

Silence.

Brief moments of it, in fact.

Right before a grunt made its way within, coming from Xander.

"Ack...Ugh…"

The man woke up, rubbing his eyes. The scientist gazed at multiple soldiers in gray attires, wielding their assault rifles at him and Prospective—a few even casting their Magic in preparation. Xander eyed Mabel, who's still knocked unconscious.

"What is…?" His words stopped once he looked back at the group: Taking his attention towards a green mantis with a spare bowtie on his neck, his elbow leaning against a helmet-wearing Yanmega carrying a rifle.

"Hah. Didn't expect you two to survive the Unmons' onslaught." The Scyther adjusted his tie, narrowing his brow while smirking. "Saving us from worrying about bringing back dead targets."

Unmons? Dr. Yvonne stared off. Aren't they only supposed to be formed from Dne? Unless… His eyes widened, memories surfacing of what those two Unmons said. Oh Arceus no: What have I done!?

The mantis pointed at the duo. "Take them away: They'll be useful for Team Conjure's goal."

"Yes sir!" the soldiers said in unison.

Xander flinched, shaking his head as multiple soldiers marched over. "Team Conjure?" He glanced at the Scyther. "Who are you? And who's this Team Con—"

WHACK!

Dr. Yvonne was hit in the head by a guard's weapon, knocking him unconscious again.

. . .

A woman in black clothing rests atop a hill at Sunny Valley, snapping photos of the vast field along with the forest beside. The sun shines at the present day, dousing everything with its ray of light.

She takes a photo out of her camera, wiggling it before seeing it clearly. Scarlet glances, absorbing the glistening sun and gorgeous greens the picture provides. Despite it all, she sighs: Pity painting across.

"No."

Her head shakes.

"Not beautiful."

 

[Sonic Ramon]

AN: Hello! Turns out, I can casually release a new chapter of my fics every now and then, after all! I'm pretty excited yet nervous to show off what this fic's first story arc is like to you all! I've plotted this arc out into completion and am currently plotting the second story arc while writing this one as we speak, and man oh man...things gets nuts towards the end of this arc. You'll see what I mean.

As for the nervous part, I should provide a warning right now for what's to come for this arc:
There will be transphobia involved, and I can't guaranteed not going heavy with the topic due to two certain characters in this arc later on. So I apologize in advance. If you want to skip out on the arc and wait until the second one arrives, then I can't blame you. Otherwise, I hope you all enjoy on what's to come for this fic's story arc!

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Chapter 2: Soarian Reaper.​

Scarlet's Story: Acceptance of Oneself.

. . .

The grass shifts.

The river flows.

The plains thrive.

The sun rays douse upon Scarlet sitting on a lone hill, a bunch of trees lining in rows by the left—the river spiraling towards the large mountain on the right. She scans her camera around, stopping in place and—

CLICK!

A flash shines at the autumn grass ahead. A photo exits her camera, the woman snatching it. She gazes at the sun glancing down boulders and grasses along with the plains, contemplating at the picture. She shakes her head, tossing it aside.

"Not beautiful."

She snaps another photo, this time containing some rivers nearby. Glancing, she tosses it.

"No...That's not it, either."

The pale woman takes one photo after another, continuously taking them out and flinging them aside. She does it again, and again...and again: Her clicks becoming ever so frantic, her throws ever so sudden.

"Tch." Scarlet clenches her camera. "I need something...spectacular." Her head shakes, looking up. "Something that can, hmm, manifest elegance." She eyes around the valley. "This valley…" Sighs. "It's fine, but not quite there yet." Points at the dirt on the boulders. "Those aren't cleaned." Points to the rivers with debris. "Those aren't clear." Points to the sun. "And that overshadows the grass already faulty state!"

Scarlet rubs her forehead, groaning—her eyes closing. "I really need a better picture. An angle that can actually portray beauty." She looks to her side, blinking: Piles upon piles of rejected photos slump on top of each other. Scarlet sighs, raising her hands. Blue energies summon themselves before firing multiple times, ripping the photos to shreds. Scarlet then grabs a tiny piece.

"…"

Nothing but the soft winds are heard, her gaze fixating not only the piece, but the pieces themselves as well. Her lips purse, borderline counting the number of decaying sheets her camera conjured—what is it, one two...maybe 125 pieces total? She has no clue, nor understands why she even counts them to begin with. Finally, she grabs those pieces and heads over to a trash can besides the trees.

She throws them away. "Why did I even become a photographer?" She takes out a few photos from her skirt's pockets: Skimming over them. "No matter how many times I take a picture…" The photos range from a desert selfie to a wildlife forest's protection zone to even a city covered in snow pertaining some individuals consenting to the snapshot. "They'll always result to not being gorgeous. Glamorous." She pauses, staring at one photo.

"...Beautiful…"

With that photo lies another woman and a child smiling alongside a black and yellow bee: The pale lady resting a hand on the child while baggage cast beneath her eyes, she and the other two dawn in their white dress—black colors sprinkling within the middle of them. The Vespiquen's eyes are blue unlike any others, wearing a blue sun hat. The child herself has short hair, her smiles being soft.

Soft and…

Despondent.

"…"

Scarlet takes a long, hard look at the photo—hands rattling, tears climbing up her eyelids. Those liquids fall upon the singular photo, drenching in wet ruins. The pale woman grits her teeth, gnashing them together moments before she releases brief gasps: Her eyes struggling to keep those tears in prison.

The woman puts away the other photos, raising her hand at the trash can clutching the Vespiquen one. She's about to swing down before stopping, her shakes persisting, her hands spiraling. Scarlet shakes her head, bringing the photo to her chest.

"What...am I doing?" She presses the image further, gnashing her teeth. The woman pauses, inhaling deep breaths before releasing them. Scarlet looks up, the sun shifting over to a dimly lit look. She slides the photo into her pocket. "The sun's about to set." She looks around. "Wondering where can I stay for the night..."

A sign clinging to the tree catches the woman's attention: 'Path to Shinesek'.

"Ah. That'll do." Scarlet wastes zero time following down the path.

. . .

Somewhere within the valley forest's path lies a cloak wearing creature with blue eyes and in an ovoid shape, her right eye being a bit brighter than the other. The Snorunt huffs and pants, carrying plenty of leaves in her possession. She glances ahead, running with all her might.

"This should be enough for my parents' stew!" she says, her tone soft and docile. "Didn't expect the sun to set so soon! I better get home, quick!"

"Aaah…"

The Snorunt tilts her head, stopping. "...Am I hearing something or—"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

The Pokémon eyes up, a simple Blipbug spiraling towards her. She jolts. "What the!?" The bug smacks against her face, a yelp ushering out of her—the leaves dropping. She moves side to side, her hands waving around. "AAH! GET OFF OF ME!" Her back bumps against the tree, a whimper escaping her.

"Gah!" Is all the Blipbug utters, clinging on for dear life.

Eventually the Snorunt flails the Blipbug off, the larva rolling around for a bit before stopping himself. He groans, caressing his head while scanning around.

"Argh. Where did tha' Penelope lass brought me to…?" the Blipbug, Coleo, says to himself.

The Snorunt whimpers, focusing on the fallen leaves. "Those were fresh for the stew, too…" She grimaces, mumbling while staring at the road. "I'm...not looking forward to what they'll do to me…"

"Hey! You!"

The Snorunt flinches, eyeing the smaller Pokémon.

"Where am I?!" Coleo looks left and right. "How far am I, eve'!?"

The cloak-looking creature raises her round hands in defense. "Whoa whoa, relax. You're in the Sunny Valley's forest, nearing Shinesek."

The Blipbug grunts. "Blimmey: Tell me that is not far, is it?"

The Snorunt quirks her brow. "Far from what?"

"Me mateys." Coleo turns around to some bushes. "I don' know why I fell from the sky, but I hope me mateys are here!" He scrams. "They got to be!"

The Snorunt tenses up. "H-Hey, wait!" She follows, pushing aside the bushes and leaves.

The two run off: Coleo crawling as fast as possible while the Snorunt rushing after him, whining when one branch hits her face. Shaking the temporary pain off, she continues—constantly yelling for the Pokémon to wait.

Once out of the array of bushes, Coleo bumps against something tall: Falling on his back. "Uff!"

The Snorunt escapes the bushes and comes to a halt, kneeling for the bug. "Are you alright!? You could've gotten yourself hurt, sir!"

"'Sir' is exactly what you are, right Silver?" an obnoxious, self-centered voice states—radiating 'mean girl' energy.

The Snorunt, Silver, stares down at the grass, beside Coleo, for what feels like ages of months and years passing by before mumbling one following words, "Oh no..." She hopes deep within her soul it isn't who she thinks it is, and unfortunately her suspicion is proven correct once she takes a look at four individuals ahead: One woman, a Tsareena, Boltund, and an Unfezant.

The former has a red jacket with yellow rings on her fingers, wearing a yellow chained necklace along with a green and yellow shirt. Her hair is red and long, pairing alongside her light skin, blue pants and heels. The latter three has intriguing appearances of their own: The green majestic plant caresses her blue and red wristbands, the yellow ferocious canine unveiling her golden-imprinted sharp smirks, and the dark-gray smooth avian tilting her feathered-tip black fedora while beside the Tsareena—all wearing the same yellow chained necklace as the human.

The woman folds her arms, her and the others smirking down the Snorunt. "Helllooooo!" She cracks her neck. "We were getting bored of our sparfest: Glad you can revive our fun by being here, Silven."

The Tsareena stretches her arms. "Indeed."

Silver winces, leaning towards Coleo. "We need to leave. Now."

"Eh?"

The Snorunt attempts to back out, but the four surround the two quickly: Silver muttering with regrets.

"D'aww, leaving so soon?" The woman cracks her fists. "Mister, we're told about needing a handy punching bag to eliminate our boredom."

The bird chirps. "A fair gentleman shall always aid his companions!"

The dog grins. "Yeah, guys should handle being a girl's punching bag, you know?"

The plant folds her arms. "Indeed. Any considerate man will give a lady a hand in training."

Silver squints. "I'm not your friend. I'm not a gentleman. Nor a guy. Nor even a man." Her glance shifts over to the red jacket lady. "Don't call me a mister, Anne!"

The woman, Anne, grins behind her hand. "Why not?" She squats, poking Silver's cloak. "It's not like you can become a Froslass, anyways. You literally can't."

The Snorunt flinches. "Tch…"

"Male Snorunts are incapable of evolving into one, last I've checked." Snickers. "Besides, you're weak. Weak as a twig during the winter."

The Boltund stomps. "A wind can casually blow him away with ease! That's how weak he is, hah!"

The Tsareena holds her partner's wing, giggling. "Raising magnificent points there, Paula."

The Unfezant tilts her fedora. "I have to agree with m'lady Marilyn here."

Marilyn giggles, moving her hand up and down. "Oh Diane, you and your flatters."

Coleo stares at the laughing group. "What the Barbaracle am I witnessin'?" His head shakes. "Ye lass need to stop."

Anne stands. "Oh quiet, bug man: We're just messing with Silver here." Her arms raise. "We're ruffling his fur, that's all!"

"Yeah!" Paula yaps.

"Shut it…" Silver persists with her quiet mumbles, Coleo glancing around with disapproval.

"Relax, buddy! Yeesh!" Anne giggles. "Being so serious over some jokes-that-so-happens-to-be-absolutely-true!" She smirks. "It's no wonder Maceo broke up with a weirdo like you."

Silver widens her eyes, crafting a frost-filled breath and flings directly at the woman's heels. "SHUT UP!"

Anne yelps, backing away. "What the HELL!?" The woman kicks Silver, punting her towards the tree after Paula moves out of the way.

"Gah!" The cloak Pokémon winces, sliding down. Paula, Marilyn, and Diane nod at each other before rushing over: Beating up the Snorunt.

The Boltund stomps, inflicting dark spots over Silver's cloak. Meanwhile the Tsareena and Unfezant whacks her nonstop, the former using her leg while the latter uses her wing.

"That'll teach you not to mess with our boss' heels!" Paula yells. "She works her ass off getting them cleaned!"

"GENUINELY!" Anne shouts.

"Such ungrateful weakling that doesn't know her place, hmph!" Marilyn exclaims, summoning her vine to whip Silver all over the place.

Anne walks over, shaking off her freezing foot while Coleo lowers his head. "Hey…" He tries getting the group's attention, but fails: The leader moving the three aside before encasing her fist in yellow aura. She glares.

"We were gonna play soft until you've done that crap." Anne picks the Snorunt up before punching her drastically against the same tree, a cough escaping her.

"ACK!"

Coleo grits his teeth. "HEY! QUIT HURTIN' HER!"

The group ignores his request, continuing to punch and kick and swat the Snorunt like a chew toy. Many more dark spots cast around her, Silver whimpering along the way.

Coleo frowns, his setaes clenching. "I SAID STOP!" He dashes forward, unsheathing his dagger and leaps up. He swipes at one of the bullies: Diane squawking as bits of her feather are torn from her back, a cut mark forming across. Small blood slides down, the bird squinting at the bug in rage.

"How dare you!?" The group stops their beating to eye Diane: The avian smacking the Blipbug away with ease. The Pokémon spirals around the air before crashing all over the grass, rolling.

"GRAH!" The larva collides against another tree, his dagger dropping, his gasp escaping. After falling flat on his face, Marilyn rushes to Diane's aid.

"Are you alright, darling!?" she asks, staring at the bleeding back.

The Unfezant waves her wing around. "It's nothing that could bring me to my lowest, my queen." Her glances strike at the knocked out Bug type. "My frustration lies in this weak, wretched gremlin thinking he could protect such a feeble delusional being before him. And dared to attack me? ME, of all people!" Diane throws her wings up. "THE NERVE OF THOSE WEAKER THAN THOU!"

Marilyn nuzzles the Unfezant. "There there, love. At least he didn't hurt me: Think of it that way."

"Hah!" Diane bows to the Tsareena, holding her hand. "Most certainly! If he did, then I would've done far worse than a mere smack of my wing." She kisses the plant's hand, ushering a giggle from her.

"Oh my darling, Diane…"

The Unfezant smirks. "Oh my precious, Marilyn…"

Paula glares at the couple while Anne's hand glows yellow. "Get a room, you two." Is all the Boltund says, cringing.

Anne snickers. "Nah, their royal acts is funny and cute. Keep at it." The Tsareena and Unfezant laugh, the Sorcerous pressing her hand on the latter's back—healing her.

Diane lifts her chin. "It is the utmost pleasure that you've found our love to be 'funny and cute'." Diane tilts her fedora at Marilyn. "M'lady here is always worth the roses and flowers of my—" her brows raise repeatedly. "Flirtatious harmonious."

Marilyn blushes, caressing her cheek. "Oho, you're spoiling me rotten today, doll! I can only take so much gentleness from you!"

"It's what any gentlewoman shall do, madam." Diane winks, triggering a giggle from the plant.

"UGH!" Paula stomps, pointing her tail at the Snorunt. "Can we go back to roughing up this bozo? You two's lovebombs are killing me, like actually."

Anne laughs. "Oh right. I almost forgot about him."

The group turns their attention to Silver: The Snorunt wincing at the sight of Coleo remaining still on the ground—albeit breathing, at least. Still, it's enough for her to frown at the bullies. She grunts, the effort alone leading her injuries to surface.

"Just...leave me alone."

Anne's fist encases itself in yellow aura again. "Should've thought about that before attacking us, snowcone." She raises her fist before—

PHWOOSH!

The Sorcerous flinches. "Eh?"

The Intellicates flinch as well, Paula's tail swaying. "What's that?"

Everyone looks to their side: Blue energy spiraling around this witch hat wearing woman, a mystical blue scythe clenching in her possession. Scarlet descends to the group via her Soarian Reaper, blue aura-filled wings spreading behind her with every fiber of holiness. Despite the elegant lowering, her grim expression speaks the opposite.

Silver stares ahead at the dark clothing woman: Mouth ajar, her hands resting on the grass with near stillness. "Whoa…" Her face brightens with faint red, focusing on the exquisite sparkles, astonishing wings, and the stern look of magnificence. The only thing Silver can think of on the spot is: She's beautiful...

"What a despicable sight." Is all Scarlet comments.

Marilyn flinches. "Who might you be?"

The Sorcerous swings her translucent scythe in place. "A mere traveler not liking the view ahead."

Paula snarls, slamming her foot down. "This has nothing to do with you! Scram!"

"Yeah, edgelord witch wannabe." Anne's fists radiate further in yellow energy. "Bounce off or beat on."

"Beat o…" Scarlet squints before shaking her head. "I'm not questioning that." She slams the end of her scythe towards the ground. "I'll have to disagree about this having nothing to do with me: The sight of mistreatment is inexcusable. Putrid." Her fist clasps. "Deplorable."

"Okay and?" Anne bluntly states.

Scarlet slowly takes her attention to Anne, her beam charging. "It makes you four not beautiful. Dare I say…" Frowns. "Disgusting."

The four gasp: Diane's wing pressing her chest, Paula's snarls thriving loudly, and Anne and Marilyn cover their mouths in pure flabbergast. Silver laughs behind her round hands, smirking at her bullies.

"Talk about being punched down with no breaks." She winces. "Ouch!"

Anne grips her fists: Trembling and quaking alongside her legs, the woman feeling as though steam is jetting out of her ears. She grinds her teeth, closing her eyes briefly before—

"SHUT YOUR MOUTH, BITCH!" Anne points at Scarlet. "Mess her up, Shinefits!"

"Say. Less." The three simply say, rushing after the witch hat woman.

Scarlet jumps back, the three hitting the spot she once was. She looks at Anne jumping forward, thrusting her fists. The woman shifts side to side, Anne swinging once more before Scarlet backflips and kicks her away. The two slide across the ground, Anne spitting out saliva beside—rubbing her chin.

"That hurts, asshole! Humph!" The woman dashes forward without a second thought—her gang following suit. Scarlet twirls her scythe with one hand, casting an orb with another. Paula leaps towards her while encased in electricity, snarling. Scarlet jumps aside and blasts Paula back, blocking Diane and Marilyn's jabs. The latter encases her leg in green energy and twirls for a Trop Kick, Scarlet noticing the plant's girlfriend flapping back and flinging her Air Cutters.

The woman ducks the Trop Kick, pushing Marilyn towards the light blue cutters before her scythe blocks Anne's Ravage Storm. Marilyn yelps, falling to the ground. Diane gasps and swoops down to rescue the Tsareena, their Boltund friend running past them.

"My queen! I'm so very SORRY!" Diane says, concerns painting her.

Marilyn dusts herself, embracing Diane's warmth. "No need to worry, my darling. I can shrug off some mere Air Cutters just fine."

The Unfezant wipes her forehead. "Thank the heavens. If anything bad happens to you, then I shall—"

"SAVE YOUR LOVEY DOVEY TALKS FOR LATER: WE GOT THIS EDGY CLOWN TO DEAL WITH!" Paula yells, shrouding her body in pink energy and jumps towards Scarlet.

Marilyn nods. "Fair enough." Dark leaves shroud around the plant as she stands. "Let's teach this fallible debacle a lesson!"

Diane's wing shines light blue. "With pleasure, madam."

The duo dashes: Flinging their Magical Leaf and Air Cutter retrospectively. The other bullies spot this and leap beside, Scarlet gasping before firing her Mystical Projectile. After a brief smoke formed, the couple leaps out—bringing their kicks forward. Scarlet jumps over them, soaring with her wings. She then flinches at Paula unhinging her dark jaws, prepping a Crunch. Scarlet frowns and blocks the attack with her scythe, a strong wind blowing against the forest area.

Silver eyes up the woman, her mouth agaping. She's...so very cool… A faint blush paints her once more, the Snorunt touching her cheeks. Huh. Am I getting warm? She then grunts at her movement, huffing. Ngh. Right...the injuries. Her attention turns towards Coleo, a gasp escaping her. I need to see if he's okay! She crawls over.

Scarlet swings her Soarian Reaper, blasting the Boltund towards the ground. Paula spirals around before clawing to a halt, growling. "It'll take more than just a scythe to beat me!" Grins. "Now this is more fun than some dumb sparring! Let's see what else you got!" She rushes forward with her Wild Charge while Scarlet recently fires away Anne, floating down before Marilyn and Diane dash after her.

The woman sighs. "I'm ending this." Scarlet ducks and weaves the attacks: Jumping backwards blasting Paula and Diane with her Mystical Projectiles before clashing her scythe against Anne's fist, the woman Ravage Storming her jabs all over. Scarlet then kicks her away, flying backwards. Anne slides on the ground, stopping before rushing forward.

Once Scarlet lands, Marilyn tries jumping forward with Trop Kick, but the Sorceorus twirls around—roundhouse kicking the Intellicate away. Looking towards her left, she hops aside Anne's fist and pushes the woman hard towards Marilyn, colliding the two.

"GAH!" they both yelp, rolling around. Paula jumps over them, opening her maw for another Crunch.

"I GOTCHA NOW!"

Scarlet half glances at the dog, stepping beside the attack. She then snatches Paula's tail.

"ARFF!?" The Boltund yaps, her skin shivering.

Scarlet looks up, Diane swooping down at full force while encased in light blue energy—Sky Attack.

"Unhand thou friend, this instance!" she screams.

Scarlet blinks.

"Okay."

The woman spins, Paula yelping and whining. She tosses the yellow canine towards the avian, the two colliding before speeding off towards the air—twirling and swirling. Their ball structure then curves towards the other Shinefits.

"AAAAH!"

Anne and Marilyn is about to get up until their friends collapsed on them, groans ushering: Dirt and bruises litter all over.

"Ugh…" Anne flinches, coughing. "What just…"

"How…?" Is all Marilyn can asks, glaring at her hands.

Diane pants. "This opponent is no joking matter, it seems!"

Paula growls. "No kidding: Didn't expect her ass to put a dent on us!"

A mere shadow casts over the four, everyone eyeing up. Scarlet stands firmly, one hand gripping the scythe, the other resting on the woman's hip. She stares, radiating auras of immense judgement—her hands clenching the scythe, her face frowning within the darkest of nights. Her lips still, the woman hardly moving a muscle. The bullies feel chills down their bodies.

"Tch!" Anne and the rest of her gang immediately gets up, all grunting from the injuries they received before running off to the main road. "I'M REPORTING THIS TO THE SHINESEK'S AUTHORITTYYYYYYYYYYYY!" Is all the woman shouts, her gang no longer in Scarlet's sight.

The magic user stares off for what feels like eons, a brief wind blows against her and the two victims. Silver stares at her, the wind blowing smoothly against the woman's black hair—waving and flowing, her blue eyes fixating into the majestic serene. The Snorunt blushes.

So...brave…

"...Ah." She rests her hand on her hip once her Primary Magic Move fades, her head shaking. "So much for finding a home there."

Silver perks up, lifting a hand before wincing. "Not necessarily."

Scarlet looks at the two, heading over to kneel. Her hands encase in blue auras. "I'll patch those nasty wounds."

Silver raises a hand. "Wait." Scarlet pauses, staring at the Pokémon in confusion. "Keep them there. I, ngh, need them for proof on those four attacking us first." The Snorunt takes her attention to Coleo, grabbing him. "This'll also help with your innocence, too."

Scarlet contemplates for a bit, her energy fading. "Valid point." As she stands, she stares at the Snorunt limping towards where the main path is at: Huffs and grunts and occasional stops tend to spark its way within her. Scarlet lifts a finger. "Are you certain you can stand?"

Silver nods. "Absolutely—" she falls, groaning in pain. She shivers, being mindful of Coleo upon falling towards her side. "...Not, actually. Haha."

"Hmm." The pale skin woman crotches, sliding her arms beneath the two and carrying them: Silver on the right, Coleo on the left. "I'll aid you, then."

Silver winces a bit before noticing how close she is to Scarlet, a mere blush painting her. "Th-Thanks…" She fidgets with her hands together, looking off. After a brief silence, with nothing but footsteps on the grass along with the pushes of bushes, the Snorunt opens her maw. "Silver."

Scarlet quirks her brow, stopping briefly. "Hmm?"

"M-My name, I mean!" Her head shakes. "Apologies for not clarifying."

"Ah. No worries." The woman nods. "Scarlet Bellerose's mine."

"Scarlet, I see...A cool name that matches an awesome fight you've done earlier!" Silver perks up before wincing.

"Careful not to strain yourself."

Silver sighs. "Right, haha." Smiles. "You were awesome though, genuinely! Thank you for the help."

Scarlet takes her gaze to the sky. "Seeing someone being left into a bloody pulp is worse than carving a wood out with a toothbrush."

Silver's eyes shrink, staring into poker facehood. "What."

The woman stares down. "In other words, you're welcome: It felt unjust letting that play out upon seeing it."

"I see." Silver hums, her hand pressing beneath her chin (or thereof). "How do you like...learn to fight that way?"

Scarlet shrugs. "I've learned it from my mo—" she pauses. "My mo…" Her eyes widen, her lips shaking.

Silver tilts her head. "Your mo?"

The witch hat woman stares off. "Nothing." Her attention turns to the unconscious Blipbug. "Who might he be?"

Silver is phased. That was...weird. She looks to Coleo after the sudden topic shift. "I honestly don't know who he is either. Found him falling on my face out of nowhere, he ended up panicking about being far from his friends, he ran off and bumped into the Shinefits, and the rest is history."

"How peculiar." Is all Scarlet says.

"Yeah." The three reach the main grassy path towards the town again, the sunset being close to gone. "We'll find out who he is in Shinesek, I suppose."

And without further talks, the trios continues on the road.

 

[Sonic Ramon]

AN: Going to briefly say that after this chapter comes out, M&T2 along with MM will be put on a massive hold due to me wanting to finish plotting the entirety of my two fics' chapters along with the latter three planned fanfics: M&T3, M&T4, and M&T5. I'm doing this because life keeps seeming rather unpredictable these days. So as much fun as writing these fics blind can be, I can't continue writing my fics like this. I don't know how long it'll take me to finish plotting the M&T series plus MM, but do know that I'll fight tooth and nail to get them plotted!

With that AN out of the way, enjoy Chapter 3 and see you all again whenever my fics are plotted into completion!

---

Chapter 3: Shinesek the Sun Praising Town!​

The tips and taps, the walks and strolls—the grass rustling with each steps Scarlet takes. It's until she stumbles upon an upside down U entrance, a sign attaching to the top saying:

'Welcome to Shinesek!'

Silver nods within Scarlet's grasp. "We're here."

The trio enters the town: Buildings reside across the fairly large place, consisting of an accessory shop on one side to a food market on another and so forth. A fair bit of activity spread throughout, civilians moving along with each other—talking about their lives, eating their ice creams, eyeing the newcomers entering town, or even heading over to the amusement park located at the far north. Some people take photos of a large statue in the middle of the town, resembling the sun itself as it shines brightly—the dark sky replacing the real sun.

Scarlet eyes the sun statue, diving into curiosity before Silver grabs her shirt. "Hmm?"

"The Pokémon Center is nearby over there." The Snorunt points to the hospital sitting beside a few market places near the entrance. "We can wait there until Anne sick the authorities on us."

"Anne?"

Silver groans. "The prick who runs the Shinefits, aka the group you've beaten up."

"Ah, I see."

Just when they're about to move, footsteps quickly approach them. Eyeing beside, a group of blue uniform officers lie ahead alongside Anne and her misfits—the red haired lady points at Scarlet.

"That's them, Mayor!" the Shinefits leader screams.

The Snorunt grimaces. "Shoot…"

"Have them arrested for harassment!"

Silver snarls. The NERVE of her saying we're the harassers!

"Excuse me, please…" a smooth, deep voice says, the officers stepping aside to reveal the person in question: A tall, brown tyrannosaurus rex wearing her black suit, her blue tie swinging from her movements. Once the Tyrantrum stops in place, she stares down the trio—her blue contacts glancing with reverie. "Anne believes you three harmed her. Is this true?"

Silver shakes her head. "Lies, Odus: She picked a fight with us first!" She points back at the Shinefits before grunting. "I was only trying to help this Blipbug out while in the forest, ngh."

The mayor eyes over the Snorunt: Bruises littering across her cloak to her face. Odus then looks at Coleo, injuries spreading over the insect—a brief shiver and groan uttering from him, his eyes remaining closed. The Tyrantrum shakes her head.

"You should've known not to try getting those you've wronged arrested again, Anne."

The jacket-wearing woman gasps, hand to her chest. "But it's the truth, Mayor!"

Scarlet flinches. "'Again'?"

The Tyrantrum gestures her hand to the Shinefits. "Arrest those four."

"WHAT!?" Anne and her gang yell, the officers nodding before handcuffing the group instantly.

"You can't just believe what she said on the spot, oof!" Marilyn exclaims.

"Indeed, we're hurt too, ack!" Diane follows suit.

"I walk on fours, dumbasses! Easy there, grah!" Paula snaps, snarling at a Gothitelle cop. The cop rolls his eyes and snaps his fingers, encasing Paula in telekinetic energy. She huffs. "Much better."

Anne stares daggers into Silver. "You won't be lucky next time, Frossnerd." The Shinefits are then dragged towards the north, a police station sitting behind a few trees ahead. Odus releases a sigh.

"I apologize for their antics." She straightens her tie. "They love causing ruckus towards those they dislike."

"Especially in my case…" Silver mutters.

Scarlet quirks her brow. "Huh. Why's that?"

The Tyrantrum gazes down at Silver and Coleo. "It's best that I explain this while those two receive the heals they deserve."

Scarlet stares at the duo as well. "Ah. Fair enough then."

The four look towards the Pokémon Center and walk over.

. . .

Inside of the center, a few amount of people are at the counter talking with the nurses while some sit idling away on their chairs: Tapping through their phones, munching on a chocolate bar while looking out of the window, and even gaming hard on their Nintendo Switch 2. Sitting beside those people are Scarlet and Odus: The woman caressing her chin nodding and listening in on the things Odus says.

"Shinesek is a wonderful town that unfortunately has a myriad of issues needing to be addressed: Violence rear itself here and there, thievery being at a high time phase this month, and there's been general mistreatment such as what the Shinefits did to Silver. That group thinks they could do whatever they want thanks to the issues Shinesek has." Odus sighs. "Of course my officers and I are doing our best to apprehend all of this, but it does feel like it's never enough."

Scarlet caresses her chin, nodding. "I see." She stares off. "That's pretty unfortunate."

Odus sighs, rubbing her temples. "I don't let the issues hinder me." Frowns. "I'm always willing to get to the bottom of it, although it's always difficult to do so because of the...complications."

"How so?"

Odus holds her hands together. "Criminals here kept escaping jail mere days after their arrest." She eyes up. "It makes locking them up pretty difficult because they kept bypassing the system."

"The system, huh…"

Odus nods. "Yes. There be cases where just when I thought I find the culprit of this whole escapade…" The t-rex grips her fist. "Another issue arises some days later to undo my efforts: Essentially putting me back to square one." She caresses her head, groaning.

"Ah…" Scarlet eyes down, the woman caressing her camera. "That is pretty complicated, it seems."

The Tyrantrum stares out of the window, gazing at the sun statue. "I hope someday to bring Shinesek out of these unfortunate circumstances." Once the statue glows brighter than earlier, a few people hangs around it: Mesmerized by its aesthetic. Odus smiles. "This town deserves better: It deserves waking up to the sun for a better day, having a fascination for its symbol."

Scarlet looks at Odus with intrigue. "Symbol?"

"Yes: People of Shinesek sees the sun as hope and beauty, reigning a positive reminder to them." The t-rex closes her eyes. "I respect the thought process wholeheartedly, hence why I've become the mayor of this town."

The pale woman gazes at the statue, radiating with vibrance—brightening itself enough to exude gracefulness within the dark. She becomes entranced, smiling. "Understandable. The statue does have that beauty to it after...all…" The woman goes silent, her lips still: Contemplating. She gazes into an image in her mind—a tired-looking woman eyeing her down, glaring.

"This isn't true beauty."

Is all the woman says before Scarlet returns to reality: Jumping back, gasping. She grasps all over herself, touching her arms and then her face, panting. Odus lifts a finger.

"Are you alright?"

Scarlet regains her composure, eyeing the statue again: The civilians dancing around and praising it, laughter rising. A brief tear surfaces up her eyelid, the woman shaking her head. "Yes, I'm…" She takes a breather. "I'm fine, thank you for asking."

Odus flinches. "Are you cert—"

"Do you have a place I could stay in? Perhaps a hotel or something?" the woman suddenly asks, adjusting her hat.

The Tyrantrum blinks briefly, pointing towards her right. "Erm, there's a hotel over there by some markets and houses."

Scarlet jolts up. "Thank you." She speed walks to the exit.

Odus lifts a finger. "Would you like to visit your friends the next day or—"

"I will!" the Sorcerous quickly says before leaving.

The Tyrantrum stares into concerns. "She clearly seems distressed about something..." She sighs, standing. She stomps her way over to the Pokémon Nurses' counter—mindful of her height. The nurse behind it looks up at the dinosaur, shivering at the mere height differences alone. Odus takes notice of this and laughs nervously, scratching the back of her head. "Thank you for always providing your service to Shinesek."

"Uh, yeah! No problem!" The woman simply smiles. "We do our b-best to take care of anyone here, free of charge due to the upcoming ceremony!"

Odus nods, snickering. "Right." She closes her eyes, moving her tie. "As the brave and confident mayor, I'll give the best of speeches: Ensuring people's safety will be continued, bettering the prosperity of Sunny Shinesek!" She winks, snapping her fingers. "You can count on me, heh."

The nurse caresses her arm, eyeing off. "Hopefully it'll be different this time. The amount of patients I have to take care of due to the crimes here…" She eyes up the Tyrantrum. "Please make sure that it's different, Mayor Odus."

Odus' smile fades instantly when the nurse tells her that, nodding. "I'll...do what I can."

"...I-I should note that you're holding up the line, by the way." The nurse gestures behind the Tyranturm. The t-rex turns: A few individuals sitting by looking at the duo, waiting.

Odus nods. "My apologies. I'll head over to my office, anyways." She looks back at the nurse. "Provide me updates on the Snorunt and Blipbug whenever possible."

The nurse simply nods, prompting Odus to leave the center. The dark brown woman sighs, ruffling her black hair. "Man I keep forgetting how tall the mayor is."

. . .

Scarlet traverses through Shinesek, passing by a decent portion of people—even spotting one man juggling some bowling pins with a male Oinkologue balancing on twos, the crowd being mesmerized by the performance. Scarlet stops briefly and thinks about smiling to the wonderful sho—

"Smiling isn't beauty, Scarlet."

"...Tch." The woman frowns, continuing onward to the large hotel ahead: Wide with an array of windows containing each guest's rooms, double doors residing in the middle of it all. Pushing the gray doors open, she gets the hotel's interior.

White and blue walls spread throughout the place, a reception desk on the right along with two doors: One of them being by the receptionist themself while the other is parallel from the first door. There's some blue furniture on the left along with double doors that leads to the hallway displaying rows of rooms, a candy machine sitting idly beside it.

Scarlet walks towards the Bayleef receptionist, withdrawing cash from her pocket and setting it on the desk. "A room for myself, please." She briefly gazes at her pockets while the green-leafed dino takes the woman's money via their vines, a sigh leaving her. I really need a backpack. Photos, cashes, her wallet, and other stuff are piling up within her pockets.

The Bayleef hands her a key. "Room 213 straight behind you," the individual says, their voice hazy yet calm.

The woman takes the key. "Thank you." She then walks down the hallway behind her as a couple walks up to the receptionist desk, eyeing down her key. She succumbs to the appearance of it, adoring its simple yet exquisite shape and feel. Wow...I really like how this key looks. She brings it close to her face, unaware of something approaching close to her. It almost looks be—

"It's not beautiful."

"…" Scarlet sighs, her eyes closing. Right. I almost forgo—

BUMP!

"Uff!" Scarlet and the person in front of her fall to the ground, the two groaning. The woman's camera snaps off her strap, crashing down before breaking apart. The woman stares at it, sighing—rubbing her head. "Just my luck…"

"I'm very sorry about that, ma'am!" the individual ahead says, revealing to be a light skin man with a green shirt and black shorts. His eyes seem to be always closed, the woman notices—spotting his red sandals, too.

Scarlet shakes her head, standing. "No no, it's fine. I was the one who ran into you, anyways. I didn't pay attention." Sighs. "I apologize."

The man grabs the front lens and the main camera itself, standing as well. "I can fix it for you." His head lowers. "Or at least can help you find another one."

Scarlet eyes the fella, caressing her hat. "That's rather kind of you. I appreciate it." She grabs hold of the broken machine. "May I have your name since you're willing to help me?"

The man nods. "Li Cheng." He smiles. "Yours'?"

"Scarlet Bellerose. A pleasure meeting you, Mr. Cheng."

"Did you recently moved here?" Li asks.

Scarlet nods. "Yeah." She twiddles with her broken camera. "This place seems to really like the sun."

Li lays a hand against his chest. "It's one of the most valuable parts of our lives." Smiles. "It helps people and Pokémon alike continue on in life, waking up to a new tomorrow—one that's better than the previous. And if not," he presses an arm against his chest. "At least there's always another shot at a different tomorrow."

The woman stares at him briefly before saying, "Right."

Li slides his hands into his pockets as a few group of people pass by. "Haven't you seen the statue, too? It's pretty magnificent and beautiful, leaning close to the intent of what the sun represents."

Scarlet flinches, her movements coming to a halt. Is it beautiful…?

Li smiles once more. "The people of Shinesek made a wonderful tribute to the sun with that statue, conveying how far they'll honor the light it provides." He stares up. "Now that's the kind of care and honesty I appreciate."

The woman eyes down the camera. "It all sounds quite lovely. I agree." After a brief silence between the two, she nods. "Well. I'll be heading to my room now. It's dark out after all, and I'll need all the rest I can get."

Li smirks. "Likewise." He provides a two-finger salute. "See you tomorrow, Ms. Bellerose."

The woman provides a soft smile. "Scarlet would do just fine, you know?"

Li blinks. "Ah. Fair enough then." He turns, his hands behind his back. "Let's hope we can get that camera fixed tomorrow."

Scarlet nods. "Agreed."

From there, the two go their separate ways: Scarlet continuing further down the hallway until she eventually reaches her designated room to the left. Inserting the key into the locked door, she opens and enters: A large bed to her right, with two lamps sitting on top of drawers to occupy it. A decent-sized TV is to the woman's left, resting on a wide drawer as the closet is on the right side, the bathroom being on the left. And then there's the wide window ahead of Scarlet, blinders shielding across it—showing off bits of the outside.

Once her door closes, she heads over to the desk: Setting her camera there. Scarlet then turns her attention towards the brightly lit statue outside the window, intrigue painting her. It vibrant and glistens like earlier, people gathering around still awing at it: Some even pulling out their phones to snap a photo of it along with each other.

The woman tilts her head slightly, her hands holding together—caressing one another. "Wow…" The kids chase each other around the sun statue, one of them even plays a flute alongside a Dusknoir: Glee smearing across them. Scarlet watches the people of Shinesek sharing their joys, a warm feeling circulating throughout her. "The statue...the people…"

She lays a hand on the blinds. "It all does look beautiful. The sheer happiness and joy coming from people's celebration is wonderful. Sorry, mo—"

"Mo...ther…"

"…"

Her gazes remain, feeling as though it's been there for a long time: Days, weeks, months, years—centuries, even. Her hand rests on the blinds, her eyes being as still as a Deerling by the crossroad. Scarlet soon closes the blinds, remaining in her spot for a brief more minutes before walking over to her bed. She lies on top of it, curling—shielding her face.