Dreaming of Family

by Gildenth

A lazy gamer chooses to defy Fate. As a reward for being more than they could be, Fate gives them a boon or two. Where better than to be reborn than in the Pokémon world? Mostly the anime with some au aspects. Journal style from the OC and their pokémon. Mature for language/safety. Starts in Blackthorn ten years before Ash is born. Slight genderswap fair warning. Rarely brought up.

23. Ch 23- Guardian and Trouble

So things have sucked. I've not stopped dreaming. Not stopped praying to write this. Life has sucked for so many people and I don't want to talk all that much about it. Mostly cause people have it worse than me. I lost the spark and when I was going to write more I lost people. It was...dark and I got sick too. This chapter has been re-written and paused at least thirty times. My story is still in my head. Waiting to be poked and prodded at. Put onto the page. I don't know if I'll be able to go as fast as when I first started but I do know I sat down tonight and just had to write and it came out freely.

Some things to note. I still get concern, hate and support for Ella being reincarnated as a female when we really never knew this person as male. Just a brief blurb at the start.

I empathize with those who are trans. Or fluid with gender. Or identify a certain way. I didn't used to. I was pretty just...Ignorant and what not. And it kept a dear friend from me and me from her. Ella is her. My very gone friend. If you can't respect that this piece of fiction is a way for me to keep her memory and enjoy the world we loved then kindly don't read and fuck right off. She dealt with so very much, so why wouldn't I want to give imagined her a simple transition? But if you have to be an ass, be angry at me. Don't insult her memory. She can't hear you.

As for me? I'll happily ignore you.

Enough heavy shit.

Thank you everyone who has stuck with the story. I can't believe its got over a thousand follows/faves. Its nuts. Sorry if I got all negative up there. Its not at any of you. Just...Right! No more heavy shit! .

Onto a chapter I've thought of from the first day I thought of a lucario on the team.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything pokémon! Just the ocs.

Oak

Much of Samuel's life revolved around a sense of family. It started when he found his family in the pokémon he encountered on his trainer's journey. Before that he was, embarrassingly, much like his grandson. So caught up in his own importance and nothing more. Perhaps that is why he hasn't cracked down on Gary's arrogance. Samuel knows that he'll grow out of it once life pushes him as all trainers are. Once pokémon taught him about responsibility, he appreciated his own family much more. Sampson in particular was a strong kindred spirit.

Years would pass and goals would become too limited for him. He couldn't be just good, he must be the best. To grow his family into something beyond the normal. Champion was a lofty title but it quickly felt hollow. Too much time was spent on politics and touring Kanto. That and a particular instance showed him a path that he never would have considered before even if it would become obvious it was a strength of his.

Studying the creatures that taught him to cherish family could become far more of a satisfying life and Samuel threw himself into it with a gusto that most would not have expected. He was always quite mellow, his inner thoughts hidden from view but all could see the passion he had for discovering new aspects of the world and its most fantastic creatures. With this came meeting his wife and another aspect of family he knew was there but couldn't even dream of appreciating until it was at his feet, smacking him in the shins and making him feel foolish.

Blue. His son. His pride. Nothing in the world mattered more to him since meeting his starter all those years ago. Since realizing how much he loved his wife. Family. The driving force that Samuel Oak found central to his worldview. Raising Blue was hard once his wife passed, lost to a sickness he has trouble even believing could take her so easily from them. It was hard. But satisfying and worthwhile past his ability to describe. Seeing Blue grow into his own and find a somewhat similar path as his early one filled him with pride without measure. Watching Leaf destroy his son's calm and bring Daisy, then later Gary into the world burst his heart with how much it meant to know that the Oak name would continue. And thrive.

Years upon years of memories and work. Good, worthy work that led to his name becoming household in its fame. Samuel didn't care save that he could use it to affect change. To bring knowledge about pokémon to all in the world. Professors of a region had always been fairly important. Professor Juniper and Redwood were already quite well known before he made his mark but Oak knew that his pokédex changed the world dramatically.

Samuel never lost his focus though. Absent minded and as focused as he could be about his studies, he never stopped making sure his longtime family of pokémon didn't felt neglected. It spread to offering prospective trainers a home for their own pokémon. Once he required assistants he refused any who didn't share his sense of family and reverence about pokémon. And due to how influential he already was from being a former, if brief, Champion he had the pick of the Region on eager young minds.

It was here he met two people he had been waiting for since he was young and his starter was still simply a charmeleon. Red and Delia Ketchum. He had suspected that perhaps Red was the father of the child he met in his trip to the future all those years past with how the man looked. Such a carbon copy to the trainer with the pikachu. That he had dethroned his son Blue as Champion of course had him pay attention and it was a struggle not to stalk the young man, seeking to find out where this path would lead. Delia, an assistant of his latched onto Red the moment Blue brought him home.

Samuel hadn't known that Blue and Red had battled constantly during their journey. His son probably didn't want to talk of his defeats, only brag about how he was going to surpass his old man. Which he did, much to Samuel's delight. Watching Red and Delia fall in love and grow closer brought joy to Samuel's heart and he quietly started preparing certain possible plans to help their son.

When he met Celebi all those years ago and was brought back to his time, there was one last message from the Mythical Time Travel pokémon. It wasn't so much words as a sense of need. That when he should encounter the Chosen (somehow this was the only word that shone through) that first the pikachu must be present (something he had no clue about until he realized that Regional Professors choose starters given out, his own charmander was a gift from his mother) and that he must remain hands off save for that aspect. The small psychic/grass pokémon gave him a last hug, promising to watch out for him if he ever needed it and floated away until something changed. Celebi flicked and twisted about as if in a clumsy dance and then sang out a song that sounded like laughter.

More sensations urged him to be protective of the Chosen and keep others from affecting his childhood until he became a trainer, with one exception. If someone had knowledge of Celebi herself. Samuel had quite the headache form this and he certainly didn't understand it all but it would be impossible for him to forget. Celebi vanished back into Illex Forest and his life was changed. Just at it would countless times into his future.

But he would never forget. So when Ash Ketchum was born to his loving, ecstatic parents he brought them further into his life. Blue and Red were already close friends and the moment Gary and Ash could crawl they were as well. Samuel was there to comfort and help Delia when Red vanished on perhaps his most important mission and continued to do so over the years, watching Blue and Leaf go on further and further trips at times to seek any snippit of their lost friend.

It left him to take care of Daisy and Gary more and more but he never complained. Family after all. What else could he do?

About six or so years before Gary and Ash were born Samuel had started hearing interesting things from Blackthorn City in Johto. About the famous Clan of Dragon Tamers. A King Gible born to a champion raised garchomp immediately bonded to a four year old girl. Fascinating news. It would be a year before he could cajole Sampson into going to study the incredibly rare gene. From there it was always a pleasure to read the reports about the young trainer and her decidedly unique team. Powerful and full of promise.

Meeting Ella Mita was not at all what he would expect. Only six, nearing seven and her intelligence shone through past many adults he knew. And aura. Such a fantastic ability and one he wishes he could have been blessed to be born with. That she so obviously loved her team as he did his made him quite ready to sign off on giving her the eevee she bonded with, even if it was Bill's choice in the end, and then the charmander egg later.

He also felt a bit guilty as Sampson was explicitly told not to tell her of his interest in her starter. At that point quite a lot of people would try to exploit his giving nature and while he didn't expect it of Hannah Mita's child it was a policy he held for everyone until he met them. Watching her grow was a joy, even if he watched from far off until after her Silver Conference win and the way she shocked the world. True, it wasn't exactly the most politically correct or wise method but it definitely got people talking. He even lost a few of his potential assistants to her drive.

And then of course his trips to the Foundry. To see pokémon and humans interact in a way he couldn't have dreamed of. Within his Ranch he was more a caretaker and grandfather sort of figure to all those under his charge. To see the city that the Foundry became? Full of pokémon showing structure and culture even? Amazement pales compared to the awe he felt. He found himself visiting more and more often and then something he never thought he'd experience again came.

The Hearth was a meeting place, cafeteria and entertainment area all in one. It lived up to its name within the Foundry as a warm place to find comfort. Like much of the underground city, the walls were hollowed out by mostly aggron and its line then built with solid walls that look like brick. In reality its a thin coat of red stone that one of Bruno's more artistic team members enjoys providing for the citizens of the Foundry. It is a fascinating and impressive bit of delicate earth power and stone edge work.

Whatever the case, Samuel would often find it a blessing to be there. Most everyone would know who he was but even then many had emotion-sensitive partners. The traditions, even then growing like oddish, stated that if someone was alone in such a place they simply wanted to enjoy the feeling of the area and were not to be approached without good cause or if they had a certain color card upon their table. So much of the Foundry was built upon understanding and care. That he could be apart of such a large group and simply enjoy working while watching pokémon and humans share a life well lived was a treat that he could gorge upon. While he actively encourages seeking knowledge, he will admit it gets a bit tiring answering the same thing over and over. Its why his Ranch is in the out of the way Pallet Town and that he only speaks to the public on the radio or at his usually packed lectures three or four times a year.

But. Children will be children. Whatever the species. He can't even recall what he was working on. Just that he was enjoying the low rumble of conversation within the Hearth. Until.

"Uhm. Mister. Old man. Ah. Shoot. That's rude. Mother says I have to be respectful! But dad says to be...funny. Uh. Right. SIR Old man. C-could we talk?"

Blinking hard, Samuel looked around in surprise. Ever since he found out about how the Hearth worked, he'd never been bothered. Still, the voice sounds young so he looked down over the edge of his table and blinked. A yellow colored riolu was rubbing his foot in slow circles and struggling to meet his gaze. The shiny part wasn't what caused Samuel's breath to hitch. No. It was the feeling that snuck into his heart and hit home. Since visiting the Foundry he'd had a lot of time to experience aura users. To feel how they speak the truth and to know when they are sharing themselves without hesitation.

The riolu in front of him felt like family. It wouldn't be until much later that he remembered the last time he felt that way. When he first held his starter all those decades ago. But that was later.

"I...Hello. I...Well my name is Samuel Oak. Who are you?" Why was his throat so thick with emotion? Had he truly forgotten what it meant to see a pokémon and know that it was to be his? Was he not still a trainer as well as a Professor?

"Oh! I'm sorry! I should have started with that. My name is Galahad! The brave! Or at least that's what I think." The riolu's muzzle went down a bit as if afraid he wouldn't believe it himself but then his body firmed and his stance set as he dramatically pointed at Samuel's chest. "I don't know why but you're going to catch me! I feel it! So uhm. Do you have a pokéball? Or uh...do you want to battle first? I'm really strong! My mom and dad's trainer is the First Guardian! And I'm really helpful! I can talk to pokémon for you and uhm...cook sorta? I...I just. You feel like my family...And...And mom said I should follow my heart if I felt a human like that!"

It was hard not to pet the small fighting type's head at that, seeing how unsure he was becoming the more he rambled on, so Samuel didn't resist. Pressing his hand on the smooth, well cared for fur, he finally wiped his eyes and nodded.

"I know that feeling well young one. I still have pokémon that are my family, even as old as I am...But none I've captured in...quite a long while. Are you certain? I won't be traveling the world or seeking glory. My life is a quiet one filled with research and knowledge." The more he speaks the more the riolu seems to vibrate in excitement and from there it was clear what would happen. Still, Samuel had a week to go at the Foundry for this particular trip and he spent it simply getting to know young Galahad.

Having a friend ball presented to him on the last day meant more to him than he dared to dream. A year later when Galahad evolved on the anniversary of their meeting brought back feelings he sadly had forgotten over the years. But that hardly mattered with how it re-energized his zest for life. His lucario aided immensely in understanding not only new pokémon he studied but even his old team shared things he had never known.

A large sense of gratefulness directed at Ella Mita settled in his chest as Galahad grew and matured. And Samuel vowed not to forget to look for other possible members of his family, even further into his life.

That said, he never failed to remember that the First Guardian was still someone to be a bit wary of. She grasped power, admittedly for a worthy goal, but everyone is changed by it. Everyone in power considers their position first. Thus, when she started taking an interest in Ash, Samuel became even more concerned. Then a bit livid as he remembered how focused on combat the Guardians are.

True, they mostly work on civic duties but from his interactions with them, both in the Foundry and abroad, he knows most are easily able to handle Ace duties, with many at the level of Gym Leader or above. Oh they have specializations but every Guardian is required to be able to defend not only themselves but many, many people. And not only as a trainer but with their own bodies. You don't reach that strength easily and Samuel would never, ever allow Ash to have that life considering how likely he'll have a rough time of it after his journey begins. Ash was his grandchild in spirit if not name and no one would use his family. Ever.

At least...Not early in life. If Ash made an informed decision later when he was a trainer Samuel would not restrict him.

However, it had been over fifty years since Celebi had brought him back in time. And while he had never forgotten what he was told, it wasn't exactly in the forefront of his mind. Until….

"Alright. I didn't want to do this. So. Sammy. Did Celebi talk to you about the Chosen One when you went forward?"

Samuel Oak cursed.

Guardian

If it weren't a real concern that I might have caused him a heart attack, I would enjoy the way Sammy's face turned slack-jawed at my words. I always knew I might have to do this and I'm going to do my best not to lie about how I know about his trip through time. Without specifics. Right. Sure.

After he's done cursing, which is not at all what I expected, his eyes narrow a bit and he turns his head slightly in a way I expect means he's asking his alakazam to keep people away. I see Rina do something similar a lot with her pokémon.

"How...how do you know about that?" Huh. That's odd. He seems to accept my words right away. And...is there resignation there?

"I expect you can figure it out Professor. I'm not quite a time traveler like you. Sorta. I think the best way I can describe it is I've seen the future to an extent and was sent back by a Power to change things a bit." True. Just the Power wasn't a pokémon and the person who decided to change things was myself.

The Professor seems to mull on this for a while and I can see his jaw clenching. Yeah, he doesn't like what I'm saying and isn't sure about giving me access to Ash. His emotions are full or anger, regret and a little desperation. And love. Lots of love for Ash.

Sighing a bit I sit down and put my head in my hands. Its a bit shocking to him and he hesitantly sits across from me at the table that dominates the room we're in.

"Professor, I've only ever shared this with my pokémon and while they help me quite a bit pokémon mostly live in the moment. They don't really get why I worry so much. Sure, they do their best to ease my burdens but...I've known of huge, planet killing dangers since I was born. I'm older than I look Professor. Consider me about midway into my thirties. Somewhat. Many of my memories from my previous life, which was not Ella Mita, have always been...Faded." Why am I trusting him? Well. He's Professor Oak. Of course I would. Shocked as he is, as angry as he is, he still radiates concern for me, pushing his current emotions out of the way to listen to me.

"Ash...will have a fantastic life. Burn bright and wild with joy. But he'll also have such burdens. Deal with issues no kid his age should. Oh he'll succeed. Grow. Become everything you could ever hope for and never lose his enthusiasm for the next adventure… But a lot will be harsh. Difficult and could be so much better. The Guardians I built to help with that. To preempt many of the possible threats. However, when I came here? It was known to me that I am not this world's Chosen. Ash is and always will be."

I raise my head, my one good eye staring at the suddenly aged Professor. Most of the time I don't notice how old he is. From the way he has so much energy and enthusiasm for the world ? Well. Now I can tell how far in life he is.

"C...Can you tell me of some of it?" I blink slowly at that, pondering. Its not as if I haven't changed a lot. Already I'm pushing to root out various threats. In fact, one in particular will be arriving later today in what I personally am giddy to set into motion. A...well not a threat really but a significant change in Ash's day to day.

So I tell him. Of legendaries. Of Team Rocket, Magma, Galaxy and so on. Of how Ash will meet possibly every legendary and mythical pokémon ever and be a deciding force in their lives. Of how often his life will be in danger. Of his deaths. Its arguable if they actually were full on deaths but that is how it felt. Of how I've already likely saved the Eon Twins from tragedy and a few more things I haven't told anyone but my pokémon.

It takes some time but at the end we're both exhausted. I feel very, very good though. Its something magical to be able to talk to another person about this. Oh, my pokémon know all my secrets but they don't quite appreciate things as I do save perhaps Mars and Query. The Professor has his head in his hands as I did at the start and its obvious he needs a while to let everything settle.

"I've made mistakes Samuel. Very much so. But all I want from Ash is to give him the tools to make his path easier. And to give him others he can count on when the large issues arrive. Or to make sure he doesn't have to be there for some. All the Teams? The Guardians have already started to root them out. Rocket is the worst from what I've seen. They just keep coming back. But I know who leads them. And once I can prove it here? He's gone." I don't say that I'm going to kill him. Because I doubt the Professor would condone it. But I already know Giovanni is too dangerous to leave alive. This world is a much darker version of what the anime and games were. I would have assassinated him years ago but I desperately want Mewtwo to be born and freed to become a positive force in the world. Plus, Giovanni's not an idiot. His precautions set off every Absol who are a part of possible plans against them. We need more information first. To make certain there isn't a region wide dead man's switch.

Samuel simply takes a long, shuddering breath and stands. "I...need a drink. And to sleep...its...I cannot...I won't stand in your way. Just...Please. Ash...If he has to do all this? Bear all this? Don't push him too far. Too hard."

For once my lips quirk a bit in a smile, my eye softening. "You're a fantastic man Samuel. I'm proud you consider me a friend. But I won't win against Ash in determination. If anything, from what I've seen, I'll be the one telling him to stop." And because I like to make an exit, I stride out right after that.

And once I'm well out of the building, I shakily sit down against a tree and rub my temples. As much as I've known this conversation was likely to come, it was far, far harder than I expected. Knowing I was to tell Professor Oak about his past to gain a hold on Ash is far, far different in a plan hatched over fifteen years ago. Now? I know him. His son. Daisy. He's a man I admire immensely. Such a good, good man. I could see how all I told him pained him.

What right do I have to cause him such troubles?

Sadly, it is needed. I'm not perfect journal-kun. I can only do what I think is right. So far its gone well mostly. But seeing Samuel that old? That weary? Its hard not to hesitate.

Angel is at my side barely a second later and images of her scolding me are bursting in my mind even as her arms wrap around me to comfort me. My Angel. I hate feeling like I'm whining. And while concern is needed, even encouraged, I shouldn't move from my path. Even if I'm hurting others.

Shaking myself, Angel tugs my thoughts elsewhere as she reminds me of who is coming about today. My grin is broad and my eye is bright as I stand, looking at her as she rises beside me. Her gown like form waves a bit in the slight wind and I can't help but be grateful again for her presence. She's never overly present. More of a subtle guiding force to any who is graced by her looking after them.

And if she blushes at what I feel about here then? Well, I enjoy that she gently smacks at my shoulder, wanting me to stop making her embarrassed.

We have work to do.

A few hours later

The next few hours are talking to Serena's mother and getting permission to teleport her to another continent often. It sounds like a lot but for pokémon it really isn't that big of a deal. Sort of. She's more surprised that Angel is that powerful than the idea of her daughter coming to visit her friend that often in such a spectacular way.

The approval causes both children to cheer and run outside to chase Sunny and Latias disguised as another Sylveon in a game I can't even imagine the rules of. It involves a lot of giggling. Whatever the case, quite a lot of things happen rapidly.

The first? Another conversation with Samuel about stationing a few Guardians at the Ranch for protection. Ones who are skilled in extraction and tracking. And if he picks up that I'm excited about it? Well. Its because that even after all these years I'm struggling not to geek out.

It all starts with the flash of a teleport and Sampson's voice bellowing out.

"Oy! First Guardian pain in the butt! I've got your team here. And me." He sounds a bit annoyed at something, even if his emotions feel a bit more amused. Samuel and I head over to the area that is more or less where all teleporters arrive. I'd known that this team was coming so I'd dragged him along as well as apologizing a bit for upsetting him so. Its clear he's pushed it all to the side to deal with later but also curious about a team I hand picked.

Coming fast around the corner I can feel them already. Their eagerness to please, the desire to prove themselves and of course that utter loyalty to the Guardians and admittedly, very much to myself. I'm so very glad I found them.

"Booooossss! We're 'ere!" A flash of our usual uniforms as three figures jump down from somewhere. I still don't know how they do it.

"Prepare for trouble!" The woman, her long ruby hair flowing, crouches down in a superhero landing, her arm spread wide to her left.

"But we'll keep it from being double!" The man, his bright blue hair whipping about as much as his partner lands in a stand, his body turned so his shoulder is thrust towards us, smirking in confidence as he speaks.

"To protect this Ranch from devastation!" The woman's hand pulls down as if pumping her fist, the leather of her armor creaking audibly.

"We're trying to contain our anticipation!" The man turns to face us, ignoring the Professor's jaw dropping in horrific confusion.

"To denounce evils below and above!" The woman's voice almost reverent in the creed she lives for.

"To extend the reach of the team we're of!" The man's words echo with his conviction, his arms punching into the air as he yells.

"Jesse!" Yes its her.

"James!" Yep its him.

"Guardians defend at the speed of light!" Jesse's hair almost seems to glow as she sets her back against James'.

"If you don't surrender, you'll fear to fight!" James teeth are blinding as his smirk turns into a grin.

"Meowth! That's right!" And of course Meowth comes out of nowhere, all of them posing with their fingers/claws pointing at the Professor and I. What I didn't expect was a small blue body to pop out of a pokéball. "Wyyyynaut!"

There is a long moment where nothing happens. If it were a perfect world a tumbleweed would be bouncing by us. Instead, almost as perfect, Sunny runs by.

"Hi Jesse! Hi James! Hi Meowth and new blue friend! I have to be IT but that was a good one! 8.5 out of ten! Needs more sparkles!" Meowth immediately pulls a notepad from somewhere to write that down, ignoring the second sylveon and two children screaming out joy chasing after my Sunshine...Also if she's 'IT' why are they chasing her?

Professor Oak however just stares at me in a bit of horror and more confusion "….these are who are going to guard the Ranch?"

Inside I'm just….Squeeing. Knowing much of how Jesse and James' lives were before they joined Team Rocket let me be the influential part of their lives. I helped them gain skills and training that would have made them so much more dangerous and promoted the otherworldly skills they already seem to have. First, while this world isn't exactly the same as the anime, Team Rocket, or rather my Guardian Team Rescue (I had to keep them a Team somehow) are incredibly hard to put down. They survived incredible things in the anime and what that meant in this world? Somehow they have something like aura that fighting types have. Insanely durable.

Secondly, they found Ash every episode. Wherever he was. The first week I got them into the Foundry I had them try and find Joker. True, my zoroark wasn't going overly hard on them but they found him five times in that week. Weirdly, a few of those times seemed like accidents but they still managed it.

What I gave them? Confidence. Playing to their strengths and showing them what it means to be a part of something greater. Not simply being a joke and an afterthought. Instead I have them drop into dangerous situations and extract others. They can do so quickly and easily. Meowth functions as their interpreter if needed though they do have a few extra team members. Chansey stayed with Jesse for instance. They're the team that supports combat actions. Clears civilians and delays enemies or natural hazards. Team Rescue also has access to the best technology and are quite proficient at applying it. Jesse has become incredibly proficient with the potion dart guns, James with anything mechanical such as our portable transfer machines and communication nodes (more on those some other time) and Meowth picks up social queues faster than anyone save our Guardian of Guardians.

Hooking my arm into the Professor's I start leading him away. Tru popping out of her ball to guide Team Rescue about the Ranch. I'll be talking with them after I reassure the good Professor.

"Believe me Professor, there is no one I trust more to dedicate their all to a mission." Ororo chooses that time to release herself as well.

"Greetings Professor Oak. I've been told you are an expert on all types of pokémon. I would love to talk to you about quite a few things but those three have the most interesting minds. I'd love to go talk to them first. Later then, dear trainer and Professor." Giving a short bow of her head, Ororo ignores Samuel's probably fourth jaw drop of the day, how every pokémon within eyesight pauses at the snap of her presence appearing and my own amusement even if she pulses her own signaling she's well aware of what it means for her to come out as is.

Tugging the staring Professor away, I mentally move my thoughts forward. Later today I face my hero. Excitement flows through me. I can't wait.

Team Rescue

"Ey! You're dat Lugia the Boss caught ain't yah? Nice ta meetcha. We're Team Rescue." Meowth can't help but salute, even if he knows most of the monstrous pokémon their Boss controls tend to not be all that stuck up, this is a Legendary. His partners do much the same, James making that gulping noise he shed a while back when they thought they did something wrong.

Jesse simply puts up that proud front that she shows when confronted by something they didn't expect. Tauros-shitting isn't something they have had do do for a while but they're still the best! Wynaut, a recent capture they found on their last mission. Along the way they'd saved a young kid Benny who gifted them the young Wynaut. Something about the energy of the little guy got to the Team and they couldn't say no.

"Indeed I am. I've taken the nickname Ororo. Its a pleasure to meet my first Guardians...And if I were a strict one, I'd wonder how you know about me when I know for a fact that my dear trainer wished to surprised the Foundry after this trip." Meowth's stomach drops and his teammates gulp quite loudly again.

"Well! Madam Ororo, Lugia, Miss, Lady...Uh. We might have, uh, stopped by Blackthorn to get Jesse her newest dart rifle...and...spotted the Boss and followed. We just wanted to know if she needed anything we might have found on our travels!" James' voice gradually gets higher the more he talks and Meowth just has to kick him in the knee to a squealed protest.

"What my idiot partner means to say, is that no, we didn't know anything about you until now and we won't until we're sure you'll show yourself later!" Jesse's smile is blinding. Meowth covers his eyes and looks about, already looking for security holes and things to be improved.

Ororo simply laughs, and within his mind, the Scratch Cat pokémon can't help but think it sounds like deep, comforting bells. "Do not worry. I don't blame you. I released myself because I've many questions about the Guardians. Ella has answered many of my questions as has the rest of my team but I wished the perspective of her Guardians." Ororo's massive wings move down, folding comfortably as her pinions flare a bit, tasting the different air compared to where she used to dwell.

Team Rescue can't help but be in awe. They've met Zaela before and that was something else. All Guardians at some point or another face the First Guardian it at least one battle. Their tactics ended up earning them their position. Escaping from Zaela was...quite a trial. They knew they couldn't win, so they delayed until it became a huge frustrating chase for the King Garchomp to reach them. Poison flows of sludge, different hazards and huge amounts of trickery had the First Guardian's starter incredibly angry. But they managed to hold out long enough for the time limit to finish and the Boss' smile of pride was worth the terrifying roars of Zaela.

As intimidating and awe-inspiring Zaela is, Ororo is just as larger than life in a different way. Meowth can't help but think of all the happy moments he's had since the Boss found them and pulled them into the Foundry. They didn't have to sign up to be Guardians but they owed the Boss immensely. One of the Boss' Guardians found him in Tinsletown before he joined a Team he can't even imagine being a part of from the awful things he's seen from the Rocket Bases they've saved people and pokémon from. The Silver Guardians regularly take in abandoned or homeless pokémon to find partners for, whether in the Order or in communities that might need them. Somehow the Boss picked him out and told him she had the perfect partners for him…

Two Years Before

Meowth was excited. He'd only met the Boss and her team once before but she had taken a special interest in him. Not even for his ability to talk human either! It worried him a bit before he got here that his hard earned talent wouldn't be enough to get him a place what with all the psychic and aura pokémon her to do what he does but usually even better. However, its very, very hard not to trust the Boss what with her own aura abilities. Pokémon from a young age are taught about lucario and the Guardians of old. That its impossible for them to lead you astray on purpose.

Slapping his cheeks with his paws, he glances around the room he was led to by the Boss' shockingly cheerful Sylveon and the Scratch Cat can't help but think he's made it big. Well furnished and comfortable he starts exploring, checking the mini-fridge and the rooms in the apartment. The Boss told him he'd be sharing it with two Guardians-in-Training that she planned to form a special team. To save pokémon like him. Those who are lost and in the darkest of places. From mistreatment and despair. It would require stealth, experience in less than savory places and tenacity and stubborn determination. That fit him to an unknown T!

The shift of the door catches his hear and without thinking he hides, forgetting for a moment he's in the Foundry. Probably the safest place in the world. Two humans enter in odd clothing. Both appear to be in some sort of biker gear and are bickering rather...nicely? Sort of?

"She managed to get my chansey partner back...Just like she made sure you got Growlie. I don't understand why she'd do so much for you! Me, obviously I'm fantastic." There is the hint of teasing in that voice. The female...But also what he knows is hiding insecurity. To put yourself above others so they don't see what you're hiding about yourself that you are ashamed or afraid of.

"I...I have some good traits! Why else would the First Guardian specifically seek me out? Eeek! Us Jessie! Us." The male with the blue hair moves away from the clenched fist of the female named Jessie. Not overly afraid but used to something from her. But Meowth knows there was no real malice in the gesture from how he immediately straightened to look about. "Do you know what type of partner she told me we'd find here?"

"No you dolt. She had better things to do than hold our hands! She said she trusted us to all get along and that our training started tomorrow." At that Jessie shivers, her long purple hair swaying. "D-d-didn't you think the other Guardians there looked like...like they thought we were about to die?"

Meowth, having seen a bit of the pokémon training in the Valley before he was led into the Foundry can't help but agree that they should all be terrified. Only two years after they were founded already many cities are on waiting lists to get a Guardian assigned from how quickly crime and incidents have fallen wherever a Silver Guardian sets up their protectorate.

"I suppose you're right...But...Its so odd. She came personally to our gang. Helped all of us with jobs and its as if she knew us right?" The still unnamed male was suddenly quite a bit more sure of himself, demonstrating observational skills Meowth didn't think he had in him. "We're nobodies."

Rather than another outburst, Jessie simply sighs and looks around, eyes going wide as she finally truly sees where they are. The vast living area and the doors to at least three other rooms.

"Why would they give nobodies this?"

But there's nothing to it! Time to introduce himself. But how? He can already see why they were picked. Even if the two don't get it he does. The First Guardian specifically told him. They were to be a Rescue team. Rescue from what they have seen and been through.

"Meowth! Youse all got it right! We were picked ta be da very best an' that's right!"

"JAMES! It talked! Ekans go!"

"EEEEK! Koffing! Smog!"

"Eeeh?! Why wouldya do that in a sealed room?!"

What followed was a panicked fleeing of the whole floor, to a standby team of many grass pokémon who cleared the air and who seemed to like James far too much, all of which led them to their next meeting with the First Guardian and to quite possibly the most stern lucario out of all of the what seemed like hundreds in the Foundry. Despite the lecture they received from Truthseeker, Meowth couldn't help but think the First Guardian was laughing inside from the annoyed glances she kept getting from her lucario. From that point on Meowth was convinced all great friendships should start with a fight.

Present

Ah good times. Meowth couldn't help but remember his duty. Looking up he could see his partners thinking on it too even as they talked with Ororo. Huh. Its a pretty name. The First Guardian let them know they'd be on duty to help protect the area from a battle going on later. Most of her own team would deal with the worst of it but she's never left things like that to chance. There are a lot of non-combatant pokémon in the Ranch.

"Oy! You louses stop takin' up to much of da lady's time." Bowing respectfully, Meowth takes one big last look at the Legendary. "Sorry. We all wanna talk ta ya more than we let on an' all but we's got a duty."

Pride flows into his chest at that and he can't help but see how Jessie smiles softly at it, nodding as she pulls out a pad, the porygon-2 in it already starting to figure out the layout for where the battle is to take place and the other more important assignment. One Ash Ketchum. The Boss doesn't often explain herself, having a good track record of good decisions and when she isn't sure, delegates it to people with more experience in said issue. So if the Boss says this kid is important and should be protected at all costs? That's what Team Rescue will do. Let him grow, but don't let him get into Trouble and make it Double.

At least not till he's trained.

"Ah I see. Yes I do know all about duty taking up time. But please, let me help at least? I can ask you questions and you can benefit from, if I may be so humble, very strong muscle." The twinkle Ororo's eye make Meowth just a bit excited. Maybe he won't be passed out with ice on his back tonight! "I've so many questions about all the things I've seen. Is it true that you can't breathe under water? And is it possible that they make….automobiles….for pokémon? We watched a movie about Family and cars or something the other day that one of the porygon in the Foundry made and I would quite like to fly with a car like they did. Though without being so angry if the title was true. I'll take the Fast though."

"Oh we couldn't impose. I'm sure we can-ulp!" The betrayed look on James' face at the simultaneous kick to the shin and smack on the back of his head by Meowth and Jessie respectfully is dutifully ignored by both of them. A lot of practice at it helps.

"Of course we'd love your help!"

"Yeah! Dat's da best idea I've heard in at least a year. I dunno about dat movie but we blast off all the time to get places quick!"

"Ow! My leg! My head!"

"Wynaut!"

And off they go, Team Rescue telling a legendary about the world she's never experienced.

Nothing could possibly go wrong.

Elite Battle

This is it. Its been far, far too many years. How did it take this long? I don't know about you journal-kun but I'm not at all nervous. Nope! Its just my hero. Who is the Champion of two nations basically. Literally a global leader. Oh sure I am too I suppose. But I'm fairly isolated a lot of the time. Press is done by Aurelia's second in command. I only go to important meetings and they usually aren't televised. True, I'll give interviews at times and anytime I visit one of the Guardians I'll stay around and talk to those who seek them out. Usually those are fairly good candidates to become Guardians themselves in time.

There are constant battles in the valley and our training hasn't really ever stopped. Slowed at times due to being busy but I grew up in this life training journal-kun. And if you think Zaela would do anything but her best and beyond every day? Well. But still. This is Lance. Not just my jerk of a cousin anymore. He's grown into the best version of himself out of anything I can remember from my fading thoughts of the pokémon worlds. Better. Because he's a living breathing Hero. Always.

Shit. I'm not ready for this. Right? No. Fuck this. I'm the First Guardian. I'm not that small runt anymore. I'm tall, full of ability and I have so much to be proud of. My team is ready. I'm ready.

Oh god. Gotta go. I can feel him on dragonite almost here.

Later

Battle was great! Someone won.

–

Okay not going to do that. Its just….Its hard to put into words. Of how much we've grown. From that first battle. The first true one that let Zaela evolve and to drive Lance to push past his own limits. Of dratini learning what dragons across the world always learn or become...mediocre.

Hardship breeds strength.

I'm in awe. I've got so much more to do. To become….And I gained two new family members I did not expect. Its...I'm silly. My destiny is there but life can change. My dream is still so present in my life but the two new family members...Well. When they hatch. It'll be something more. And I'm humbled by how much I am glad that its still a wonder. That this world of pokémon is so much past what I expected. I chose a mismagius (a ghost in general really) because I thought I'd have to trap Ororo into fighting me. I wasn't sure how smart pokémon would be but all it really took was Zaela and conviction in spades.

All the plans I had for my team at the start were for logical, gamer reasons. But how is that anything compared to the love and family I've dared to dream is really mine. Today woke me to the fact that I never really confronted that. When Angle, Joker and our dear Thunderbug found me it was pushed into my face that things didn't come for free...But did I really stop and realize that I was given something so very far past my dream? Thank you Lance, for reminding me how life changes.

I lost.

And I loved every moment.

There could be excuses. I didn't use all my mega-stones. I train for combat and team fighting more than single fights. But it doesn't matter. Lance was better. Is better at this time.

And I loved every second.

Let me start journal-kun.

The part of the ranch chosen for the battle is far, far removed from the usual areas. Professor Oak's dragonite uses it to train but he's not had real combat for a while. Dragons don't really forget their strength and even somewhat passive training just keeps driving them further into becoming scarier monsters but its different than a valley of proud bad asses always itching to test things.

So, my team members who are sitting out are on protection duty along with Team Rescue are setting up barriers and clearing out anyone who can be caught in the crossfire, or at least gathering them someplace they can easily defend them from stray attacks.

Both Latios and Latias are hovering nearby along with Proffesor Oak and a few of his most trusted aides. The other Oaks are there as well. Leaf and Blue. Daisy and Gary. Ash, his mother (who insisted she attend when Ask excitedly was telling her the Champion was going to fight me) and Serena.

Sampson and Aurelia of course and my mother caught a ride over, quite curious about what the outcome would be. Its very quiet as Lance and I stare at each other across the field. I'm far too calm considering how I was freaking out just a bit earlier. Lance himself with his admittedly now very dashing cape is so very eager. I can feel it and its infecting me. Both Angel and Sunny won't be fighting. Sunny because all of her best tactics are done with teammates and Angel because she gave up her spot for someone who desperately felt they need to fight today.

It was pretty fun to see how my team dealt with who would be going after Lance today. It would be five on five and a one versus one. The one versus one would be Zaela against Dragonite as both proud dragons demanded to have a fair battle to see how far they've gone.

Lance's eyes glitter as he finally speaks, looking upwards at the slightly overcast day.

"Well dear cousin. You certainly made me wait." There's humor and care in his voice but like all dragons, the challenge in it overshadows everything else.

My smile is gleaming.

"Well I had to make sure you didn't let your fame go to your head. Give me a proper down to earth fight." Both of us chuckle at that knowing how much power our teams retain. My pokémon are quite famous and its not as if we haven't visited. I know all of his team and he mine but his training is several degrees more unknown. Any challengers he's had in the few years he's been Champion haven't gotten past his charizard or one his other dragonite. So while I know pretty much all of his fifteen or so teammates I only a clue to perhaps half their styles.

"I've not lost sight of you Ella. This battle is about skill but I want you to know that I'll always admire what you've built. I'm proud of you cousin." Fuck. Don't cry. Fine. A wipe of the face because its drizzling. Sure.

"Well…You just had to get sappy. Well. You're my hero Lance. Always have been. Always will. I believe in you." Hah! I can feel how that hit you in the heart. We both pause and look about, watching in dread as my mother puts down the camera function on her pokédex, her grin quite scary in its potential for blackmail. Professor Oak coughs a bit, hiding a laugh. Sampson and Aurelia don't even bother, snickering at our misfortune. The kids and Blue and Leaf just look a bit confused, not quite knowing us well enough to feel comfortable with the teasing.

My eye turns back to my hero, nodding some. "Alright Lance. Enough dawdling. Since you're challenging me I'll pick first."

Bri pops out with a burst of pure crooning, her scales showing off her name as she readies herself by looking for all the world like nothing in the world matters but looking down her nose at Lance. She's not really met him all that much and she dances with dragons all the time. All of my team do. I warned her that she'd have an uphill battle with Lance's team but she's grown quite a bit in these past years.

Lance's choice pops out with a flash and immediately vanishes with shocking speed, the blue scales of his salamence . She's just as gleaming as my millotic and we both look to the Professor who sighs and nods. While he feels somewhat excited to see how our pokémon have developed he's also not happy about what's going to happen to his peaceful ranch. Pretty much all the adults have noticed the huge group of pokémon gathered to see the battle from every biome. I'll find out later that Latias had been bragging about the battle for a while and hyped up the locals to come see it. As for the kids? All they can do is 'oohh and ahh' over salamence as they've seen Bri around a few times.

She might be pretty annoyed at that and is planning to take it out on salamence.

Oak's voice is firm and holds the same command of his own championship all those years ago.

"This is a six on six battle between Champion Lance Wataru and First Guardian Ella Mita. Begin!"

There are no words for me, at least not yet. Bri already knows what to do as piercing, low powered ice beams that almost look like aurora beams start to try to box in the speedy dragon. Flashes of quick movement are misleading, only the after-effects of salamence flowing into random patters, sending down air slashes and the occasional dragon pulse at my serpentine pokémon. She's not the most mobile out of water its hardly her strong points. Already she's using Frustration City. While she hated the name she can't help but admit its very apt. A flowing round of surf gives her aqua ring a boost that requires quite a bit of concentration. Adding to that is constant pulses of her scales as she both coils and splashes within. This hides both a captivate and hypnosis that due to the water's refraction pretty much spreads everywhere. Its a devastating place that Zaela coined and refuses to fight against it unless in the worst of moods.

While both the hypnosis and captivate are diluted from how they pass through shifting water, they add up constantly. Any attack thrown in is blunted by the water and then whatever damage that gets through is healed almost instantly. Its a very, very draining combo mood but Bri fought against gyarados when she was a feebas. She's got stamina and determination in spades.

Lance is flat out annoyed as well, anyone who fights it should but he gives his sluggish salamence her first command.

"Salamence! Boom burst!" I blink at that. That's not a move salamence knows….Bri manages to clip the dragon's wing which actually helps her wake up even if she's sluggish for another reason now. Without warning the dragon simply vanishes. Then it hits. From a steady pace to breaking the sound barrier, or at least displacing a huge amount of air, the burst shatters the ground where Bri still coils. Her water splatters hard against the various barriers my pokémon have in place for our safety. I'll later learn the attack is using salamence's natural use of the move fly to concentrate a hurricane into a bomb of air. The problem with the attack is it knocks its user away just as easily but to Lance this was acceptable as it would get rid of any lingering hypnosis effects.

Bri of course was not at all out of it and even managed to sling a bit of energy back, mirror coat being a move she's grown to love all the time as it makes her that much more appealing. But.

But.

I was underestimating how much Lance had studied my team.

Already pulling up another Frustration City, Bri liberally recovered as she pushed out her second combo move. Huh. She sure seems to pick ones that will piss my starter off. Ah well.

Its a devastating attack called All that Glitters. Scale shots pulse out, which she loathes but does all the same for victory, and are hit with ice beams that create alarmingly large mines that explode when the scale shots go off. Keeping them up is an overpowered blizzard that she sacrifices the Frustration City to get enough water and rounds it up with a debilitating hail. Normally she doesn't have the damage to cause too much damage instantly with this. She'll always be a defensive fighter but the coils and dances have added up to giving Lance's first dragon a rough day.

Or would have been if he hadn't studied me so diligently.

The middle of the massive storm Brightscales is creating parts comically when a huge flaming meteor crunches through without a care for the shrapnel of the scales and ice Bri has so skillfully created. A draco meteor covered in what must be a few fire blasts descends far too quickly for Bri to escape the impact. It must have been pushed by another hurricane attack and I can vaguely see salamence panting far up above. A small comfort as the crack of the earth signals my pretty girl being hit far too quickly and with no real defense. She can take a lot and has a huge amount of health but pokémon moves aren't just hey this is a set amount of damage based on stats. Her bell is rung by the impact and she's out almost immediately. Holy fuck.

My heart stops racing as I raise my gauntlet, recalling Bri once Angel lifts the debris out of the way. She's beat up, burnt far more than a water pokémon should be but she'll be fine. At least physically. I sense a lot of 'volunteers' in the future to help her with her already insane defense.

Taking a deep breath I smile faintly at Lance, down a pokémon ahead of my opponent for the first time in….Ages. Its strangely thrilling.

"Well. Good to know you're not playing around." There is no time for banter as salamance is taking precious time to rest in a manner that looks for all the world like roost. Which who knows if Lance managed to teach her a move that she's not supposed to know.

Tass pops out in a cloud of dark energy. Immediately he's setting up. Flashes of energy flow about and shadow balls start to ping outwards, peppering salamence with accuracy I wish all my pokémon could strive for against such a fast opponent. The dragon slips most but its easy to see she's still tired from the massive attack she just let out. Swift starts flow out covered in dark energy and sputtering in a strobe like way. Lance yells out for salamence to counter with air slashes. They aren't nearly as powerful as before due to the draining effect of draco meteor but they should be able to block the never-miss attack...If not for strings of grass knots slipping about and redirect them Sauske and Itachi style.

Sigh. I'll confess here. Its not Tass I sent out. Its Joker. And this is his combo move….Fuck you Wattson, called Ninja Storm. Covered in volatile dark energy the stars explode around salamence and foul her flight, causing her to have to work hard at staying in the air which leads to more and more dark swifts peppering her constantly. Her response is to spin rapidly in barrel roll, her wings turning steel both to block some of the damage and thwack the stars away to explode somewhat further from her body. Salamence's day gets even more horrid as small bursts of flame hit the grass threads, causing them to sear her. True, it doesn't hurt the dragon as much as other mons but every bit counts.

All while Joker is pulsing agility, hone claws and calm mind one after the other. With the occaisonal sword dance. Gotta get rid of salamence's intimidate after all. The swift stars pick up the condensed energy from the night haze around him disguised as ominous wind. Lance calls for salamence to close the distance after she tosses a huge hydro pump into the cloud to see if she can't clear up the lack of vision. Sadly Joker's second combo move doesn't work against wide spread attacks like that.

Low Resistance Defense is a combination of Joker's amazing detect usage combined with his ever increasing talent at illusions. Pulsing extrasensory bursts to disrupt someone's awareness, he layers the illusions about his body as far away from his real body as possible. Even a few inches means a direct hit is a glancing blow. Pure misses he can cover as him actually taking damage if he predicts the miss. Given salamence is struggling with special attacks she put her hydro pump as a broad attack to get as much of the poor visibility away as possible...And shattered Joker's illusion.

Both Lance and his dragon are shocked at how easily they were tricked and without prompting salamence descends as fast as possible. She knows well how dangerous letting a zoroark, much less my own, set up all sorts of buffs. Already Joker is moving nearly as fast as the dragon does in the air.

However, I sigh. Another meteor is forming and this time salamence is gathering it about herself for defense and as a last ditch effort to take out one more of my team. She's exhausted already from her first attack and from glancing blows of Bri's status effects and even seconds in All that Glitters is devastating to dragons.

Gritting my teeth I speak for the first time this match and it galls me.

"Double Team Joker!" My serious guy doesn't bat an eye. He's not quite fast enough just yet to dodge the blow and he can't tank the meteor and the dragon who is already starting to outrage into a giga impact. Fast and strong as my zoroark is, he's not built to tank hits. Which is a shame as if he had just a bit longer he could have potentially swept Lance's team.

Double Team is a do or die combo move for Joker. Someday he'll be able to use it without needing to be swapped out. But today is not that day. Substituting a perfect copy of himself and layering an illusion of himself there that is as perfect and fluid as himself is hard enough. Overpowering agility and detect past his current limits puts it as mere seconds of time. But for all the world to salamence it appears that two Joker's close distance with her, use dig to get into the draco meteor and start to wail on her with night slashes, mega punches and because of the strain facades as he'll soon be paralyzed.

Driven beyond reason by the pain and the outrage she was already in, salamence explodes the meteor and drags Joker into the grounding, hitting an earthquake for good measure. The area rocks just as hard as it did with the first meteor and I'm very glad that Angel is so good at defusing incoming forces with her psychic abilities though I do note the Professor's alakazam and Sampson's hypno are helping out.

With horror I see salamence huffing like mad, pulling herself from the crater and still hale to perhaps do something crazy...And then get hit in the back of her head by a sucker punch. With that Joker collapses on her, the endure he used at the last moment unable to keep the backlash from Double Team finishing him off.

I breathe, looking over at Lance who is grinning just as much as I am. Its been far too long since either of us have had a battle worthy of note and I'm already palming my next ball as I pass off the returned Joker to join Bri with Angel and Sunny to heal them up before my cousin holds up his hand.

"Its only fair I go first. Joker did stay up a split second later." Nodding, I wait eagerly to see what's next. The alolan exeggutor is a surprise as it immediately starts to set up a sunny day. I pause just a minute, my hand moving to another ball and out comes my boy.

Query pulses a greeting to Lance and takes a look at the tall dragon before leaping into the air in a magnet rise, moving quickly forward into an agility fueled rollout. Exeggutor responds with grass knots that cover the entire area like a carpet. Query is stopped shockingly abruptly but doesn't panic instead he starts thrusting out his two front legs with meteor mashes. The sparkling steel energy bridges the distance to harass exeggutor who tries his best to deflect with bullet seeds, seed bombs and even a dragon hammer. Query hums at it, channeling ice punches into his other two legs to free himself from the grass knot field then makes his move.

Rapid fire meteor mashes continue but at different angles, each of the stars being curved constantly by micro reflect fields, guiding them to angles exeggutor wasn't expecting. Beyond that are rock tomb throws that one of Query's brains starts to guide just as dangerously as the stars. They connect in explosions that despite the type disadvantage cause exeggutor to sway dangerously. Desperate synthesis pulses flow through the air but all of the rocks are mucking up his footing and Query is now free and approaching. Power whips and solar beams knock Query about a bit but he's already built up his speed enough that he shifted to iron defense and the power whips don't do much. The solar beam hits a bit harder but he's never stopped meteor mashing until it looks like a starfield around exeggutor.

Which is exactly what he calls the move. All of this is causing exeggutor to panic as he should with how close Query is to getting into melee distance. My boy is pretty famous even now from how he took out that tyranitar all those years past in the one tournament I was in. Ah Proton. Your time is coming soon. Lance is yelling out all sorts of suggestions but it matters not at all. Query is finished charging meteor beam. It slams into exeggutor's chest with incredible force. Even with the type disadvantage that had to hurt. But not as much as being pushed back into all the rotating stars that he'd been desperately trying to keep at bay. Every single one explodes and Lance's grass dragon is gone from sight. Even then he'd be more or less fine with all the synthesis he'd been channeling but alas, Query was in range.

Four limbs of ice punches boosted by agility and rock polish mean the poor tree goes down mere seconds after my boy is in range. A pleased thrum of psychic energy flows out as he steps away from the promptly recalled exeggutor and Lance simply sighs, knowing how difficult an opponent Query is. He's finally getting to the point where Zaela is starting to truly struggle against him. Its always been his psychic maturity that's held him back from getting somewhat to her level. He's still got a ways away but he's the absolute king in close quarters.

Lance pauses, smirking at me and damnit if I'm not annoyed at his fat mouth next.

"You don't know this member of my team. Out of all your pokémon Query was the one I had the most trouble thinking of a counter for." He pauses and Query sends him a thank you and an offer to brainstorm about it later. I have to admit his confused face made me very happy. "Er..Right. Thanks Query...But yes. Meet my newest ace."

Shithead. All of his team are really aces. Even exeggutor. He got dominated because Query is Query but really it would have sucked if he'd have had time to set up his terrain and start sending out healing attacks. Hell I'm pretty sure he forgot he knew flamethrower. Weird pokémon. My thoughts are cut off as I close my eyes at Lance's pick. Shit.

The dragapult snickers lightly as he flies upwards, dancing along before one of the dreepy in its head flies out with blinding speed and slams into Query's hide with a massive ding. Even worse is Query pushes the information that it carried a curse. We're very much on a time clock and things look pretty shitty from how the ghost dragon easily dodges Query's shadow balls and psychic fields to twist him into the attacks. Normally we'd use meteor here but there isn't enough time and frankly dragapult could likely phase into the ground to avoid the worst of it.

Thoughts and plans are rejected by both of us quick and methodically until we simply accept the best we can do is make it easier for the next of us. Icy winds whip up and this is something the dragon can't avoid easily. Added to that are Query dredging up all the negative emotions he's experienced over the years and shifting it into a scary face. One of those odd moves that intimidates a pokémon psyche. They can break out of it but not quickly. It doesn't just stay though the chill will last quite a bit longer. Query manages to turtle up for a while but eventually the curse does its work and sadly dragapault looks pretty hale considering how potent the cures was.

Cursing a bit at my cousin who simply gives me a shit-eating grin back I toss out someone he knows I have to use. Tasslehoff actually does enter the battlefield and immediately a burst of magical leaves cloaked with will o' wisps start to float about him. Point Defense is his first combo move and something he's worked hard upon to become something he doesn't even need to concentrate upon. They prove immediately successful as the first two dragon darts are exploded away and have to take a while to recover, the dreepy both taking a ghostly bomb of an attack to their heads. Luckily they are pretty much indestructible though that doesn't mean they can't be exhausted.

Tass is still setting up and thankfully he has the perfect move to help along his next combination. The LOOK is all of his malice in a single instance. Low powered versions of torment, confuse ray, spite, scary look, mean look and an astonish manage to tag the still swift flying dragapult. Its obvious that Lance hasn't had as much time to work with this pokémon as mostly he's directing him to bombard from afar and occasionally go in for some quick hit and run attacks. Its still quite strong, already throwing off the debuffs we've been piling on and adding to its own speed with agility and dragon dance.

Tass hasn't come out unscathed. A few shadow balls and sneaks have hit him but he's pain split constantly anytime he feels particularly ready to inflict pain. He's so skilled at the move that it comes out with him always having a bit more health than dragapult. Eventually Lance orders him to stick to long range which the dragon appears to prefer anyway, tossing out thunderbolts, dragon pulses and the occasional flamethrower to get rid of the Point Defense grenades for dragon dart runs. Its a back and forth battle of two fliers who levitate. The colors are surprisingly lovely and I can hear Serena squealing at the sight constantly. Yep. That makes sense.

Query however, bought us enough time.

Haunted Forest is a thing of beauty for as much as it is a horror. The area explodes with ghostly energy. Ghost abilities are run off of negativity and while Tass has mellowed compared to before he's still a little shit most of the time. The burst of energy is a combination of his natural bad attitude and a lot of exploded shadow balls that he pulled the remaining energy back into a condensed space. Releasing it he fills it with magical leaves and using the cover immediately hops into a phantom force of his own and rockets the startled dragapult into the forest. Tass was very careful not to use any physical attacks for purely this moment. Trapped in ghostly energy not of his making the dragon tries to beeline out only to run into a magical leaf. This time its at the core of a shadow ball and it explodes, tossing the ghost dragon right back in. Forced to be even more careful getting out, dragapult finds the second part of the forest even worse.

Hyper voiced screeches bounce into the forest and detonate more and more of the mines even as Tass liberally shadow sneaks about to block off exits. When enough of the leaf mines are shredded a massive nasty plot powered magical fire turns the Haunted Forest to ash. Dragapult floats out soon after completely unconscious and Tass more or less looks at him with contempt. I won't repeat the insults that follow and am quite glad that Lance doesn't understand all pokémon the way he does dragons. He does however get a sour look on his face as he recalls his third pokémon. We're all tied up and Tass is still pretty hearty.

The slam of massive feet make me wonder if the Professor is ever going to let me train here again. A tyrantrum towers over us all and roars loud enough that we have to cover our ears. I speak for the second time.

"MOVE TASS!" I'm not quite quick enough but Tass is, dodging the massive jaw with its pitch black shaded teeth. The crunch just barely misses but the scale shots and ancient power do not. Tass is forced into sneaking constantly, his Point Defense working somewhat well but he can't block the stone edges that come next nor the rock slides. My ghost gets battered rather rapidly and he can't quite set up the Forest again so he heads up to the sky only to get smacked by far too many draco meteors. His mistake and mine from how fucking fast the massive t-rex moves is to remember that his draco meteor is pretty shit compared to his physical stats.

Thus when Tass phases into the ground I panic to yell at him to get out of there just as the earthquake hits. Levitate doesn't do shit if you're underground. Not only is Tass ejected from the ground like a reverse shooting start, he's greeted by a cavernous mouth of crunching teeth. I recall him before he can get chomped knowing he wouldn't be able to get out of that. Dark energy blocks ghostly ways of phasing through things.

Letting out a slow sigh I move my hand up, pulling my braid free as I turn my lone eye up and down the tyrantrum, very impressed by all that my cousin has done with his own fossil pokémon. I'm down to one with his two and neither are really touched. Its a pity Tass couldn't have used destiny bond. Its not a cheat in this world either. If a pokémon can do it then its legitimate in battles.

Since I've only got one pokémon left I release the rest of my team to stand next to Sunny and Angel who are just finishing up on Query before I let Tass go too. Lance is pretty shocked to see Aurora on the sidelines along with Ororo, Mars and Wattson.

"You're not using either of your fairies or your ice monster?" He's agape, doing the math as I release Tru. She begged to do this. That she hadn't shown herself up in some time and that Wattson should see just how much she's grown. Out of the crowd of pokémon are her children as well, gathering about their dad to watch what's been so long in coming.

"What cousin? I'm absolutely sure you should be worried. Pulling up my wrist, my keystone floods with energy and Tru's belt sparkles as she mega-evolves for the first time in front of anyone but myself. Did you know that finding partners for pretty much all the question lucarios of the Lucario Kingdom give you a lot of good will? Establishing a successful Guardian order even more. A lucarionite was the least of what they wanted to offer.

Truthseeker floods the area with aura and there is a hint of everyone's emotions all at once. My family pleased to see Tru grow into her own worthy power. Wattson and his family proud beyond words. Ash and Serena dancing with each other, dreams flooding their minds while waking of what could be when they grow up. Latios and Latias a bit timid with what is possible for non-legendary pokémon. What could they do?

Sampson and Aurelia just pleased and smug, having called so much of this at least in their minds ages ago. My mother's pride brings me almost to tears but I go on. This is Tru's show. Samuel starting to trust that perhaps he can leave Ash to me somewhat. Team Rescue frantically taking notes and wondering if any of their pokémon have special rocks.

Lance just a bit worried but firming his decision to give it his all. I'm worthy.

And Truthseeker. Mother. Confidant. My conscience and truly a lucario to a Guardian. We're in sync and its almost impossible to remember a time when we weren't the best of friends. When we didn't talk about all the silly things our significant others did. Mine just starting, hers established and still so fresh to her. Of how we view things going forward and the worries that we bear for each other. Of if we might fail. When we will...And how to get back up after. Aura is shared and it explodes further.

Tyrantrum hesitates for a split second then charges forward. A dragon is not afraid of a knight.

But Tru absolutely proves him wrong. There are no tricks or combinations for Tru. Those are for defense and healing. In combat now she's forged something amazing. Wattson has learned so much from anime and while she indulges him she never really took anything from it save for a few ideas. One of which came from My Hero Academia. Asshole that he is, Bakugo is the basis of her mega-evolved fighting style.

Aura floods her body from every point. Exploding into motion she pulses her palm upwards to snap her movement to the side, thrusting her body in ways she would not be able to do with her limbs. Every step is a thrust to a side. Every slip is an explosion upwards. Each and every second is set up to slam force palms into the dragon's sides, not allowing the giant to get an attack in with its physical gifts. Slams of stone are bounced off of, jumping high into the air and sending down snap shot aura spheres when not bouncing off of tyrantrum with more explosions of aura. They both send her flying in a controlled manner and damage the massive dragon. The snaps of her movement truly do sound like explosive hero's quirk. They're almost as loud as Wattson's cheering. Of her children's cries of amazement.

Tyrantrum has no room to breathe. Every second Tru spends aura like water but none of it is wasted. There isn't even variety in her attacks, her style to pure and focused at the moment. Someday she'll add to it. Make it devastating in a way that Query might envy. Everything is power up punches, force palms and close combats. Every attack she gets hit with are mere glances so fast is she twirling about, the staccato of her strikes like a mountain crumbling. Tyrantrum doesn't last long, falling to his knees and then side with a groan of pure defeat, his pride broken at least for now as Tru lands feather light next to his head and gives him a deep, respectful bow before turning to my cousin and raising an eyebrow at his agape expression.

So long has she held herself back to help others. To be what she wanted to grow up to be. And now she can finally allow everyone to see just how far she's come.

From all our guests the sound becomes a bit deafening. Its such a dramatic change from all the other fights. Sure, Query and salamence each took out their opponents pretty quick but Tru wasn't touched at all. She's just a tiny bit tired but even now her aura is rising to the next challenge. My cousin gathers himself and smiles faintly, bowing to Tru who returns it and then pulls out his last partner for the five versus five. Zaela's ball at my side is warm, knowing she's close to her long awaited rematch.

Lance tosses out his last ball and out comes a bit of a surprise though I shouldn't be really. He did have it in most of his teams. Nor should I be surprised when his aerodactyl mega-evolves and roars out her defiance to everyone. The winged monster's back is covered in massive spikes and she starts sending down stone edges without warning. Tru's already moving, her aura spheres moving past the stone edges as she uses the still in flight boulders to step off of, springing into the air with her aura blasts and surprising mega-aerodactyl enough that the first punch of a close combat goes through. The winged fossil pokémon is surprisingly quick in her response, dual wingbeats slamming into Tru with clanging sounds as the spikes from her back shoot out like railguns, driving Tru down into the ground with a massive smash. My lucario manages to blunt it enough with a few more aura thrusts but she definitely got her head knocked. Not enough to delay her next tactic but she is definitely a bit more cautious. Mega aerodactyl disdains the keep away game even if she sends more rock missiles down to keep Tru from getting too comfortable. She'll take a few glancing blows from not quite blocked aura spheres as she plows into the ground with the force of a bomb,

It starts with an earthquake that Tru deftly jumps over then hovers a bit until mega aerodactyl's head gleams with silver light. The iron head shatters the land and tosses it up straight into my lucario. Each take on the edge of a stealth rock the size of yet more boulders and batter Tru continuously until she lets loose a huge blast of aura to clear the air only to see that mega aerodactly didn't stop at that. A huge blast of flame forces Tru into some more rapid movements, dodging constantly for the next seconds that feels like ages.

Eventually she closes, tanking a flamethrower with a protect before she finally gets her paws on mega aerodactyl's chest. Slams that sound like cannon shots cause the great fossil bird to screech with anger and pain. Tru continues to boost with aura and each explosion of force palms feels as if they set off within mega aerodactyl. It almost seems as if she has it right there if not for Lances yelled call of command that snaps the furious rock monster out of her unending rage.

A tailwind flows and suddenly mega aerodactyl is able to toss Tru off with a twisting barrel roll. Tru desperately tries to get back but doesn't have the speed mid-air to follow the boosted rock bird. The fossil pokémon however doesn't let Tru get down to the ground without punishment. In her desire to take out her opponent quickly Tru didn't care that they were going a bit far up, only that she could hold on. Which makes her pay. Rock missiles constantly bombard her. Air slashes hit her if she dodges and whirlwinds start to foul her rapid movements. Someday Tru will be able to fly like Iron Man I believe. To dominate the sky in a way that most won't believe. But aerodactyl ruled the skies for ages. Just….Ages.

Iron heads, aqua tails and flamethrowers join the constant rocks pelting my Truthseeker. Its an impressive last stand mid-air. Every movement is focused on defending until she can retaliate. From bursts of aura to small protect shields to metal claws to tear into attacks.

The crash is spectacular and that's saying a lot considering how many have already occurred. Tru does her absolute best, beyond best, to land safely and she just can't quite manage it because of mega-aerodactyl's final move. A massive sky attack drives Tru into the ground and keeps going, holding it for longer than I thought possible until she's sure my lucario is down. How? My key stone stops sparkling.

All I can hear is my heartbeat as I run to make certain Tru is fine followed by Wattson and the rest of their family. My team holds back, mostly because it would be a bit too crowded though I feel Sunny very concerned until Angel lets her know Tru will be right as rain after a bit of healing.

Mega aerodactyl, who felt purely of rage and anger lands right next to us and is oddly serene. I'm quickly wishing that Lance had already returned her, the smug bastard.

"Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry I murdered your friend. I can get you a new-oh she survived. Amazing. If she wants another go at dying horribly to a superior-" I'm almost beyond enraged and quickly turn to mime to Lance returning her which he promptly does with an 'ah-ha' expression.

"Sorry. She's a bit...Well. Full of herself. Not sure what she said this time but I'm sure it was awful. She wouldn't do whatever she said though." Yeah I don't believe you buddy.

Regardless it doesn't really matter as we all crowd the slowly recovering Tru. I'm gettting very good at healing pulses now. I can outperform a few pokémon now even. Tru gets up slowly with Wattson's help and smiles at all of her children, before turning to me and giving me a small smile. There isn't any sorrow. Nor any real sadness. Just a resolve to get even stronger. If there is a place to lose its to friends and family. Who can help you overcome them someday...And then return the favor right back.

"You did well Tru. Beyond expectations as always."

Her eyes twinkle as Wattson puts his arm around her.

"I believe the words were...'Fuck yeah!' weren't they darling?" Wattson's family groaned. All of them. Save for Tru who simply nodded and nuzzled him lightly.

"Of course dear. That'll be of course a week with no anime for swearing in front of the children."

Watching them bicker softly (or loudly for Wattson) as he leads her back to get more in depth healing from Angel and Sunny has me all warm inside. The gazes of all my friends and family takes me out of it a bit. There is just a bit too much awe in some of them but at least my mother is looking at me the same. Like 'is this all you got? I guess its good but get stronger still'….Look she's very expressive.

Then there is my hero. We'll discuss my loss after our rematch. Starter versus starter

"So...Ready for the last one cousin?" Up and down his dragonite's ball gently slaps into his hand.

Zaela's pulls into my father's invention. Ready to deploy and wreck the world.

"Of course hero. Are you sure you can take down a king?"

Lance's smile drives away the overcast skies.

"Let's find out."

To be continued journal-kun. I need to add pages to you.

Guardian of Knowledge

There wasn't much in the world that surprised Koga anymore. His daughters certainly at times but nothing else really took his disbelief and ran with it. Until he met Ella Mita. Before their first meeting he of course put out agents, including one of his daughters, to figure out what the Silver Guardians were really after. To how they would change the status quo and if he would recommend to the Kanto League if they should so something about them.

What came back was unexpected but still not the surprise he so rarely had in life. Everything seemed to be true. They were secretive certainly but for very good and plausible reasons. They appeared to have lofty, honorable goals but with the mettle and practicality to match it...And they were led at the time by an eleven year old girl. How? That again was not overly unexpected considering how early it was acceptable to let children go off on adventures by themselves but the decisions this Ella Mita were making spoke of vision that is not usually found in one so young.

This at leas deserved a more in depth investigation and perhaps even meeting her face to face. Both Aya and Janine came back from their missions quite impressed with their methodology and tactics to say nothing of how seriously they took safety not only for themselves but those they sought to protect. Choosing to still play it safe as he was wont to do Koga found himself just a bit more edging to surprised when visiting Goldenrod in disguise to observe an also visiting First Guardian Mita staring exactly where he was hidden in a building. Aura guardians were told of within his clan for ages and he's even met Riley on occasion to say nothing of Red Ketchum back in the day but...This was a bit beyond what he expected.

This definitely called for a meeting. It happened a few weeks later and this is when Koga was truly surprised. Both his daughters found out. Both judged worthy. Himself asked to join and make not just Kanto but the world a better place. The plans she had for the Foundry he never knew existed with a machine that is every ninja's dream. A froakie that immediately attached to him and found him no matter where he tread.

The feeling of the place. Of aura all around him. While not a practitioner Koga is an expert at observation. Every pokémon within the Foundry was fitter, more intelligent and oozed far more talent than he could ever expect gathered in one place. Tentatively he agreed to an alliance. What truly brought him over was a conversation perhaps a few months later. About how death is needed at times. That one must sacrifice their own peace to give it to others if there is no other choice. Of the conviction to know when and how to make the choice.

There is absolutely something strange about Ella Mita the First Guardian. She's too composed and while her intelligence could be explained in all manner of ways, the knowing look in her eyes at times wasn't something he could put away easily. But Koga would hold onto this. Not let it escape his own thoughts until it was needed or should she falter. To put him in control of all of their secrets….She should expect he'd seek hers out as well correct? If not she's not as smart as he thought.

Koga shook himself from his thoughts and glanced over his terminal. The plain looking office held a few chairs, his desk and not much else. Everything else was hidden or remembered beyond Prime's incredible digital walls.

"Prime? Is this true? Another incident similar to Guardian Clair's experience near Pewter?"

"Yes Koga. They're starting to show somewhat of a pattern in a large radius around Cerulean but the times seem to be incredibly random. And at huge distances...But they all seem to revolve around that city." Prime actually pauses then, something Koga can count happening on one hand before. "Sir...Should we alert the First Guardian just how spread this is yet?"

"Not quite Prime. We both know she was busy getting our symbol and training. She has not had time to do so in far too long. Though...From this point alert me immediately of any developments. Day or night. If this is a powerful psychic causing havoc of such power we can't allow it to enter a city. We'll alert Ella when she returns in a few days."

"Yes Sir. Prime out."

Knowing perfectly well that Prime is constantly watching, Koga lets the sensation fade, knowing that many have felt this way about him. Going over Clair's report, Koga can't help but think there is a puzzle missing. The First Guardian has a spy within Team Rocket. He'd bet his favorite mask on it. Is this something to do with them or simply a lost and disturbed pokémon? Sabrina certainly made it clear that there were no humans capable of it the last time he subtly quizzed her about the possibility.

Whatever the case, Koga would be vigilant. The First Guardian would save the world in the light. It was his job to do it within the shadow, ready to strike.

What a fantastic surprise this all was.

Sorry for another cliffhanger but Zaela and Dragonite's battle is gonna take a while to plan out and frankly this was about Tru in the end. I'm not satisfied with everything yet. Not at all. This chapter has change so many times. But I had to get it out. See if I can get back to things.

Oh and I guess some folks and a meowth for some reason. :3

So yes. Last chapter with moves at the bottom here. Starting next it'll be in my profile whenever I get to it.

I really liked thinking up all the combo moves we got here even if some of them just ended up being mines over and over. Though I think I like Haunted Forest the most. Cause it would scare the shit out of me. Anyway!

Onto the team!

Zaela the King Garchomp (Female)

Abilities: Sand Veil, Rough Skin (Hidden)

Nature: Adamant

Moves: Tackle, Sand Attack, Dragon Breath, Sand Tomb, Earth Power, Iron Head, Scary Face, Swagger, Sandstorm, Sunny Day, Flamethrower, Double Team, Rock Slide, Stealth Rock, Rain Dance, Mud-Slap, Dual Chop, Slash, Dragon Claw, Draco Meteor, Dragon Rush, Earthquake, Stone Edge, Crunch, Fire Blast, Aerial Ace, Hyper Beam, Brutal Swing, Poison Jab, Iron Tail, Hone Claws, Aqua Tail, Whirlpool, Fury Cutter, Hidden Power(Ice), Flare Blitz, Incinerate, Toxic, Dragon Pulse, Headbutt, Bulldoze, Endure, Dig, Twister, Swift, Laser Focus, Swords Dance, Outrage, Body Slam, Metal Claw, Surf, Ancient Power, Protect

Combination Moves: Furnace (Sand Tomb, Earth Power, Sandstorm and Flamethrower. Basically burn them in a pit)

Pain Whirl (Sandstorm, Stealth Rock and Rock Slide with a helping of Mud-Slap. Confuse them in a tornado made of giant pain rocks)

Grinder- Earthquake and Earth Power to simultaneously disrupt movement and provide a sharp incline to speed up Dragon Rush and manually activate Stealth Rocks. Rock Slide to subtly hammer Stealth Rocks towards vital points. Very tiring.

Dragon Blitz- (See Mars)

Ella's starter and quite the stubborn pain in the butt. Self proclaimed sister of Ella.

2- Query the Shiny Metagross (Identifies Male)

Ability: Clear Body

Nature: Quirky

Moves: Iron Head, Iron Defense, Take Down, Zen Headbutt, Psychic, Confusion, Metal Claw, Bullet Punch, Psych Up, Gravity, Ally Switch, Miracle Eye , Scary Face, Brick Break, Meteor Mash, Agility, Magnet Rise, Return, Reflect, Double Team, Light Screen, Rock Smash, Hammer Arm. Pursuit, Hammer Arm, Toxic, Shadow Ball, Hyper Beam, Focus Blast, Flash, Laser Focus, Telekinesis, Grass Knot, Giga Impact, Earthquake, Thunderpunch, Rock Tomb, Ice Punch, Signal Beam, Stealth Rock, Dynamic Punch, Body Slam, Rollout, Strength, Endure, Block, Rest, Aerial Ace, Rock Polish, Protect, Sunny Day, Rain Dance, Sandstorm, Meteor Beam, Expanding Force, Steel Roller, Brutal Swing, Psycho Cut, Icy Wind, Hyper Beam

Combination Moves: Psi-Fist - A method of psychic manipulation of an opponents gravity and self to make critical hits happen. A variety of punches/strikes with heavy but small piercing-like psychic stabs to balance points. Grass Knot and Flash-distracted Laser Focus attacks added.

Psi-Fist Step Two- Constant mind/emotion reading to adapt to attack patterns and psychological weaknesses. Low level confusion waves to occlude and disrupt senses and to influence terror or caution depending on level of threat as well as psychological profile. Can currently use two dedicated brains for state two. Three deemed too detrimental to combat ability.

Psi-Fist Step Three- Every attack causes psychic waves within a victim's body. Focused mind reading directs the waves to short out essential organs and the nervous system. Not for sparring. Almost always fatal.

Meteor- Magnet Rise, Gravity and Psychic to aid in a mid-air constant rollout to build up maximum damage. Target is then aimed with an aerial ace at speeds matching or exceeding most electric types. Once target is hit detonated earthquake to follow and appropriate physical attack added. Ice punch. Zen Headbutt. Etc. Iron Defense and constant reflects for help against recoil.

Star Field- Meteor Mash stars are plucked by one of Query's brains and curved around with reflect screens. Another mind uses psychic to accelerate them. Rock Tombs are added to hit the stars at on the fly locations guided by a third mind along with the entirety of Query's ability to use focus blast or shadow ball depending on the weaknesses of the opponent. All of which hides the meteor beam being channeled while dealing with the constant barrage of attacks.

3- Truthseeker(Tru) the Lucario (Female)

Abilities: Inner Focus, Justified (Hidden)

Nature: Serious

Moves: Foresight, Quick Attack, Endure, Counter, Detect, Cross Chop, Bite, Mind Reader, High Jump Kick, Agility, Vacuum Wave, Crunch, Bullet Punch, Meteor Mash, Copycat, Rock Smash, Force Palm, Aura Sphere, Heal Pulse, Protect, Power-Up Punch, Me First, Calm Mind, Extremespeed, Toxic, Focus Blast, Shadow Ball, Thunderpunch, Close Combat, Bone Rush

Combination Moves: Heal Sphere- Aura Sphere made with heal pulse energy. Very aura intensive but serves as a long range critical heal.

EMT- Bullet Punch, Extremespeed or Me First(Depends on move) to target who is attacking ally. Counter if needed while second hand is using Heal Pulse. High Jump Kick away if Quick Attack is not fast enough. Looking into Substitute, Extremespeed and Quick Guard for increased effectiveness.

Reader: Calm Mind, Mind Reader, Detect to stay in someone's guard. Protect to be used later when unable to dodge.

Regen: Developed by Joy's lucario. Bounces small Heal Pulses onto a Protect screen to cause small amounts of healing over time. Somewhat draining even when perfected. Calm Mind increases efficiency.

4- Sunshine(Sunny) the Sylveon (Female)

Abilities: Cute Charm, Pixilate (Hidden)

Nature: Quirky

Moves: Fake Tears, Tickle, Wish, Yawn, Stored Power, Charm, Tackle, Helping Hand, Baby-Doll Eyes, Fairy Wind, Disarming Voice, Quick Attack, Swift, Moonblast, Refresh, Draining Kiss, Light Screen, Misty Terrain, Skill Swap, Reflect, Safeguard, Round, Shadow Ball, Toxic, Dig, Snore, Hyper Voice, Hyper Beam, Double Team, Psyshock, Work Up, Synchronoise, Sunny Day, Rain Dance, Calm Mind, Baton Pass, Celebrate, Flash, Trump Card

Special Moves: Talk no jutsu. Seriously. Okay not seriously. Just couldn't resist the joke.

5- Mars the Shiny Charizard (Male)

Ability: Blaze

Nature: Lonely

Moves: Ancient Power, Flare Blitz, Scratch, Ember, Dragon Dance, Air Cutter, Crunch, Bite, Beat Up, Dragon Rush, Dragon Pulse, Slash, Fire Fang, Dragon Rage, Flame Burst, Flamethrower, Metal Claw, Smokescreen, Wing Attack, Fire Blast, Thunderpunch, Hyper Beam, Toxic, Focus Blast, Dragon Tail, Dragon Breath, Shadow Claw. Will o' Wisp, Ominous Wind, Fire Spin, Dig, Earthquake, Sunny Day. Draco Meteor (Currently only in Mega)

Combination Moves(Self Taught): Dragon Blitz-High speed directed attack. A fully boosted by Dragon Dance Flare Blitz combined with a Dragon Rush that can be changed mid attack by using an enforced claw with Slash and Metal Claw to dig into nearby surfaces to a new direction. Wing Attack and Air Cutter to achieve similar effects in air. Steel Wing desired. Double Team to be added for confusion once completely mastered. Possible Beat Up Clones when team exceeds six members.

Smoke Boost- Dragon Dance while setting up favorable terrain with Ancient Power and hoping for more buffs while covered in a Smokescreen. Double Team and Beat Up to be added later.

Firewall- Flame Bursts tossed up high and fed with a directional Air Cutter. Flamethrower added immediately after Flame Burst. Able to use without Blaze but cannot sustain it while moving without ability activation. Ancient Power to be added in slowly. Rock Slide an alternative if learnt.

6- Aurora the Aurorus(Female)

Abilities: Refrigerate, Snow Warning (Hidden)

Nature: Modest

Moves: Powder Snow, Thunder Wave, Haze, Barrier, Mirror Coat, Sandstorm, Hail, Magnet Rise, Discharge, Rock Throw, Mist, Icy Wind, Ice Beam, Round, Ancient Power, Aurora Beam, Avalanche, Thunderbolt, Hyper Beam, Safeguard, Freeze Dry, Light Screen. Encore, Nature Power, Blizzard, Rain dance, Thunder, Aurora Veil, Earthquake, Psychic, Charge Beam, Psych Up, Frost Breath, Flash Cannon, Dark Pulse, Iron Defense, Stealth Rock, Flash

Combination Moves: Storm Defense: Ability activation, Sandstorm and Barrier. Omni-Directional Discharge if any non-ground types enter the field. Hail and Aurora Veil amp it up with Rain Dance causing massive amounts of electric bursts.

Odin's Eye: A method of tagging a target with a magnetic, low powered rock throw to place a marker. Leads to an incredibly high accuracy attack through Storm Defense by seeking out the signature with her fins.

7- Wattson(Thunderbug) the Electivire (Male)

Ability: Motor Drive, Vital Spirit (Hidden)

Nature: Jolly

Moves: Thunder Shock, Cross Chop, Thunderbolt, Ice Punch, Fire Punch, Focus Punch, Low Kick, Rolling Kick, Meditate, Dynamic Punch, Light Screen, Barrier, Thunderpunch, Discharge, Thunder, Shock Wave, Focus Blast, Toxic, Thunder Wave, Dig, Earthquake, Electric Terrain, Round, Electro Ball, Swift, Taunt, Rain Dance, Protect, Double Team, Rock Tomb, Psychic, Charge Beam, Swagger, Rock Slide, Bulldoze, Thunder, Signal Beam, Helping Hand, Power-Up Punch, Flamethrower, Mud-slap, Magnet Rize

Combo Moves: The Punch-A fully motor drive/meditate buffed thunder punch combined with focus punch and electric terrain caused by launching someone with an earthquake. Ice or Fire Punch substituted for vulnerabilities.

The DANCE- Rain dance, swagger, meditate and magnet rise all at once to impress and infuriate at once! Flash to be used later when learned. Possibly signal beam as well.

Prismatic Spray- A bunch of moves at once. Very draining. Psychic, signal beam, thunderbolt, flamethrower and focus blast at once. Very flashy, doesn't hit overly hard yet. Just super disruptive.

Rasengan- Sigh. Double team to add rotation. No. Its just for fucking flair. And apparently able to low power helping hand. Its literally just an electro ball with a blue color that the idiot shoves into someone bodily. Instead of actually throwing it. Working on combining it with focus blast and psychic to make a shuriken. Yeah.

8- Joker the Zoroark(Male)

Ability: Illusion

Nature: Serious (as fuck)

Moves: Fake Tears, Fury Swipes, Night Slash, Night Daze, Detect, U-Turn, Imprison, Pursuit, Hone Claws, Flamethrower, Scary Face, Feint Attack, Taunt, Foul Play, Torment, Double Team, Embargo, Punishment, Dark Pulse, Copycat, Sucker Punch, Shadow Ball, Bounce, Grass Knot, Psych Up, Shadow Claw, Snarl, Dig, Focus Blast, Toxic, Extrasensory, Mega Punch, Hyper Beam, Giga Impact, Throat Chop, Calm Mind, Uproar, Swords Dance, Burning Jealousy, Agility, Low Kick, Endure, Facade, Hex, Substitute,

Combo Moves: Ninja Storm (damn you Wattson)- Swift stars covered in dark pulse energy. Very volattile. Can be moved by….sigh...ninja wire grass knots to change direction. Explode on contact and with carefully placed flamethrowers to cause the grass to burn.

Less Resistance Defense: Joker is so talented at both detect and changing his illusions that he can shift perspective slightly of where his body is. Full on blows often become glancing. Shifting his current illusion even of just himself can lead to flat out misses. Added in are pulses of extrasensory leads opponents to have a huge amount of trouble doing true damage to him with precise attacks. Area of effect are sadly still quite effective.

Double Team: Splitting with his Substitute, he can layer his illusions so well that it looks as if his opponent is being attacked by two physical Jokers. In reality its an overuse of agility and detect to allow him to hit faster than most opponents can keep up with. Its incredibly draining and he'll pretty much need to rest after every instance though he hopes to get up to five separate copies in time.

9- Angel the Gardevoir (Female)

Ability: Trace, Synchronize, Telepathy (Hidden)

Nature: Modest

Moves: Teleport, Ally Switch, Trick Room, Dazzling Gleam, Healing Wish, Wish, Heal Pulse, Misty Terrain, Psychic, Confusion, Moonblast, Icy Wind, Mimic, Calm Mind, Captivate, Stored Power, Nightmare, Hypnosis, Dream Eater, Future Sight, Heal Bell, Echoed Voice, Hyper Voice, Hyper Beam, Shadow Sneak, Disable, Confuse Ray, Encore, Imprison, Skill Swap, Destiny Bond, Light Screen, Reflect, Protect, Round

10- Tasslehoff the Mismagius (Male)

Ability: Levitate

Nature: Modest

Moves: Spite, Confuse Rate, Scary Face, Mean Look. Toxic, Will o' Wisp, Hex, Sucker Punch, Psybeam, Zap Cannon, Payback, Perish Song, Grudge, Pain Split, Power Gem, Astonish, Phantom Force, Mystical Fire, Magical Leaf, Lucky Chant, Torment, Thief, Trick Room, Dark Pulse, Curse, Torment, Memento, Dream Eater, Endure, Flash, Thunderbolt, Thunder, Rain Dance, Echoed Voice, Energy Ball, Thunder Wave, Shadow Ball, Dazzling Gleam, Shadow Sneak, Me First, Wonder Room, Magic Coat, Icy Wind, Foul Play, Shock Wave, Hyper Voice, Ally Switch, Dazzling Gleam, Nasty Plot, Screech, Frustration

Combo Moves: Point Defense: Magical leaves covered in will o' wisps. They last surprisingly long and can be flung if needed. Mini grenades of destructive energy that Tass has gotten so adept at that he doesn't even need to aim them anymore. Its more or less a swift attack for defense.

The Look: Tass is a bastard. Foul tempered and pretty rude. He has weaponized this. Negative energy has combined scary look, astonish, torment, confuse ray, mean look (of course) and spite into the meanest most evil glare ever. While all the attacks are not at full power they each take effect for split seconds that matter immensely in a battle, or to get to someone to heal.

Haunted Forest- Terrain advantage is the biggest strength of Ella Mita's team. Tass takes it a bit too far. Or not far enough? Ominous wind within a storm of magical leaves and shadow balls. Hyper voice powered screeches add up to burning the entire forest up with a massive magical fire. Shadow sneaks and phantom forces to maneuver to block exits and get closer to more direct screeches.

11- Brightscales (Bri) the shiny Milotic (Female)

Ability: Marvel Scale, Competitive, Cute Charm

Nature:Bold

Moves:Splash, Tackle, Flail, Mud Sport, Hypnosis, Confuse Ray, Mirror Coat, Tickle, Haze, Mist, Dragon Pulse, Dragonbreath, Captivate, Brine, Water Pulse, Aqua Ring, Recover, Disarming Voice, Refresh, Attract, Safeguard, Coil, Rain Dance, Surf, Scald, Ice Beam, Endure, Aqua Tail, Dragon Tail, Wrap, Round, Dragon Dance, Brutal Swing, Avalanche, Icy Wind, Protect, Hydro Pump, Brine, Weather Ball, Hail, Hyper Beam, Light Screen, Iron Tail, Confuse Ray, Dragon Breath, Triple Axel, Scale Shot, Flip Turn, Blizzard

Combo Moves: Frustration City: Surf used to power an aqua ring that rivals recovers. The water is directed in such a way that it both captivates and hypnotizes while Bri coils into a dragon dance within using Splash to hide the attacks in the colorful reflections of her scales. As it is beautiful because Bri is, it is also pulses Attract. The surf also fuels possible Mist or Haze attacks and safeguards are pulled in close behind the water as its 'wallls'. Zaele is quoted as to saying "Nope nope nope. All of the nope I'm out" after the fifth time she's had to dive into Frustration City.

All that Glitters: Using the cover of Frustration City, scale shots are hit with ice beams, creating hovering stealth rock like shrapnel bombs. Hail and mist chill the air and create more visibility issues as a blizzard edges it out to toss the whole thing at the enemy or even rotate it around Bri's usually stationary defensive battling. The attack does not work without the prep of Frustration City but the ice bombs can be spread out without the full attack if at less power. Currently icy wind is the next to be added but more buildup may be needed.

12- Ororo the Lugia (Female)

Ability: Pressure, Multiscale

Nature: Calm

Moves: Weather Ball, Aeroblast, Rain Dance, Giga Drain. Psychic, Extrasensory, Thunder, Thunderbolt, Surf, Hydro Pump, Water Pulse, Earthquake, Thunder Wave, Sky Attack, Hyper Voice, Calm Mind, Shadow Ball, Skill Swap, Telekinesis, Whirlwind, Gust, Dragon Rush, Hurricane, Swift, Ice Beam, Icy Wind, Blizzard, Punishment, Ancient Power, Recover, Roost, Safeguard, Future Sight, Psyshock, Hail, Sunny Day, Light Screen, Reflect, Protect, Return, Double Team, Sandstorm, Aerial Ace, Steel Wing, Iron Head, Echoed Voice, Sky Drop, Fly, Charge Beam, Psych Up, Waterfall, Dive, Earth Power, Signal Beam, Zen Headbutt, Dragon Breath, Tailwind, Laser Focus, Defog, Whirlpool, Air Cutter, Ominous Wind, Twister, Swift, Detect, Brine, Endure