Location: Home, Nexus Room
Date: July 14th

We received grim news during morning announcements. A new warning was printed on pamphlets spread throughout the plaza. Dedenne read it aloud to us, and the target was...was...

Seriously? I mean...I can't...seriously? My mind is still reeling.

It was Entei. Literally the only legendary Pokémon we've butted heads with. Of all the...seriously? How the hell were we supposed to help him without him getting all triggered and assumin' we were there to turn him to stone? And really, why bother targeting that hothead at all? The culprit could easily use his temper in their favor by framing someone, and the heated moron wouldn't hesitate to hunt them down and kill them, innocent or no.

The warning went so far as to LIST the place it was gonna happen too – Showdown Mountain. I've never heard of the place, but it sounded like an appropriate spot to dramatically stonify a legendary Pokémon. For someone looking to showboat, that is. To rev up their taunt, the culprit invited others to come bear witness if they too wanted to be turned to stone.

Ugh. As if the petrifying wasn't motivation enough, this douche's cocky attitude made me wanna capture them just to see their demeanor deflate. I hate folks like that...as if my history dealing with Pancham wasn't evidence enough.

While I was thinking that, Ampharos was talking about how he was absolutely sure Entei would go face the issued challenge at Showdown Mountain. So long as he believed he'd have a chance at defeating the culprit behind all this, Entei would most certainly go.

As such, Ampharos felt it was appropriate for us all to go to Showdown Mountain and investigate this matter ourselves. Ah, finally! A proper outing involving all the members of the Soci – oh. Dude quickly changed his mind, saying only he, Mawile, Bunnelby, Archen and Buizel would go.

Bruh. What the fuck? You just said we should all go. ALL. That doesn't mean "some of us", that means fucking ALL of us!

Lyra spoke up, and Ampharos said we should stay at HQ since this is too dangerous for us. Oh, and fucking fighting Entei in his territory wasn't!? Cut us some slack here man, we knocked that guy out when your little bodyguard couldn't rise to his challenge! But you feel confident taking said bodyguard with you and not us?

"Too dangerous". Fuck Ampharos.

Lyra acted as my voice in this matter. She said pretty much what I thought, albeit in a...filtered and enthusiastic Lyra sorta way. She pointed out that we're capable of fighting just like the rest.

Ampharos admitted we had Entei's back against a wall, but we were protected by a mysterious power at the time. We won't necessarily be able to evolve next time, and we shouldn't rely on miracles pulling us out of the deep end anyway. It's not just Entei this time, but whoever was behind all these terrifying incidents. To say it'll be dangerous would be a huge understatement. It'll be deadly.

Lyra apologized, saying she didn't say it just to say it. She knew it's gonna be dangerous. Scratch that, we knew it's gonna be dangerous. But even so, we can't just stand by and watch! Entei's a hotheaded bonehead, but he's not a bad Pokémon. Not to mention...Latios and Latias...we were there. We saw what happened to them.

I spoke up as well, adding to Lyra's point.

"You said I'm an intelligent and kindhearted lady who shouldn't be afraid to let the world hear her voice. Well, hear my voice, Ampharos! We are a part of this as much as everyone else, and we should be involved! This is our home, too. And we...we...if w-we have the power to protect Entei from suffering the same fate...don't try to stop us from helping!"

Ugh...I was trying so damn hard to keep it together. I...I was feeling unheard, and I hoped like hell speaking up would make things better, but all I could imagine was everyone bursting out laughing at me and...and...before I could think other upsetting thoughts, Bunnelby set one of his ears on my shoulder.

This wasn't just about the stone incidents. When we arrived at Citruse Village, the damage was already done. Pokémon died, and we couldn't do anything about it.

He was there too. He saw the carnage, the damage...Eris tried, but she couldn't save everyone. Seeing all those poor Pokémon...he understood how I felt. He didn't want me sitting this one out, not after we were already powerless to help others before. If he was benched for this, he'd be so furious and hurt. He turned to Ampharos and said that the only way he was being a part of this was if I was involved too.

I...uh...wow. Bunnelby...I wanted to hug him. None of the Society members had taken our side like that before, so it felt like...it felt like...I was heard. I was understood. I was...w-was...supported. Cared for. Loved. In a sibling way, of course.

And, wouldn't you know it, Archen spoke up as well. He said he was there to see Latios and Latias turned to stone. He knew how we felt and didn't want us on the sidelines either. He turned to Ampharos and said he had to insist that we come along too. Yes, it'll be dangerous...but he was willing to protect us if needs be!

Even...even loud-as-fuck Archen was on our side? Despite him nagging and squawking at us the entire adventure? He...he understood us and vouched for us and...and...was e-even willing to...

Oh Arceus, I'm SUCH A BITCH! Fuck everything negative I ever said about them, these two are golden heroes! They're perfect, pure, and forever an ally to the Evergreens. Our older brothers. Ugh, I wanted to hug them so bad, but we had to stand tall and dignified in front of everyone else. Now wasn't the time to break down like little kids.

Ampharos relented, saying we could come as well. However, Archen would not be our protector...but instead, Bunnelby and Mawile. He asked Archen if that was acceptable, and Archen said yes, that Mawile's stronger and more qualified than him anyhow.

Bunnelby shot me a warm grin as Archen kept prattling on. Geez, I really wanted to hug him or show him I was grateful, but all I could do was smile back. He really came through for me when I needed him, and I won't forget that.

As I started calming down and regaining my composure, it dawned on me that we were going to Showdown Mountain. Mountain. Climbing. Mawile's arms were too small for her to climb, so Bunnelby would have to assist her. And...Lyra had no appendages with which to climb. I'd have to assist her.

As Ampharos was outlining the teams, I was getting really giddy. It was my time to put my vine-swinging and climbing to good use! If climbing Showdown Mountain is anything like climbing Citruse Mountain, we shouldn't have any issues. Just grab things with one vine and retract until I can grab something with another. Simple...though slightly worrisome given how I hadn't practiced that since that day (Fire Island only had slight inclines, not direct vertical climbing sections). And I had a harness on at Citruse, so I could afford to make mistakes whereas this time...

Ugh. I need to...take a page from Lyra's book and just trust that everything will be okay. If I can't, then at least take a page from Eris's book. Hope for a better future that I'm sure can exist if I just allow the possibility.

Everything will be fine. I'm sure.

Location: Lively Town Plaza (writing this as we're leaving)

Since Mawile and I had an important expedition to prepare for, we didn't have time for a proper CAP meeting. I guess it worked out since Lyra had to cut hers short to attend the unexpected morning meeting, and some things just took priority over others. Wasn't the end of the world.

First thing's first, I thanked Bunnelby for having my back in there. I didn't like our odds of joining if he and Archen hadn't spoken on our behalf. He said it's not a big deal, but I cut him off saying it is a big deal.

I can't remember a lot about my past life, but the memories I do have are patchy and unpleasant. I feel like...I wasn't supported or cared for in my previous life, so to have him stick up for me like that...it may not be a big thing to him, but it mattered a lot to me. I just...he needed to know. He needed to know that I appreciated what he did. I know I don't make it a habit of voicing my thoughts, but this was super important, and I needed to make sure he understood.

Ahaha...he smiled and pat my head with one of his ears. He told me not to misunderstand him – it's not a big deal because Archen and him told Ampharos about the things they experienced with us, so he should've understood how important it was that we be part of this. Not including us was a foolish choice, no matter how dangerous things seemed. The fact that they had to outline how it would feel to be unincluded after experiencing those incidents really spoke to Ampharos's airheaded nature.

"He's not as bad as he used to be, but he does still have moments."

Mawile chipped in, saying that we didn't have a lot of time to waste. Who knew when that face-off would take place? We needed to hurry if we wanted to save Entei. She's right, of course. We got our inventory situated and headed out immediately.

Off to Showdown Mountain!