"That is what happened on the mission, Leader."
"A pair of brats, plus Alain, got in our way of retrieving that Frogadier."
The room was barely lit. The two Neo Flare Grunts were each on a knee with their heads bowed low as an attempt for forgiveness. A day had passed since their failure in retrieving the Frogadier. They had returned to their hidden headquarters underground to report in and stand accountable before their Leader.
The two cowering Grunts were expecting one of the worst punishments to be passed upon their heads, considering of the degree of significance of their mission. Minor punishments were given out by the Leader's right hand man, Xerosic, who was not present for this meeting. With such a dreadful circumstance, they expected themselves to burn until their flesh would become numb.
They saw a gesture wave up, expecting the literal fire to rain upon their miserable souls, until another hand seemed to have gotten in the way, wordlessly persuading the first to stand down. The Grunts were very fearful for their lives at that moment as the room somehow fell into an even deeper and dreadful level of silence.
From the shadows casted upon their Leader, a dark force from out of nowhere immediately consumed them. They couldn't see it coming, but the chilling sensation was rendering their ability to stay conscious. They couldn't even scream for long before the darkness caused them to fall completely on the floor.
A feral growl was heard in the back, presumably behind the Leader.
"I know it hurts, dear," the Leader whispered softly. "But this new world won't give us such pain anymore."
"I assume that you've finished dealing their punishment?" a voice inquired wryly as footsteps were heard walking in.
"Xerosic, you may take them away," the Leader stated.
"I think that might have been too disproportionate of retribution, don't you think?" Xerosic followed up.
"Be grateful that you were freed from imprisonment," the Leader responded coolly. "You and the other former Flare Scientists together."
"Not all of us were captured, you know," Xerosic retorted, gesturing to his Malamar to use Psychic to levitate the bodies away. "A couple of them escaped and I heard one really did reform and is now living a normal life. I'm surprised you didn't issue a warrant for her capture as well."
"I can get enough work down with the four of you," the Leader explained. "If I needed additional assistance, I would have done so by now."
Even Malamar shared in its Trainer's reluctance in serving their new Leader while carrying away the bodies of the failed Grunts. Xerosic sighed while a door opened before them, allowing in light from the hallway to enter. Two individuals came in through the doorway.
"Oh my, did we just miss the show?" Celosia jested.
"It's not that funny, Celosia," Bryony argued. "You know our Leader wouldn't resort to that punishment unless we really screw up royally on a very important mission."
"But you have to admit that it is funny when the lives of others are at stake because of their own stupid mistakes," Celosia added.
"I suppose," Bryony mumbled.
"If you two are done bickering, please get over here so we can begin our meeting," Xerosic announced. "… Wait a minute. You're missing someone."
"We can discuss making the new world without Aliana," Bryony huffed. "Let's get on with it now."
"Anxious, aren't we, Bryony," Celosia giggled. "And here I thought your ideal world would be filled with muscular men and cute shiny Pokémon."
"Hey! Were you taking peeks in my diary again?!"
"You really shouldn't just leave it in the middle of the coffee table, where any wondering eye could just read it like a shameless Gengar doing the jig at the stroke of midnight."
"Why you little!"
"Girls, enough!" the Leader intervened, much to Xerosic's astonishment. "I don't need to subject you the same punishment as the Grunts before you, do I?"
"No, Leader," Bryony and Celosia muttered lowly.
"Anyway, more to the point of this meeting, it turns out in regards to the Grunts' failure in Lumiose City, there were a couple of interloping brats that had caused it," Xerosic began.
"And why should we care what a couple of kids are doing?" Celosia asked sardonically. "You know, aside from them ruining our plans to cleanse this imperfect world the first time around?"
"It's because they met up with Alain and presumably, Professor Sycamore," Xerosic continued ominously.
"Sorry I'm late!" a new voice shouted while charging in from the doorway. "That elevator was having difficulties, so I took the long way down. Did I miss anything?"
"You're just in time, Aliana," Xerosic assured. "As I was saying, we have a couple of public enemies that have met up with Alain and Professor Sycamore. I have no reason to doubt that they're sending them into action by collecting Xernea's Life Branches to stop us."
"Is it true that we've caught that Yveltal again?" Aliana asked.
"Just not too long ago," Bryony answered.
"And right as it was going to sleep like a defenseless little baby sitting in its detaining crib," Celosia added. "Our forces were strong enough to subdue it and force it back into its protective cocoon."
"Ah, that's right," Aliana agreed, recalling those fleeting moments. "And we're reusing Yveltal to power the ultimate weapon back up? What makes you guys think that we won't be stopped by a couple of kids again?"
"Because we've prepared for that contingency this time around," Xerosic explained. "We've sent our soldiers out to patrol Kalos for any signs of moving resistance. With the first sign spotted in Lumiose City, we can assume that they've gotten a hold of the Life Branch there and are going to make their way to one of the closer cities that has the next."
"My guess is Santalune City," the Leader proposed.
"What makes you predict that Santalune City is the next direction the so-called heroes are making their way to, my Leader?" Celosia asked with amusement.
"A hunch."
"It's an impressive hunch, to say the least."
"Celosia, do you dare question our Leader's judgment?" Xerosic warned.
"No, I was merely curious on what prompted that decision, that is all," Celosia said. "So to make up for my prying curiosity, would I be the one to be sent to deal with these punks?"
"Aliana will be the one to head them off at Santalune City," the Leader declared.
"Got it!" Aliana bellowed eagerly. "My tough Pokémon will introduce them to its two allies, Slappie and Fist Jr."
"Seriously, where did you come up with those names?" Bryony mocked. "It's not like there's another universe whose concepts we're borrowing."
"Perhaps I can still come along just so I can catch some action," Celosia suggested. "Seeing as I missed the past punishment, I can entertain myself in watching our Aliana in thrashing these kids. Plus, my Pokémon can take us there within an instant, saving us a trip in having to walk all the way there."
"Leader?" Xerosic prompted. "It's your call. I see no reason for not allowing this."
There was a brief, unsettling pause that hung in their meeting room. Aliana and Bryony were nervous while Celosia remained expectant. Xerosic was tapping his fingers together while his Malamar returned from its previous task of disposing the Grunts.
"Very well," the Leader spoke. "Stop whoever is meddling in our affairs."
"We won't let you down!" Aliana and Celosia exclaimed, giving a formal salute before taking their leave.
Meanwhile…
Ash and Anabel have met with Professor Sycamore, as well as a former traveling friend of Ash's from the past, Clemont. They learned of his previous confrontation against Team Flare five years ago, in which the blast from the ultimate weapon, influenced with the time-warping powers that the Adamant Orb inherited from the legendary Dialga, had sent Ash and Pikachu into the future.
In addition, the destructive properties of Yveltal's energy that the ultimate weapon used had also locked away their memories. Only upon powerful reactions to certain stimuli, such as exposure to Xernea's power, would parts of the memory block be removed.
It was then that Professor Sycamore decided to have Ash collect the remaining Life Branches of Xerneas to not only restore his and Pikachu's memories, but to also combat against the rising threat of Neo Team Flare. He and Anabel have already obtained the Life Branch guarded in Lumiose City. Alain also lent his power via a Mega Ring to allow Ash the opportunity to experience Mega Evolution for himself with Sceptile once they find a Sceptilite Mega Stone.
The studious Clemont wanted to rejoin with Ash as a way to make up for all the great life lessons he learned from their first journey together. He felt that his prior knowledge from traveling Kalos, as well as his improved capacity in inventing, would surely come in hand in their quest. In such a case, his top invention, the Clembot, would return to the full-time Gym Leader position for the Lumiose City Gym.
The last detail to recap would be the elusive Frogadier that escaped capture from a couple of Neo Flare Grunts. This Frogadier happened to be one of Ash's Pokémon in the Kalos region before being left behind with the rest from the ultimate weapon attack. But now, he was the first to reunite with his beloved Trainer. According to Clemont's reluctant recount, he was originally adopted into Serena's team, but something unpleasant seemed to have happened to her in which Frogadier was left to his own devices and was found to be sought be Neo Team Flare. When asked about what happened to Serena, the Bubble Frog Pokémon just was not in the mood to talk about it.
It was worrying to think about what happened to a strong and thoughtful girl like her, as far as Clemont remembered from the last time he saw her. But he figured that with Ash back, along with Anabel's assistance, they would also find out what happened to her since she was really determined to find Ash again after claiming the title of Kalos Queen.
The group had been traveling along Route 4 on the way to Santalune City. The traveling was overall pleasant for the most part. They passed plenty of wild Pokémon, as well as a few Trainers. Fortunately, no one of significance paid too much attention to them or discovered Ash's reappearance in Kalos.
"I remember the first time we went through this path together, Ash," Clemont began with fondness. "Around these parts, you caught a Fletchling and then some time after, I caught a Dedenne for my sister. Those two are together now that Bonnie is old enough to be a Pokémon Trainer."
"So my second Kalos Pokémon is Fletchling then?" Ash asked.
"It evolved into Fletchinder," Clemont clarified. "In addition, you also had a Hawlucha and a Noibat. I wonder where they all are now. After the Team Flare incident, I know that they decided to stay together and look for you out in the wild."
"Clemont, didn't you say you have some sort of invention that kept track of their locations?" Anabel inquired.
At the offhanded behest of the Salon Maiden, Clemont nearly tripped over during their walk upon realizing how foolish he was right now. In all the excitement of seeing Ash alive and getting to travel with him again, he forgot that he was also keeping track of his remaining Kalos Pokémon.
"I'm glad that you reminded me, Anabel, because the future is now, thanks to science!" Clemont declared enthusiastically, pulling out a compact screen pad from his backpack. It was black, had two control sticks at either side, as well as a small assortment of buttons about the sides of the screen. "Clemontic Gear, on! Meet one of my most successful inventions up to date, running smoothly for five years without a single hitch: the Find-Feathered-Friend Radar! This, in conjunction with special trackers I placed on Ash's Flying-type Pokémon before we went our separate ways, allows me to find their location at any time using sophisticated satellite communication."
"It's very convenient, though the name isn't very… potent," Anabel commented rather awkwardly.
"I never knew how much science can be so amazing," Ash remarked as he and Pikachu were staring at the device with rapt admiration.
"Amnesia or not, at least you still appreciate my inventions for what they are," Clemont added fondly, placing a thumb over the power button down on the bottom right side. "Now, activate!"
Ash and Anabel were around him, watching as the screen turned out and the outline of the Kalos region had immediately shown up on screen. A grid appeared upon the screen to divide the region into small square sectors. A loading symbol emerged from a corner of the screen while a certain part of the region was being zoomed in upon. The processing of zooming in took a few seconds until three distinctive red dots were found.
"Is that them?" Anabel asked.
"Yes, and it looks like they're close by Cyllage City, more specifically on the route between it and Camphrier Town," Clemont followed up. "This is perfect. Once we get the Life Branch from Santalune City, we can head over there next. That's where you won your second Badge, Ash."
"Cyllage City, huh?" Ash mused. "I guess it won't be long now until I meet these guys."
"They're not just any 'guys,' you know," Clemont responded. "These three Pokémon were just as determined as Serena to find where you went. It's been fortunate that I've done a better job keeping track of them. For the most part, they actually left the Kalos region at some point and explored other regions together in hopes to find you. I guess they decided to return here."
"Well then, let's not keep them waiting any longer," Ash proclaimed with a fist held high. "Onwards!"
"Onwards!" Anabel and Clemont joined in.
"Pika!" Pikachu cheered.
Santalune City was not too far from Lumiose City. Route 4 was fairly basic to navigate around and the wild Pokémon generally minded their own business unless engaged by other Pokémon or Trainers. At the rate they were going right now, the young group of heroes estimated their arrival by eventide. They hoped that they would be able to catch up with Ash's remaining Kalos Pokémon before they migrated to another location.
At the meantime, Clemont continued to regale Ash and Pikachu with several more tales from their past together, starting when they first met at Lumiose City. Anabel listened in with curiosity, but she still couldn't help but feel a bit left out. She only knew Ash for a couple of days while he was challenging the Kanto Battle Frontier years ago and just barely met Clemont.
The feeling of isolation was familiar and unwelcomed, but the Salon Maiden learned to deal with it rather well. She also figured that Ash and Pikachu had been experiencing this feeling since they were flung into the future. She was grateful that they still have friends here that were willing to help them out. It really showed how great their characters were prior to this situation, and it was proof enough that they were trustworthy enough to help.
There was also the fact that her feelings for the amnesiac boy still held despite all this time apart, even with the established age difference from the time traveling. Anabel would still admit liking him, but wondered that if this interaction would result in anything with Ash.
If they did succeed in taking down Neo Team Flare's uprising threat and sending him back to his correct time, would their interactions reflect on his future behavior with her?
Would he seek her out once he would finish his Kalos journey?
Would his heart belong to her after all of this, just as parts of hers belonged to him? She already felt that the more time she spent in his company, a greater percentage of her heart was going to him. It wouldn't be long until her heart might truly belong to him.
These side thoughts entertained her during the traveling as she listened in to Clemont's stories at the same time. However, there was one thing that still bothered her.
The other companion Ash had aside from Clemont and his little sister, Bonnie.
The girl named Serena.
Anabel was able to pick up the context regarding Serena's role in the past, how supportive she was towards Ash, how much she had learned from his example, and how he helped her find a dream in becoming Kalos Queen. In addition, Clemont had attempted to explain to Ash that he knew her before he started his journey at a summer camp.
It just seemed too convenient for the Vaniville Town Performer to already be at such a close level of friendship with him.
Maybe it was a woman instinct, but Anabel felt that she could perceive what Serena's feelings were and have been for Ash despite not meeting her herself.
What would they do once they do find her during the journey?
"Not so fast, you kids!" an abrupt, feminine voice shouted.
The trio was pulled out of their ongoing thoughts and conversations to see an orange-haired woman wearing a peculiar dress uniform, in which the colors practically matched that composing of the Neo Flare Grunts' style. She also wore rather advanced goggles upon her face.
"Judging from how you look, I think I actually know who you are," Clemont spoke up, stepping forward and assuming a defensive stance. "Don't tell me…"
"It's funny," the woman began. "Neo Team Flare has barely begun its operations, and yet you are already aware on what we're up to. We've gotten a bit careless in masking our activity, but no matter."
"If you're with Neo Team Flare, then who are you?" Ash demanded.
"I'm one of the high-ranking officers and scientists for the resurrected Neo Team Flare, Aliana is my name," Aliana announced with a flashy pose. "So you kids got in the way of our soldiers attempting to recapture a Pokémon that escaped from us, a Frogadier if I'm not mistaken."
"That Frogadier actually happens to be mine," Ash rebuffed.
"Wait, so how did Team Flare come across Frogadier?" Anabel inquired.
"This isn't sounding good, as far as I ponder about it," Clemont remarked.
"Such things don't matter at this time, but what matters now is that I'm going to take back that Frogadier and stop you children from interfering with our Leader's ideals," Aliana avowed.
"But do you even realize what your Leader is planning to do with Kalos in the first place?" Anabel proposed.
"All I know is that it won't be only Kalos affected by the ultimate weapon, but we'll be bringing order to this crazy world once it reaches full power," Aliana explained without hesitation, taking out a Poké Ball. "I'm afraid I can't let you go any further to collect those Life Branches, or whatever they're supposed to be that would stop Yveltal's destructive power from reaching maximum level."
"Oh, no, it's just like Professor Sycamore and Alain warned us about," Clemont murmured. "Neo Team Flare must've recaptured Yveltal and is storing up its energy to use for the ultimate weapon once again. But having an early lead like this would allow them more power to store and use at their disposal, especially when considering the possibility that they've learned from their past mistakes."
"Why are you doing this?" Ash questioned. "Who is your Leader?"
"Our new Leader is more blunt, ruthless, and colder than our previous Leader, Lysandre," Aliana continued, a look of fear casted upon her face. "Coming out of nowhere, singlehandedly gathering the former scientists back together, including Xerosic, and building the broken Team Flare into Neo Team Flare within a couple of years, our Leader is someone not to be trifled with." The fearful expression was soon replaced by that of dizzying admiration. "But, man, the Leader's ability to sway us to the cause got me onboard."
"I don't think she's willing to listen to reason," Anabel whispered to Ash.
"I remember she was pretty hot-tempered," Clemont added inconspicuously.
"Hmm, you look a bit familiar, blond boy," Aliana mused after a quick scan over the Lumiose City Gym Leader. "You look like this traitorous scumbag I was once together with. I never really got over the fact that he cheated on me." Clemont was not sure how else to react aside from gaping fretfully over the lookalike happenstance as Aliana continued her hard glare. "This is perfect for me to unleash my rage on you all! For Neo Team Flare!"
She tossed a Poké Ball high into the air, unleashing upon her foes the power of her Pignite. It gave a hefty snort of cinders before taking up a somewhat daunting fighting stance.
"Hey, I have that Pokémon back at Professor Oak's lab," Ash commented.
"She must've caught a Pignite at some point," Clemont pondered.
"Remember that Pignite is a Fire and Fighting-type," Anabel advised. "I believe that Frogadier would be a wise matchup."
"Sounds good to me," Ash concurred, taking out his Water-type Pokémon's Poké Ball. "Frogadier, I choose you!"
The Bubble Frog Pokémon emerged with arms raised up, living up to his inherit ninja fighting style. Though it could not be seen, Aliana had blinked a few times while leaning closer to see the Pokémon.
"Well, I'll be, that's the Frogadier we sent those Grunts after," Aliana commented. "I can't believe you brats managed to capture it. Regardless, I'll put an end to you before you do any more damage to Neo Team Flare's plans!"
"Get ready, everyone!" Clemont warned.
Ash & Frogadier VS Aliana & Pignite
"Pignite, use Tackle!"
Pignite stampeded forward to mow down its designated opponent. However, given how slow it was running, Frogadier had effortlessly sidestepped to avoid getting hit. This only seemed to anger both the Fire Pig Pokémon and its Trainer.
Aliana issued out several more Tackle commands. Ash was not sure what to make out of her battle style as with her heated offensive tactics, combined with the slowness of Pignite, made her appear amateurish at best. He did not even need to command Frogadier to get out of the way.
"Clemont, you said that she was high-ranking in Team Flare?" Anabel inquired.
"I know what you're thinking, Anabel, but I really don't know what she's planning when she seems to be playing around like this," Clemont remarked. "But I believe that Ash and Frogadier shouldn't need our assistance right now."
"Now Pignite, Body Slam!"
The Fire Pig Pokémon leapt up fairly high in the air before preparing its hindquarters to crush its opponent. Frogadier quickly shuffled out the way right as Pignite landed with a heavy thud. Its recovery time seemed to have lessened as it quickly bounced up into the air and aimed its shadow upon the Bubble Frog Pokémon.
Knowing that they were not going to let up, Ash used his Pokédex to briefly look up the attacks that his Pokémon currently knew right now. He should've done this right after reuniting with his Pokémon.
Lesson learned.
"Frogadier, try an Aerial Ace!"
The hands and feet of his Pokémon illuminated with swift-striking, flighty power. Frogadier went up against an incoming Body Slam and struck, easily swatting Pignite out of the air and sending it headfirst into the ground.
Despite the super effective damage, Pignite was back on its feet in no time, heavily breathing small embers from its nose. It swung its arms out to energize and motivate itself back on track.
"That'd be the way, Pignite!" Aliana cheered on. "Show them your Strength!"
Pignite rolled into action, anticipating where Frogadier was about to land before quickly grabbing onto his ankles, much to his and everyone's surprise. A red aura exuded from Pignite's body as it twisted its upper body as far as it could before spinning back the other way and using the extra momentum from the windup to send Frogadier bouncing about after releasing its hold.
It was unfortunate that Frogadier was sent into a small grove of trees as from being thrown by Pignite, he ricocheted between branches and tree trunks before bouncing back into their battlefield. It looked like it hurt a lot.
All the while, Pignite and Aliana were celebrating their first successful attack by doing a bit of dancing that involved them momentarily shaking their rumps and grooving their arms together before synchronously doing a double clap and finishing with a fabulous pose.
"One hit they get in and already they think they're the winners," Anabel remarked drolly.
"The members of Team Flare think they have style with those outfits, but I guess the dance moves are new," Clemont added.
Frogadier stood up, brushing off the damage and dirt he accumulated from the rough attack. He sneered at his own carelessness and the fact that his opponents were flaunting over their lucky shot.
"Frogadier, use Cut!"
Conjuring a solid, glowing blade of his own energy, Frogadier swiftly dashed in to swipe at Pignite. He got a successful strike in, knocking Pignite off balance. Giving his blade another expert twirl, Frogadier attempted to get in one more hit.
A sinister glint sparkled from Pignite's eye as he used his pure physical power to absorb the next Cut swing and actually grab hold of Frogadier's blade. Before the Bubble Frog Pokémon could react, Pignite pulled Frogadier in and grabbed his blade-holding hand.
"Pignite, use Strength again!"
A repeat performance was inevitable as Frogadier was unable to get out of Pignite's grasp. The Fire Pig Pokémon prepared its windup and threw Frogadier as hard as it could, which turned out to be even harder than the first. Frogadier wound up rebounding off several rock peaks in addition to the trees and sturdy plant fauna around their area.
At the meantime, Aliana and Pignite celebrated their big hit with a few more flashy poses of them flexing their arms and showing off their muscles before doing a twirl and giving off one more buoyant stance to conclude.
Well, more on Pignite's case than with its Trainer.
"This is getting ridiculous," Ash muttered with a deadpan look.
"You're getting careless out there," Clemont called out.
"You got to wrap this up before Frogadier takes too heavy of a beating, Ash," Anabel added.
"We'll be the ones to finish this," Aliana taunted. "Pignite, squish that Frogadier with Body Slam! End it now!"
"Dodge and use Aerial Ace!"
Upon hearing his Trainer's voice, Frogadier became widely alert. In spite of the new wounds he received from that throw, he was able to pull himself together and avoid Pignite's landing altogether. While Pignite was momentarily stuck in the ground due to the Body Slam, Frogadier retaliated with a powered sweeping kick to the side, swatting the Fire Pig Pokémon down the field.
"Grah-googly!" Aliana coughed in astonishment. "Pignite, no!"
"Finish it with Water Pulse!"
Frogadier conjured a powerful water-based sphere and lobbed it Pignite's way before it could recover from its previous hit. The Water Pulse exploded upon contact into a forceful wave before evaporating into the air.
Pignite was not seen getting up any time after, evident with the swirling eyes it now bore.
"My Pignite's been chunked!" Aliana cried out, running to its aid.
"Way to go, Frogadier!" Ash cheered, to which his Pokémon humbly reciprocated.
The first battle against one of Neo Team Flare's Scientists was over and it had ended with a victory for the heroes. Aliana recalled her Pignite into its Poké Ball while the others had her surrounded with the intent of interrogating her some more.
"You better not go after Frogadier again," Anabel cautioned.
"Hey, I lost fair and square, alright?" Aliana rebutted, holding her hands up in surrender. "Even I have my standards. I was sent to stop you and nothing more. But seeing how powerful you kids are, I need to get even stronger to serve my Leader. Man, I know this failure is going to result in some unpleasant punishment, I'm sure of it."
"So it's safe to say that we would be expecting more of you guys trying to stop us," Clemont stated.
"It's only fair warning for me to agree with what you just said," Aliana said. "You said you dealt with us before, blondie. I'm sure you might be familiar with the other top Scientists in Neo Team Flare."
"I do know that there are five of you," Clemont answered. "And then there's your Leader, whoever he or she is."
"Hey, boy with the Pikachu," Aliana spoke up, addressing Ash. "I haven't had a good battle like that in a long time. It worked me over to a point that I can't even see straight. What's your name?"
"My name? It's Ash," Ash replied.
"'Alf,' you say?" Aliana responded, taking a few steps back. "That's a pretty interesting name for a guy."
"Didn't you hear him right?" Anabel intervened, mildly irate. "He said his name is Ash, not Alf."
Ash stared at the Salon Maiden, surprised to see how affronted she was in regards to his name. He probably was not as concerned due to his current amnesia, but she was certainly taking it more personally than he was.
"Whatever, I don't have time for this," Aliana brushed off, taking surreptitious sideways glances. Where is that Celosia? I need her Pokémon to use Teleport to send me back to base. Oh, well… I guess I'll have to use Plan B this time. She then took out another Poké Ball and released a Drifblim to her aid. "I'm getting out of here."
"Wait!" Clemont pleaded, but was ultimately ignored.
The orange-haired Scientist hopped on top of Drifblim as it lifted itself higher in the air. The young trio simply watched her make her rather slow getaway into the sky. They were unsure if they should actually stop her or not, considering how she was actually a pushover in the previous fight.
"Anchors away, Drifblim!" Aliana yelled. "Let her rip!"
*FWIIIP*
The expulsion of air from the Blimp Pokémon's lower region created a comically disturbing sound as it rocketed up into the air at a surprisingly fast speed. The liftoff display was one thing to behold, but the ousted sound of air from Drifblim's bottom had certainly left an awkward moment behind.
"So… do we take her seriously when we see her again?" Ash proposed to break the silence.
Clemont and Anabel merely stared at him while Pikachu and Frogadier sighed at the meantime.
The day was eventful and the traveling had come to an end as the group arrived in Santalune City at the evening, just as they had previously predicted. The city appeared to be at peace. It was unknown if Neo Team Flare had already infiltrated it, but as of right now, the heroes did not want to deal with such things as they were exhausted.
Despite having been able to defeat Aliana and her pumped-up Pignite, they were aware that Neo Team Flare was going to be focusing a good handful of attacks and traps upon their heads.
Who would know what else this tricky organization had in store?
They arrived at the Pokémon Center and made their sleeping arrangements for the night, as well as handed over their Pokémon to Nurse Joy for her to look after. Things started to wind down a bit after dinner, but the trio was still wary about future events.
Clemont was sure something would happen once they would meet up with the Gym Leader of Santalune City, Viola, and retrieve a Life Branch from her. Anabel reviewed the day's events to help herself prepare. And Ash and Pikachu simply stared out the window into the starry night sky, wondering if they would get all their memories back soon and stop this ongoing mess they've found themselves in.
Whatever would happen next, it was certainly going to be more exciting than the last.
So how did you like (or not like) the personalities I gave to the returning Flare Scientists? This probably makes things a bit clearer for those that are aware of the plot of Super Paper Mario, but I would have to ask those that know not to spoil it just yet.
Of course in the games, their personalities came off as rather standard and ordinary. With additional traits I added into respective Scientists, it should make things a bit more entertaining, to say the least. Let's see if this trial and error turns out well.
Please review!
L-ater!