The Marauder's App.
Long had that little program been a subject of myth and legend in Avalon.
Rumors had been circling the region for nearly 50 years, since the first crude dex had been turned on and transmitted a message from one trainer to another, that there existed such a program. It was an urban legend and a conspiracy theorist's most beloved tale. Plenty of people claimed to have seen it in action, though none could agree what the app actually looked like. Books had been written on the subject and there were even a few movies where it played the role of MacGuffin. Many dark plots and sinister deeds were claimed to have been started because of it.
The Marauder's App tantalized someone people because of what it promised. It was a simple premise but one that could result in great power for the holder. Some searched for it in order to claim it as their own; others wanted it in hopes of destroying it and ridding the world of its danger forever.
The Marauder's App, in the simplest of terms, was a locator device. Based around the PokeSearch function in a Pokedex, The Marauder's App would allow a trainer to locate someone. But unlike the Pokedex version, which required a trainer to have actually physically encountered a Pokémon in order to allow the dex to send the right data to the orbiting Silph Co. satellite, The Marauder's App did much, much more. It was said that the App could locate ANY trainer, anywhere in the world, and tell you exactly where they were.
With such a power, good people could find lost trainers on dangerous trails; locate dangerous criminals and their bases of operation, while allowing the wicked to find their targets no matter how hard they hid. Some had believed that this was the item Nicholas Silph had taken with him when the Sons of Johto had marched on Celadon City. Lord Voldemort had tasked a team of 20 Nocturne agents to attempt to find the legendary app, leading to raids of tech companies and government buildings. He had been confident that the app existed and with it he could finally seize control of Avalon.
And he was right... The Marauder's App did exist... but it was not in some secret government lab nor created by a mad tech genius.
The father of the Marauder's App was a young Remus Lupin.
To be truthful, Remus' creation was not The Marauder's App of legend. Remus, after serving a 2 week detention for a failed prank, had decided that he and his friends needed a way to move about the castle undetected. Lily's Lampent had been out of the question, as she would never let them risk her precious Pokémon to go prank other students. Thus, Remus had decided that if he could be invisible he'd have to just avoid Argus Filch and Mrs. Norris.
It had taken 2 months of work but Remus had succeeded. The computer program he'd written utilized some of Hogwarts' lesser known tech glitches to give him full access to the school's wireless system. A backtracing program was slipped in quietly enough and, with a few commands, Remus had created a way to find out the location of any trainer in the school who held a Pokedex. It didn't matter if they were a student, teacher or visitor; if they had a dex then Remus could track them.
It had been Sirius' idea to call the program The Marauder's App, thinking it would be a hoot to have the 'legendary' program in their control. James had taken it a step further, deciding that they should make themselves part of the legacy: the Marauders were born.
After the war Remus had fallen into a pit of despair that had taken several years for him to crawl out of. Upon doing so he had looked over that old program and realized that it was one of the few things to remain of his best friends. He'd spent months hidden away in his study, typing away at his keyboard, using all the tricks and lessons he had learned to bring his school days' project to the modern day. Every free moment had been spent on it but, in the end, it was well worth it. The Marauder's Map 2.0 fulfilled the legends of old... then surpassed them.
With the new App, a holder would locate almost anyone in Avalon. As long as the person had their dex and wasn't 20 feet underground the App would be able to get a signal and transmit it to the user's dex.
As he ran down the halls of Hogwarts Harry was eternally grateful Remus had trusted him with a copy of the App.
"I solemnly swear I'm up to no good," Harry said as they turned a corner and made their way down a long empty hallway.
"Hello Pronglet," a tinny voice called out from the dex.
"Hello Porygon," Harry said. Remus had figured out that the best way to get the Marauder App to work was to get a living program to do the heavy lifting. James and Sirius had pooled their money to purchase a Porygon for Remus for Winter Solstice and Mr. Moony had spent the last decade and a half tinkering and upgrading the poly Pokémon to his current form. At first glance one might assume Porygon was just another Poygon Z; a Pokémon evolution that only existed due to hackers creating a faulty disc in order to power up Porygon 2. Though Porygon looked similar to its Z brothers it was light-years ahead of them in most ways. The digital Pokémon did not suffer from the glitches the other Zs tended to have and it did not corrupt programs like Porygon Zs tended to do if not monitored.
Remus' Porygon (which he had dubbed Porygon M, as in Marauder) was technically an alternate evolution of Porygon Z, though Remus did not go about advertising this. Porygon M was built for speed and defense; it would never win a battle against a gym leader but it could survive the strongest of attacks by both Pokémon and viruses without showing any signs of wear or tear. More importantly, it was able to handle the high speed calculations the Marauder App demanded without the user even noticing a lag.
"Hello Pronglet," Porygon chirped. "How may I be of service?"
"I need to locate the trainer whose phone number I just uploaded."
Harry's dex's screen flashed and a map of the castle appeared. "Ginevra Molly Weasley is currently in the History classroom near the Ravenclaw dorm. She is also with a Miss Luna Lovegood... oh dear."
"Porygon?" Harry asked, whipping around another corner and nearly colliding with some Hufflepuffs. Neville and him paid them little heed as they rushed towards the Ravenclaw tower.
"I am detecting six Ravenclaw students outside the door of the classroom... I believe they are trying to get to Miss Weasley and Miss Lovegood."
Neville let out a half-snarl, half-cry, his legs churning even harder as he put on a bit more speed. Harry didn't know how the boy did it; Harry was on the Gauntlet team and was finding it hard to keep up. Ludwig was bobbing just over his head and Eevee's claws dug into Harry's shoulder as the boy charged after his friend. Up ahead they could hear the jeering laughter of the Ravenclaw girls bouncing along the hall.
"VINE WHIP!" Neville roared the moment he spotted the Ravenclaws. The girls barely had time to turn before Flora lashed out, leaping from Neville's arms and smacking the Claws about with her vines. They stumbled away from the doorway they had been kicking and pounding on, leaving Flora to place herself between it and them.
One of the girls fell to the ground, cupping her cheek. "Who do you-"
She never got to finish, as Harry, realizing that the girl was holding Luna's purse and had on her earrings, decided that he knew enough about the siltation; he'd seen it played out enough time with Dudley and his crew. "Ludwig, Eevee, Shadow Ball!"
"Eevee!"
"Litwick!"
The twin orbs of shadow energy launched from Harry's Pokémon, striking the downed Claw and sending her skidding along the floor.
"Mienfoo, I chose you!" one of the girls, the apparent leader of the pack, called out. The fighting-type bobbed up and down for a moment before zeroing in on Eevee. "Rock Smash!"
The brown and white Pokémon let out a cry as the martial arts expert slammed her fist down on Eevee's head with a vicious 'crack!'. Before Harry could even respond Mienfoo had grabbed Eevee and used him as a bat to strike Ludwig, slamming him into a wall.
"You shouldn't have interfered!" the previously fallen Ravenclaw girl shouted, standing up and inching her way towards the classroom door. "You or the Weasley girl! This is between us Claws and Looney! Who the hell do you think you are?!" she shouted.
"I am Neville Longbottom," Neville said coolly.
"And I'm Harry Potter… now get the hell away from my friends!"
The girl merely sent out her Sneasel to join up with Mienfoo. "Fury Swipes!"
"Flora!" Neville called out. "Vine Whip counter!" Flora didn't even bother to acknowledge the command. Twin vines shout out and struck Sneasel before he could get off his attack. "Now move into a Vine Wrap!"
"Mienfoo, grab those vines and send the Bulbasaur for a ride!"
"Withdraw vines!" Neville commanded.
"Too late!" the girl laughed, watching in glee as Mienfoo wrapped her paw around the vines, securing them so there was no chance of them slipping from her grip.
"Good," Neville said with a smile. "Flora, retract them NOW!"
"BULBA!" Flora called out, the vines suddenly going taunt. Mienfoo barely had time to realize her error before Bulbasaur launched herself at her, the retracting vines ripping her through the air like a snapped rubber band. She collided with Mienfoo, slamming the fighting type into the wall. Flora used her full weight to pin the Claw's Pokémon down, squawking out in anger. Every time Mienfoo tried to shove her away Flora would stomp her feet against her opponent's chest.
"Ice Shard!"
Flora howled in pain as the frozen barbs struck her hindquarters. She turned around to confront the new challenger, only for Sneasel to send another icy assault at her, this time striking her in the face.
"Like I said," the second Ravenclaw said with a sneer, "you should have stayed out of-"
"Eevee, Tackle!" The claws let out a cry of shock as Eevee seemingly appeared out of thin air, his little paws outstretched as he hit Sneasel. Using the momentum, Eevee rolled over the Dark/Ice Pokémon and landed next to the injured Flora, growling at the challengers.
"How?" the lead Ravenclaw demanded, recalling Mienfoo and pulling out a new Pokéball.
"For a Ravenclaw you aren't that smart," Fred called out from the far end of the hall. "Plusle!"
"Minun!" George shouted, tossing out his own Pokéball. "I agree... first they think it wise to attack a Weasley... everyone in Hogwarts knows we travel in packs!"
"Indeed, brother, and then they don't know about the Invisibility Ability!"
Percy strode forward, glowering at everyone in the hall. "All of you put your Pokémon away now!" Plusle and Minun stuck their tongues out at Percy and leapt onto their trainers' shoulders. Harry reluctantly did as told while Neville scooped up Flora, his attention never leaving the claws. Satisfied that the fighting, for the most part, was over, the young man glared at the Ravenclaws. "I am only going to ask this once... where... is... my... sister?"
"Percy!" Ginny called out from the door the Ravenclaw girls had been trying to break through. "We're in here!" Ginny opened the door, her fainted Rattata cradled in her arms. She glanced back and, after a few moments, Luna gingerly stepped out into the hall, Mickey still clamped onto her ponytail.
"The Big Damn Heroes arrive," Luna said softly. She tilted her head when her eyes met Neville's. "Hello Captain Malcolm. I see you brought Jane."
Harry stared at Luna and felt his anger begin to bubble up once more. She was wearing the same t-shirt she had been wearing the day before and her jeans were covered in dirt. She had on no shoes and there was only one sock on her dainty feet. Her trainer jacket was missing, as was her belt, and the only Pokéball she had belonged to Mickey.
"Luna..." Harry said with concern. While the strange girl did make him uneasy, especially the way she was able to hold him and others captive with just a glance, that didn't mean that he wanted any harm to befall her. Far from it; it was clear that Neville cared about her, as did Ginny, and that meant that Luna Lovegood was a friend of his as well. If Harry were honest with himself, the other reason he was so ready to leap to Luna's defense was that he could see much of himself in her: a lost child, preyed upon by bullies who sought to take away what little she had and destroy her sense of self-worth. It hadn't been that long ago that Harry would have been in a very similar situation.
"What is the meaning of all this?!"
Harry turned and found himself wishing it were a herd of enraged Nidokings that was bearing down upon him. That would have been scores better than the sight of Prof. McGonagall storming towards them, her stern face looking as hard and cold as glacial rock. Hermione followed quickly behind, looking at her friends with fearful eyes, clearly wondering what trouble they had gotten themselves into this time.
"Professor-" Harry began, only for, of all people, Percy to jump to the rescue.
"I am wondering the same thing, Professor," Percy said, his arms wrapped around a trembling Ginny. With reinforcements having her back and the fight clearly over Ginny found herself caught in an adrenaline crash that left her shaking like a leaf. Percy gave the slightest of nods to his brothers and the twins subtly shifted so that they flanked Luna while Ron moved to stand with Neville and Harry. "I would very much like to know why my baby sister was trapped in a classroom by Ravenclaws acting more like a horde of Treverants than trainers."
Percy Weasley might be many things… but when his family needed him, he would come to their rescue. Every… time.
McGonagall pursed her lips, clearly not liking Percy's tone but unable to find any fault in his question or a reason to scold him. She pulled out her own dex and typed in a few commands. "Albus, could you please contact Prof. Flitwick... I am bring several of my Gryffindors and a group of his Ravenclaws to your office... we need to sort out why they decided to engage in unsanctioned battles in the halls."
Harry shut his eyes as Prof. Dumbledore's tiny voice assured the deputy Head Mistress he would do just that; things were about to get really sticky.
~MC~MC~MC~
It took a good hour to get everyone situated and all the different points of view told. The Ravenclaw girls, led by a 3rd year named Cho Chang and her apparent second, Marietta Edgecombe, explained through fat tears that this was all a misunderstanding and that Harry and Neville had attacked the girls when all they were guilty of was a harmless 'Welcome to Ravenclaw' joke. It had only been McGonagall's hand on her shoulder that kept Ginny from leaping up and tearing Cho's face off. Harry, for his part, managed to swallow any disgust he felt, having long gotten used to sitting with authority figures and listening to bullies spin tales that made them the victims.
Harry glanced at Luna, who was oddly enough the most quiet of the bunch even though she was the center of the entire affair. Ginny had given her friend her trainer jacket to wear and Flora sat on her lap, sending death glares at the Ravenclaws. Mickey still dangled from her ponytail, apparently asleep. Neville, for his part, no longer looked like an avenging angel and more like himself… but there was still a touch of strength and sternness in his chubby face as he sat next to the girl.
Luna remained silent, still, just looking about the room. She seemed to prefer letting anyone else, even those that had tormented her, speak for her.
"I knew something was wrong when I saw what Luna was wearing… or wasn't," Ginny said, finishing up her part of the story. "Especially her earrings. She would never give them to Cho or anyone else... not unless she was forced."
"You obviously don't know your friend that well," Edgecombe said with a sniff. She'd been claiming that Luna had given up much of her stuff in a bout of 'charity' and that Ginny, Harry and Neville failed to realize that Cho and her were now her best friends and would never hurt or harm her. "She is very friendly to us and let us borrow her things."
"Even her shoes?" Hermione fired back, disgusted by the Ravenclaws. Luna looked down at her feet, wiggling her toes.
"While I admit that it is strange..." Prof. Flitwick said with a sigh, "your case is not helped by the fact that you boys attacked my students and Luna has said nothing to collaborate your story."
"Why would she?" George asked, rolling his eyes. "She tattles and she is in for even worse hazing."
"Minun!" the electric mouse said in agreeement, he and his brother having scurried away during the long conversation. They'd finally decided to take up a seat behind Dumbledore next to a statue of a laughing Moltres, making funny faces at the kids in an attempt to get them to crack up.
"Mr. Weasley!" Prof. McGonagall snapped. "That is-"
"Correct?" Fred said, finishing his head of house's statement. "Right on the money? 100% accurate? The most honest thing you've heard all week?"
"-strong words and a dangerous accusation."
"Doesn't make it less true," Ginny said with a huff. "They are thieves and bullies... wonder how they'd like to be tormented and tortured-"
"See how she acts?" Edgecombe wailed. "She keeps attacking us over and over while these two stuck their noses where it didn't belong."
"They stuck it in there because you and your little group of cowards were harassing one of your own!" Ginny fired back.
"We were not!"
"You were too, bitch!"
"Don't call me a bitch, bitch!"
"Bitch bitch bitch!" Ginny shouted, ignoring McGonagall's calls for her to be quiet and the threats of lost points that were being thrown her way. Percy was frozen stiff, his disciplined mind unable to comprehend anyone acting out in such a way in front of someone as powerful as the Headmaster, let alone the baby sister who, in his mind at least, would always be 8 months old and giggling at picture books. Ron was looking at his sister, befuddled by her reaction. Fred and George were patting each other on the back, complimenting each other for managing to 'train Ginny properly'. "Admit it, you are just a jealous bitch! Can't stand it that Luna is so much better than you; that people care about her more than anyone will ever care about you!"
"Who would be jealous of Looney Luna!?" Edgecombe screamed. Her eyes went wide the moment the words slipped out of her mouth and Cho looked at her with a stare that could only be called lethal. The twins were, much to their own shock, trying to keep Neville in his seat; the normally shy boy was struggling against them, clearly wanting to get in Edgecombe's face and let her have it. Ginny merely wore a look of victorious triumph.
"Very friendly," Ron muttered to himself.
Prof. Flitwick looked at the girls, shaking his head sadly. It had been only for a moment, but the mask the girls had been wearing had slipped and everyone had caught a glimpse of their true intentions. "To say I am ashamed would be an understatement. I have always held my head up high as I walked down these halls, knowing that my house was one of unity."
Harry fought back a snort; he, along with everyone else in that room, had heard enough stories about the Ravenclaws and what they were like behind closed doors. The House of the Brilliant could be just as dangerous as the Slytherins when they turned their focus away from their books. Claws were known to compete against each other, seeking out the best grades and highest honors. They were fiercely competitive and often formed clichés or packs in order to both hold onto power and protect themselves from others. Harry had seen plenty of 3rd and 4th year Ravenclaw students sobbing in the hallways or walking about like zombies; by the time they reached their 7th year they had either been beaten down completely, found a group to latch onto, become as cold and ruthless as their tormentors... or been driven away.
It was clear that Cho and her little band had decided to start early.
"I am disappointed as well," Dumbledore said with a sigh, leaning back in his chair. He seemed to read the Gryffindors' thoughts and answered them with his next statement. "I would have thought that you girls would have been smart enough to know that once you make an enemy of someone you lose them as an asset." The Ravenclaws finally decided to use their smarts and had the decency to look abashed at their scolding. "100 points from Ravenclaw for failure to show house unity." He turned towards Harry and Neville, shaking his head. "As for you two, while I applaud your sense of duty when it came to defending your friend, there are proper and improper ways to do so. 50 points from Gryffindor for battling in the halls."
The old Harry would have meekly nodded and accepted his punishment. He would have scurried away, his tail between his legs, and worked hard to regain the Headmaster and his Head of House's lost trust. The old Harry would have just gone along with it all and remained silent.
But Harry was no longer that boy.
"No."
"Mr. Potter?" Prof. McGonagall said, raising an eyebrow.
"No," Harry repeated.
"Harry," Hermione hissed but the boy waved her off.
Prof. Dumbledore was surprised by Harry's comment. "I don't understand, my boy."
"I said no," Harry stated.
"What does that mean?" Flitwick said in confusion.
"It means no," Harry said, sucking up his fear. He was in for a penny, now it was time to go in for a pound. "I do not accept the loss of points."
"Harry, my boy, I am afraid you don't understand," Dumbledore said kindly. "You do not get a say in the matter."
"To take away points from us is to disgrace Gryffindor."
"That is the point, Mr. Potter," Prof. McGonagall said tartly. "You have disgraced your house. Another 10 points-"
"I have not disgraced Gryffindor," Harry said, standing up and forcing himself to remain tall and straight. "You have... for not rewarding us for our actions." Dumbledore's leaned forward, his head tilted a bit as he studied the bespectacled boy, while his Head of House's lips nearly disappeared they were held together so hard. "You talked about how these girls," he waved towards the Ravenclaws, "disgraced their house, the House of Brilliance, by allowing their emotions to outweigh their common sense. Gryffindor is the House of the Brave... and what is braver than rushing to help someone even if you know it will bring you trouble? I have been taught to stand up for myself and my friends… for what is right. And now you want to punish us?" He shook his head. "No… I refuse to accept that; I refuse to accept the loss of points."
"Be that as it may, my boy, but you cannot simply go running down the halls battling other students with your Pokémon." Dumbledore nodded to himself. "I will not subtract any more points for this outburst but I will remind you that there is a time and place for everything and everyone, even myself, must obey the rules of this school and this region."
Before Harry could say a word Neville leapt to his feet and pointed at Cho Chang. "You have taken honor from my house!"
"Mr. Longbottom, sit down!" McGonagall shouted. "Gryffindor-"
Neville continued as if Prof. McGonagall had not said a word. "I'm not talking about Gryffindor. I am Neville Longbottom, Heir to the Ancient and Noble House of Longbottom. You five attacked Luna Lovegood of the House of Lovegood... my intended."
Harry neck nearly snapped, he whipped about so quick to stare at his friend. Hermione had let out a gasp and Prof. McGonagall had fallen back into her seat as if struck. Harry looked about, trying to figure out what was going on, only to see the thunder-stunned looks of his classmates and professors. Prof. Flitwick had gone as white as a sheet and several of the Ravenclaw girls were pressed against the sofa they were seated on, staring at Neville then at Luna. The Weasleys had looks that ranged from shock to surprise and worry. Ginny in particular wore utter concern upon her features.
"Oh Neville..." Luna whispered. "What have you done?"
Harry looked at his friend once more, trying to make the two pictures add up. He had many memories of Neville Longbottom, the shy boy who so many had been surprised to see go to Gryffindor. He was the boy that liked to sit away from the action and spend time with only a select number of friends. He was someone who never put on airs or acted like he was something grand or special. He was easy to miss and even easier to dismiss.
And yet here was another Neville. Here was the Heir of Longbottom, the future Gym Leader of Lucan City, who was able to lock eyes with the great Albus Dumbledore and not blink. This Neville was seemingly the antithesis of the Neville most in Hogwarts knew and yet Harry could not help but feel that the shy boy the world saw was but a mask.
No... not a mask... a shield. A protective shield that Neville wrapped around himself. But a shield nonetheless.
"This insult cannot stand," Neville said, squaring his shoulders. There was faintest hint of fear in him but whether it was caused by having so much attention upon him or what he was about to say next, none could be sure. "I challenge you, Cho Chang and Marietta Edgecombe to an Honor Battle."
Dumbledore seemed to wilt the moment the words were said. He fell back into his chair, his face creased and eyes half shut as he looked down at this desk, all his many years settling upon him. It was clear to Harry that the headmaster had known the moment Neville stood up what was going to happen... and had been hoping against hope that he would be proven wrong.
"Two on One, Longbottom?" Chang said snidely. Harry couldn't be sure if she actually felt as cocky as she sounded or if she were merely attempting to buff her way into getting Neville to back down. "I knew you Gryffindors were stupid-"
"Miss Chang!" Prof. Flitwick exclaimed.
"Harry will be my partner, Cho," Neville said.
"He will?"
"I will?" Harry said in surprise. "I... uh.. I mean of course Nev, but-"
"What are the stakes?" Edgecombe asked.
"See here!" McGonagall exclaimed. "You cannot do this..."
"There is nothing we can do, Minerva," Dumbledore said sadly. "Mr. Longbottom has invoked the right and Miss Chang and Miss Edgecombe have accepted. To try and prevent them from doing this…" The Headmaster trailed off and Harry wondered what he meant.
"If we win," Neville said, "Ravenclaw will take all punishment that was leveled at Gryffindor. They will also have to make a formal apology to Luna and return every item she requests back."
"Very well," Cho said, standing up. "And when we win you and Potter will have to deliver a formal apology, admitting that Loony over there was at fault for everything. Gryffindor will take all of Ravenclaw's punishment... and you will surrender your Bulbasaur and Eevee to Edgecombe and I."
"The same for you," Neville said. "The Mienfoo and the Sneasel."
Harry raised his hand. "Do I get a say in this?"
"It is finalized," Neville said. "I will arrange with my head of house a day and time for the battle... you do the same."
Cho nodded, motioning for her pack to follow. "See you then, Longbottom."
Harry looked about in confusion. "What... what just happened?"
~MC~MC~MC~
Author's Notes: Before we go any further, let me just point something out: None of you have the full story. I purposely left out many details about what just happened so that you would experience things just as Harry has. I WANTED you confused and shocked... cliffhanger, kids. Next chapter will clear many things up (the key here is that Neville called it an HONOR BATTLE... that should tell you something is different) so, before sending me rude PMs that are just baseless attack messages, how about you take a moment to realize that I haven't steered you wrong yet and maybe, just maybe, I actually have a game plan in mind.
Ok, sorry about that, but I got a couple rather nasty PMs right in a row and, quite honestly, with the life issues I am dealing with right now the last thing I need is a bunch of hate letters. I've proven so far able to write a decent story, I think I deserve some faith.
Alright, rant done.
And so we have the digital Marauder's Map. I hope you all like what I did with it, because it will continue to play a big role in the series.
I know some of you were worried about how battles would go in this story, but I hope the hallway skirmish was to your liking. I love the quick back and forth and counters here… made it feel a bit like one of Ash's battles in the anime.
I am sure there are going to be those that hate what I did to Cho here, but I wanted to showcase that there is more than Slytherins that are not totally light in their dealings. And quite honestly, from what I've read about Cho… I'm not a fan. And she already had a cliché of giggling girls trailing after her, so it just worked to make them the mob that harassed Luna and led to Neville's Berserk Button moment.
A piece of the puzzle falls into place when it comes to Neville. Yes, that's right, Neville and Luna are betrothed. I know that betrothal and Ancient and Noble houses aren't canon, but I like both aspects and I have plans for both to make them work in my story.
