Rising Stars!

by zcritic88

In the world of Pokemon. Many strive to make their mark on the world, many shine and become the stars they seek to be! But what trials await the aspiring?

14. What's The News Today?

During the morning, in a city with an airport runway. Rachael thanked a red haired woman for what she had to offer. "I will be back in a week, thank you the flight Skyla."

She looked out at the forming snow as Skyla was ready to hop on a small plane. "Orre has a small airport near Gateon that I fly by monthly. It is a hop, skip and jump away! When you want to come back, call me and I will pick you up!"

Rachael made a schedule on her PDA as she looked beyond the horizon. "I will, its been months and while I shouldn't... I'm going to try and look at where I came from, where I'm at now and where I am going. Since I came from Orre, I might as well get the past over with, it isn't interesting and I am a spoiled brat."

Skyla didn't wish to continue in the conversation as she saw a teenage boy running from the north east, he had a large bag and a blush as Rachael heard the foot steps and recognize the boy. "Chrom? Your seriously going to come along?"

The boy wheezed and tried to breath as he answered. "Huff! My father gave me a long talk and as long as I don't do anything dumb, it should just be a Christmas trip! We should talk about the things we should be able to do when we get there... if you want."

Rachael rolled her eyes as Skyla went into the pilot seat, the girl walked into the plan and signaled the boy. "Fine! Just so you know, we warned you!"

Chrom's eyes lit up as he followed in, the duo had their luggage stored away and were secured in their seats as the door closed and Skyla made sure she was safe to take off. They felt high speeds and themselves rising from the ground outside, in an hour, the woman announced to the two passengers. "We are in high altitude and we will be in Orre in three hours."

Rachael felt grateful and focused on Chrom, attractive as he is, he should know better than to wander off to another region on his own. "Alright, this is because your father was pretty strict on his warning. Stay near me at all times, don't trust the friendly people unless I know them. You are free to battle at a Colosseum since your looking to become a Frontier Brain one day and you should have some experience with double battles."

Chrom knew a duo that would work as he knew of what the region specializes in. "Empoleon and Beartic have a combo going for them and that is something Palmer talked to me about. I need to improve in the double battle format if I want to keep up."

Rachael hope he does and had ill news for him. "Realgam is picky on their members, Phenac Stadium is out of the question this time of year and if we are going to Pyrite Town... we need to talk more about that place before setting one foot in their Colosseum. If it helps, I'll be your first opponent in the region... just so you can get your feet wet. Next, my parents are known for being busy with work in between shifts, that has always been the case and being reporters, expect the two of us to be alone until it gets closer to the holiday. Besides that, just be yourself."

Chrom had that as a promise and relaxed, his eyes closed as he felt the jet guiding him to a new world. "They sound like busy people. Maybe we can use that alone time to... talk about our future plans. That Big Monster movie looks like it is going to take into a direction beyond crazy, some of those pokemon I heard were speculated to look like that during the prehistoric times."

Rachael swallowed at her next big order. "The next film isn't much besides plot... but the one after I am really scared of. Each of the fossil pokemon have their own strengths and weaknesses... you know what is so scary about them if science goes too far?"

Chrom felt his mind drift and jolted awake for a moment as he realized the horror to come. "A prehistoric monster that has everything about them combined? That is what your going to have to fight?"

Rachael nodded and closed her eyes for a nap. "Yep and Nate told me that this sort of lunacy is expected, he had to fight a ghost and dark type prop that had wonder guard and he was expected to beat that! He couldn't find a fairy type at the time, so he had to resort to thinking outside of the box to beat something like that. Now, tell me a little about the Battle Frontier, it sounds interesting."

Chrom closed his eyes and answered her. "It is an amusement park with five battle facilities, each with their own set of rules to make them fun. Let's start with the Battle-"

At the Aether Station on Orre.

Gladion was in a helmet as he awaited by the motorcycle for what felt like a full morning, he had a side car ready as he saw Lusamine and Elio leave the station with a mixture of a smile and annoyance as he voiced the next thing to do. "We need to give word of our activities to the public. ONBS Station is our destination to do that."

Lusamine nodded and was let into the side car. "We talked about this and it is the only way they will know that we are not here to cause problems for them. Mr. Sun also has business on our way to that... town!"

Elio squeezed into the side car and kept his optimistic smile wide. "When all else fails and they taunt you about battling, battle them! They will know they should leave us alone."

Gladion agreed and readied the engine, the ride was quick and smooth as they saw a dome in front of a long passage way towards a grand tower. On arriving, Lusamine was clear to her son in-law. "Go register your pokemon and be back, we have another tight day and we cannot afford to be late for anything. I can at least stay out here while you do that."

The Alolan Champ felt the bike stop as he got off and saw the entrance with two golden Sudowoodo statues adorning two fountains, and a black and white floor. "That depends on how long it takes for me to get there. I'll be back shortly."

The man journeyed towards the entrance as Lusamine felt exhausted and bored. "To think I have to set foot in that town."

Gladion laughed under his helmet and didn't have much of a care. "It's not that bad, do you really think this kind of place would be that idea for those pokemon? Orre is a wasteland with literally nothing and this could mean something."

Lusamine smiled back to her son and looked up to the sky. "The tower would over do it, but those domes would cover much from underneath the sands. I might have to schedule a return trip by the end of the month, just to overlook the final touches."

Gladion kept watch as a tumble weed flew by and looked forward to the end of the day. "It is needed, to think... last night was just those two pokemon only dancing... except for the beast using mind blow the first chance he gets. The final result interests me, along with what ever he was planning with that Mimikyu and Spiritiomb."

Lusamine giggled at what her son doesn't know. "Contrary to what that man thought, I was paying attention and those two working together... is something you would appreciate."

Gladion's carefree stare became one of curiosity. "You really think so? Neither of those two pokemon... as a species, are considered normal."

He sensed a presence approaching and readied a dusk ball as Lusamine saw a black canine with a green maw, a green left paw, green spots and a green collar. Underneath the collar was a multi colored core, Zygarde. Gladion still had the ball in hand as he asked. "You finally showed up Legion, you really do think what you were doing was for the good of us all?"

The Zygarde looked at the tower and nodded, he expected someone to want a word with him as Gladion wished he had a translator with him. "For now, just stay here and wait. We have a lot of catching up to do."

At Realgam Tower's Lobby.

Elio organized his pokemon and signed them up for the Colosseum match. "A Metagross with a mega stone. Salamence with an expert belt, a Dodrio with a life orb, Crylate with my Dragonium Z, Peony with a fire gem, Isaac with some left overs." The woman behind the registration asked as she accepted the registered pokemon. "Who are the ones with the nicknames?"

Elio sighed and confessed. "The Metagross is named Terminator on the count that when I use him, the enemy gets hurt, the Dodrio is named Cumustrich. Crylate and Peony are very special pokemon called Ultra Beasts." He opened the beast balls to let out a Naganadel that was fascinated by the grand lobbies portraits as the Blacephalon turned around to find a large amount of people intrigued by him and his companion. The woman blinked and was silent as Elio called them back, he had a master ball out and was blunt on what is inside. "Isaac is a Mew! Do... we have any problems?"

The woman shook her head and accepted the sign in without hesitation. "Nope, with pokemon like that, you will give Orre a show to behold! Be back by around Noon and knock them out!"

Elio appreciated it and took his Rotom Dex out to schedule his appointment. "In and out! Business is finished and they don't have to wait, thank you for your time!"

He waved goodbye and found a small pokemon wandering lost, a Whismur that whimpered. "M...Mum?!"

Elio's heart was broken as he slowly approached to pick her up. "Aw! Did you get lost from your trainer?"

The Whismur turned toward the man and backed away scared, Elio lowered himself and extended his hand patiently. He stared at her in silence and tempted her to smell his hand, she looked less afraid and went closer to be picked up, Elio picked the Whismur up in his arms and gave her a kiss on the back of her head. "Poor girl, Dex... could you find an official to announce a lost-"

The Whismur saw someone and shouted in an uproar. "MUM!" Elio felt his ears pulsing as he saw a tan, black hair woman that was in her forties, she wore a cloak with large black scales, a sleeveless black shirt, dark shorts and grey open toed boots. The anklet with a keystone caught Elio's attention as the Rotom Dex saw red eyes staring at him. "BZZT! Boss, I think we found this Whismur's Mom! BZZT!"

The Alolan Champ noticed the strange woman staring at him, she looked familiar as the Rotom Dex flashed an exclamation mark, with the champion approaching her. "Is this Whismur yours? I bet you two gotten scared."

The woman's eyes shined in joy at her missing pokemon and took her out of his arms. "Aster, be careful the next time you go off ahead of me."

She rubbed her chin on the Whismur's, who looked to be whispering an apology, she placed the Whismur down and by her side as Elio considered another good deed for the day. "She must have been excited to see what this place has in-" WHOO POW!

The Alolan Champ met the receiving end of a sudden round house kick to the face from the woman, he was knocked onto the floor as she laughed. "HA HA HA! Zygarde was right about you, how are you going to survive out here with that kind heart of yours?"

Elio was disoriented as the woman made a dash to his personal space and reached to the metal glove on his left hand, the man rolled out of the way and forced himself up, he readied a poke ball in an attempt to defend. "Oh enough of this, Salamence, get her off me!"

Pop! The woman saw a Salamence that was astonished by her attack on his master and back flipped to a safer position, she certainly looked crazed and excited until she stood up to call off the fight. "Your fast enough to act! Aster and I have been looking for you!"

Elio wasn't going to talk with the woman as the Salamence stood in between her and his master. The woman continued with a charmed expression in her eyes. "Not the talking type? Don't worry Elio, I know about you! The Champion of Alola for around ten years!"

The man flinched and looked annoyed as he realized who he was confronting. "...Your that woman the boss told about! What the heck are you doing here?!"

The Rotom Dex scanned and matched the recorded description as the woman kept her eye on Elio's arm. "BZZT! This is Zinnia?! BZZZT! This day has turned bad already! BZZT!"

The Alolan Champ puffed his cheeks as the receptionist was about to call someone, he signaled that she doesn't and told Zinnia. "I'm asking what you are doing here, because I kind of know! A legendary pokemon fell into a place in between universes called Ultra Space Wilds and wandered into this one. Then some scumbags gotten their hands on him and is forcing him to do evil things. You want to do this because the legendary pokemon is kind of someone you are familiar with?"

Zinnia shrugged and answered as she circled around him with her Whismur. "Maybe, or I'm just like the lot in this region. You have something hidden in that jacket of yours?"

Elio squinted his eyes and laughed sarcastically and circled around her with his Salamence. "I'm not telling for the same reason why your not telling me why your doing this, if your going to keep this up, we are going to settle this tomorrow at the tower? Like how a trainer should if you even have anything besides that Whismur."

Zinnia accepted the challenge as she saw a ring appear out of nowhere and glowed where the man was walking too, she waved and answered his question. "If you think you are destined to rescue this legend, then show me if those are just ideals or the truth by tomorrow! I'll be waiting!"

Elio, the Rotom Dex and the Salamence stepped across the Hoopa ring and fell out into the entrance to Realgam Towers, where they found Gladion and Lusamine astonished by their sudden drop as the disoriented Champion adjusted his mind and found a guilty looking Zygarde that was expecting a lecture.

The Alolan Champion asked the legend. "Well, you were suppose to do something if you caught wind of those terrorists causing problems. That was the reason you agreed to help that crazy woman out with her goal of rescuing this legendary pokemon, the problem... she is doing it on her terms and her means are pretty extreme!"

Lusamine saw the red boot mark on his face and gasped as she approached him. "Oh m-" Elio glared at the woman, his tone took a sharp turn to try and get her away from him . "Please, not now! We all know those psychos are going to attack the tower and there is nothing we can do to stop this. Zinnia knows this and the best option right now is get it through her head that this is a group project... at least she confirmed that. Just when I thought today was going to be a bright one."

Lusamine glared at the rude man and sat in the side car with an uncaring question. "Have you registered for that tournament?"

Elio nodded, Lusamine smiled and gave him a quick order. "If you refuse to have us be concerned about the fact that you were kicked in the face, then you are going to tough it out! We have business in Pyrite town and when you are ready to talk, you will let me know!"

Elio sighed and called his Salamence back as the Zygarde broke down into many cells and sank into the sand. "The greater good sucks when your the one who gets hurt. Legion, when this is over, we are going to have another long talk."

Gladion hopped he does and ordered his part. "And you are to tell me and Mother everything when you stop being an ass! While mother does her business at ONBS Station, I'm going to kill some time at the Colosseum! That Hoopa should know more about this and will tell you if you ask!"

A Hoopa ring opened, the Unbound Hoopa stuck his head out and explained why he got Elio out of there. "He and that crazy woman had met in the wrong place at the wrong time and neither were going to leave each other alone! That's why I got him out of there and that is why someone needs to kick her off her high horse!"

Lusamine found it likely as Elio forced himself to smile. "Thank you Little Horn, I'll have her talking tomorrow!"

The Hoopa smiled and told his master. "Lighten up kid! Your going to have to spill the beans sooner or later! See ya!"

He went into the ring and caused it to vanish out of existence as Gladion started the engine. "Hold on to your seat belt, this is going to be a bumpy ride!"

FHROOM!

At a strip of land nearby.

A small jet plane slowly landed by a forest to drop off two passengers with in. In half an hour, Rachael and Chrom were allowed off the plane, Skyla waved the two goodbye and wished them luck. "The forest isn't too far ahead north west and further down is the Port. Have a Merry Christmas you two!"

Rachael gave Skyla a thankful bow as she readied a great ball. "Have a Merry Christmas to you too! We will be able to make it from here!"

She and Chrom carried their bags as they were ready to begin travel, the girl opened the great ball to let out a Salamence that felt the sky most familiar. Rachael gestured to Chrom. "By all means, you get on first!"

The boy felt the mighty wings flapping as he strapped his bag on his back and got on the dragon's back. "Thank you, how much of the region do you know?"

Rachael adjusted her bag and got on Arbitrio, with a firm grip on Chrom and a certainty that he was secure, she answered. "This region has a few cities and towns of note. Arbitrio, fly us to our first stop in the north west, you should see a port in the distance!"

The Salamence flapped his wings and took flight, leaving Skyla behind to ready her plane for a flight back, he saw the port bound to the sea and flew towards the destination. Rachael answered as Chrom felt nervous of who he was moments away from meeting. "The north west of Orre is considered by many to be the safest part of the region; beside loitering sailors in Gateon, we keep to ourselves and we won't bother each other. We have the Pokemon H.Q, which is full of good people that study pokemon, Agate Village, which is home to our elders and has one of the most gorgeous sights in all of Orre."

Chrom looked forward to that as the Salamence slowly landed at a pokemon center next to a Krabby shapped bar on Gateon Port.

The port itself was not much to look at, with a rotating bridge towards the sea, a light house overlooking the city and towards the far end of the town was several buildings. Rachael was the first to get off and help the boy down as the Salamence roared to his trainer in excited joy, a vast unknown sea to fly around. Rachael puffed her cheeks and wanted to scold the Salamence. "No, we don't flying off by ourselves in this region. I give this rule to Chrom and I'm giving it to you."

The Salamence whimpered as the girl lead the way towards the residential area of the city. "There is a place not too far in sea that has nothing but a dark history. A volcanic island called Citadark, Arbitro, because of that island, you are to forget about flying over there unless I have a reason to... anywhere else in this region is preferable. I understand why you want to fly... but please wait."

The Salamence bowed his head in obedience and followed with the humans towards the buildings. They went to a well kept building that was closest to the sea, Rachael took out a pair of keys from her bag and approached a door that was too small for the Salamence. "Arbitro, come back in, I'll let you out once we settle at home!"

The Salamence let himself get called back in as Chrom watched Rachael use the key to open the door, she knocked playfully in hope that someone was home. The door slowly opened to reveal a man with curly brown hair and brown eyes. He wore an average looking green shirt and had a pair of black jeans as he was about to ask. "Who is-" He stopped and rubbed his eyes and tried to say something, he blew out air as Rachael hugged him. "I'm home for Christmas! That is why I came back Dad!"

The father coughed and hugged back, he wanted to ask many questions and was able to muster one. "R..Rachael, we didn't expect this. You didn't have to do this, how are you doing with yourself?"

The teenager answered as she was ready to introduce Chrom to her father. "I am doing fine and in a week, you and Mom will see the latest film I stared in. It is going towards something rather interesting. Chrom, this is Johnathan, my father! Johnathan, this is Chrom... he is a close friend of mine that came from Sinnoh and visited Unova. It is a bit complicated!"

The man looked at the boy and knows he has one thing on his mind, the boy stood firm and respectful as he was given a hand shake. "He is a boy that wanted to come with you for his own reasons. Come on in and tell me about yourself!"

Chrom's respectful pose shifted with a smile of joy as he took the offer, he and the girl went in the house and were guided to a living room with the essentials. They sat on the couch comfortably as Rachael let her Salamence back out, Arbitro yawned and saw a man that was impressed by the dragon. "Wow! You really have been working on Unova."

Rachael thanked her father and let out a Granbull that was loving the various smells, an Alakazam that politely meditated and a Glaceon that felt herself in a familiar home and leaped on to Johnathan's lap, the girl giggled with a home sick feeling. "Chile remembers you very well, as you can tell, my trip to Johto had lead me to making two friends of mine. The Granbull smelling everything is Beth!"

The Granbull finished smelling and went to leap on her trainer in affection, nearly crushing Chrom as he adjusted to fit on the couch. Rachael cringed at the boy as she slowly petted Beth. "Your okay Chrom? Beth is a very moody, but very affectionate pokemon!"

The boy felt himself comfortable and joined in the petting. "Erk, I had worse from my Empoleon when I was raising him, steel types are pretty cold and sharp. You told me about your Alakazam though."

Rachael agreed and pointed to a disturbed Alakazam that stopped his meditation, she was concerned about what he was seeing and introduced him. "T..This is Houdini, he is my go to when I get into trouble and in turn I listen to what he has to say. Houdini, I am aware that this region isn't safe, but are you sensing something much worse than I expected?"

The Alakazam scratched his cranium and tried to think of how to describe it, Rachael sighed and forced herself to smile in keeping the holiday cheer into her old home. "As long as we stay around here where it is safe, we won't have to worry about any dangers. The Salamence is named Arbitro, he took a long time to raise from a Bagon... but he is my most proud pokemon yet, Megara... is another." She clapped and asked her father. "When Mom gets back from work, do you want to meet her, Princess, Vryam and Vespron? They need to be outside, but they are all apart of my family!"

Johnathan took out an old poke ball and let out a pink, cloud like sprite that had yellow around the eyes. "And they are with you for your career. Kind of like Molly!"

The Castform yawned and felt the sun outside, her pink form changed to an orange, sun like creature that gave off a hint of heat. Leaving Chrom to ask about Orre's weather. "I know it doesn't snow around here. But... your a weather reporter, aren't you?"

Johnathan relaxed at the observant boy and answered. "Yep and I was on break until the afternoon. Hey Rachael, you came back just in time for an event going on in Phenac City... if you want, we can use that place to meet up with your mother!"

Rachael took a deep breath and considered it as she looked to her resting Salamence. "...Call her when she has time, Arbitro just got settled in and I want to get together on a few things that has happened. But first, Chrom, do you have anything you want to share with us?"

The boy nodded and knew where to begin. "I was working on a goal back on Sinnoh! It's going to be hard work, but it will worth it in the end!"

Johnathan knew a boy that was earning his respect as he gave a secret. "I know a trainer when I see one and it takes hard work to make it to the top. You don't have to worry about where your staying for the night, because that couch right there has something for guests!"

Chrom looked around as the Castform giggled, Rachael blushed in victory, one of her parents have approved of the boy, the man of the house raised a finger at a warning. "Hermione however, might be difficult in making a first impression. You two want anything?" The Granbull got off the couch as the teenage couple thought about how to make themselves comfortable. It is going to be a long day, just settling down.

At a News Station in an old mining town.

Elio stood out alone on the roof, looking down at the trash blown streets of Pyrite Town. He had a Mimikyu by his side that tried to say something in regard to the swollen cheek. "Wha...what happened?"

The man placed an ice pack on his cheek and tried to contain his anger. "I met a crazy woman that is trying to stop all the crazy stuff going on. It's funny how quick the people of Pyrite Town got out of our way once Cali did the very dumb move of battling... her! Teeter dance and icy wind... that is a recipe for a slow end!"

The Mimikyu agreed and looked up to the ice pack as the door open. "They... remember...you?"

Elio nodded and felt a cold shoulder being given to him. "They have and none of them batted an eye to me until they realize... what was going on."

He turned around to find a cold staring Lusamine. The Alolan Champ took a deep breath and faced. "...I'm sorry for being a rude asshole back at the tower when you were trying to help. It was unprofessional, we don't like each other than much, but you didn't do anything to earn that backlash."

The cold gaze warmed up as the woman accepted the apology. "That is much better! Do you wish to talk about how... that happened?"

Elio nodded and asked back. "You help a lost pokemon get back to her trainer and that trainer gives you a kick to the face as a thank you, then laughs at you for exposing yourself. How does that make for a day?"

Lusamine shrugged and lead the man down towards the bottom floor. "When someone knows about your kindness and uses that as bait. It can work an all but the hardest of hearts, she told you nothing else?"

Elio shook his head and followed her a waiting room. "Nope, instead she uses mind games. If someone tries to do something that great and dangerous by themselves, everyone around them is going to get hurt when that person bites off more than they can chew."

Lusamine found a place to sit as the Alolan Champ sat with his Mimikyu, it was much to think about as the Aether President snapped her fingers to what the strange woman wants. "And she wants to be the one who rescues that poor pokemon for what ever reason she has. She tried to take... that device you have hidden?"

Elio smiled with his answer. "Yep! So, how did the meeting go? Nett seemed suspicious about what was going on before he kicked me out to have words from you."

Lusamine felt her heart racing as she twiddled her fingers anxiously. "If they accept, we will have an appointment with them a day after the tournament. They need to see what we are trying to do, Mr. Sun, does that Rotom Dex... have a picture of what we are trying to make?"

Elio took out the Rotom Dex and skimmed through a series of images. "We are not going to be able to make it exactly like Aether Paradise back on Alola. But this is the ideal for all of us and they need to accept this as truth!"

He turned the Dex around and showed Lusamine a series of images from the Conservation Deck, pokemon getting along, a few employees working for their happiness and growth. The cheerful image of a Trash Cloak Wormadam with Wicke and a particular image of Elio being given affection from a black Hippowdon were among the many. "Is this the kind of place we are making for the pokemon in this region? A long time ago, Orre was under the iron grip of horrible people and even monsters! All of the deeds that crime syndicate done was under the common persons nose. When the mayor of Phenac City during that horrible time, was in fact the mastermind behind those events and even the one to approved of Shadow Pokemon! Wes told me and Lillie that the people who run this news station were among the ones who helped uncovered that conspiracy. That is the reason we need to earn their trust, they dealt with this once before and they would refuse to allow history to repeat itself."

Lusamine looked at the imagery and lost herself to the knowledge. "That explains a lot. It is going to take a long time for any of those images to become a reality here."

Elio sighed and felt he was having a head ache as the door opened to let in an even more exhausted woman with long brown hair, blue eyes and a blue suit. She went to the table to lay her head on it and looked like she wished for the day to be over. Thump! The Alolan Champ felt the throbbing pain of his wound lessen as he asked. "Your day was pretty bad as well?"

The woman growled and looked up to the two strangers, she gave a public smile that was moments away from cracking as she asked back. "Yes, but that isn't your business! Don't you have something better to do?"

The Mimikyu tilted her Pikachu head and jumped up the table to crawl to the woman, she pat her on the head and hissed her own question. "Your...de...pressed?"

The woman's annoyed look lightened as she answered with a forming frown. "Yes, things are changing and my kid set out of this region to do what she promised to do. I haven't gotten use to the empty nest."

Elio remembered who the woman was and asked. "...Your talking about a girl named Rachael? Last time I saw her, she was doing amazing in the movies! Miss Hermione it's okay to let her go, she is happy out there and you done a good thing for letting her live her dreams."

Hermione jolted herself up and was about to shout something at him, she recognized the man, her enraged face became cold as Lusamine recalled a film she saw. "I do believe Miss Rachael was the main protagonist in a film about an otherwordly labyrinth, this man was the villain. It is a bitter feeling around the holiday."

The news reporter failed to keep her public face on, gave a bitter joy, clenched her left hand into a fist and beat it on. BANG! BANG! BANG! The Mimikyu saw tears in the womans eyes and heard her laugh at Elio. "Ha! Ha! Ha! Johto didn't go well for her and now she has something else to make it big on! A villain, wouldn't have helped her get that break! Now I want to know who the heck gave her the idea to go to Unova in the first place, someone helped her get a ticket to that region as well!"

Elio's eyes widened as Lusamine realized who did what. "... If you see a blonde man leaving Pyrite Colosseum, he knows and he might have been the one who talked to her."

She was sure of it as the door opened, Gladion walked in with a tired Silvally and a Stoutland that was covered in dirt. "That was flawless! Keep it up and we will finally take the Champ do-" He saw Elio and stopped himself as Hermione turned around to see someone that was responsible for much, Gladion realized what he walked into and blushed as the news reporter calmed herself down and spoke. "You two are wonderful men, thank you! What's your name?"

Gladion introduced himself and wanted the woman to understand. "I wasn't the one who bought her that ticket, a girl from Alola did that after winning second place in Johto's Grand Festival. If your wanting to thank the person truly responsible for your daughter's success, that girl is not in this region."

Hermione snapped her fingers and still felt appreciative as a brown hair man in a red suit entered to address to the Aether President. "Alright, Miss Lusamine, we came into an agreement about what you and the Aether Foundation are doing in this region. We got word that someone came to this region around five years ago to clean up a mess that was left behind and your company came over to build something over it... was this your doing?"

Gladion answered the question with a professional frown. "Technicalities aside, that would be my fault for letting a friend of mine do things... beyond what we would have allowed. That was part of the reason I hired Elio in the first place. You know that Mr. Sun was responsible for the destruction of that... hell hole they call a factory and of that Cipher Lab, do you wish to know more of the details Mr. Nett?"

The man nodded and awaited his answer. "Yes, we shouldn't have anything to hide." Elio got up from his chair and made his way out. "If that would be the case, it would be easier if I show you. It's pretty crazy and it involved that... thing you helped Lillie and me with years ago."

Lusamine and Gladion knew what the man was going as he left. Hermione had a ring in her bag and took out a PDA, she realized she had somewhere to be. "Oh my, I forgot that contest was today!"

Nett got out of the woman's way and wished her luck. "It's been pretty rough for you, talk us when you feel down again. Okay?"

Hermione agreed and wished her boss good luck. "I got an answer to what was wrong! I'll make the news of this years contest even better than last time! I hope we get busy soon!"

With her and Elio gone, Lusamine took her chance to advise the man. "We should take this outside and... for good measure, out of town!" Gladion suggested a destination that didn't sound suspicious at all. "Particularly a dump site, everything will be shown!"

In Phenac City.

A Salamence landed in the outskirts of the town and dropped off Rachael and Chrom. The girl had an icy blue t-shirt and white jeans, better fitting for the region. She looked guilty and self doubting as the boy patted her on the back. "There wasn't much room on Arbitro for your father and he has a motorcycle to get here anyways. If we wait, we will be able to catch up with your mom."

He looked at the flowing water and was in awe at the breath taking sight as Rachael shook her guilt away, called her Salamence back and tossed a dream ball. "I know, it just... feels like I'm ditching him for my own wants again. Princess darling, say hello to Orre!"

Pop! Out of the ball came a Tyrunt that found the water to be pretty, she jumped into a flowing river and frolicked with in. Earning a giggle from the girl as she went to pick her up, she panted from the weight as Chrom saw many people gathering towards a dome that had water flowing down, he turned around to see a poster with a rather extravagant ribbon and see why. "They have contests here?!"

Rachael saw it and figured for the time of year. "They host these during off season or when Realgam Towers is hosting something big. Phenac has no way of competing and so the few trainers who can, show off what they can do."

She took a cell phone out and snapped a picture. "...This is going to be my new scope to send to Tammy and Pamela, contests are a big deal for them and while this isn't part of anything... those ribbons are special!"

Chrom saw the gem like center and smiled widely, he realized something and snapped his fingers. "I don't have anything for this contest! My Dad would want to know about this himself!"

Rachael wasn't stopping him as the Tyrunt saw a man in black clothes, a red vest, a high tech head band and sparkling blue eyes that was astonished by her and her playful behavior. The man swallowed nervously and was in a hurry to leave them be, Chrom took his picture and explained a little about his family as he took a picture with his phone. "My Grand Mother was a top coordinator in Sinnoh and while my Father wasn't really into them, he likes the different ribbons out there in the world." Rachael shrugged off her disappointment and went towards the Stadium. "I haven't trained my pokemon for this, I haven't had a reason to. But this would be something to look into!" Chrom sighed his own disappointment and followed towards the stadium. They found a camera man and an anchorwoman getting ready for a particular event, Rachael recognized a woman with long brown hair, blue eyes and a blue suit, she took a deep breath and listened to her.

Chrom knew the girl recognized the woman and kept silent. The anchor woman held a microphone and announced an event. "Good afternoon people of Orre to our annual Phenac City pokemon contest! The folks over in the city are excited to see some gorgeous performances and the participants are all eager to win the Sapphire Ribbon! Tell them what it is Marcia!"

She waited and listened to a woman over her head set and looked fascinated by what she heard. "Oh my, then that Ribbon would be sought after by everyone with the talent!"

She kept listening and tried not to puff her cheeks at an outrageous deed that would have been committed, she agreed with the woman inside the Stadium and caught something at the corner of her eye. "Actual gems like those are hard to come by and sometimes people need the money."

She followed her instincts and saw a familiar girl that had a Tyrunt in her arms and boy next to her. Breaking her public smile to a gasp of shock, followed by a more fulfilled smile as she saw a more eager, black hair man with grey eyes and a bruise on his cheek, he wore a black down jacket and black pants, in a hurry to reach the stadium. The woman had her duty and put the microphone closer to him. "Hello Sir, you still got an hour to sign up! Are you eager to compete and maybe earn that ribbon?"

The man puffed his cheeks and gave his answer in quick speeds. "Yes miss Hermione and what I have will shroud the crowd in darkness and blow your minds away with a light show! That ribbon is as good as mine!"

Hermione let the man go his way and continued with the news. "Good luck! This event brings out the best talent in everyone and if what he said is true, we have picked a good time to come! Marcia, finish this off!"

She closed her eyes and listened as Rachael saw a familiar, blonde man following into the stadium, behind him was a middle age woman that looked to be related to him. The girl had a lot to catch up on as the camera man signaled that they were done. "Excellent work miss Ocul! We will be back out here when the contest is as good as over!"

Hermione opened her eyes and thanked him for his part. "Thank you Timothy! I can't get enough of these events!"

The man agreed and went to the stadium as the woman looked at her daughter with a half puzzled, half joyful face. "Rachael, what the heck are you doing back in this region?! Didn't we tell you not to come back?"

The girl growled as the Tyrunt tilted her head to say hello. "Mom, it's also Christmas and neither you or Dad deserve to be tossed out like that. I can at least put up with this region for a few days."

She got out of the way and introduce the boy to her mother. "This is Chrom, someone from Sinnoh that went to Unova for the winter... until he asked if he could come with me to this region!"

The boy blushed and shook the woman's hand. "Please to meet you Miss Hermione! We met your husband already and he should be heading here now!"

The woman was suspicious of the boy's true intentions and shook back. "We need to talk after this contest... not just me getting to know you. We got until the end of this event to think about this! Johnathan told you about the couch?"

Chrom nodded and earned the trust of the mother. "It has a sofa bed inside I can use. Miss Hermione, Rachael and I are too young to even think about doing it anytime soon."

Hermione and Rachael cringed in a mutual agreement, the woman let go and lead the way in. "And I hope you understand that. Rachael, I met the two people who helped you get that start on Unova... but I heard that someone helped you get out of Johto when things didn't go as planned. Do you want to talk about it?"

Rachael followed with the curious Tyrunt and answered her mother. "A girl named Tammy that the Alolan Champion took in as his daughter. She...she is a better person and a better friend than I am. I got something to send to her since this is happening. Maybe this event will help us all get along."

Hermione hoped so as Chrom realized the awkward thing he said and blushed, the woman sighed and followed. "It seems you two have something in common and we got a big scope today."

Rachael agreed and gave a news report. "A local girl had returned to Orre for the holidays and have met quite a few interesting people. Some of those same people are in this region right now for reasons that are known throughout and we will have an interview shortly!"

The mother felt at peace as Chrom was curious himself. "Everyone has had their own adventure at some point!"

In Phenac Stadium.

Gladion relaxed to a gorgeous sight of a stone stadium that was surrounded by water. A blue globe shined from the ceiling and the water falls complimented what was to come. He was in the audience as he finished a conversation with Wes, who looked down with an Espeon, Umbreon and a Plusle. "And after the Guzzlords emptied that dumping site, Nett became more willing to believe what we are doing. Though he did question Elio's sanity."

Wes smiled and watched a dirty blonde woman with a black bandana, black pants and a red shirt begin her performance. She sent out a Froslass and a Jynx as she issued an unheard order, the outlaw chuckled. "If Aether had something to hide in this region, they don't anymore. It is a good thing Elio isn't staying around this region to manage that. It's damaged him enough already!"

Gladion agreed and felt the peace of mind as the Froslass blew in a hail storm and the Jynx gave a dazzling display of an aurora veil. "None of us are, but building something like that is going to take a few months. Rui partakes in this?"

Wes nodded and watched the Froslass and Jynx blow a unified blizzard. "Moogle and Tiff are for the first act while Tsunami and Sinker are the second one. A Suicune and Quagsire works together quite nicely!"

Gladion watched the blizzard being manipulated by psychic power as a shadow ball formed from with in, the storm and aurora was compressed into a small orb that had both a shine and blackness within. It twist and danced in shining dark snow as the Jynx gave it a lovely kiss and scattered it across the stage, the Froslass blew an icy wind to form a dark, winter tundra.

Gladion was impressed and gave a round of applause as he felt something smelling him from behind, the Espeon turned around to see a Tyrunt that was waging his tail in joy and earned the attention from Wes. "Hello! What do we have here?"

Gladion stopped him as the Umbreon heard someone coming. "This Tyrunt belongs to someone. But to who?"

The older man wondered as they heard a familiar, brown hair, brown eye girl that pushed through the crowd through the crowd, she found the Tyrunt and readied a dream ball as she ordered in a low but strict tone. "Princess! Don't wander off like that in this crowd, that is a good to get stolen!"

The Tyrunt flinched and whimpered as she approached the girl. The trainer whispered softly as she called her back. "I'll let you out when we have a better time!"

The girl recognized Gladion, who was astonished by her and came to conclusions why she was in Orre. "...Christmas is that kind of holiday. Long time no see Rachael!"

The girl nodded and asked. "I was going to save this until after the show, but the clean up after that snow show is a better time than the others. Do you have a moment to talk?"

Gladion found the cheering crowd to be annoying as he wished to clear the noise out. "Sure, I only saw you in your films and a few things have happened. Wes... could you please save my seat!"

The Umbreon smiled mischievously and sat on the used seat, Wes shrugged and watched the snow melt. "Dusk has it for you. This is a pretty short event anyways!"

Gladion appreciated it with a joking smile and followed Rachael out, towards a hallway with water flowing to the sides. "Elio and I met your mother. Empty nest syndrome is easy to mask until we found the source."

Rachael gave a look of guilt as she thought of why. "Once the camera was off, she took off that mask on you and the others. That is expected; when you are a news reporter, you have to put up with witnessing a lot of messed up crap while you get the news out to the rest of the world. Unless the event is something you don't mind... or the event is something so horrible that that mask wouldn't work. When I have to put up with the freaks among the fans, I have to smile and try to avoid them in hopes that the modest ones come along to lighten the day. Fame has its ups and downs," She asked out of curiosity. "Your here because of last minute business before the holidays?"

Gladion adjusted his bag and nodded. "I'm finished with mine and there was something my mother has to do in this region. That is why Elio is serving as a bodyguard, a word of advise... don't go to Realgam Tower's tomorrow. We suspect... certain activity and a lot of people are in danger as it is!"

Rachael raised an eyebrow and asked as she walked down the hall. "Certain activity?! Be clear, what the heck is going o-" She felt a cold chill down her spine, in an instinct, she sent out an Alakazam that felt something very wrong was happening.

Gladion heard a deep voice in his mind warning him. "I found something coming near you, go down and to your left! Get that machine on asap!"

The man let out a Silvally and took a box out of his bag. It revealed a snag machine and an Aura reader. "Rachael, stay behind me and strike when needed!"

The girl understood and followed the man putting his gear on. They entered a main hall that connects to the stadium and went left to find a man with tan skin, a black derby hat and a thick black jacket. Rachael recognized him and watched the man stare at Gladion's machine. He smiled wickedly and laughed. "Infidelium, ut faciam tibi antequam hint Clamo ad prophetam qui! Quia Giratina!"

He tossed out a Chimecho and a Cacturne, they had a dead look in their eyes. Gladion's aura reader activated to reveal a black aura, angering him as he took a bug memory and toss it at the Silvally's cheeks. The synthetic pokemon became that of a lime green as Rachael gave her first order to her Alakazam. "Houdini, use thunder wave to stop that Cacturne!"

The Alakazam aimed his two spoons and crackled a weak jolt of electricity to paralyze the Cacturne, Gladion followed with his own order at the Silvally. "Crawl into that Chimecho's mind with multi attack!"

The terrorist's wicked smile became wider as he hissed. "Audi umbra carmen et vermis moriemini!"

The Chimecho glowed a black aura as a Hoopa ring appeared, a bellowing voice taunted the Chimecho. "BWAHAHA! Your too weak to take those guys on by yourself!" The Chimecho's black aura kept glowing as she spun violently and blew out a shadow storm, knocking both the pokemon and humans back as the terrorist looked up at the ring to find a Hoopa giving him a malicious smile of his own. "Quid?!"

The Cacturne shrieked be in a psychotic craze as he glowed a black aura and charged at the Silvally for a brutal swing, Gladion ordered with a pose. "Dodge and we will get these pokemon away from this demon!"

The Silvally leaped away as the Cacturne slammed at the ground, creating a deep crack in the ground as Gladion placed an ultra ball in the machine and felt it charge. "GO SNAG BALL!"

The ball flung at the Cacturne and opened to reveal a hand that yanked him in, it fell by the water and shake. Shake...shake...shake...click!

The Cacturne was caught and the terrorist tried to run away, he felt a piercing gaze was upon him as Rachael saw a blonde woman looked related to Gladion from the right side of the main hall. She had a Mismagius by her side and a Mew that was ready to attack, Rachael swayed her hair and ordered her Alakazam. "One more time and Gladion has this next one! We are getting answers!"

The terrorist looked behind him and found he was cornered, he bit down on something and gave a spiteful as he fell limp. The Alakazam shot another thunder wave as Gladion's saw blood pooling from the man. He took out another ultra ball and charged it in the Snag Machine. "He didn't... GO SNAG BALL!"

The ball flung at Chimecho and opened up a hand that yanked her in. It fell right next to the other ball. Shake...shake...shake...click!

The Chimecho was snagged as the Alakazam flipped the bleeding man over and took off the jacket with his psychic power, it was as feared, a bomb was strapped to his chest and just above the strap was a device with a blood soaked knife. Rachael was about to vomit as the Unbound Hoopa was annoyed. "And he knew we were going to get questions out of him if he gets caught! Just great! Gladion... do you know what he was trying to do?"

The man wished he didn't have to as he went to pick the two Ultra Balls up. "Shadow Song... I think that is a more lethal version of Perish Song... he was going to have that Chimecho use that while all those people were listening. Mother, find Elio and tell him that I need to take a trip to the H.Q, Rachael... go back to where you were watching!"

The girl had a better idea as the Hoopa went into the his ring to leave. "...Good luck with that!"

Lusamine sighed and asked the girl. "What you just saw was something a child like you shouldn't have to witness... we insist that you go back to watching the show while we handle this."

The Mew tapped at the woman's shoulder and warned her that the girl wasn't going to listen, Rachael coughed and asked her. "You know where Elio is? Because I recognized this man and he tried to attack me before! I been involved months ago and I'll be damned if I let everyone fight my battles."

Lusamine and Gladion stared at the courageous teenager and didn't have time to argue as Alakazam searched the dead man for anything of note, nothing was found and a Hoopa ring appeared from underneath the body to drop it in. The Mew signed and tugged at Lusamine to get her to focus on the present, the woman looked down at where the body was and agreed with him. "This region wouldn't care about a dead body. We know where to find Elio; Circe, Rachael, come!"

She looked at her son and wished him good luck. "Stay safe out there!"

Gladion appreciated it as the Silvally guided him towards the exit, leaving the psychic types to lead the way towards a particular source of thoughts.

In a gorgeous waiting room with the sound of flowing water outside.

Elio talked with Hermione and Chrom as Rui watched a T.V screen that revealed a Snagem Goon in the stadium. Urvole gave a gracious bow to the audience and enjoyed the glory as he sent out a Klinklang and Manetric, the orange hair woman saw the two pokemon looking in sync. Urvole posed with his hand in the air and ordered something with his soul to bare, the Manetric kicked around in a dance and let loose a pulse of electricity to charged up the terrain as the Klinklang shifted its central gears. Earning the attention of the observing, Elio focused and wished to motivate the teenage boy. "As long as your respectful as a guest, you will be fine. Miss Ocul, I hope you and your family has a wonderful Christmas together... I think I know what this guy is trying to do."

Rui agreed as she watched the faster he Klinklang caused itself and its partner to give off a particular charge. The sources of their magnetic flux switched positions and caused the two to radiate a defensive charge, the audience were drawn in as the Manetric continued his dance and brought in rain. The Klinklang fired two small gears, one with a face and one with a red bolt, they let loose energy from the magnetic flux as they were flung aside. The Manetric end his crackling dance, howled to the cloudy ceiling and a charged bolt of lightning, the rain cloud became a booming storm that heard from all around. The gears kept their direction and bended the lightning towards the left and against the other. When the two gears collided, they repulsed each other and returned back to the Klinklang. Ending the performance and earning an applause from the audience.

The observers clapped without hesitation as Chrom finished recording something. "When Rachael and Tammy see this... they are going to be impressed!"

Elio agreed and saw that Rui was next to perform as the Snagem grunt clapped to his pokemon and had them follow him. "The competition knows what they are doing and it is going to be tough to top that! Good luck with Moogle and Tiff Rui!"

The woman gave a thumbs up and went to perform as Hermione smiled to Elio with a question. "I heard you adopted a girl, so I want to ask... are you married? You act the type and I see that ring on you!"

The Alolan Champion blushed and looked at a symbol of a life time vow on his finger. "Yes and I am a father myself as of a month ago, my wife is taking care of the twins back on Alola and they are my light."

Hermione looked at the man with respect as a smug Snagem goon entered the waiting room with his two pokemon, both were exhausted from a hard performance. "Anyone who has doubted me and my pokemon, may want to consider their options!"

Elio turned around and gave the goon a gesture of respect. "You were not just boasting, you got the stuff to back up what you say! That still doesn't mean any of us are going to lay down and let you take that ribbon!"

Urvole closed his eyes and smiled without regret as the door open to let in two women. Rachael walked in with an Alakazam and disturbing news as Lusamine followed in with a Mew and Mismagius, they looked like they wanted to talk about something as Hermione and Chrom asked the girl what happened. Rachael felt a scowl forming. "We... nearly had a terrorist attack Phenac Stadium and he was that close to killing hundreds if not thousands that were watching and listening!"

Hermione flinched and held onto her daughter with a thousand questions swirling in her mind as the Snagem goon swallowed, Lusamine looked at him like he was reasonable scum and spoke of what it was. "With a Chimecho thay had a weaponized version of the move perish song. My son is taking her and a Cacturne to the Pokemon H.Q Lab as we speak!"

Elio's felt his nails sinking down on something as the Mew and Mismagius floated to him and calm him down, the man asked. "...And that monster?"

Lusamine sighed in disappointment. "He took his own life and left us with no answers."

She pointed to Urvole with a subtle hiss. "If this continues to escalates, I will want a word with your superior! This cannot stand for even you and your band of criminals!"

Urvole felt his legs shaking as Rachael wanted to argue against the idea, she stopped herself and thought about it as her mother took her stead. "What kind of person would consider working with Team Snagem?! They been a problem on Orre for years!"

Elio raised his hand and apologized. "Someone who really doesn't have any other options! Lusamine, think about what your doing, Gonzap and his goons are actual crooks... no offense Urvole!"

Urvole didn't take any offense as he spoke of the location of the Snagem Hideout. "Eclo Canyon is to the north east of here! You can't miss it and I got to tell the boss about our turf being in danger."

Lusamine was about to say something as Elio, Isaac and Circe looked to her in a plea, she tried to resist and didn't have the heart to do it, she resigned to a lonely couch as she focused on the screen. "Thank you. Mr. Sun, when this day is over, you are going to tell me everything you know about those people!"

Elio knew it was inevitable as Chrom saw Rui sending out a Wigglytuff and Altaria. "The Wigglytuff is Moogle while the Altaria is Tiff? I think those names are familiar to something."

Elio agreed and focused on the current events, Rui activated her keystone on her wrist and mega evolved the Altaria, Tiff began a dance as Moogle inhaled and blew an icy wind. The Wigglytuff blinked his eyes and let loose a dazzling gleam as the Altaria channeled her affection into a mighty, extravagant, slam to the ground. Lusamine saw the Wigglytuff let loose a hyper voice as the Altaria roared in a frenzy and beat down on the ground with an outrage, feeling a quake. Moogle shot a fire blast on seeing the last blow being struck, the ground ruptured and the intense heat left the audience with their hearts beating.

Rachael saw it was another tough one to beat and asked the Alolan Champ. "Any of those doubts in your mind?"

Elio shook his head and let his first two pokemon out, a Mimikyu that felt something terrible nearly happened and a Spiritomb with a kings rock that saw his opposition and cackled with a smile. "No, Collector, come in the bag!"

He took a Rotom Dex out and gave him orders. "Dex, record this! I had Collector and Lost learn something in place of an otherwise useless move for Orre, but that won't be needed right now!"

The Rotom Dex floated out to buzz as a Spiritomb floated in Elio's backpack. Rui entered the waiting room and wished the next one good luck. "Only the best of the best can hope to go to the next round. Break a leg Elio!"

The Alolan Champ gave a faint smile as he and the Mimikyu walked out of the room, down a watery hall. The sound of an audience excited the trio until they reached past the light. Clapping and cheering was heard as the man let his Spiritomb float out of the bag, into the center of the stadium. Collector sank his head into his stone prison as Lost scurried towards it, picked the kings rock up to wear as a crown and engulfed the odd keystone under the cloak. She glowed purple and let her tendrils out, revealing twisted claws as she floated in the air.

Elio thought of an appropriate begining and ordered. "Lost, Collector, use shadow sneak!"

The duo extended their shadow to engulf the entire stadium, the audience saw two giant eyes shine in the darkness and a wicked green smile revealing itself, many spirits lit up in the shadows as Elio ordered. "Lost, use shadow claw, Collector guide it with sucker punch!"

The Mimikyu flung her claw in the air as the many green spirits shot out of the ground, snapping at all close by and giving the audience a feeling of being overwhelmed. Many dark voices taunted the audience as the Mimikyu clawed at the ground roughly, the shadows themselves twisted and turned, like a legion of darkness that lashed out into the unknown. Many screams were heard, tears of fear drenched the waters, Elio closed his eyes as he felt the consuming darkness. "Both of you, end this show with another shadow sneak!"

The duo gave a unified roar and hoisted the purple claws up, the twitching shadows and the vile spirits erupted from the ground en masse. The audience gave a unified scream as they felt the shadows reach for them, only to disappear in a flash. The duo floated to the ground, Lost's tendrils slithered into her cloak, satisfied with what she finished as she crawled off the stone. Collector popped his head out and felt the audience's terror as Elio opened his eyes and gave a bow to the masses. His pokemon done the same gesture of respect towards the masses.

Elio put the Spiritomb in his bag and picked the Mimikyu up as they heard a round of applause. They went back to the waiting room to find spectators that were left speechless. Among them was Gladion, who tried to find something to say as Elio asked. "...We have to visit the H.Q after this contest to overlook healing Cacturne and Chimecho?"

His boss nodded as he stared silently at the Mimikyu, the Rotom Dex finished uploading a video and buzzed. "BZZT! Lillie is going to have a word about this! BZZT!"

The Alolan Champion hoped so as he sat on a couch, where Lusamine, a Mew and Mismagius were silent. The Mismagius let herself in her ball as Aether President felt she needed to spit air out. "Cough! That was powerful, did you get it out of your system?"

Elio nodded as Urvole forced his regrets out. "Me and my big mouth!"

The Mimikyu went to Elio's bag to pick a life orb out as the Spiritomb took his crown back, the Alolan Champion felt his soul was unbound as Wes came into the room with an Espeon and Umbreon. The outlaw had a report of his own. "We found the scary part of where that psycho came from, according to witnesses, he appeared in a flash of yellow light! We have a rude day coming tomorrow!"

Elio agreed and saw the brackets reveal themselves. "I need to lend the HQ some of my pokemon for the Purify Chamber and we need to be ready for more problems coming."

Urvole wiped the sweat from his head and found his image on the screen, along with Rui and Elio. Rachael saw who was fighting who. "Rui and Elio are going to have to duke it out for the next round. Both of you, give it your all!"

Rui counted on it and saw she and Elio were to battle first. They went out of the room to prepare for that battle as Chrom asked. "That tower you mentioned is going to be the other event where people are going to gather... is... there anything you want us to do Gladion?"

The man knew better than to get in a teenagers way and assigned him to his role. "If you and Rachael insist. Me, mother, Wes, Rui and Michael are going to be the ones who will hit those scumbags when they attack. If the pokemon they are using is going to cause problems in the Colosseum, then they will take advantage of the distraction! Hermione; you, Rachael and Chrom are in charge of protecting the bystanders and getting them organized to leave the tower. A Hoopa will provide with the rings to help them escape!"

The trio agreed to it as the anchor woman looked at the screen to find Elio fighting Rui. "Me and Clara will have them doing that."

Gladion wondered who the woman mentioned and asked the Snagem Goon. "While Lusamine isn't in any position to ask from your kind, she is onto something about how these terrorists are a threat to your turf. Tell your boss he is going to expect someone requesting a favor from him."

Urvole saw Elio and Rui begin their battle and regained his composure as the Manetric took a nap and the Klinklang beeped to its trainer, giving him a reason to sit down rethink about his day. "I come here expecting a competition and I walked into this!"

At the Stadium.

Elio and Rui looked at each others eyes and knew a showdown was nigh. The Alolan Champion sent out his Mimikyu and Spiritomb as Rui sent out an Altaria and a Wigglytuff with a life orb. The woman readied her keystone and shined it into the Altaria for mega evolution, exposing the duo to great power as the woman ordered. "Tiff, use return on that Spiritomb! Moogle, use icy wind to slow them down!"

The mega Altaria readied her fluffy wings and flew at the Spiritomb as Elio ordered. "Lost, block that with play rough! Collector, use psychic on that Wigglytuff!"

The Mimikyu glowed with her orb, pounced on the charging Altaria and hit her multiple times with her tendrils and wooden tail, she tossed her to the ground for a felling k.o as the Wigglytuff blew icy wind to slow the two down, Lost was knocked back with her disguise ruined as the Altaria reverted back to her. The Spiritomb glowed and shot a psychic blast, knocking the Wigglytuff back and dazing her mental fortitude, she puffed up competitively and caused the Spiritomb's arrogant smile to shift to a nervous laugh. "Ha! Ha! Tomb?"

Elio nodded and swung in the air. "Collector, use sucker punch!"

The Spiritomb punched the Wigglytuff with a green spirit as the Wigglytuff backed away as Rui gave a cute wink and posed. "Dazzle them away darling!"

The Wigglytuff glowed with her orb and blinked a dazzling light at the duo, the Spiritomb cringed and hissed as his essence flung to the ground. The Mimikyu was knocked off her feet and knew she was facing a hearty foe as the Spiritomb groaned and sank into his stone, Elio knew a k.o when he saw one and ordered. "Ow! Lost use drain punch and finish this match!"

The Mimikyu was shaken from the damage as she charged once more and punched the Wigglytuff on the stomach and healed herself, Moogle fell on her back and fainted. Ending the match in a narrow victory for Elio as he and Rui called their knocked out pokemon back, they shook hands and left for the waiting room.

They saw Urvole leaving the room in a hurry to do his next stunt, he gave a gesture of rivalry towards Elio as he walked past him. What ever he had planned was something he hoped would excited the audience. Upon entering, Rui waved the group her goodbye for the day. "I'm going to go find Wes, Gladion told him about what is going on and I don't want to loiter! Good luck with your dance kid!"

The group didn't consider her to be doing that and let her walk off, the Alolan Champ felt energized by his next performance as the Mimikyu asked to be called into her ball a nap, Gladion watched his brother in-law give the pokemon what she wanted and asked. "You have your plan thought out for your dance? None of us will get mad if you bring that thing out here."

Elio showed a Firium Z on his Z Power Ring and sent out Aigis, she showed a secret she had for the coming occasion, a bulb hidden away under her metal skirt. Rachael and Chrom watched the next peformance round begin, with Urvole sending out a Heliolisk and a Lanturn, the goon ordered his Heliolisk to charge and his Lanturn to dance in the rain. The girl analyzed and predicted what was coming. "This makes a lot of sense, now lets see if they."

BOOM!

The Heliolisk shot an intense bolt of lightning into the sky as the Lanturn gave off a dazzling discharge, the two pokemon went together in unison and let loose a tide of water as lightning crashed down. It disappeared in the water, bolt by bolt and energizing the two of them. The teenagers gave an applause as Lusamine gave credit where it is due. "The rough has the most gorgeous of gems, you are going to have to give great effort surpass that Mr. Sun!"

Elio agreed and watched the goon call his pokemon back and leave. The next performance was about to begin as Elio called his Magearna back. "I kind of figured he was going to do something like this when Cumustrich saw him the other day, giving a pep talk to those particular pokemon. Orre celebrates double battles as a custom. If your not making a strategy involving doubles and incorporating that experience around here... the instant you meet someone that does, they can and will, wipe the floor with you!"

"Thank you! We had to do that since the Team is picky on who joins!"

Elio chose to ignore the Snagem Goon that arrived as Hermione had a nest ball in her hand to agree. "Angela and Clara are their own combo. Angela distracts those who would be able to hurt Clara, while Clara takes down those that would hurt Angela. The strategy doesn't even have to be complicated or out there... for example, just using two pokemon that compliment each other in terms of type, capabilities and so on."

Rachael had a poke ball and net ball out as she voiced hers. "Alakazam and Durant. An intimidating Granbull with any durable pokemon or her with that Alakazam. Glaceon once she with a partner that has snow warning. I seen the kind of pokemon Elio has and he is planning something!"

The Snagem Grunt guessed the two. "I don't know what that clown is, but it looks like a fire type and that charming long lady is obviously a steel type!"

Elio smiled and let the goon know more as he watched him leave for the battle round. "They are pretty special themselves and I will leave it for you to guess!"

Lusamine felt the Mew fall asleep and looked bored until she saw the battle round begin. She watched Urvole confront a Chaser that sent out a Froslass and Jynx as she asked her son. "Gladion, tomorrow at the tower... if those scum try to attack there and we see the worse. Are you going to keep putting that machine to good use?"

The son posed and forced his rage out. "Mother, you seen that Wormadam when we got her. I don't even care if they use Shadow Pokemon against us or not, those terrorist abuse their own pokemon in ways I don't want to find out and we are going to rescue those pokemon, all of them. This would also justify the use of the Conservation Dome if those pokemon are in such a state that they cannot battle again."

The others felt their hearts drop as they watch Froslass set up a hail storm and the Manetric let up an electric terrain. The Jynx set up an aurora veil as the Klinklang used gear shift and magnetic flux. The Froslass shot a shot a blizzard at the two for less damage as the Manetric set up a rain dance. He and his partner dodged the Jynx's blizzard and readied for the final blow; the Klinklang shot its gears at the Froslass and grinded her for a brutal k.o as the Manetric shot a bolt of lightning into the sky to strike the Jynx down. The Klinklang channeled its affection and charged at the Jynx for a final blow, ending the battle round.

Elio looked down at his Snag Machine and felt the power in his hand. "Pretty sad of an outcome for those pokemon, but at least they will be happy and at peace."

The group agreed as Urvole returned with his tired pokemon. "Fantastic, both of you earned something when we are done!"

He called them back and clicked his tongue at an impressed group, unaware that they were having an emotional conflict. "I found Klinklang by an old wreckage when he was a Klink, he likes doing this show business."

The group found it nice to hear as they waited an hour for the battle rounds to finish, resulting in a handful of contenders remaining as Elio saw he was to perform again. "Show time!"

He walked out and felt nervous, a dance that would make or break the contest. He returned to the stadium and felt a cheer from all around, he readied a luxury ball and a beast ball and twirled a dance of his own as he tossed them out. A mechanical, poke ball like machine came out of the luxury ball as a Blacephalon spun out of the beast ball, it landed with his head rolling on his frill as the ball undid its form and revealed the Magearna.

Elio took his first step and ordered. "Let's dance!"

The Blacephalon took his head off of his frill with his right hand and glowed a calm mind as he used his other hand to invite the Magearna that clicked and twirled to take the invitation. The Blacephalon placed his head back on his frill and twirled with his partner, going around the Magearna as she caught him in her arms and tossed him to the air, she shot a thunder bolt towards the ceiling as her partner tossed his head into the air with one hand and a shadow ball in another. The Magearna aimed and shot at the head, from the left was a flash cannon, from the right was a stange pink beam, the Blacephalon whistled in smoke as the moves were about to colide with his head. BOOM!

His body ignited in an overheat as his head explode in a mixture if pink and blue dots, shining white and pink light as well as a darkness in the center. The crowd were caught off guard by the spinning flame that compliments the colors as Aigis performed a grand jete to move towards where Peony was about to land, catching the headless beast that cooled down.

Peony grew another head on his frill and gave a thankful, otherworldly giggle as he got on his feet. The duo broke the dance and gave a bow to the audience with Elio; many whistles, claps and cheering were heard as the trainer was ready to call the duo back. "Just like that, we made it to the final round! Cool down in these while we wait for this round to finish!"

The Blacephalon gave an energized glow as he was called back with a Magearna that was joyful of a job well done. Elio gripped on the two balls as he went back and found Chrom smiling at a discovery, while the rest of the group were in awe. "Aigis and Peony are special because they are pokemon I haven't seen before."

Urvole agreed and found their dance suspicious. "I know nothing, except that those two pokemon set up before doing that. Could it be that there is more to that?"

Elio wasn't saying anything and proved the goon's theory, he watched him chuckle in a flamboyant manner as he confirmed it. "They... get stronger when more happens in battle?! They are dancers indeed!"

The Alolan Champ shrugged and admitted it. "That is what makes Aigis and Peony special, they are both pokemon that came out of the blue... though you do need to know about the kind of pokemon Peony is. Blacephalon is a pretty dangerous pokemon if the fire works wasn't your first clue."

Urvole counted on it and left to get ready. "After seeing that, everyone who is still around, might as well have given up and saved us the time. I'll see you very soon Elio... or do you like being called Mr. Sun."

Elio didn't mind either or. "That name is kind of what I get called at work, when people got to know me enough. It is kind of creepy from a stranger."

The goon respected the answer and waved goodbye. "Then be ready to lose that ribbon Elio! Ta ta!"

The Alolan Champion didn't mind a friendly taunt as he focused on the screen for a series of stunts that seemed dry to him. "Rachael, I hope you and your folks have a good Christmas. You didn't have to come back to this region for that, but it is a very nice thing to do."

The girl blushed and looked bored of a Dugtrio honing its claws and a Bastiodon using magnet rise as she asked. "Do you mind telling me and Chrom about how this mess started, or did I hear enough?"

Gladion answered her question as he felt burned out. "It's because of business and we will leave it at that. Thank you for helping me stop that terrorist, all those lives were saved... because your Tyrunt got over excited and ran from you. Fate has a sense of humor." The Mew woke up as the Rotom Dex finished saving a video.

The appeal round ended and they saw the two finalist, Elio and Urvole. The Alolan Champion walked out with many counting on him. "This is going to be a vicious finale for this storm! Lillie and Tammy are going to love this."

With him gone, the Rotom Dex smiled and buzzed. "BZZT! This is going up on my videos if he makes that break! BZZT!"

Hermione agreed and excused herself as she had a text, she smiled and rolled her eyes. "Oh Johnathan, at least you watched this!"

She readied a microphone and took her leave. "I need to get ready to announce the end of this contest. Rachael, do you want to come along and help?"

The girl wanted to watch the finale and smiled to an idea. "I got a better idea! What if I bring you the winner?"

The mother winked and walked out, earning a similar one from her daughter as Chrom heard horns being blown. The magnificent sound gave way to the end, the Mew giggled and glowed in telepathy. "This has been a long day and it is nice to have a good time!"

Lusamine agreed as Gladion looked like he was about to enjoy himself. "Someone has to take that ribbon!"

In the final round.

Elio and Urvole looked each other in the eyes and listened to the crowd. They sent their pokemon out for a grand finale, a Magearna that adored the crowd back and a Blacephalon that stood on his left leg and spun were on Elio's side as the Snagem goon had a Heliolisk that raised his frill vainly and a Lanturn that splashed on the ground with a bubbly hello. The pokemon on each side broke the cheerful greeting with a battle ready glare as Urvole ordered with his hands stretching wide. "Heliolisk, use light screen!"

The Heliolisk listened and waved his right hand across, forming a protective screen over himself and his partner as Elio ordered back. "Peony, use clam mind! Aigis, pepper that Heliolisk with flash cannon!"

The Blacephalon glowed as the Magearna shot a beam of light that left the Heliolisk dazed, Urvole ordered back with a spun and a pose like that of a wave. "Lanturn, use rain dance and we will end these punks!"

The Lanturn splashed his fins in a pattern to bring in the rain as the Heliolisk spun in the rain to create a wave of water. The Laturn took the blow with a smile as Peony was knocked off his feet and Aigis was pushed back, she glowed green and felt her mind at ease as Elio flashed his Z Power Ring and posed like a rising flame.

He aimed his right hand and caused radiant light to flow into the Blacephalon's head, the Ultra Beast sprung up as the trainer yelled. "We have him right where we want him! Peony, lets make this moment count!"

The Blacephalon agreed and tossed his glowing head high into the air, he leaped above and gave it a downward kick, igniting it into a forming fire ball as the trainer shouted the name of the forming move. "PEONY'S SHOW STOPPING INFERNO OVERDRIVE!"

The Heliolisk cringed, despite the rain, the attack still looked strong. BOOM!

The generator pokemon was knocked across the arena from the impact, Urvole sweated and felt the heat as his heart beat. The Blacephalon's head laid in the scorch mark and bounced back to the beasts head as the Heliolisk tried to get up and failed. K.O!

The fireworks pokemon glowed a bright aura as the Magearna pitied the Heliolisk, her soul heart glowed as Elio ordered her. "Use gear shift, we have this match over."

Urvole saw what was happening as the Magearna clicked and increased her movement. "You haven't won even with that trick to gain power. Lanturn, use surf to scrub them out!"

The Lanturn splashed a mighty tide that pushed the Blacephalon to the ground and knocked the Magearna off her feet the Ultra Beast's head rolled off his frill and gave a whine that faded. Aigis noticed and sniffled, she wanted the battle to end soon as she aimed her right hand at the Lanturn and opened the hand to reveal a bright glowing flower. Elio gave a mutual aim and looked like he fired. "Bang!"

The Magearna followed and shot a fleur cannon at the Lanturn, knocking him to the outer ring and into the water, the Snagem goon watched his pokemon float up, knocked out.

The Magearna lessened her glow as the judges concluded the winner. Elio and his opponent called their knocked out pokemon and listened to the audience cheering, it was a long event and they were happy to see it over. The Snagem goon laughed in bittersweet defeat and casually walked off. "Not bad! I'll see you around!"

Elio waved in good sportsman ship and held the Magearna's hand. "Thank you for the match! Come on, lets get Peony and the others ready for the reward ceramony!"