Omarnosian10: At least a week and the new chapter's up!
Dawn: Is it gonna be as short as the Sandile chapter the others told me about?
Omarnosian10: I made it a tad longer, thanks to the visitors' final confirmed appearance and a surprise.
May: What surprise?
Omarnosian10: You'll find out, but first, for clarification's sake, here are the ages of the protagonists.
Ash: 16
Darwin: 11
Georgia: 17
May: 15
Dawn:15
Cilan: 19
Omarnosian10: With all this cleared up… ON WITH THE SHOW!
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon. If I did, it would've gone the Yu-Gi-Oh route and had Ash succeeded by someone, given Ash a sensible harem, done Unova better (like anyone would), or a lot of other stuff. All descriptions of Pokémon and most of their moves belong to Bulbapedia. A majority of this chapter before being edited by me belonged to 19jchoi's Unova Journeys.
"Normal"
'Thought'
"Communicating through a medium"
"Possessed"
"Telepathy"
Flashback or Dream
"[Poké-Speech]"
Chapter 6: Dreams by the Yard Full!
Dawn couldn't describe how this just happened. One moment, she and the gang were at the Pokémon Center; the next, she's in some ruins looking like an old lab.
"Hello?! Anybody there?!" called Dawn, reaching for a Poké Ball, only to frown when she felt nothing but air. Her worries increase when some weird pink fog rolled in…
"[Help…]"
"Moon?" echoed Dawn, confused. Adding more into it is a strange figure floating in the fog. Just as she tries to take a better look…
(Pokémon Center, Reality)
"A~nd done!" Dawn woke up to Darwin backing away from a computer hooked to two Pokédexes; one white/pink and the other red, almost like Ash's. "Your Pokédexes are now 100% virus-free and protected from others."
"Thanks, Darwin." smiled May, unplugging her's.
"You're a lifesaver," added Dawn, doing the same and pushing the dream away. Eager to test them out, the girls (excluding Georgia, who was outside already) went out to the battlefield.
"Man Darwin, I owe you a lot." smiled Ash, waiting for his used Pokémon to recover along with the hacker.
"Really? I think it's the other way around; I mean, if you hadn't taught Purrloin Iron Tail and came up with those strategies, I would've lost the first battle," admitted Darwin, shutting off the computer. Before Ash could bashfully deny it…
"And it's already done!" Darwin and Ash turned to see the Striaton Gym Leader behind them, holding Pansage's Poké Ball.
"Hey, Cilan! What's up?" asked Ash.
"Hi, Ash! Darwin! I'd like a chat with the two of you if you don't mind."
(Moments later)
"All your battles today were fruitful! What struck me was the amazing pairing possibilities between Trainer and Pokémon!" explained Cilan, the males sitting at a table.
"Ah, come on…" chuckled Ash, feeling shy about this.
"Well, I do have a great teacher…" added Darwin.
"There are things that I'd like to ask you for your future references, as a Pokémon Connoisseur," explained Cilan.
"What's that?" asked Darwin. Then, to the two boy's surprise, Cilan took out a notebook.
"So, how do you two bring out a Pokémon's hidden nature like you do? Also, won't you two fill me in on that secret recipe of yours that allows you to turn type disadvantage and inexperience into a win? Please, Ash! Darwin! I'm dying to know!" exclaimed Cilan, unnerving them.
"Uh… Guess I never really thought about it!" stammered Ash.
"I need an adult!" screamed Darwin, using what Georgia told him to say if someone gets too close. Fortunately…
Can Ash Ketchum and Darwin Langley please report to the front desk? I repeat…
"Coming!" The travelers ran over, Cilan following. Reaching the front desk, the two see a new Pokémon walk up to them, carrying 5 Pokéballs on the cart.
"[They are all healed up.]" She is a bipedal, pink-and-cream Pokémon with oval, blue eyes. The top of her head, her back, and her arms are pink, while the lower half of her face, body, ears are cream-colored, as well as her front and fingers. The patterning of pink and cream on her chest resembles a jacket. There are three digits on her hands and two on her feet. She has a puffy, white tuft for a tail. She has floppy ears with thin, curled extensions on the underside.
"Who's that Pokémon?" asked Ash.
"An Audino! Audino here is an assistant to Nurse Joy at the Pokémon Center!" explained Cilan. Ash took out his Pokédex.
Audino, the Hearing Pokémon. Audino can assess a Pokémon's overall physical condition and mood using its ears.
"So they're like the Chansey of Unova?" blinked Ash.
"Chansey?" Curious, Darwin searched his Pokédex. Chansey is a pink, ovoid Pokémon with stubby arms and dark pink feet. She has tiny eyes and three hair-like growths on each side of her head. The tufts of hair have dark pink tips. On the center of her belly is a dark pink pouch that contains a single white egg. Finally, she has a short tail.
Chansey, the Egg Pokémon, and the evolved form of Happiny. A kindly Pokémon that lays highly nutritious eggs and shares them with injured Pokémon or people.
"Nurse Joy! Help, please!" Georgia dashes in, holding a slumbering/shaking Pawniard covered in a purple hue.
"Us too!" May and Dawn shortly followed, holding Swablu and Piplup in similar positions excluding shaking and replacing the purple hue with pink.
"What's wrong? (gasps) Oh my, your Pokémon…" replied Nurse Joy.
"They started to fall asleep as soon as pink lights hit them from the sky!" explained Georgia.
"Pink lights?" repeated Darwin.
"Yeah! And whatever it is, there's more outside!" added Dawn, looking out.
"Cilan, please tell me your Pansage or Simisage knows Worry Seed." pleaded Darwin.
"Sorry, but no." winced Cilan, wishing for an answer. At that moment, a long-haired bluenette woman scientist with a floating pink Pokémon came running in.
"Ah! Just as I feared! Munna, please wake up these two up, quickly!" called the scientist. At that, the hue turned into gas which started making the Coordinators drowsy before the pink Pokémon began inhaling it; the substance familiar to Dawn.
'So there wasn't fog in my dream… it was—'
"Who's that Pokémon?" asked Ash, having a better look and unintentionally snapping Dawn out of her thoughts. Munna is a pink, nearly spherical, quadrupedal Pokémon of indefinable basis. She has four tiny tapered limbs and a tapered snout that largely obscures its sizable mouth. Munna has shiny, oval, red eyes with two discernible upper eyelashes. Between her eyes is an oval spot in a darker shade of pink. Purple, five-petal flower markings with dark pink centers ornament much of its body. Dawn scanned with her Pokédex for the unaware.
Munna, the Dream Eater Pokémon. Munna can eat the dreams of people and Pokémon alike, and then project those dreams by emitting Dream Mist from its body.
'Dream Mist…' She finally had a name for the substance.
"[It is done.]" Once she inhaled it, the flower markings on Munna's body began to glow before Dream Mist was expelled from her spot, forming a 'screen'.
"Oh wow…" awed Ash.
"What's that?" asked May.
"Is this some sort of… psychic projection?" asked Darwin.
"That's right! That's the dream that this Pokémon was having!" explained the woman. Everyone looked at the Dream Mist until Swablu woke up.
"Swablu!" exclaimed May, tightening her hug.
"Why isn't Piplup…" trailed Dawn, looking at her asleep partner.
"Be patient, he'll wake up soon." assured the scientist. Relieved, she and the others viewed the screen, seeing Swablu fly the skies along with…
"What kind of Pokémon is that?" blinked Dawn, remembering seeing it around the time Ash's then-Starly was learning Aerial Ace.
"That's my Taillow; before he evolved!" gawked Ash.
"Taillow?" Curious, Darwin brought out his Pokédex. Taillow is a small bird Pokémon with dark blue feathers. A red marking with pointed tips stretches from his chest to his forehead, and he has a white underside. He has narrow brown eyes and a short yellow beak. He has elongated wingtips and black feet with yellow talons. Each foot has three toes facing forward and one backward. Two sharply pointed feathers form his tail.
Taillow, the Tiny Swallow Pokémon. It has a gutsy spirit that makes it bravely take on tough foes. It flies in search of warm climates.
"The first part is familiar." giggled Dawn, glancing at Ash. The 'dream' Pokémon land on a tree branch, with Swablu cuddling into Taillow's side.
"Aw~!" gushed the scientist and Georgia. The males softly smiled at the scene. Dawn and May, on the other hand, noticed the real Swablu blushing and hiding her face in her wings.
"Does Swablu have a crush on Ash's Swellow?" blinked Dawn. She got her answer with Swablu exhaling small Mist around herself to hide.
"I had no idea." awed May. Ash fingers Pidove's Poké Ball, eager for her to meet his Hoenn flyer. Suddenly, the screen flickered before changing scenes.
"What's happening?" asked Dawn.
"When Munna eats multiple dreams, they work like changing TV channels." answered the scientist. On cue, Piplup wakes up, rubbing his eyes. Relieved, Dawn tightened her grip, turning her partner's attention to the 'screen'.
"[Oh nononono—]" echoed Piplup, hoping it wasn't showing what he thinks it's showing.
"What. The. ****?!" Darwin practically worded everyone's thoughts on the dream, Georgia too stunned to reprimand him.
"[Fetch me more grapes.]" clapped Piplup, laying on a hammock… wearing a king's cape and crown.
"[Yes Master Piplup.]" A few Purrloins dressed like maids giggled before leaving.
"[More wind, peasant.]" scolded dream Piplup, looking towards…
"[Yes, Master Piplup.]" Ash's Gible dressed in some kind of slave uniform fans his master with a leaf fan.
"[Master Piplup, the Prinplup Empire has surrendered! I repeat the Prinplup Empire has surrendered!]" Pikachu rushed in with a clipboard, which Piplup took.
"[Excellent! Now my Piplup Empire is one step closer to world domination! Mwahahahaha—]" The laughter ended with the screen's dissipation, everyone gawking at the dreamer.
"…You have issues." pointed Darwin.
"[Shut up!]" pouted Piplup. The scientist cleared her throat, drawing their attention.
"Hi, everybody! I'm Dr. Fennel, a scientist that specializes in dreams and other special powers, which so many Pokémon possess!" introduced Fennel. The gang introduced themselves while the awakened Pokémon were returned.
"Wait, can you do the same for Pawniard?!" pleaded Georgia, trying to stop Pawniard from thrashing around. At the sight, Fennel gasped.
"A Dark-Type?! But that shouldn't… Munna, try to wake her up." pleaded Funnel, bothered. Nodding, Munna formed the hue into Mist before inhaling it… only to cough at a single breath.
"What happened?!" frowned Ash.
"This is worse than I thought… Follow me outside and I'll show you."
(Outside)
"Did winter come early or something?" gawked Darwin, seeing the sky 'snow' pink lights.
"These lights are why our Pokémon fell asleep." frowned May, everyone having followed Fennel out while Georgia left Beartic to look out for Pawniard.
"All of this must be created by Musharna's Dream Mist!" guessed Fennel.
"Musharna?" repeated the foreigners.
"Musharna evolves from Munna!" Cilan explains.
"Correct…" agreed Fennel. As one, the foreigners each took out their Pokédex. Musharna is a rounded, bipedal Pokémon that has a tapir-like trunk. Its body is light purple, while its head is pale pink. It has oval, red eyes with three eyelashes and dark pink ovals on its forehead and cheeks. The tips of its four stubby limbs are dark pink. Dream Mist seeps out of the mark on its forehead.
Musharna, the Drowsing Pokémon, and the evolved form of Munna. The mist from its forehead takes the form of things present in the dreams it has eaten.
"Musharna eats dreams, just as Munna does, and can project those dreams in a Dream Mist!" explained Fennel.
"Do you think Musharna can wake up Pawniard?" hoped Georgia.
"Definitely." As soon as she said, a police car came by, screeching to a stop.
"Attention!" Walking out of the car is Officer Jenny, surprising the foreigners with her shorter hair and different, sandy brown uniform.
"Officer Jenny!?" called Cilan. The officer ignored him, marching to Ash.
"You must return your Pokémon to its Poké Ball, immediately!" warned Jenny.
"[WHAT?!]" shook Pikachu.
"Pokémon are falling asleep, all after being exposed to the mysterious pink light! You must hurry!" explained Jenny.
"The thing is… my Pikachu is very claustrophobic and doesn't like being in its Poké Ball one bit!" frowned Ash.
"Claw Stroke what?" blinked Darwin.
"It means fear of closed or tight spaces," explained Cilan, surprised.
"Whoa… I had no idea!" frowned Georgia. Fennel smiling, hatching an idea.
"If I may? (takes Ash's hat, placing it on Pikachu's head) There. That should work for the two of them, for now." replied Fennel. As if proving her right, a pink light fell onto the cap bill.
"So, will Munna be alright?" asked Cilan, worried.
"Yes. Munna and the lights are attracted to each other!" True to the scientist's words, nearby lights were drawn to Munna's body, the Psychic-Type unaffected.
"Does that include all the Psychic-types or only the Munna line?" asked Darwin.
"The second." sighed Jenny, having seen a small number affected.
"I think the key to solving this mystery is to be found in the Dreamyard!" guessed Fennel. Dawn gasped, remembering to have seen a sign that says that in her dream.
"Is it some kind of lab?" hoped Dawn, getting a look from Fennel.
"That's… correct. How did you know?" asked Fennel.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
(Minutes later)
"The Dreamyard's an abandoned site, located right outside of the city! Everybody was talking about the huge explosion that occurred a few years back!" explained Cilan, riding Jenny's car with the gang; the girls and Ash in the back with Georgia on Ash's lap due to the lack of room (much to the foreign girls' envy) while Cilan and Darwin are in the front with Fennel on the former's lap.
"And let me guess, like the start of most disaster movies, it was sabotaged?" asked Darwin dryly.
"Unintentional, but yes. It's what is left of a Pokémon Research Facility. A place to discover a way to utilize Musharna's Dream Mist… That is, turn it into energy that people could benefit from! And I was one of the scientists in the project." explained Fennel.
"Turning dreams into energy?" frowned Ash, sharing glances with Dawn and May. Using stuff created by Pokémon to make new forms of energy never worked out from their experiences.
"Once our research had been finalized, we would've created the ultimate clean energy! After all, the sources would've been nothing but the dreams of people and Pokémon! But then…" trailed Fennel, regretful.
"Let me guess, something went wrong?" asked Darwin, hiding his dry tone.
"People came, trying to gain control of this new energy! And since their ambitions were in a sense, dreams… Musharna absorbed their greedy dreams, which became so overwhelming… that Musharna could no longer process them. Musharna had disappeared, and the research lab was destroyed." concluded Fennel.
"And the research?" asked Jenny.
"I gave up. With Musharna gone, I became fed up with it all and left the city…" sighed Fennel.
"So then, why come back now?" asked Dawn.
"Well, Munna and I return now, because Munna sensed something… And with the discovery of the pink lights, Musharna must be here… Somewhere! I know it!" assured Fennel. Before any more could be said, a strange sensation washed over everyone.
"That… was weird." shivered May, most of the gang agreeing.
"Um… Doctor… did the facility ever work on cloaking devices or anything that can hide something?" asked Darwin nervously.
"No, we didn't." shook Fennel.
"Oh… THEN HOW ELSE COULD NO ONE REPORT THAT?!" screamed Darwin, pointing at the… best he could describe it is a skyscraper-sized 'geyser' of pink energy at the center of the site, lights dropping from it like snow. Fortunately for them, the lights above hit an invisible barrier.
"Oh man!" gasped Ash, Jenny stopping the car before the others stepped out at the entrance, entranced by the sight.
"This is bad." gulped Darwin.
"There's no doubt in my mind that this is the source of the lights," noted Fennel.
"I thought the site was abandoned." frowned Jenny.
"Me too, but even if it wasn't, we never built anything capable of this, or had the resources to." defended Fennel. Just as Dawn took a step, she felt her foot lightly hit something. Looking down, she gasped.
"Everyone, look around!" Startled by Dawn's shout, everyone did so, growing horrified with the sight of a dozen or so Munna lying on their sides, looking vastly weakened and drained.
"Oh no…" sobbed May, kneeling and petting a Munna.
"Guess we found whoever's responsible's power source," commented Cilan, moving a Munna from a branch to the grass. Determined, the group rushed to the entrance.
"Herdier, Shadow Ball the door open!" Jenny brought out her partner, surprising the foreigners who scanned him.
Herdier, the Loyal Dog Pokémon, and the evolved form of Lillipup. Herdier's hard black fur softens its opponent's attacks like armor.
"Lillipup's evolved form…" awed Dawn, watching the Loyal Dog open his mouth to form a black/purple ball of Ghost energy in front of it before firing at the barred automatic doors, destroying them and alerting the people inside.
"What the—?!"
"Alright! What are you doing here!?" demanded Jenny, leading the group through the explosion. The foreigners fingered their Poké Balls, expecting Team Rocket or another 'Regional Team'.
"We're searching for any residual traces of dreams!" True to the foreigners' unspoken guess, it's a Team, evident by the clothes their wearing; knight variations of Team Galactic with a coat of arms on their chest (a shield shape with a blue P, with one side black and the other white), and an X on their hoods. At the center of the room is a capsule/telescope machine aimed at the sky, pink mist being drained from the bottom while a beam of light is emitted from the top.
"I think that machine is elevating the energy levels left here!" noted Fennel.
"Very good." sneered a female Grunt.
"Just who are you, people? And why are you doing this!?" demanded Darwin.
"If you must know, we're Team Plasma!" The foreigners groaned at the name.
'Figures.'
"The sleeping energy here in the Dreamyard will be fully awakened at the hands of Team Plasma!" explained a Grunt.
"And we won't let some snot-nosed brats stand in our way!" sneered another.
"I can't believe there are people who still want to take advantage of our dreams!" sighed Fennel sadly.
"Dr. Fennel, is it possible that Musharna was trying to warn you all about this through Munna?" asked Cilan silently.
"I hadn't thought about that…" admitted Fennel. Before she could think about it, the place began to shake, catching everyone off guard.
"She's he~re!" sang a psychotic Grunt.
"What?" frowned May, almost tripping if Ash hadn't caught her.
"Tell me, doctor, where did you think Musharna disappeared to all those years ago?" taunted a Grunt.
"Musharna or Munna can't learn Teleport!" reminded Darwin, getting caught by his sister. Suddenly, once the shaking stopped, the device started beeping before, in a flash of pink, a familiar Pokémon formed from Dream Mist inside the capsule.
"Musharna!" cried Fennel. After all these years, her old friend is back…
"[Maria? Is that—]" The Psychic-Type bumped onto the glass casing, turning scared.
"Don't even think about busting it out! Go, Patrat!" shouted a Grunt, bringing out Unova's Rattata/Zigzagoon/Bidoof. Almost all the other Grunts brought the species out, except a few that did it for some Woobat.
"If you think we're going down without a fight, you got another thing coming! Let's Go, Lillipup!" shouted Darwin, his newest catch barring his teeth; he would've been chatty with his evolved form, but the situation demanded seriousness.
"You're right, little brother! Go, Vanillite!" screamed Georgia, her Ice-Type glaring.
"Join them, Blaziken!"
"You too Togekiss!"
"Gible, I choose you!" In three flashes, the same number of foreign Pokémon joined the offense.
"Patrat/Woobat, Shadow Ball!" A dozen or so Ghost Moves began to fly towards the group.
"Lillipup/Herdier, block them!" At Jenny and Darwin's shout, the two Normal-Types ran around, taking some Uneffective Moves.
"Blaziken, Fire Spin!" The Hoenn Pokémon exhaled the Fire Move, blocking some Shadow Balls.
"Gible, Incinerate!" punched Ash. Inhaling, Gible formed the Fire Move before shooting it upwards, destroying some Woobats' Shadow Balls.
"Togekiss, Aura Sphere!" The Sinnoh flyer opened her mouth, forming many blue spheres of Fighting energy before firing them.
"You Sinnoh ****! Don't you know Fighting-Types don't affect Ghost-Types?" True to the racist Grunt's word, the many Aura Spheres passed through the Shadow Balls harmlessly.
"I know. (grins) But your Pokémon aren't!" reminded Dawn. The Grunts only had time to gasp before the Aura Spheres struck many of their Patrat, the Super-Effective Move knocking a lot of them out. While they returned them, Dawn rushed toward the capsule.
"Stop that ****!" snarled a Grunt. The Woobat nod before forming more Shadow Balls, preparing to throw them at the Coordinator.
"I'll cover you, Dawn! Vanillite, Ice Beam!" waved Georgia.
"[Chill out, batties!]" punned Vanillite, forming the Ice Move before firing it at the Psychic/Flying-Types, freezing their wings and forcing them to fall.
"Thanks! (reaches capsule) Don't worry, Musharna, I'll break you out!" shouted Dawn, looking around the machine.
"[You came!]" Dawn blinked at the voice. Turning to Musharna, she sees something peeking from behind her. Before she could get a better look, two beams exited the opposing sides of the capsules, forming a net over Musharna and shocking her.
"No! Musharna!"
"Oh come on!"
"Musharna!" Dr. Fennel, Darwin, and Ash gasped. Forgetting the mystery, Dawn looked around the machine, hoping to deactivate it.
"Stop what you're doing, please!" pleaded Fennel.
"Musharna's now liberated from you thanks to the power of Team Plasma!" declared a Grunt.
"Not if I have anything to say about it!" snarled Darwin, bringing up a holoscreen and keyboard before typing. As he did, the dream beam began shrinking.
"The machine's shutting down!" realized a Grunt. Snarling, another sees Darwin, putting it together.
"It's that boy; he's hacking through our firewalls and trying to override! Emphasis on 'trying'; Woobat, Psychic to stop that brat from foiling our plans!" ordered the Grunt. One of the floor-bound Woobat nodded before a dark pink glow covers Darwin's Xtransciever.
"Wha—AGH!" kneeled Darwin, Xtransciever destroyed with Psychic power and wrist marked by the squeezed device. With his hacking stopped, the dream beam returned to regular size.
"DARWIN!"
"You monster! No one does that to my little brother and gets away with it! Vanillite, AVALANCHE!" screamed Georgia, pointing at the Grunt responsible.
"Did she just say—"
"[Fun's over!]" All playfulness left Vanillite's voice while her body glows light blue. Suddenly, a large dark cloud appeared above all the Grunts and their Pokémon.
"MOVE!" The Grunt's order came too late when chunks of ice began raining down on them, creating a dust cloud. Once it finished and the dust dispersed, all the Grunts' Pokémon have swirly eyes.
"Tsk… doesn't matter, we still have the—" A Grunt froze, seeing Dawn holding up a cable with Musharna floating by her side while the Coordinator carries something and a switch labeled 'On/Off' is down beside her.
"You should've made the thing battery-powered and remote-controlled." grinned Dawn.
"N~O!" True to the Team's despair, the dream beam began shrinking until it became nothing while the Dream Mist stopped coming in.
"With this crisis over, I am placing you all under arrest!" glared Jenny, reaching for handcuffs.
"Shadow Ball!" Before Jenny could get close, a platoon of Shadow Balls struck the ground around Team Plasma, creating smoke. When it dispersed…
"They're gone!" gasped Cilan.
"I thought I got them all!" growled Georgia, helping Darwin cradle his wrist. The others are equally frustrated.
"It's okay! I mean, Dr. Fennel and Musharna are back together!" assured Ash. The others looked to see the reunion.
"Oh, Musharna… (hugs Psychic-Type) I'm so sorry that I didn't feel your presence in such a long time!" apologized Fennel.
"[It's alright!]" admitted Musharna.
"Speaking of presence, (turns to Dawn) what are you holding there, Dawn?" tilted Ash, drawing everyone's attention to the gold thing in the younger bluenette's arms.
"Well, when Musharna came out of that… dream dimension, I think it's called, she wasn't alone." smiled Dawn, the 'thing' turning around to show—
"Is that a Shiny Munna?!" True to Darwin's words, instead of the usual pink with purple flowers, the Munna in Dawn's arms is gold with green flowers and has darker eyes than a regular Munna.
"You're a mother?! (tightens grip) I'm so happy for you!" cried Fennel.
"Wait, so the source of that dream you had earlier was—" realized Ash, stepping toward Dawn.
"Yeah. Turns out when the two were being dragged out of the dream dimension, this little girl was sending me a map of the place in my head; that's how I knew where to check for outlets, which helped with shutting the machine," explained Dawn.
"Speaking of which… (glares at it) Let's make sure no one tries this stuff again," ordered Ash. The gang nods before calling out.
"Togekiss, Aura Sphere!"
"Blaziken, Flamethrower!"
"Gible, Dragon Pulse!"
"Vanillite, Ice Beam!"
In a matter of moments, the machine is nothing more than pieces of molten, frozen scrap.
"From now on, we'll never be apart!" promised Fennel once she separated.
"[YAY!]" whooped Musharna.
"I can't thank you enough, everyone!" thanked Fennel.
"I'm really happy for you, Doctor! Right, Darwin?" asked Ash, elbowing the hacker.
"Yeah!" smiled Darwin.
"It's so beautiful!" cried the girls.
"[True that/Well done/Good work.]" The foreign Pokémon agreed.
"Oh, what a beautiful reunion to behold! Dr. Fennel and Musharna's twin hearts reunited once again! Such exquisite harmony!" pointed Cilan. Officer Jenny walked over with a smile as well.
"Well… I would say that this case is closed!"
(Next Morning)
"You're going on a journey?" asked Chili in shock.
"Are you serious?" asked Cress, unsure. The gang was waiting in front of the Striaton Gym, where they were waiting for Cilan.
"I'm as serious as I can be! Both Ash and Darwin's battles and our talk has convinced me, that I couldn't just resist the urge anymore!" explained Cilan, glancing at the two.
"Can't wait for this cast to be off…" grumbled Darwin, eying the wrapping arm. Good thing it isn't his dominant hand.
"A~nd there!" smiled Ash, letting Pawniard go and settle herself on Georgia's head, none of the blades touching her skin.
"Whoa… it's not as painful as I thought it'd be." awed Georgia while petting Pawniard; the Dark/Steel-type having refused to go in her Poké Ball like Pikachu. When asked, Jenny and Joy explained that while almost every Pokémon Type was peaceful, Dark-types (even dual ones) were shaking as they've been through nightmares. When Fennel confirmed this Georgia decided to keep Pawniard out to help.
"It's so clear! There's more to the pairing of Pokémon and Trainer than I originally thought; much more! I know this will help me become an even better Pokémon Connoisseur!" assured Cilan.
"If that's the case, we won't stop you!" smirked Chili.
"We want you to become the best… the best Pokémon Connoisseur in the world!" replied Cress.
"Thank you both!"
"You just leave Simisage and the Striaton Gym to us!" replied Chili, the green-haired triplet having left the veteran.
"Yes… And best wishes on your journey, Cilan," replied Cress. Cilan nodded with a smile before he joined up with the gang as they walked together, heading out of the city.
"So, Cilan! Where are you headed?" asked Ash.
"Wherever you and Darwin are headed! I want to go on the journey with the two of you! Plus, remember! You two haven't answered all my questions yet!" winked Cilan.
"What questions?" asked the girls, glancing at the boys.
"We'll explain later." waved off Ash, Darwin nodding.
"And that's not the only reason! My other reasons are for you to find out! If we go on a journey together, I'm sure there's no doubt that the journey will be full of flavor!" explained Cilan. Stopping the gang huddled, whispering in hush tones. After a minute or two, they separated, smiling.
"Okay then! Let's travel together!" exclaimed Ash.
"We could use a Brock in the gang," commented May, Dawn smiling.
'Brock?'
"Whatever a Brock is, if this means we'll have a professional cook on our beck and call, then I'm all for it!" nodded Darwin.
"The Langleys aren't known for their cooking skills." sighed Georgia.
"Let's see where the next Gym will be! (takes out digital Town Map) Looks like… Nacrene City! That's the Nacrene Gym!" informed Cilan.
"Nacrene Gym, huh? I heard they have a museum there; I bet that's the Gym!" smirked Darwin.
"Okay then! (looks at rookie) Darwin, this time, when we get there… you can battle first." insisted Ash.
"Really? Sweet!"
"And that's not all! (glances at May) On the way there, we can stop at Luxuria Town, where they're having a Contest!" added Cilan.
"Nice!" fist-pumped May. Dawn smiled at her.
"Let's make our dreams come true together! (looks at everyone) I want to become the world's greatest Pokémon Master, Cilan wants to become the world's super Connoisseur, May and Dawn want to be Top Coordinators." recited Ash.
'Not right now.' winced Dawn, May rubbing her shoulder in support.
"Hey, Darwin! What's your dream?" asked Ash.
"That's easy; my dream is to be the world's greatest Pokémon Adventurer!" announced Darwin smugly.
"Then you made the right choice sticking with Ash." nodded May, looking at her crush.
"Keep doing that, and we guarantee you'll have dozens of unforgettable memories!" nodded Dawn.
"And last, but not least, Georgia, what's your dream?" asked Ash, catching the elder Langley off-guard.
"I… wanna keep that to myself, please." sighed Georgia, surprising the others.
"Don't you wanna be the— MMPH?!" Darwin got muffled by his sister, confusing the others. Before they can ask anymore…
"Oomph!" A gold blur rammed Dawn to the ground, dazing her for a bit.
"Are you alright?" asked Ash, helping Dawn up.
"I'm OK. (looks at arms to see familiar Psychic-Type) Munna, what are you doing here?" asked Dawn, hugging the Shiny Pokémon.
"Looks like she wants to go with you." She got her answer when Fennel walked to the gang, joined by Musharna and her Munna. "I see you've decided to travel, Cilan."
"I have." nodded the Connoisseur.
"Are you sure?" frowned Dawn worriedly.
"From what I gathered, Munna was born in the Dream World and barely knows anything about this one. She needs to learn and explore and find out what she wants, and if our 'crisis' was anything to go by, she trusts you an awful lot. From what I've seen, it's rightfully given." smiled Fennel.
"Really?" smiled Dawn, lifting and looking into Munna's eyes. At once, it was as if an understanding came between them through their gazes alone.
"[Please take me with you!]" begged Munna.
"Alright." With a nod, Dawn takes out a Poké Ball and taps it against Munna's head, catching her.
*Beep… Beep… Beep… DING!*
"Alright! (lifts Poké Ball into the air) I just caught… a Munna!" declared Dawn.
"[A new teammate!]" declared Piplup, jumping and posing. Excitement over, Dawn scanned Munna's Poké Ball.
This Munna is Female and has the Ability, Synchronize. It has the Moves Psybeam, Yawn, Imprison, and Barrier.
While everyone congratulates Dawn on her first Unovan catch, Ash looks around, having a strange but neutral feeling in his head.
'Why do I have this weird feeling we're being watched?'
(Far Rooftop)
"Looks like Paradox was right… some events are fixed." Coming out of a rooftop entrance's shadow is a half-black/half-white humanoid with a green orb on each foot 'stub', wrist, and shoulder. He has a single green eye and the Omnitrix symbol on his chest. This is one of Ben's least-used transformations until recently, Shadowman. And yes, the name sounds like something Ben 23 would give.
"He isn't a Time-Walker for nothing." Leaning against the entrance is a gold-clad male with a navy left arm, boots, and a portion of his helmet. He has a black logo on his chest resembling a mix of a lightning bolt and a sword. Aside from the navy, the helmet has a gold grilled visor resembling a Mosasaurus/knight hybrid with red eyes. This is Dino Fury Gold, and the person wearing the suit is the same one that saved May from Harley months ago.
"Does this mean all our work was for nothing?" Sitting on the ledge is Sega; the only one who used the same power as before.
"It was for something; I don't regret accepting Paradox's request if it means I couldn't save someone." retorted Dino Fury Gold.
"Yeah, this world doesn't need a Servantis." nodded Shadowman. Dino Fury Gold looked away, ashamed of letting the ex-Plumber mess with his head in an effort to forget his late love in a fit of depression; if it wasn't for Ben using Alien X to undo everything the Rooter did to his and everyone's minds, he wouldn't like what would happen. While Ben forgives him, reminding him of when he did something similar almost a year ago, he can't forgive himself.
"Good point… (stands) So does this mean we're done here?" asked Sega.
"Almost; just gotta ask you two, did the Legendaries give you anything for a reward or something like my 'Pokémon-inspired' aliens?" questioned Shadowman, remembering when Paradox and Mew gave him Leaf Blade and Sick Pack along with the few others he hasn't named yet.
"Zekrom gave me this for freeing him." nodded Sega, showing a grey Dual Cartridge with one-half blank while the other is black with blue lightning. The mascot is Zekrom himself while the game title is 'Deep Black Thunder Yin'.
"Let me guess; you have to wait for Reshiram to reawaken to use that Cartridge's full power?" asked Shadowman.
"Surprisingly, no. Paradox says that as soon as we return to our time and world, Reshiram's power will find its way to me," answered Sega.
"Once a cryptic, always a cryptic. So Gold, what did you get?" asked Shadowman.
"Paradox brought me to a Manaphy, who brought me to Kyogre and he granted me this," explained Dino Fury Gold, taking out a navy Ninja Power Star that's similar to Lion Fire, except with a whale face in place, the 'super' kanji on the forehead, and the gold flames replaced with silver watery waves.
"He gave you a new Zord?" realized Sega.
"Kyogre basically gave me his version of my Lion Fire arsenal and according to him, it's equally powerful but different enough to keep it separate," answered Dino Fury Gold.
"Nice."
"Now with everything we've done and seen, I think it's time to return home and leave this world's fate to that group. (Shadowman and Sega nod) Glad we agree! Cosmic Gateway, Activate!" Dino Fury Gold takes out a black/purple raptor head-shaped key before flipping it into a figurine, inserting it into his Morpher (a navy blue blaster resembling a Mosasaurus with a gold lower jaw and the head and the muzzle), pulling the muzzle four times, then finally, pulling the trigger, firing an orange energy blast that formed into a life-sized portal in front of the Trinity.
"Only one?" asked Sega.
"The portal will bring us home, don't get greedy." scolded Dino Fury Gold. Content, the two costumed heroes entered the portal. Shadowman looks at the distance where the gang is before following, secretly proud.
'Paradox is right; this world is in very capable hands.'
Ash's Pokémon Team
Pikachu (M): Ability: Static. Moves: Agility, Thunder, Iron Tail, Quick Attack, Volt Tackle, Thunderbolt, Fusion Bolt, Brick Break
Gible (M): Ability: Sand Veil. Moves: Dig, Draco Meteor, Dragon Pulse, Rock Smash, Incinerate
Deerling (M): Ability: Chlorophyll. Moves: Tackle, Camouflage, Growl, Agility, Double Kick
Pidove (F): Ability: Super Luck. Moves: Gust, Quick Attack, Air Cutter, Leer, Steel Wing
Oshawott (M): Ability: Torrent. Moves: Tackle, Water Gun, Razor Shell, Rock Smash
Tepig (M): Ability: Blaze. Moves: Tackle, Ember, Yawn
Darwin's Pokémon Team
Tepig (F): Ability: Blaze. Moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Ember, Odor Sleuth, Incinerate
Purrloin (F): Ability: Limber. Moves: Scratch, Growl, Assist, Iron Tail
Lillipup (M): Ability: Pickup. Moves: Leer, Tackle, Odor Sleuth, Bite
Georgia's Pokémon Team
Beartic (M): Ability: Snow Cloak. Moves: Slash, Night Slash, Icicle Crash, Ice Beam, Rock Smash
Pawniard (F): Ability: Defiant. Moves: Metal Claw, Iron Head, Guillotine
Vanillite (F): Ability: Ice Body. Moves: Avalanche, Mist, Icicle Spear, Ice Beam
May's Pokémon Team
Blaziken (M): Ability: Blaze. Moves: Blaze Kick, Overheat, Flamethrower, Sky Uppercut, Fire Spin, Shadow Claw, Mega Kick
Swablu (F): Ability: Natural Cure. Moves: Sing, Mist, Round, Double Team
Dawn's Pokémon Team
Piplup (M): Ability: Torrent. Moves: Drill Peck, Ice Beam, Hydro Pump, Whirlpool, Mist
Togekiss (F): Ability: Serene Grace. Moves: Aura Sphere, Sky Attack, Air Slash, Safeguard
Munna* (F): Ability: Synchronize. Moves: Psybeam, Yawn, Imprison, Barrier
Cilan's Pokémon Team
Pansage (M): Ability: Gluttony. Moves: Bullet Seed, Bite, Solar Beam, Dig, Rock Tomb, Vine Whip
Dawn: You gave me a Shiny Munna?
Omarnosian10: With how you dealt with Cresselia during the DP seasons and—
Ash: Wait, spoiler!
Omarnosian10: Thanks. Anyway, Munna seems like a perfect fit for you.
Dawn: Thanks.
May: When am I gonna get an Unova Pokémon?
Omarnosian10: S~oon!
Cilan: How soon?
Omarnosian10: No spoilers!
Georgia: Why did you have my Pawniard fall asleep and not Vanillite?
Omarnosian10: It's for a future chapter, and that's all I'm gonna say. Is that everything?
Cilan: I believe so.
Ash: Wait Cilan, cover your nose!
Cilan: Wh—
Omarnosian10: SMOKEBOMB!
*Cilan faints*
Ash: I tried to warn him.
