Heyyo!!

Ri2: Oh, that was for his Pokétube channel. I forgot to include him in the symbolism thing, but then again nobody really cares about him anyway XD

I'm kidding, I'm kidding. He's the increasingly disgusting/morbid program you pass by while channel surfing that you have no context for whatsoever.

PK: Well, thank you. I'm not sure how much can really be done atm but the kindness is appreciated :)

ImUDA: Thank you!!

12as3m: Why, you ask? Let's ask 14 year old me!

14 Year Old me, why are you an idiot?

14 Year Old me: It all started on the day of our actual birth--

Me: Bruh nobody cares.

14 Year Old Me: Well I thought it was a good idea at the time--

Me: And we could trash Ash Ketchum with minimal repercussions?

14 Year Old Me: Yeah.

Me: Well, there you have it, folks. Amateur writing and bad decisions. 2019 was a mess.

As for the relationship between me and Firelord's story, they're separate universes, and a lot of what happened in recent chapters was inspired by mine. I consider him(?) a friend, and I like it when we can poke fun at each other's stories. Nothing malicious of course, just little references. Plus, we can inadvertently bounce off each other for help.

Mega: I FINALLY GOT YOU!! IN YOUR FACE!!!

Haha I'm kidding. But don't worry, she'll be revealed in this chapter :)

Oh, right, the poll...seventy years later I finally take it down. We'll discuss it later on.

Quick note: This chapter and the previous two all take place in the same day. Weird, right?

So sorry for the long wait, but hopefully this long Chapter will make up for it.

*Thoughts*

"Speech"

"Telekinesis Talk."


Disclaimer: If I owned Pokémon, there would be waaaaaaay too much shipping in everything.


Shaymin rolled over on the cloud, staring up at the blue, otherwise cloudless sky.

"Not gonna lie, Latias," He began, "I'm kinda glad we started hanging out during the day, too. I know I'd be bored if I was by myself today."

"Aww, you're sweet, Shaymin. But me too!!"

The two leisurely floated along the Hoenn Region, wasting the day away together.

"So, what are we getting for--"

"Hey. Hey, you two. Up on the cloud."

The two "up on the cloud" confusedly looked around.

"Huh?"

"What was that?"

The voice came again.

"Over here. By the trees."

Latias glanced at Shaymin before steering the cloud over to a small cluster of trees.

"Closer."

She moved it closer.

"Little bit closer."

Even closer.

"Little bit closer."

Yet even closer.

"No, wait, that's too close. Back up a little bit."

Shaymin sighed.

"Do you know how hard it is to back up a cloud--"

A shadowy fist lunged out, hitting the cloud and knocking the two back--and nearly ripping the cloud in half.

"Woah--dude!! Chill out!!" Shaymin snapped, holding the halves together.

"I'm not a dude. Contrary to my idiot brother's initial beliefs."

What stepped out of the literal shadows was a whispy, shadow-like Pokémon; she was shaped almost like a humanoid candle with reddish-orange eyes.

"You two are Latias and Shaymin, correct?" She asked, eyeing the two.

"Uh, yeah--?"

Shaymin shoved a paw in his comrade's mouth.

"Who's asking?" He snapped. "We don't know who you are--"

"Good." She replied, narrowing her eyes. "I like it that way. But since I need your help, I do suppose an introduction is in order. I'm Marshadow."

"Need our help?" Latias asked, tilting her head to the side.

The mysterious Pokemon nodded.

"You two have built up a reputation for being "shippers". Once I learned what that was, I figured you would be the answer to Zeraora's problem."

"Zeraora?" Shaymin wondered aloud, thinking. "I think I've heard of her..."

"Yeah, she's less reclusive than I am," Marshadow shrugged. "but she hangs around me, so she doesn't get out much. Unfortunately, that's been getting to her lately, according to her diary--"

"You read her diary?" Latias scowled. "Those things are private!"

"She wouldn't tell me what was wrong," the other female scowled back. "I improvised."

"Still--"

"How I acquired the information I needed is none of your concern. What is your concern is the job I need you two to do for me."

They looked at each other, then back at her.

"Job? What kind of job?" Shaymin asked.

Marshadow sighed.

"I need you to find Zeraora a boyfriend."

She kept going before either of them could interject.

"She's lonely," She continued. "My company is nice, and even though she'd never say it to my face, she needs more than friendship these days. She needs...loving companionship. A mate could give her that, but I can't."

She sighed.

"So, yeah, I came all the way here from Alola to get your help. Can you do it or not?"

When she turned around, she found Latias with tears streaming down her face and Shaymin patting her on the back.

"Th-That's the n-nicest th-thing I've heard all w-week!!" The dragon bawled. "O-Of course we'll help!!"

Slightly confused and a bit disgusted, the shadow shrugged.

"Okay, whatever. C'mon, I'll introduce you two to her so you can get an idea of what you're working with."

Something in the bushes caught her eye as she turned away; it seemed to be a blue version of Latias.

Seeing that he was watching them, she stared deep into his eyes and bent reality.

After the deed was done, she closed her eyes, preparing to warp them to Alola.

Shaymin muttered to himself.

"What have we gotten ourselves into...?"


Shaymin proceeded to vomit into the nearest bush upon their arrival.

Latias winced whilst Marshadow didn't seem to care.

"Probably should've warned you. Oh well."

She began walking towards a small tunnel in the bottom of Mt. Lanikala, down in a hidden crevice.

After rubbing Shaymin's back for a few minutes, Latias picked him up and followed.

The dragon had to duck when she floated in; the tunnel was quite small, probably drilled in by Marshadow herself.

It eventually broke away into a much larger room, three more tunnels connected to it.

The room they had just entered was decorated like a living room, with an old couch, an old rug, some painting that looked like they're from the dawn of painting, and a TV that was currently being zapped by a tall electric type.

"C'mon, ya stone age piece o' junk!!"

She began punching the top of it.

"I'm booooooooooooooored!!"

Marshadow cleared her throat, alerting the other female; she turned around.

"Oh heeeeeeeey Marshy!! What's up?"

Her eyes landed on Latias and Shaymin.

She gasped loudly, smacking her hands to the sides of her face.

"You made more friends?! About time!! You silly old hermit--"

"They're not my friends," She deadpanned, holding up a smoky hand. "They're here for you."

Her pupils dilated.

"Hi!!" Latias waved. "I'm Latias, and this is--"

"YOU'LL NEVER TAKE ME ALIVE!!."

The two found themselves knocked down by a Wild Charge, then Zeraora speeding off into the distance.

Marshadow facepalmed.

"She has an overdue library book from 100 years ago and she keeps thinking someone will arrest her for it."


After finding the psychopath and getting her back into the cave, Marshadow calmly explained why she'd brought Latias and Shaymin to their cave.

"You guys can get me a boyfriend?" She asked, tilting her head to the side and placing a paw to her chin.

"Sure we can!" Latias grinned.

"We can certainly try," Shaymin piped up. "There's plenty of Pokémon on the planet, not to mention Legendaries."

"I think I'd rather have an immortal boyfriend," She mused, tapping her chin. "I don't handle grief well."

"I get that," Shaymin answered.

"So, what else do you want in a guy?" Latias asked, pulling out a clipboard from...somewhere.

"Weeeeeell...I need someone tall."

The pink dragon snickered as she checked a box.

"What's wrong with short guys?" Shaymin asked, a little defensive.

"Weeeeeell...hehe...let me show you!!"

The grass type shrieked as the electric type pounced on him, pinning him to the floor.

She moved into a position as if she were sitting on him...

"Gah!! Okay okay I get the point!!" He shrieked like a little girl.

Latias growled, unintentionally snapping her pencil in half.

Marshadow facepalmed as Zeraora stood up, flopping back into her chair.

"So, yeah, tall guy. Top or Bottom works for me, I can handle either."

Still a bit annoyed, she checked another box further down with a new pencil.

*I'm still not sure what that means...or why Shaymin insisted we add it...*

Shaymin shakily crawled back into his seat next to his comrade.

"Wh-What about type? A-Anything specific?"

The large female hummed.

"Well, no grass types unless it's you," She winked.

Latias snarled.

"You just said you don't like short guys!!"

"There's nothing wrong with being short--"

"I can make an acception," She winked again. "If you wanna join in, you're more than welcome to~"

Marshadow did her trademark gesture: she facepalmed.

"I'm not into three people together," Latias snapped, scribbling something onto the clipboard.

"Polyamory, or Polygamy in modern times, is the correct word." Marshadow muttered.

"Whatever it is, I'm not interested."

Shaymin sweatdropped a bit at the sudden tension in the room.

"Uh, you never, uh, actually answered..."

She went into thought.

"Well, no Bug types or Normal types. Or Poison, those guys can smell or just be really weird. Or Fairies, those guys are weirder than those Team Rocket losers with the talking Meowth. Oh, and no Rock or Ground, I wanna be able to spar with him but actually be able to use my STAB moves. Y'know, I'm pure electric. Oh, but Psychics are an absolute yes. I like smart, mysterious guys."

"Wouldn't a Dark or Ghost type be better for that mystery thing?"

"Maybe, yeah. Those are fine too."

Latias furiously scribbled on the clipboard.

"What about the other types?"

She shrugged.

"Meh, I'm indifferent. But if you get an electric type, he better not have Volt Absorb or Lightningrod!!"

"Noted," Latias responded.

"Oh, and as much as I like dark and mysterious, he has to be able to appreciate humor," She added. "I certainly do, unlike certain old hermits around here!"

"You're free to move out at any time!" Marshadow snapped back.

"This is like the living embodiment of a Thanksgiving Clapback," Shaymin muttered under his breath.

"Speaking of which, he better not be one of those "We only invite him to the holidays because we have to and even that's a stretch" relatives!!" Zeraora huffed. "Nobody likes those guys!!"

"Amen," Latias mused, checking more boxes.

Several more minutes of the survey dragged by, until Latias decided they'd gathered enough information.

Floating up, she picked up Shaymin and tucked her clipboard away.

"I think we have enough info for now, so we'll find you a new boyfriend as soon as possible!!"

Zeraora giggled.

"You say that like I've had one before!"

*Ouch. Self-burn.* Shaymin thought to himself.

"Right, well, uh, we'll be going! Bye!!" Latias shot off as fast as she could.

She couldn't figure out what was bothering her about the electric type so much.

*It...it couldn't be because she was flirting with Shaymin--*

"Hey!"

The dragon paused, turning around; Marshadow was running after them.

Once caught up, she looked at the two.

"Just so you know, I'll be joining you two in the search for Zeraora's mate. How does tomorrow afternoon sound?"

"Wait what--"

"Perfect. We'll start at high noon. I'll meet you in the same place we met this morning."

She teleported away again.

Shaymin gulped.

*Seriously, what have we gotten ourselves into?!*


The Next Day...

Shaymin was unusually grumpy, much to Latias' surprise.

"Darkrai and I were gonna get manicures today," He huffed in annoyance. "It's our monthly tradition. But nooooooo, Marshadow has to schedule this at the exact time we go! Now my claws will get calluses!! You know what I mean?"

When he looked up, he noticed her giggling and blushing a little.

"What?"

"That's really cute!!"

"No it isn't!! It's manly!! Men get manicures too!! My claws are valid!!"

"Do you gossip with the old ladies too??"

"You don't get your claws done without gossip!! Everyone knows that!!"

Marshadow teleported in during the middle of that conversation, and eventually got tired of it and cleared her throat to get their attention.

"So sorry to interrupt such an important conversation," She said with an eye roll, "But I do believe we're here for a reason."

"To find Zeraora a boyfriend!" Latias chirped.

"...Exactly. Do you have anyone in mind yet? The sooner this is done, the better."

"Agreed." Shaymin mumbled.

"I actually came up with a list of possible people last night," Latias replied, pulling a rolled up piece of paper from her bag. "I did my best to match with Zeraora's wishes--"

The list was promptly snatched from her and unfurled...and now rolling far away from them.

Marshadow stared, then huffed.

"Fine. Let's get started."


"Oh Latios~!! C'mere for a sec!!"

Latios, having fallen asleep after he, Rayquaza, and Bianca had stayed up all night, tiredly stirred awake.

"Wah..."

Rayquaza shot up at the sound of Latias' voice.

"THE ANGEL HAS COME FROM HEAVEN--"

"Shut up, you moron..."

Latias, Shaymin, and Marshadow entered the trashed yard.

Latias recoiled.

"What happened here?!"

Latios rubbed his face.

"Right, you spent the night at Mew's...well, Rayquaza and I were working on a project, and then Bianca came home and started having another spazz attack and we had to calm her down...after she chilled out, we got bored and started partying."

They stared.

Shaymin spoke up.

"Dude, since when do you party willingly?"

Marshadow cleared her throat.

"As much as I just hate to interrupt, which one are we here for?"

"My brother!" Latias chirped, pointing at him. "But real quick..."

She floated up to him and grabbed the sides of his face.

"Latios, MissingNo will never love you. You're chasing a pipe dream with no genuinely good outcome on your part. This ship will never sail and you should probably rethink your life choices if you keep clinging on to it."

Everyone (save Marshadow) was taken aback by that.

"Harsh," Rayquaza mumbled.

"Dude, that was cold..." Shaymin murmured.

Before Latios could reply, his sister spoke again.

"Latios, you haven't even seen her in months. Quite frankly, she probably forgets you exist. So it's time you let her go and find someone else."

His jaw twitched, unsure of how to reply.

The female snapped back to her usual self and spun around, holding him up by his face.

"So, what do you think? Zeraora-worthy?"

Marshadow looked at him, then gave a "Pah" noise and turned away.

"He looks like someone far too easily influenced by those close to him. He could probably be turned from a serious smart man into an idiot for comic relief."

Latias frowned.

"But we're psychic types! Our emotions--"

"You can be a psychic type and have self-control. Now show me the next one."

Pouting, Latias bid her brother goodbye, dropped him, picked up Shaymin, and floated after her.

"I feel like I've seen that Shadow before..." Rayquaza mumbled.

Latios remained quiet, pondering what his sister had said.


SHATTER

Mewtwo barely managed to duck out of the way as Zapdos hurled the radio through the (formerly closed and intact) window.

"ZAPDOS!! MY CD WAS STILL IN THERE!!"

"I CAN'T TAKE NO MORE VOCALOID, TWO!! I CAN'T!! IT'S MAKIN' MY BRAIN HURT!!"

"AS IF YOU HAVE ENOUGH BRAIN FOR ME TO HURT--"

"Oh my gosh, you listen to Vocaloid?!"

The two Pokémon turned to find Latias, Shaymin, and Marshadow coming in through the broken window; Latias' eyes were wide and sparkling.

"I love Vocaloid!!"

Mewtwo blinked.

"Really? It's one of my guilty pleasures, but I decided to listen to some while we're here--until somebody decided to throw the radio out of the window!!"

He glared at Zapdos.

"YA REPLAYED "BRAIN FLUID EXPLOSION GIRL" SIX TIMES!!"

"YOU WEREN'T EVEN IN THE ROOM FOR HALF OF THEM!!"

"CONSIDERIN' YA PLAY THE DANG SONGS EVERY NIGHT T' FALL ASLEEP I CAN PRACTICALLY SENSE IT!!"

"I BOUGHT HEADPHONES AND YOU BROKE THEM!!"

"HOW WAS I SUPPOS'D T' KNOW THAT CORD WAS CONNECTED T' THAT?!"

"LOOK UP THE CORD, YOU IMBECILE--"

Marshadow cleared her throat.

"Are we going to get somewhere with this or are we just going to watch the idiotic gay couple fight?"

"We are not gay--"

The clone paused, staring at her.

"Do I...know you?"

"...Don't think about it too much," She replied, looking away.

"We came to see if Marshadow's okay with Mewtwo dating Zeraora!!" Latias chirped.

At the males' confusion, Shaymin shook his head.

"Long story. Anyways--"

"No." Marshadow shook her head. "Not this kid. He's alright, if a little stupid thanks to his friends, but not right for Zeraora. Sorry we interrupted your vacation, kids."

Marshadow quickly grabbed the other two and pulled them out of the window.

The boys stared, then looked at each other.

"...So, do we gotta pay the hotel fer the window, or--"


Cobalion sighed.

He and Terrakion were taking shifts making sure Virizion didn't escape from being tied up in the middle of Pinwheel Forest; luckily there were just a few more days before her heat passed.

He was currently on break, curled up on a cliff ledge overlooking the construction site within Twist Mountain.

*What's my life coming to?*

He lowered his head onto his hooves.

*I'm hundreds of years old. I'm still single since I can't make a move on her and I don't know anyone else I'd like better. I doubt her feelings for me lingered after all these years. Why couldn't I have actually felt something sooner?*

Another sigh.

*My son's getting older; he's already moved out. He's at that stage where I'm not sure if he still needs me to help raise him or not.*

He closed his eyes.

*Old and uneeded. What a combination.*

However, just as he started to drift off, someone tapped his forehead.

Cracking his eyes open, he huffed.

"You aren't getting out of your shift early, Terrakion. I know you'd be shaking me and screaming like a madman if she escaped."

"Who's she??"

At the sound of the young, female voice, he opened his eyes fully and looked up.

Latias, Shaymin, and Marshadow were above him.

'"You want her to date an old goat." The Shadow facepalmed. "Absolutely not."

"But he's mysterious!!" Latias defended.

"Who are you--" Cobalion attempted to ask Marshadow, but went ignored.

"He's old and mysterious, neither in the way Zeraora needs. The answer is no."

"Fine!! Then we'll go to his brother."

"We aren't siblings!! And don't go--"

They left, ignoring him; a few minutes later screams of terror could be heard from Pinwheel Forest.

Cobalion facehoofed, debating joining Keldeo and his friends on vacation.


After escaping Pinwheel Forest, the two younger Pokémon had to catch their breath while Marshadow stood to the side, looking unamused.

"Well, I can confidently say that Zeraora will be dating none of them."

"Look, I get that they aren't the best...choices," Shaymin spoke up, looking at her. "But how come you get to decide who she dates? Maybe she'd like to see for herself who her candidates are!!"

"I'm doing what's best for her." She rolled her eyes.

"By being her mom? That makes sense."

Latias intervened, pulling Shaymin back.

"Shaymin, let it go. I'm sure she's just trying to be a good friend!!"

He looked at her, then looked away, huffing.

"Okay, fine. But now it's my turn; I have a couple of ideas."

Oh really?

Guys, seriously, so sorry for the wait. Life has been hectic and I lost my writing mojo for a good while... especially October, when my grandma passed away. But I'm getting my muse back, so hopefully things will pick up again.

Now, about the poll:

So...I think we all forgot the poll was up for a good while until I remembered and took it down. Unfortunately, during that time, my opinions...changed, and I actually decided what I wanted...which doesn't exactly go with the poll results.

...Ugh.

So...don't hate me, but...I'm writing this trash, so it ultimately comes down to my enjoyment of the story resulting in how much you guys will enjoy it.

Anyways...well, CotA is ending soon, which will open the door for more stories in the universe. This one's had a very good run, but its time is running out. I hope y'all will stick with me after.

WPFOTD: Doduo can...fly. By...running really fast through the air.

I...I think I need to lie down.

Also, off topic, but my birthday is the 5th. Go figure.

Welp, guess that's all, so See ya next Chappie!!

Happy New Year, let's all hope 2021 doesn't suck!!