Sorry for finishing this chapter late again. The holidays are pretty busy for me. I should have known that there is no way I can find enough time to finish without rushing. I don't want to rush so I take my time. Hopefully, this chapter delivers.
Reply to Reviews
Worma-Sir
I will try my best to get the past tense correct. Most of the time I just put the -ed at the end, which can be wrong in certain cases.
Parousia45
I'm glad that you notice Tyrunt's character development. He has grown a lot since the beginning. While Grovyle is by no means a hero or a good guy, he isn't all bad. Some of the things he said has weight to them. You can kind of see what drives and motivates him. Yet, he is pretty selfish at the end of the day. Rhyhorn is a very interesting character, isn't he? He is reserved but observant. You see… Sometimes, I use foreshadowing to trick others. Sometimes, I don't. A shame that you couldn't play with me but that's fine. I'm quite busy anyways.
Yuka Ayna The Being of Balance
I'm grateful that you like my story despite its flaws. I will try my best to improve even though it will take some time.
Sun Demigod
At the beginning of the game, isn't he a bit suspicious? Right out of the gate, he wants an alliance. He hides behind Bisharp most of the time and thinks of himself highly. That should be enough of a red flag.
Episode 15: Graffiti Gods
Rhyhorn gaped at the sudden intrusion of Nosepass. "How did you get in here? Did you follow me? Why did you do this without my permission?!" Rhyhorn asked, demanding a proper reason.
Nosepass looked agitated. "Um, err… I-I just…" Nosepass stuttered, his mind was completely blank. The cowardly intruder scratched his head, struggling to come up with a good answer.
Rhyhorn stared sternly at Nosepass, pressuring him to hasten up.
"I'm curious." Nosepass forced out an answer from his mouth, anticipating the response nervously. "Sorry." Nosepass apologized, hoping that it will tone down his anger.
"Let me guess, you don't trust me, huh?" Rhyhorn assumed and Nosepass turned away, not wanting to face him. Rhyhorn sighed in disappointment.
"You always ran off without a word. I guess you don't trust me as well." Nosepass countered. For a moment, Rhyhorn looked like a hypocrite.
"Nosepass, that isn't why I didn't tell you… I-" Rhyhorn tried to explain himself.
"What's else the reason? I'm a weak coward? Too innocent and naïve to understand anything?!" Nosepass snapped. Rhyhorn took a step back, surprised at his sudden outburst.
"No." Rhyhorn replied straightforwardly. "I don't want you to associate yourself with me. You don't know what you are getting yourself into, Nosepass. Deep inside, both mentally and psychologically, I'm not the Rhyhorn you know. Let's say, I'm insane." Rhyhorn clarified, sounding serious.
"Insane? How could you be insane?" Nosepass said bafflingly.
"Look all around me! Booby traps, tripping wires, sharp saws and incomprehensible writing! Does someone who hides in this kind of place look sane to you?" Rhyhorn questioned, raising his left eye.
Nosepass' body slumped down in defeat. "Who am I going to depend on now when the only Pokemon that considers me a brother won't even be there to protect me?" Rhyhorn looked a bit guilty as he heard this.
"Rhyhorn, I'm truly scared to the bottom of my heart. I thought about this many times… I thought about what would happen if you weren't there to protect me from Larvitar. I probably would continue to be his minion and do bad things to others out of fear." Nosepass admitted.
Rhyhorn averted his eyes. "I'm sure there is someone else to protect you."
"Someone else? Rhyhorn, do you know why I'm always scared? Let me tell you. In school, I'm bullied every single day and there's nothing that I can do about it! The teachers brushed my problem aside as if I'm not worth their time. My parents stood there idly like passive observers. I got no one to rely on." Nosepass told in a depressing tone. Rhyhorn widened his eyes in shock, gaping as he listened.
"I don't know what is the point of my life anymore. Why do I wake up, dreading the day? Why do I sleep, dreading tomorrow? I signed up for this show, hoping that I will get stronger and earn some money to hire bodyguards. However, that doesn't seem likely now. Rhyhorn, please protect me. Who cares if you create all these traps? All I know is that you are like the big brother I never have." Nosepass persuaded.
Rhyhorn gritted his teeth, struggling to make a decision. "Nosepass, you will end up even more scared with me in the long run than without me. Are you still sure about this?" Rhyhorn asked, concerned and worried.
"I'm sure. However, can you please remove the traps now? They scare me." Nosepass replied, not reassuring to Rhyhorn in the slightest.
"We should sleep for now." Rhyhorn suggested and the two eventually headed back to sleep.
Confessional
Rhyhorn: "Nosepass has no idea what he is getting himself into. I don't want to have something to protect either. It will make me crazier."
Nosepass: "Wait until you see those sharp edges on the bear traps for yourself. Hopefully, Rhyhorn throws them all away. I need him, I really need him."
Cryogonal couldn't convince herself to sleep. She grew restless every single passing second. Changing her sleeping position by turning sideways didn't help either.
"Why can't I sleep? Is it because of Shedinja? Come on Cryogonal, it is probably nothing. You will end up embarrassing yourself if you try to snoop around his private business." Cryogonal tried to put it out of her mind like a flickering flame before it escalated into a grand blaze. Her body suddenly heated up, forcing her to remove her blanket.
"Why is it getting hot all of a sudden?" Cryogonal wondered. "Screw this, I will head outside and see... a little." Cryogonal glanced around the cabin, making sure everyone slept before she headed out to satisfy her burning curiosity.
Confessional
Cryogonal: "I don't usually do this but there is just something so intriguing about him. He reminds me of myself a bit."
Shedinja rested on a branch of a giant tree in a middle of a clearing. He gazed upon the shining moon with dead, unenthusiastic eyes.
"They wish for my death. Yet, here I'm on a famous reality show. Oh, their intoxicating agony is so meaningless. I'm dead on the inside. Happy now?" Shedinja talked to himself or the moon?
"Both of you used to bring me out every night to teach me the ways of being a Ninjask. Should've known that neither of you consider a Shedinja as a son. Meh, I don't really care either way." Shedinja drawled, flat and emotionless. There was no sorrow or affection in his voice. He was completely desensitized.
"Today marks my eighteenth birthday, why don't we celebrate?" Shedinja asked apathetically. "I will sing both of you a song. Oh, I almost forgot Ninjask, I bet both of you are showering him with presents right now. You three can listen. A fair warning though, it is boring."
Shedinja started to sing, his prolonged pronunciation made it sound like he was drawling instead.
"The long-forgotten days fading through time."
"My feelings of nostalgia banished."
"Nothing feels the same."
"All three of you hope for me to vanish."
"A talented boy once had many friends. He was cherished dearly by those he called 'family'."
"Nobody treated him like a bug. They surrounded and gave him a hug."
"The long-forgotten days fading through time."
"My feelings of nostalgia banished."
"Suddenly, everything changed. The boy evolved, shedding his broken shell."
"His parents adored him even more. The shell was ignored, living through hell."
"My feelings of nostalgia banished."
"Nothing feels the same."
"There's only enough room for three."
"There's no living for free."
"You all tried to act oblivious."
"I know you all want me to cease into oblivion."
"Meh, not like I care."
"The long-forgotten days fading through time."
"The sentient shell banished all trace of nostalgia."
"A talented boy once had many friends. One by one, 'friends' left him."
"He was dead, better go to bed."
"No Wonder Guard could save him from that terrible fate."
"To them, he was outdated."
"To him, they all perished from his heart."
"Who are they again? The boy couldn't remember."
"I hope for you three to vanish. However, I will leave a farewell present."
"There's enough room for one in Total Skarmory Island."
"I stole your audition tape and broke it."
"I created a new one and sent it."
"The producers thought they found a special bug. However, there will be no hugs for him."
"Meh, not like I care." Shedinja sang to the end, completely emotionless despite what the lyrics made him sound to be.
"I name this song, 'With Spite From Shedinja." Shedinja declared, not noticing or caring about an approaching Pokemon.
Cryogonal gently floated to Shedinja, sympathy filled her eyes. As a comforting gesture, she wrapped her snow chains around him. However, Shedinja didn't seem to appreciate this.
"How presumptuous and impudent of you to be eavesdropping. Have you ever tried asking for permission?" Shedinja pushed her away, distancing himself from her with a disgusted look.
"I just-" Cryogonal was interrupted.
"I want to help. I understand your situation." Shedinja mimicked mockingly. "As if I care or want it."
"Shedinja, I can relate when it comes to family issues." Cryogonal told. "I know how it feels."
"Do you think I feel lonely or in need of empathy?" Shedinja asked, glaring at her patronizingly. Cryogonal was baffled at how he easily rejected her consolation. "There are Pokemon that suffer far worse. My plight is nothing special. I don't care anyways. In the end, I'm glad that they abandoned me." Shedinja said flatly.
"Then why did you sound so sad and miserable singing that song?" Cryogonal pointed out. "There is no need to hide or suppress your feelings, Shedinja."
"Sad and miserable? Ha." Shedinja chuckled. "More like apathetic and lifeless. I think you misunderstood. I sang out of boredom. I slept late because I worked on night shift outside of this game." Shedinja corrected, amused by her assumptions.
"Really? You don't care at all? I doubt that's possible, Shedinja." Cryogonal didn't believe him despite what he said. "To be honest, I'm an orphan. When my father abandoned me, I cried every night, wishing all the pain to go away. I acted disobedient, sarcastic and cheeky to annoy the hell out of the lady who worked in the adoption center so that she would find my father. I can feel your unimaginable pain." Cryogonal empathized.
"That's you, not me." Shedinja drawled before he floated away. Cryogonal watched his sluggish movements with worry.
Confessional
Cryogonal: "His song, I think it hides his true feelings somewhere. I can feel it. Ugh, only if I can remember the entire damn thing."
Skarmory eyed the camera and cleared his throat before he started the opening.
"Yo viewers, the whole island is about to get artsy. Get what I mean? Anyways, last time, tension rose between Grovyle and Bisharp as they were literally at each other throats. Lucario destroyed Ursaring in his quest for the advantage. Fear not, Ursaring fans, our honey-loving intern got his sweet revenge at the end. Speaking of endings, our gaming bib boy got a game over. What will happen this time? The merge is fast approaching. Stay tuned to find out in Total Skarmory Island!" Skarmory recapped.
Meowth woke up early, rubbing his groggily eyes before glancing around the room. Lucario and Houndour were both outside while the others continued to have their rest. Placing his feet down, Meowth got out of his bed and checked outside. Houndour exercised by running around the cabin.
"Good morning Meowth, you woke up early." Houndour greeted immediately at the sight of the businessman.
"The same to you." Meowth returned. "Did you spot anything interesting while hunting for the advantage yesterday?" Meowth inquired.
"Oh, Duosion thought that it was weird for a honey jar to be inside the cave, man." Houndour informed, not withholding any information from him.
"Thanks for your cooperation. I greatly appreciate that." Meowth left instantly after he got the information.
Houndour shouted behind Meowth, as he was about to walk away.
"Hey, want to go inside the cave with the two of us?! Like the good old Treasure Trio days." Houndour offered.
Meowth turned around, scratching his nail. "You see, I'm busy. My schedule is filled. Maybe, next time." Meowth rejected.
"Alright…" Houndour said, sounding a bit disappointed.
Confessional
Meowth: "Treasure Trio is a failing subsidiary of mine. It is giving me diminishing returns compared to what I can gain from Lucario. Do you know what I do to failing subsidiaries?" Meowth asked rhetorically. "I shut them down." Meowth smirked.
Houndour: "I guess Meowth doesn't want to be with us anymore…"
Inside the Feckless Flygon girls' cabin, Ledyba hummed quietly but happily to herself. Duosion and Miltank just left moments ago, leaving Ledyba with the still asleep Cryogonal.
"Usually, she wakes up around this time. Oh well, I can afford to wait longer." Ledyba talked to herself, unexpected to see her friend dozing off like this.
The light shined through the window, beaming upon the ice type's face. Cryogonal twisted around a little, turning her back against the rays of sunshine. Eventually, she started to gain consciousness and yawned.
"Finally, I waited for you so that we can go and grab breakfast together. You slept longer than usual." Ledyba indicated.
Cryogonal remained quiet, not giving out a response. Ledyba started to look worried.
"Are you… alright?" Ledyba checked up on her closely, touching her head a little.
"I'm fine. No need to do this." Cryogonal removed Ledyba's hand. "I'm not sick. I'm just thinking about something." Cryogonal clarified.
"What is it?" Ledyba asked.
"Do you think it is possible for someone to hate their own relatives? Not the usual kind of hate, but the deplorable kind that sinks deep into the very bottom of your heart." Cryogonal asked. Ledyba frowned immediately once her brain registered the question.
"You don't need to tell me if you don't want to." Cryogonal said without any sort of pressure.
"No, it just reminds me of something. I already told Scolipede about this but I think you also have the right to know. I had a Zorua friend who hated his parents for ignoring him. Therefore, he committed many evil deeds so that they give him attention. He was stuck in depression for the longest time ever until one day I befriended him because he was crying all alone. At first, I didn't like him. However, he started to share his story with me gradually and then we became real friends." Ledyba paused pensively.
"He told me that he would commit suicide without me by his side! Those words of his, they made me realize that I can make a difference in this world. Even an ordinary bug girl like me can improve someone's life. It also taught me to never judge someone at first sight." Ledyba retold her story, smiling at the end. "Potentially, this is also why I want Scolipede to trust others more. This world isn't all black and white."
Cryogonal was stunned by the story, listening attentively without interrupting.
"I'm touched by this story and all but did he get along with his parents in the end?" Cryogonal asked.
"Well, he didn't specify it to me but I guess he did." Ledyba answered unconfidently, shrugging a little. Cryogonal nodded.
"Another question." Cryogonal asked further. "Why isn't he your boyfriend? After that kind of story, anybody would expect the two of you to hook up. Am I right?" Cryogonal teased. She nudged Ledyba playfully, narrowing her eyes.
Ledyba blushed red. "Well, we don't see each other in that kind of way." She covered her face in embarrassment.
"Did you cheat on him?" Cryogonal joked.
"Hey, I already have a boyfriend, alright?" Ledyba looked annoyed. The snowflake snickered as her friend folded her arms in a huff.
"Just kidding. Alright, since you tell me your secret. I tell you mine. Ledyba, I'm an… orphan." Cryogonal revealed, shocking Ledyba.
"That's horrible. I feel sorry for you." Ledyba looked down on the ground.
"It is all in the past. I got adopted and things turned out great. Let's go and grab some breakfast." Cryogonal gestured for them both to leave and Ledyba lightened up immediately once she saw the quick recovery of her friend.
Confessional
Cryogonal: "I don't like my father and I still can't forgive him but I… I still feel like there is some sort of bond between us. I guess Shedinja's situation is just on a completely different level of severity.
Ledyba: "I'm glad to be able to share a lot of stuff with Cryogonal. It will bring both of us closer. Hopefully, I can do the same between Scolipede and Houndour."
Meowth strode excitedly to the cave, money signs (P) flashing in his eyes.
"I'm about to be rich. Another step toward a world of unlimited wealth." Meowth daydreamed. "There is nothing wrong with the rich getting richer. The development gap can widen for all I care." Meowth thought that nothing can go wrong.
However, there were two unexpected guests in front of the Skarmory Cave: Heracross and Miltank. Meowth hid behind a tree.
"Are you sure the advantage is inside here?" Miltank doubted, glancing at the cave. "Lucario explored here before."
"Where else could it be then? In my opinion, the only place that we didn't explore is inside this dang cave." Heracross stated her opinion.
"What about the damn desert area? That place is new." Miltank suggested.
"Your choice, girl. We better get that advantage and use it on that stupid Shedinja and kick his butt out of here!" Heracross shouted, raising her fist gleefully.
"He is just a lonely, self-repressed bug. Look at how he isolates himself from everyone. No point going for him when he isn't even that great at challenges." Miltank rationalized. Deep inside, she grew tired of Heracross moaning about Shedinja. Although, she didn't want to say it straight to her face.
"Whatever. Let's go." Heracross led the way to the desert area, allowing Meowth to enter the cave.
"That was close." Meowth muttered, sighing in relief.
The business cat entered the gloomy and vile cave. The sharp rocks protruding from the ceiling threatened first-timers. However, Meowth was a veteran explorer, the entire area was mapped inside his head. He navigated carefully, avoiding traps like pressure plates. Without Duosion, the task was difficult like running a business without employees.
"The advantage is within my reach. Just a little further." Meowth motivated himself. He twiddled with his hands, the sheer exhilaration started to get on his nerves.
Reaching the end of the first level, he delved further down. His legs pressed firmly against the ladder and descended down at a speedy pace.
Droplets of water fell from the ceiling, drenching the shiny, golden amulet coin on his forehead slowly. Meowth scowled at the ceiling, wiping it off.
"Wait until I renovate this dumpster, I will turn it into an excavation site for ores and minerals. Free of charge for the public to view." Meowth affirmed.
Eventually, he arrived at the floor filled with mountains of garbage. How did they manage to erect themselves?
"Where is it?" Meowth wondered, a bit lost.
He dug through a pile of garbage, tainting his own hands with gooey, slimy green liquid and black soot.
"What the hell are these unsellable materials?" Meowth revolted as he tried to brush them all off against the floor, only to scratch his own hand with the rough surface.
"Ow." Meowth yelped. Luckily, he didn't bleed. Groaning, he searched thoroughly the floor until he came across a honey jar at the end.
"Hmm…" Meowth pondered as he found nothing. "It must be somewhere around here." He started to scurrying around anxiously.
Seeing nothing else, the cat tried his luck by lifting the old collections of bottles and boxes. Suddenly, a silver gleam reflected against the golden grime on his forehead. His body might be blackened and corrupted by all the garbage, but the sight of a silver bird on a platform purified his spirits. Meowth found the advantage.
"My monopoly! Oh, my monopoly!" Meowth exclaimed before he noticed a note alongside.
"The Silver Skarmory Statue whipped you a second wind or in this case a second elimination. After someone has been eliminated, you can give that Pokemon the much-needed company by playing this statue. It triggers a double elimination where you will be safe. During the second elimination, you also have the power to inspect the votes and remove one that you dislike." Meowth chuckled darkly, grinning at his fortune.
"Did I hear something down there?" A voice echoed inside Meowth's mind, the voice was Houndour's. Fear and panic settled and Meowth hid himself by diving into a garbage mountain, shaking the entire structure up.
"Houndour, it should be right around there." Duosion indicated. The two searched around the honey jar but found nothing after quite a while.
Duosion looked perplexed and frustrated. "I swear the advantage is somewhere around here." Duosion insisted on searching.
"Well, there's no guarantee. Maybe we should stop, it isn't a big deal anyways." Houndour said, not taking the advantage seriously.
"Houndour, the advantage might be your only life saver! Did you see how Lucario react around you lately? He looked like a general preparing himself for war!" Duosion alarmed, trying to get the point across.
"Duosion, even if we get the advantage, the effect might not be that useful. Besides, I already made myself clear that I don't want to vote out Lucario." Houndour reasoned.
"B-but." Duosion persisted hopelessly until Houndour pressed his lips against her, calming her down.
Meowth peeked his head out of the mountain and covered his mouth at the sight of passionate love. He immediately squeezed his head back inside, accidentally knocking down a bottle.
The raucous sound of the shattered glass ruined the moment, alarming them of a potential threat.
"What's that?" Houndour looked around only to see bits of broken glass.
"I don't know either." Duosion looked deep in thought. "Given that a garbage can randomly fell down before without any influences we know of, I doubt it's anything really." Duosion ignored the slim chance that Meowth hid under the garbage mountain.
"Alright, we should return now." Houndour motioned for both of them to leave. However, Duosion was hesitant, she didn't move from her spot.
"Come on, we should head back. Don't worry about me so much, we should just focus on winning the challenge." Houndour said reassuringly. Duosion sighed.
"I guess you are right. The probability of you staying should theoretically be high." Duosion stated, with a slight hint of optimism. Houndour smiled at this and the two left.
Meowth slowly got out of the garbage mountain, careful to not make any noises or impulsive movements. He removed a banana peel from his head and retrieved the statue.
"Time for the grand reopening of Meowth & Co. Ltd." Meowth smirked.
Confessional
Duosion: "Statistically, assuming the challenge favors both side equally, we have a fifty percent chance to win. In addition, Houndour got ties with many members in our team like Ledyba, Cryogonal and hopefully Meowth. All of this does equates to a higher than average odds, hopefully…"
Houndour: "She shouldn't worry about me too much. Everything should be alright."
Meowth: He looked as clean as ever after a long shower. "My next business strategy is to form connections with the other team. The matter of the advantage can be saved for a later discussion."
Bisharp sat on a bench, basking under the melancholy sunlight. The cogs of his brain were turning and gearing up for his revenge. He lifted himself up, before he headed to find someone with a brooding expression.
In the corner of his left eye, he spotted Grovyle and Dedenne laughing together. Bisharp scoffed and sneered at them.
Confessional
Bisharp: "My parents… They want me to destroy and clown the competition. I guess… they will be getting what they want after all."
Meowth treaded the Crazy Crawdaunt's territory, trying to find someone. As of right now, he headed to the benches. Coincidentally, he walked past Bisharp and both of them exchanged glances.
"Meet me in the forest area." Bisharp whispered, acting natural as Grovyle was nearby. Meowth nodded slightly.
The two parted ways for the moment, they shall reunite with each other soon enough.
Confessional
Meowth: "I think I should throw a small party for my new employee. Welcome to Meowth & Co. Ltd, Bisharp."
Meowth sat on a wooden stool with a wooden table in front of him, waiting patiently for Bisharp to arrive. On the table, there was a Soda Pop and two wine glasses.
Bisharp walked over sullenly, but with resolution. He gave a weak smile at what Meowth prepared for him.
"Surprising? I paid Skarmory a hefty sum of tokens for him to prepare this." Meowth told, opening the Soda Pop cap. "Personally, I want to pour you an expensive glass of wine. However, this is all I can offer in this remote island." Meowth poured the Soda Pop into both wine glasses and handed one to Bisharp as he sat down.
"Cheers." Meowth collided his wine glass with Bisharp's and the two drank the soda heartily. Bisharp didn't seem fond of the taste but drank it as a polite gesture nonetheless.
Meowth held his hands together. "I assume we have the same goal in mind, creating a partnership between us." Meowth started the talk.
"Indeed, do you want to know why I choose you?" Bisharp poured some more soda into Meowth's glass.
"Why, if I may ask?" Meowth was curious.
"Because you are the type that will agree with my plan." Bisharp revealed, observing the businessman.
"Understandable. I accept every kind of deal, whether good or bad. Unlike someone like Houndour, who refused to work with me in that kind of… business. I'm dejected when he refused to accept my deal and hold hands with me. What about you? Will you accept the hand that I have given you?" Meowth sipped the soda, eyeing Bisharp carefully.
"Nothing is free to you, Meowth. I can comprehend your business mentality. You want something in return from me but did you do your research about what I truly want?" Bisharp questioned, lifting his eyes at Meowth.
"Of course, you want revenge against Grovyle for eliminating Jumpluff." Meowth answered, his sharp eyes pierced through Bisharp.
"And you want my vote and information." Bisharp shared the same gesture. Both of them smirked identically.
"Here is my plan, Meowth..." The conversation got cut off.
Confessional
Meowth: "I didn't tell him about the advantage…yet. I prefer to keep that little secret to myself."
Bisharp: "Grovyle and Skrelp, both of you won't last for long."
Skarmory called everyone to meet him near the second intersection with his megaphone. Once they gathered there, they eyed two boxes next to the host with curiosity.
"Contestants, we are about to have our next challenge. Let me explain. Like the seventh challenge, each team will be given either an attacking role or a defending role. Before I tell you everything, let me show first." Skarmory used Steel Wing to slash both boxes upon. Inside one box were graffiti cans. The other held cleaning sprays and pieces of cloth.
"This is how the game works. The attacking team needs to paint graffiti in the form of another contestant's face and their name down to eliminate that contestant right away. However, you will need to keep your artwork protected from the defending team and it must look clear enough to me. The objective of the defending team is to erase all the graffiti until time runs out so they get to attack afterwards. Here is the thing, there are only three special walls that you are allowed to paint on. One in haunted area, another in snowy area and the last in desert area. Each wall can only eliminate three contestants in each round." Skarmory sipped his cappuccino before he continued to explain. Drifblim shook her head at this.
"The Feckless Flygon will get to attack first since they won the last challenge. However, to make it fair, their first attacking period will be short. Any questions?" Skarmory asked, glancing around at the contestants.
Lucario raised his right hand up first. "Can we knock the other team out cold?" The Crazy Crawdaunt members glared daggers at him.
"No. You can fight but don't use moves or do any serious damage to maim the other team." Skarmory disallowed. "We don't promote graphic violence here in Total Skarmory Island." Skarmory said, just in case.
Skrelp raised her right fin up next. "Will the locations of the special walls be revealed exclusively to the defending team?" Skrelp brought up a good point.
"Nope, both teams will know it but the defending team will start near the walls." Skarmory explained.
Dedenne raised her left hand up next, frowning. "Skarmory, I believe you are promoting vandalization through this challenge."
"Indeed, how unprofessional of you." Drifblim agreed, nodding her head. Skarmory seemed annoyed, very annoyed.
"Hey, think positively. Both of you are only thinking about the attacking side. Cleaning all the graffiti is a good thing." Ledyba pointed out, to Skarmory's pleasure.
"I agree. That advocates positive actions in the society. Good on you, Skarmory." Houndour supported and Skarmory nodded profusely.
"Dedenne and Drifblim, I appreciate both of your concerns but I believe both of you are being a bit too cynical. Try to learn from the other two." Skarmory responded, chiding both of them. Both Dedenne and Drifblim seemed taken back, widening their eyes in complete surprise.
"We will now start the challenge." Skarmory announced.
Confessional
Drifblim: "Did I just got a burn by Skarmory?"
Dedenne: "I never realize that. Am I cynical?"
Nosepass: "Lucario is such a jerk. Is that brute trying to kill me?" Nosepass quivered.
Ledyba: "I feel like Drifblim picked on Skarmory too many times so I defended him. He isn't a bad host in any way."
Grovyle: "Back at home, my friends also call me the 'Graffiti God'. I will get to show the viewers my coolness in this challenge." (Painting graffiti is cool?)
Lucario: "The merge is close. I need to keep my team strong by winning this challenge."
Duosion: "I wonder how neat the painting needs to be. I'm not exactly the most artistic girl but I think I can manage to paint a simple picture with geometric shapes."
The Crazy Crawdaunt already split into three groups, heading to their respective locations. Meanwhile, the Feckless Flygon discussed about their strategy in the intersection. A box full of graffiti spray cans was there, next to Lucario.
"I have a plan and it is a simple one. We send one weak member to distract our opponents. A strong member will then block the pathway to the wall while the final member paints the graffiti. I suggest to eliminate the defender that is the closest to you. Any objections?" Lucario addressed all of his teammates, trying to listen to them despite the grumpy expression on his face. Scolipede frowned, compressing his lips. Seemingly, he was dissatisfied with something Lucario said.
"Here we go with all the weak member, strong member again. You degrade us too much, Lucario! Just because you are a professional athlete doesn't mean you are superior. All of us are sick of how you blow up and publicly shame us. Your temper and lack of sportsmanship is contemptible. I don't understand how your reign of iron fist manage to bring your team to the top. I'm done with a dictator like you!" Scolipede vilified, ranting on and on.
Lucario breathed heavily, clenching his fist. If it wasn't for Darmanitan holding him back, there could be a few casualties…
"Chill, chill…" Darmanitan repeated. "They will listen if you talk to them politely."
"Scolipede, why did you say all of those things? Lucario isn't that bad." Ledyba held Scolipede tightly by his arms. She glanced at how Lucario reacted, deeply mortified and terrified.
"I can't see someone like him caring about us. He only cares about victory and winning." Scolipede replied. Upon seeing the look in her eyes, he started to feel a horrible feeling urching up his stomach.
"All of you are so sensitive and emotional!" Everyone turned to Lucario as he started his response. "I'm only trying to maximize your chances of winning. Is that so wrong?" Lucario asked rhetorically. Scolipede averted his eyes a little.
"I expect everyone to be able to put their personal matters aside and focus on the game just like doing a job. Winning means doing your job well and losing means failing at your job, get it?' Lucario asked, raising his chin up. Meowth nodded.
"Weak member, strong member? Those words don't hold any weight in my eyes. It is all about effort. How much dedication, hard work and time are you willing to put into your training to get stronger! After my training sessions fell into ruins and shambles, I thought that none of you want to get stronger. I can't bring this kind of team to the top. There used to be a glimmer of hope. Now, all of you just crush that little faith and hope I have left." Lucario walked away, motionlessly. His teammates looked at him guiltily.
"Let's go, Darmanitan. We can go to the snowy area. I need some time to chill out." Lucario called his fan over. Darmanitan hesitated at first but quickly followed him soon after, bringing two spray cans with him.
"What about the rest of us?" Houndour asked.
Lucario didn't turn back to face them. He just said something quietly, unlike his usual self. "Do whatever you want." Houndour's ears drooped as he heard this.
Confessional
Ledyba: "Scolipede doesn't see what kind of Pokemon Lucario truly is. That guy really cares about his team. I guess it is just like when I first met Zorua…" Ledyba looked a bit sorrowful. "Well, I'm his girlfriend so I must try my best to show him the light." She lightened up at the end.
Houndour: "I feel really bad. Lucario tried his best to improve the health and well-being of our team and we returned only animosity toward him."
Scolipede: "Lucario is overbearing. He thinks that by being the leader and contributing the most in challenges, he earns the right to do whatever he wants. Did I owe him anything? No. He did this to himself."
Miltank: "Did you all see how Lucario treated Darmanitan compare to the rest of us? I know for sure that he will keep Darmanitan over me any day. I ain't staying in his little group so that he can milk me up for sale. Nobody here is going to get my Moomoo Milk."
The rest of the Flygon members excluding Lucario and Darmanitan were still in the intersection, trying to formulate a plan. Unfortunately, they couldn't come up with anything better than Lucario.
"I will go to the desert area. Anyone wants to come with me?" Houndour invitingly looked at his teammates, asking them to join him.
"Obviously, I will go with you. One hundred percent chance." Duosion stated. Houndour smiled at this.
"Scolipede, we should go with him." Ledyba proposed the idea, nudging her boyfriend to go along with it.
"Sorry, I rather go to the haunted area. Three should already be enough. Have fun with him." Scolipede eyed Houndour coldly, turning left to separate from them. Both Houndour and Ledyba frowned, heading to the right. Duosion stared at Scolipede with slight distaste and disapproval before she left.
"Alright, see you then." Ledyba mumbled with sadness in her voice.
"What are you doing? Go with her!" Cryogonal slapped Scolipede's side with her snow chains mightily.
"Ow, what did I do wrong?" Scolipede gave a grimace of pain.
"Why did you left her?! Don't tell me that Houndour is the only reason. You are such a petty man." Cryogonal scolded, hitting him again.
"Hey, stop. It hurts." Scolipede pleaded. "I just don't want to be a bother, alright? Ledyba will have an easier time around Houndour without me."
Cryogonal stared at Scolipede criticizingly, upset and not impressed by his defense. Scolipede looked tired and irritated.
"Er… I will take my leave then." Meowth felt uneasy at the situation, slowly walking away from the group.
"I will check how homie boy is doing." Miltank minded her own business as she left.
"There's enough room for three. Let's go." Shedinja drawled and Cryogonal's mind switched to him.
"Room for three? Is that-" Cryogonal was about to say something until Shedinja gravely glared at her. He glanced sideways at Scolipede before heading inside the gloomy and dark forest. Distorted wines wrapped around dead trees, sucking its soul and decayed fiber. Yet, nothing appeared to be more lifeless than an empty husk of a discarded shell.
Cryogonal shut up and followed after him solemnly while Scolipede raised his eyes in confusion.
Confessional
Cryogonal: "Shedinja… I think he is trying to suppress his feelings by shrugging it off and trying to act all emotionless. This is just my opinion but I believe that he signed up for this show to get some sort of recognition from his family just like Zorua. Poor him."
Meowth: "An urgent meeting suddenly came up. The challenge can queue up behind the advantage. Wait in line, my dear customers…"
Scolipede: "Why is everyone suddenly mad at me? I'm just not ready to face Houndour yet, alright? Here's why…" Scolipede paused, embarrassment creeping up his face in the color of pink. "I don't know how to apologize to him… I realize it now that he is a genuinely nice guy but I don't want to admit it. That is just embarrassing. I started to trust him alongside others like Cryogonal all because of Ledyba but… It's hard to admit that you are wrong sometimes. It is so out of my character to suddenly apologize. Argh! Don't laugh at me, alright?"
Houndour: "Maybe, things will be better if I'm eliminated. Some Pokemon will be happier that way but then some will be sad if I leave."
Duosion: "Statistically, distrust is commonly presented in someone with a lot of insecurities. I don't want to assume but Scolipede got a problem and I'm not happy with that, especially if he tries to vote Houndour off."
Nosepass paced around nervously in the haunted mansion. The door was barricaded with tables and chairs stacking up from the kitchen. Up the double, grand staircase hung a gigantic, bronze frame with no picture. Apparently, this was the 'special wall' Skarmory was referring to.
Rhyhorn guarded the stairs so that no one can reach the frame, which was the first thing you would see going up the stairs.
Drifblim suddenly turned visible. "Are you boys having a great time?" She asked, pretending to ignore Nosepass' obvious fearful tendencies.
"No! Why am I stuck here?! I'm scared." Nosepass whined.
"Well, you didn't want to face the heat or the cold, remember?" Drifblim reminded him of his decision.
"Hopefully, Lucario doesn't come here." Nosepass prayed.
"…" Rhyhorn didn't say much. Although, he seemed to listen the conversation.
"Knock, knock, pizza delivery." Shedinja suddenly drawled behind the door and all three Crazy Crawdaunt members got into their position. Drifblim turned invisible, trying to attack the invaders by surprise.
Shedinja floated through the door to see Nosepass throwing kitchen cutleries at him. It didn't do any damage.
"Get out of here. You are scaring me." Nosepass squeaked.
Shedinja got directly in front of Nosepass and said something in a very deadpan manner. "Boo."
"Ah!" Nosepass screamed and hid himself in the kitchen. There was a sound of a door getting locked. Rhyhorn observed the situation but didn't move from his spot.
"Easier than I thought. I guess I look like a ghost to him." Shedinja drawled.
Suddenly, Drifblim appeared and carried him away with her arms, through the ceiling and out of the mansion.
"It takes a ghost to beat another ghost." Drifblim said, sounding proud at her accomplishment.
"Yeah, Rhyhorn is now alone." Shedinja pointed out.
"Oh, I'm sure the big guy can take down at least two members." Drifblim looked confident. Shedinja didn't seem to care.
Confessional
Nosepass: "I'm not a fan of ghost types. Especially one that is bug as well. Even though I'm a rock type, I can't do anything against them with my Tackle." He looked disappointed in himself. "Not like using moves is allowed anyways."
Drifblim: "Shedinja is interesting. I wonder why he is in this show. He got the normal 'bored and boring guy' persona yet something sets him apart from the others."
Lucario and Darmanitan braved through the snowy area. They didn't waste a second to storm the Delibird Workshop with graffiti sprays in their hands until...
"Hey, homie. You know that you still got me by your side, right?" Darmanitan reassured his loyalty as they went past the Christmas tree, closing in to the workshop.
Lucario stopped running for a second and replied. "Yes, but not everyone else. What did I do wrong? No, they are wrong! My method works with the Aura Beast but not with this group of lousy losers!" Lucario yelled, baffled.
"Maybe, you should try to be nice like the Houndour homie. Chillax and they will listen to you." Darmanitan suggested.
"Houndour? He is too soft-hearted! He is one of the reasons why our team isn't functioning as well as I hope. Our team is uncompetitive because of him!" Lucario insulted and blamed Houndour.
"Homie, he isn't that bad. He-" Darmanitan shook his arms, trying to reason.
"Enough, we should focus on the challenge." Lucario shook the graffiti spray can and faced toward the door. Since they wasted so much time rambling on about the team, the Crazy Crawdaunt utilized the opportunity to barricade the door with ten tables, six gift shop shelves, twenty chairs and a wide array of old machinery.
Lucario groaned in frustration.
Confessional
Lucario: "Wait until I get inside, they will all rue the day they use such cheap tactics." He slammed his fists together.
Darmanitan: "It is hard to persuade the homie when he sets his mind on something. Well, maybe it is also partially my fault. Maybe my reasons aren't convincing enough. My bad." He scratched his head, looking at the camera apologetically.
There were only two Crawdaunt members in the desert area, Bisharp and Dedenne. They stood distantly from each other in Chef Drapion Grill. Inside the restaurant was a horizontally long whiteboard, it appeared to be the special wall.
Bisharp leaned on the half-opened door, performing a reconnaissance task.
Dedenne looked bored as she wiped the whiteboard pointlessly with a piece of cloth.
The two didn't say much to each other, awkwardness filling the air around them.
"I wonder whose idea it was to pair us together." Dedenne frowned.
"No one but yourself and coincidence. Grovyle allowed everyone to choose wherever they want to go. However, you picked late and desert area was your only choice." Bisharp answered in a matter-of-factly tone.
"That is presumptuous of you. I never ask you a question in the first place." Dedenne didn't seem satisfied with his company one bit.
"Then why did you ask in the first place? The nature of the question doesn't seem rhetorical." Bisharp countered.
"I want to be with Grovyle, not you." Dedenne expressed her contempt and true desire. Bisharp chuckled.
"What's so funny?" Dedenne asked.
"Even if I say it, you won't believe me. Therefore, you need to see it for yourself. Don't you think it is a bit strange that the numbers never go your way?" Bisharp raised these questions up, staring at her confused demeanor. Dedenne scratched her head.
"You chose Grovyle over Jumpluff. Please remember that to the bottom of your heart. You are also equally guilty." Bisharp's words stung deep into Dedenne. The mouse turned her back toward him, not responding.
"You don't understand anything, Bisharp…" Dedenne whispered under her breath.
Confessional
Bisharp: "My first objective is to plant that seed of doubt inside her head. The second objective will be done soon." Bisharp smirked.
Dedenne: "I'm guilty, I know it but… I thought that it was the best for her to get eliminated. She will end up suffering in the end if she stays here. I did the right thing, right?"
Grovyle looked through the window of the workshop, scanning the area for any intruders. Suddenly, two figures approached the area. Grovyle squinted his eyes to see the blue beast of Pokeathlon himself, Lucario.
"Code red, Lucario. Code red!" Grovyle panicked.
"Well, time to set up the barricade. Want to help, bookworm?" Heracross said, looking at Skrelp. The water type sipped a glass of hot chocolate in the café.
"Haven't I done my part as a strategist? Both of you can deal with Lucario." Skrelp refused to cooperate, lifting her glass up for another rich sip.
"Thanks, having you here is a joy." Heracross said sarcastically.
"Just ignore her and help me. Your leader is over here, struggling" Grovyle ordered, trying to push five tables all at once to the door. Surprisingly to him, Lucario didn't barge in through the door yet. Rather, he was arguing about something with Darmanitan. Or at least, that's what Grovyle thought.
The two got enough time to set up a barricade, making Grovyle sighed in relief.
"That was too close for comfort." Grovyle remarked. "Still, we better be on our toes."
The door shook rapidly all of a sudden. Heracross and Grovyle pushed the barricade, trying to stabilize the situation. However, they were met with the cruel reality once the door broke open.
Lucario rammed through the entire barricade with a Christmas tree, piercing through the papery thin shield the Crazy Crawdaunt had.
"Surrender now and I will let all of you go easy." Lucario offered, placing the tree down alongside Darmanitan, who was overshadowed behind him.
"Well, we can settle this peacefully, can't we?" Grovyle stepped back, sweating nervously.
"I take on Darmanitan, you take on Lucario. Sounds good? Alright, let's do it." Heracross decided straight away without giving Grovyle the chance to argue. She rushed at Darmanitan, leaving the two leaders to face off.
Grovyle gulped as he retreated until his back was cornered against the door of the storage. Lucario stomped toward him slowly and intimidatingly.
"Where is the 'wall'?" Lucario asked 'civilly', cracking his knuckles.
"Err… In the s-storage?" Grovyle stuttered, sounding unsure.
"Let me see!" Lucario demanded and Grovyle opened the door for him. Once Lucario stepped in to take a closer look, Grovyle pushed him inside and tried to close the door. However, Lucario slid his feet in between, blocking the door and leaving it open.
"I'm just helping you to get a closer look." Grovyle gave him a thumb up, lying hopelessly. Lucario lifted the gecko up and threw him inside the storage.
"Argh. Ow, my head." Grovyle whimpered in pain as his head collided with a steel shelf of toys. Plushes of various Pokemon fell down on his head.
Lucario entered the storage as well, slamming the door shut.
"Where is the wall?!" Lucario asked aggressively.
Grovyle lifted a plush of Lucario up for the real Lucario to see. "Want one?" Grovyle tried to change the topic. Lucario slapped the plush away and lifted Grovyle up by his neck.
"I'm willing to do anything. The wall is inside the gift shop! There I tell you! Please just don't hurt me." Grovyle begged, his eyes were apprehensive and his legs trembled in fear. He looked very pathetic in the eyes of Lucario.
"Anything? How about betraying your team in the merge?" Lucario asked, testing Grovyle. The gecko stared into the devilish red eyes of Lucario. His black pupils consumed him like a black hole.
"Yes, even that." Grovyle submitted cowardly, nodding profusely.
"Good, you better do it." Lucario dropped Grovyle down and he scrambled away quickly.
"Attention contestants, the roles will now be reversed!" Skarmory announced the end of their first attacking period.
Confessional
Lucario: "Grovyle is pathetic. I won't keep someone like him for long."
Grovyle: "Lucario, you might win this battle but I will win the war." Grovyle used a correct saying for once. "I just want you to underestimate me. I don't cower in fear l-like that." He sounded a bit nervous at the end.
Heracross: "Hah, I stopped Darmanitan. The guy can't even move a step."
Darmanitan: "I gotta admit that Heracross is pretty strong. You deserve that victory, Heracross. Props to you."
Miltank: "Homie boy got thrashed. The fight was spectacular. Heracross knocked him down to the ground with her fists. Bam! One-hit KO! Then, she hurled his defeated body away with her horn. Well, I could help him but nah, he can take care of himself."
Noticeably, Houndour, Duosion and Ledyba arrived at the desert town. Bisharp was alarmed by their presence and shut the door tight.
"Well, I will try to keep Bisharp occupied. Any of you girls can spray paint efficiently?" Houndour asked.
"I can. I'm pretty good at it." Ledyba volunteered.
"I can't do much to block the Crazy Crawdaunt members without my psychic moves. I fear that I won't be much of help in this challenge." Duosion expressed her concerns.
"Well, you can help Ledyba. I will try my best to block all of them. I'm itching to get into the action, let's do this!" Houndour said excitedly and impatiently.
The three decided to invade Chef Drapion Grill right away. Houndour tackled the door open and allowed the two girls in. Bisharp grabbed hold of him immediately and threw him outside.
"Nice try but you need more than that." Bisharp commented.
"Well, try to catch me if you can." Houndour challenged as he sprinted around the restaurant, trying to go through the window of the kitchen.
Bisharp caught on to this and headed straight away to intercept him.
"Don't vandalize!" Dedenne scolded, unhappy with the graffiti.
Duosion sprayed with the color green to create an oval-shaped body with stick-shaped arms and legs until Dedenne sprayed her cleaning liquid all over it and wiped it clean. However, this gave opportunity for Ledyba to paint freely.
"Finish!" Ledyba exclaimed, impressed with her own work. She painted with the color red, forming a circular body with two eyes and two ears. On the cheeks were antennae. A tail was also included alongside the name of the contestant.
"Hey, I don't look like that!" Dedenne looked offended at the image. "I look out of shape. The eyes were too small as well." She continued to criticize.
"Attention contestants, the roles will now be reversed!" Skarmory announced. "If I call out your name, you are eliminated…" The footage cut to the confessional before he could finish.
Confessional
Dedenne: "I'm too small. This is so unfair! How am I supposed to wipe all of it clean when my arms struggle to even reach the board?"
Ledyba: "I did what Lucario said. Eliminating the closest opponent to me. Sadly, the time ran out too soon for me to paint someone else."
Duosion: "I'm trying to paint a picture of Bisharp to help Houndour. However, it looked so horrible. Art isn't in my area of expertise."
Houndour: "I'm so close to the board. Only if the time didn't run out first… I want to paint something too."
Rhyhorn stood still like a sacred statue guarding the stairs. Eventually, the door was forced open. Cryogonal and Scolipede entered, both seemed confident as they outnumbered Rhyhorn.
"You take left, I take right." Cryogonal designated and Scolipede nodded. The two rushed to their respective stairs. Since there was one guard and two staircases, Rhyhorn was met with a dilemma.
Stop Scolipede and let the crafty Cryogonal pass? Or… Stop Cryogonal and let the speedy Scolipede pass?
Rhyhorn decided to block Scolipede and allowed Cryogonal to head upstairs.
"If you don't move, she will eliminate three members easily." Scolipede indicated as Cryogonal got closer to the frame.
Rhyhorn was heavily pressured. The success of the team might solely depend on him. His choice was made for him, however.
"I'm tired of hiding!" A cry was heard from the kitchen.
The door to the kitchen was unlocked and Nosepass ran out, swinging a frying pan around blindly, Luckily, he hit Scolipede on the head as the bug couldn't dodge fast enough.
"Ouch." Scolipede yelped as he got knocked down.
"Go after her quickly!" Nosepass shouted and Rhyhorn didn't hesitate to chase after Cryogonal.
Nosepass stood bravely with a frying pan, stalling Scolipede from getting up.
"I want to at least do this for my big brother…" Nosepass mumbled. Scolipede didn't seem to understand or hear it even.
Rhyhorn charged straight at her with a piece of cloth on his horn. Cryogonal floated out of the way as he erased a poorly drawn semi-circle with a horn and legs. It was a picture of himself.
Cryogonal painted a new one near the top right corner of the frame so that Rhyhorn struggled to erase it. However, she was met with another surprise.
It wasn't Nosepass, Drifblim or Rhyhorn himself but it was Skarmory.
"Attention contestants, the roles will now be reversed!" Skarmory announced. "If I call out your name, you are eliminated. Dedenne… and that's it. Impressive yet expected for a short attacking turn. Please head to the intersection, Crawdaunt members. Flygon members will have some time to plan their defense." Skarmory ended.
Confessional
Lucario: "One?! Argh!"
Meowth: "Well, I surprisingly didn't get caught for playing hooky. I just lied by saying I trailed behind Miltank and got a bit lost. Time for some exclusive content for the viewers, I hid the advantage somewhere in case someone tries to search around my bed. I need to keep my silver statue locked in a safe, of course."
Cryogonal: "I'm very close to eliminate Rhyhorn. Only if our advantage is a bit better."
Dedenne: "Well, a bit shameful to be the only one eliminated. But hey, I don't want to paint graffiti anyways."
Nosepass: "I hope that Scolipede isn't angry at me for hitting him on the head. What if he seeks revenge against me? Oh Nosepass, what have you done?"
Skrelp took charge in the planning phase. Many didn't seem like they want to listen to her but they had no other choice when Groyvle couldn't really come up with anything plausible. Heracross scratched a tree out of boredom, not paying much attention.
"I scrutinized the challenge and came up with an effective, dominating strategy. Since we have less members, we should stick together and decimate one of the three areas. Due to the limit on each area, we should eliminate the three biggest threats first. Lucario, Darmanitan and Miltank are all viable candidates. This strategy prioritizes a safe and stable gameplay over short-term aggressive approach." Skrelp elaborated.
"Alright, let's do it guys. We have no time to waste." Grovyle speeded the process up and carried a box with graffiti cans over to his teammates.
Each member picked ones with the color they wanted such as Rhyhorn picked grey and Drifblim picked purple. However, the slower ones didn't get to choose…
"Hey, why am I stuck with pink?" Heracross complained.
"I figure that an uncivilized, thick-skull brute like you feel threatened by a mere visual perception of a predominantly feminine color. Psychologically, you link the color with dainty and delicate traits, which threaten your masculinity in the end. How predictable." Skrelp scoffed.
"You, enough of this." Heracross growled, pointing at her threatening with sharp claws.
"Wait, I want to change. I don't want black. Pink is better to me." Nosepass intervened, luckily.
"See, even a coward is more likable than you." Heracross turned to face him and exchanged the sprays, smiling at her new one.
Rhyhorn gazed upon the situation silently. Everything resolved in the end and they initiated their plan.
Confessional
Heracross: "Skrelp likes to get under my skin for some reason. I'm tired of her constant boasting about her superior intelligence. She is just unbearable!"
Dedenne: "See, not all girls like pink. I hate generalization in general even though it is something hard to avoid."
Rhyhorn: "Calling my little brother a coward?"
Meowth acted natural like a cashier in a gift shop. Literally, he stood near the counter and started scanning the barcode of each item. Ranging from Delibird scarves to plush of all sort, he placed all the items neatly in a plastic bag and gave it to Darmanitan.
"A total of 1,530P please. Our shop gives a free carton of Moomoo Milk every 1,000P purchase. Would you like a recommended item to reach the target?" Meowth persuaded.
"Yeah, homie. What is it?" Darmanitan accepted the deal.
Meowth got out of the counter to retrieve a hat with Stantler horns. Unfortunately, their little roleplay was interrupted by the sound of the Bronzong Bell.
Cryogonal rushed inside the giftshop, looking alarmed and anxious.
"Look outside!" Cryogonal pointed, showing an army of Crazy Crawdaunt members.
"Where is Lucario?!" Meowth uttered the only thing he could.
"Homie, he is in the haunted area." Darmanitan broke the bad news to them.
"Attack!" Grovyle ordered loudly for all the Flygon members to hear.
Straight out of the gate, Heracross slammed the door open and thrusted her horn toward the giftshop. The three defenders tried to push her back. At first, they successfully did so but…
Inevitably, reinforcements arrived. Grovyle pushed Meowth out of the way and pulled Darmanitan leg so he stumbled down to the ground. Drifblim lifted Cryogonal away, leaving the wall surrounded by red plastic tape at the back vulnerable.
Heracross, Skrelp and Nosepass painted the names of Lucario, Darmanitan and Miltank respectively. At the same time, Bisharp and Rhyhorn protected them. Meowth grabbed his cleaning spray and rushed to the wall. However, Bisharp pushed him back.
"It won't end like the dodgeball challenge. Not this time." Bisharp toughened, clearly remembering his past failures. Despite the alliance between the two, they weren't about to let each other win that easily.
"Grudges, huh? Let's forsake that for the sake of business." Meowth replied, grunting as the two fought for dominance. Don't underestimate Meowth's fragile look. He packed some muscles.
At the bottom-left corner, Heracross painted an oval in the middle, two arms and legs stretched out as sticks. A spike poked out of the chest. An angry looking face with sharp triangles as teeth and two triangle ears.
At the middle, Skrelp painted a green giant circle with fiery eyebrows, two stocky arms and legs. She also included the mouth and the eyes.
Nosepass painted in the right corner. He sprayed in a circular motion to create a body. Furthermore, he used dots to signify an udder. Legs and arms are horribly short and straight. Horns and other details were missing and the painting looked messy.
"Lucario and Darmanitan eliminated!" Skarmory announced. Darmanitan disappointingly walked away, allowing Grovyle to help Nosepass finish his painting.
"Let the graffiti god handle the job." Grovyle took the spray away forcibly and started to spray around randomly. As a result, the painting turned into a circle with messy lines stretching out. Nosepass recoiled at how horrible it was.
"Miltank eliminated." Skarmory announced astonishingly. Grovyle seemed proud of himself. However, his dreams were crushed once he saw that Heracross painted a better one that at least resembled a proper Miltank.
"I used to watch some Pokemon paint graffiti when I'm bored. Not the best painter but at least it works." Heracross told. "The black paint stands out with the white wall as well."
"Of course, I don't paint graffiti because I don't vandalize. Me, a graffiti god? Pff. No way. I just like the Triple G, you know what I mean? Graffiti God Grovyle." Grovyle explained. Nosepass and Skrelp rolled their eyes.
"What are we going to do with those two?" Bisharp pointed to Meowth and Cryogonal. Both of them tried to sneak out of the gift shop but the Bronzong Bell gave away their movements.
Both of them eyed each other nervously as the Crazy Crawdaunt members slowly approached them.
Confessional
Nosepass: "He stole my work. What a jerk. Now, the team will think that I'm useless."
Lucario: "I'm eliminated?! Are you kidding me?! *beep*!"
Meowth: "I got tied up like a hostage. How vicious of them to treat a generous business owner like me heartlessly. I offered them to take whatever they want in the gift shop. Yet, they rejected the offer. Unacceptable!" He seethed.
The Crazy Crawdaunt attacked the haunted mansion next. With the combined effort of all seven members, they destroyed the barricade and tied all three Feckless Flygon members up in the kitchen.
"This is uncomfortable." Duosion moaned as the rope was tied very tightly.
"Indeed." Ledyba agreed.
"Well, I guess this is what we deserve after we tied them up in the seventh challenge." Houndour reminded.
Heracross beamed as she painted a halo on a head of a bug. She was about to finish the painting until Skrelp wiped the name and the entire thing away.
"What the hell?!" Heracross roared with rage.
"This isn't what we agreed on Heracross. What you are doing is based on personal feelings not logic. Eliminate Houndour instead." Skrelp said coldly, disregarding her emotion without any hesitation.
Heracross took a few deep breaths before she looked at Skrelp again. Her claws twitched, begging to strangle her. In the end, she didn't and eliminated Houndour instead.
"Houndour, Duosion and Scolipede are all eliminated." Skarmory announced.
Confessional
Skrelp: "It is just illogical to eliminate Cryogonal and Meowth since their movements are restricted. The same can be argued for Duosion and Houndour. However, they are far more dangerous than someone like Shedinja."
Heracross: "Skrelp, *beep* you!"
The Crazy Crawdaunt members were in cloud nine. They dominated the challenge, reversing the history of their bitter defeat in freeze tag.
"We should be close." Grovyle stated as they got closer to the desert town.
"Easy victory. Shedinja is the only one left." Heracross said confidently. However, her expression changed immediately once she remembered that incident. She clenched her fists at the thought of being fooled by him twice.
Eventually, they reached Chef Drapion Grill. Heracross entered the restaurant first, expecting a surprise attack by Shedinja. However, there was no sign of him. The whiteboard was left completely unprotected. There was something out of place though. Many chairs fortified a table near the whiteboard, obscuring something (if there was anything it all) underneath the table.
"A sneaky ghost like him might be hiding in the kitchen. Let me go and check." Drifblim cautioned, floating inside. She came back moments later, shaking her head.
Seeing no harm in sight, the Crazy Crawdaunt started to paint graffiti. They let their guard down.
Suddenly, three Pokemon sprung out of the table, through the chairs. Shedinja, Cryogonal and Meowth struck them by surprise.
"Protect the graffiti!" Grovyle shouted, alarming his teammates. Meowth aimed for the graffiti cans, forcing them out of Skrelp and Nosepass' grasps and threw them away. This disrupted their progress fairly well.
"I will need to confiscate your illegal products." Meowth used his lingo as usual.
"We aren't going down that easily. You should eliminate us when you can because Shedinja freed us." Cryogonal revealed what happened, erasing an image of a blue hexagon that resembled herself.
"Done!" Bisharp showed an image of two red circles with smaller circles as arms and legs. The head got whiskers and a coin at the top.
"Meowth is eliminated. Seven to three, Feckless Flygon are losing really badly." Skarmory updated.
"Done as well." Heracross grinned at her work. It was a black bug with wings and a halo. "How does it feel now? I beat you again!" Heracross got up in front of Shedinja's face, mocking him.
"You forgot the name." Shedinja said monotonously.
Heracross widened her eyes and rushed back to finish while the other members blocked the Shedinja and Cryogonal from cleaning it.
"Time's up." Skarmory announced, ruining Heracross' chance.
"Darn it!" Heracross yelled, holding her head as if she got a headache.
"We did it, Shedinja! Isn't it great and awesome?" Cryogonal asked giddily.
"Whatever, we are going to lose anyways." Shedinja said pessimistically, ruining the joyful mood. Cryogonal frowned at his reaction.
Confessional
Heracross: "I'm this close." Heracross contracted her claws together, leaving a small gap. "*beep*!"
Cryogonal: "I believe that Shedinja can live a happier life if he releases all of the repressed emotions. He deserves better than how his 'family' treated him. He just needs to cry and let all of it go like a flow of river."
In the Feckless Flygon's second attacking round, Ledyba was immediately captured by Bisharp when the three tried to trespass into the Delibird Workshop. Luckily, Cryogonal and Shedinja escaped and the two decided to head to the haunted mansion.
"Shedinja, I know that your family didn't celebrate for your birthday so how about we celebrate with our team instead?! We can invite everyone including Lucario and-" Cryogonal presented the idea to the best of her ability but…
"Not interested." Shedinja wasn't interested one bit.
"What are your childhood days like?" Cryogonal asked.
"Forgot." Shedinja simply replied in an unenthusiastic and careless manner.
"Do you ever like anyone?" Cryogonal insisted on making him opening up.
"No." However, it failed just like that.
"Come on! When will you stop acting like this?!" Cryogonal couldn't take it anymore, looking infuriated.
"Stop acting like a special snowflake. You already did enough damage eavesdropping me." Shedinja drawled, anger surprisingly not presented in his voice. Cryogonal looked down on her snow chains.
"Did I hurt him even more?" Cryogonal wondered.
The rest of their journey was filled with awkward silence. Fortunately, it didn't take long for the two to reach the mansion. In front of the entrance, Drifblim and Grovyle stood as guards with long pieces of rope in their hands.
Drifblim stretched her rope. "Same battle, same result." She stated before she floated hastily toward them.
"Good Guy Grovyle is here to tie you all up!" Grovyle lunged at them.
Needless to say, they got tied up and their attacking turn ended.
The next turn, they got tied up again in the haunted mansion… Since they got tied up for the majority of the game, Skarmory edited most of the footage out.
"Haha! Take that! You all suck!" Heracross jeered at the restrained trio, rolling on the ground. Shedinja didn't show any emotion. Cryogonal scowled at Heracross while Ledyba looked miserable.
The Crazy Crawdaunt finished the last of the graffiti. The artworks consisted of a blue hexagon, a brown circle with wings and a halo. Last but not least, a bug with six arms and dots on the wings. The last thing left for them to do was waiting for Skarmory.
"Wow, complete destruction for the Feckless Flygon. The Crazy Crawdaunt win!" Skarmory declared the winning team.
Confessional
Grovyle: "This is how it is supposed to end. The good guys tie the bad guys up and they live happily ever after. I got my revenge against those Flygon jerks."
Lucario: "This challenge is so unfair! I didn't get to do much of anything. How is this balanced?! *beep*!"
Heracross: "I finally got my revenge against that stupid bug, before the merge even."
Miltank: "I know that she is my friend and all but she needs to calm down with the Shedinja thing, alright? She got eyes on her now."
Ledyba: "I fear the worse for Houndour. He might get eliminated today. Hopefully, I can convince Scolipede to vote with me."
Duosion: "I will do everything I can to save him!"
Houndour: "I don't know what to do anymore…"
Houndour and Duosion sat together on the beach, gazing upon the sunset.
"Houndour, I told Cryogonal and Ledyba already. Both of them will vote with us. If we can get Scolipede and Meowth on our side, we should be able to do this." Duosion informed.
Houndour continued to gaze upon the sunset. "That's great but… who are we going to vote for?" Houndour asked, dreading this part.
"Lucario." Duosion answered and Houndour removed his eyes from the alluring sunset.
Ledyba sat next to Scolipede on a bench. Scolipede twiddled with his centipede arms. Ledyba stared deep into his eyes, seemingly determined.
"Scolipede, I have something to tell you." Ledyba started to speak.
"I know what you are trying to say… You want me to vote with Houndour." Scolipede spoke quietly.
"You don't need to if you don't want. I will stay by your side no matter-" Ledyba was interrupted.
"I know, Ledyba. I trust you. I know that you will never leave me." Scolipede eyed her passionately and Ledyba reciprocated.
"I'm sorry for how I reacted today. To be honest… To be honest…" Scolipede gathered his courage and Ledyba anticipated the answer.
"I'm truly envious of Houndour, he is just so kind-hearted. Too kind-hearted for me to believe just like you." Scolipede complimented, making Ledyba blushed.
"I'm starting to trust him now but I don't want to admit it… I did so many things to hurt his feelings... I-I wronged him in so many ways." Scolipede sobbed a little. Ledyba caressed his back softly and slowly.
"It's okay. It's okay. I understand." Ledyba reassured.
"I don't know how to face him. Perhaps, it is too late for that…" Scolipede said, sounding depressed.
"You got me by your side, remember? We can do this together." Ledyba reminded. Scolipede looked at her with gratitude.
"I know. Thank you for… everything." Scolipede pressed his lips against hers, engaging in a passionate kiss.
Confessional
Scolipede: "That made me feel so much better…" He looked stupefied, his face a bit red.
Ledyba: "For both my relationship and Houndour's." She looked extremely pleased.
Lucario juggled some weights in the gym until the door squeaked and Meowth entered.
"Is everything proceeding as planned?" Meowth asked.
"Absolutely. Grovyle will be our pet in the merge. If I command for him to bark, he will bark. That guy is pathetic. He got no backbone." Lucario told.
"Perfect." Meowth gave a small smile. "Onwards to the elimination. Is it Houndour?" Meowth asked.
"Obviously." Lucario confirmed.
Confessional
Meowth: "I'm slowly setting my buildings up. Soon enough, I will have a hotel." Meowth smirked sinisterly.
Lucario and Houndour met on the dock before the elimination. The sunset was already gone.
"Must it really be me?" Houndour asked, sadness evident in his eyes.
"It must in order for our team to be competitive. I need to set up an example so that none of them will cross me." Lucario said, unwavering.
"There's beauty to this game other than winning… I hope you will see that." Houndour responded.
"This is why I can't have someone like you on my team. Your values contradict mine. I can't allow that even if you are a useful member." Lucario conveyed the message across.
"I see… I'm not competitive enough and everyone looks up to me. They rather listen to me than you. I understand it now… Lucario, I have a lot of respect for you. I hope you know that. You don't have any ulterior motive, that's for sure." Houndour stared at him, nodding confidently.
"My only wish is for someone in my team to win. It doesn't need to be me. In order to do so, our team needs to be strong. They need to learn how to cope with loss and despair and endure it all. Houndour, despite everything, I want to let you know that you are one of favorite members in this team." Lucario stared at him, his eyes seemed a bit sentimental.
"What if I return?" Houndour asked.
"Then, I will accept you for real regardless of how you play this game. You have two choices, Houndour. Eliminate yourself and return as a hero or eliminate me and then I will return to destroy all of you!" Lucario made it clear. Houndour resolved as the voting was about to begin.
Confessional
Houndour: "I have made my decision…"
Skarmory arrived with a plate of nine tasty Leppa Berries. One of them will get eliminated today. In the first row from left to right sat: Scolipede, Ledyba, Houndour, Duosion, Cryogonal. In the second row: Miltank, Darmanitan, Lucario, Meowth and Shedinja.
Duosion held Houndour tightly.
"Alright, all of you are probably used to this by now. I will start giving out Leppa Berries." Skarmory started the elimination ceremony right away.
"Darmanitan" He looked pretty chill as he threw it into his mouth.
"Cryogonal" She glanced at Houndour, then Shedinja.
"Miltank" She swallowed the entire thing, not nervous at all unlike the others.
"Duosion" She wished the best for Houndour.
"Scolipede" He ate it, looking a bit tense.
"Ledyba" She sighed as Houndour didn't get his berry yet, holding Scolipede arms in worry.
"Meowth" He looked very confident.
"Shedinja" He looked bored.
"Lucario and Houndour, heard of 'There can't be two Sun or Moon in the sky?' Both of you are very talented in your own ways. Eventually, both of you need to compete for dominance. Who is eliminated? Let's see…" Skarmory built up suspense.
…
…
…
…
…
…
"Houndour, you are eliminated." Skarmory finalized the result. Duosion broke down into tears.
"Duosion, don't cry. Everything will be alright." Houndour consoled her, rubbing her back slowly.
Elimination Confessional
Well, I had a blast here. At times, things were a bit slow and I got impatient. Otherwise, this island is great! I like building a snowman in the snowy area with Duosion. Helping Tyrunt carry cameras in the desert area. Facing my fear inside Skarmory Cave. I made so many memorable memories here. I couldn't list them all! Well… I want this to be a happy farewell, alright? My fans out there, please don't be sad. It is just a game. Don't be mad at Lucario as well. Alright? Bye!" Houndour speeded out of the confessional to the dock.
Everyone in the Feckless Flygon came to the dock to bid their farewells except for Miltank and Shedinja. Duosion was in tears as Houndour hugged her, caressing her consolingly.
"I will try my best to return here but if I can't… Stay strong, alright? We will see each other eventually." Houndour assured.
"Why didn't you vote for Lucario?" Duosion questioned with her teary eyes.
"I can't bring myself to do that. Sorry." Houndour said apologetically.
"Homie, I give you much respect for doing that. Good game to you." Darmanitan offered a handshake. However, Duosion hissed at him, repelling him back.
"You only said that because you are Lucario's fanboy! You voted him out!" Duosion snapped angrily. Darmanitan looked hurt, slumping slowly.
"Duosion, why did you say that? He didn't mean any harm. This is what I was worried about. Please don't act like this again. Forget and forgive." Houndour scolded tenderly.
Duosion wiped her tears away with Psychic and sniffled. "Sorry, I will try to control my emotions." She turned to Darmanitan, who averted his eyes. "Sorry for that." She apologized.
"It's okay. Apology accepted." Darmanitan forgave and Houndour shook his hand.
Ledyba suddenly pushed Scolipede toward Houndour.
"I'm ready yet." Scolipede hesitated. Ledyba gestured for him to talk with Houndour. Scolipede sighed, slowly forcing his eyes to look at Houndour.
"Scolipede, I know that you don't like me…" Houndour spoke up first.
"No, Houndour. Here is the thing. I never met someone like you before and I got hurt in the past for trusting someone. You get that right?" Scolipede said worriedly and Houndour nodded.
"I'm envious of you. You are selfless and… benevolent. It sounds too good to be true at times… What I want to say is that I'm sorry for distrusting you for so long. I'm a fool to think that." Scolipede apologized.
"It's alright. I would probably do the same thing in your position. Take it easy alright?" Houndour nudged him. "We are friends now." Scolipede smiled in reply.
"Houndour, see you later. I wish you the very best of luck!" Cryogonal waved as Houndour got on the Lapras.
"Have a great time!" Ledyba said her parting words.
"Buy a few souvenirs for us." Meowth waved as well like the others.
Lucario was the furthest away from Houndour. The professional athlete folded his arms, staring at him a little. Unlike the others, Lucario didn't look sad, his eyes were solid like steel. Through his gestures, Lucario implied something that only Houndour could understand. He then left before everyone else.
Duosion still looked distraught and depressed no matter how she tried to hold her tears.
"Duosion, let me give you a farewell gift." Houndour leaned out for a kiss. Duosion looked much more at peace as the two indulged in it.
Everyone watched, a few like Meowth covered his mouth in disgust. They were all touched as Houndour left, parting to their dismay. He waved at them for the final time as the Lapras transported him away.
Skarmory landed on the dock once everyone disappeared.
"After a long, heart wrenching episode, Houndour was eliminated. He sacrificed himself like Machoke. Will Grovyle sacrifice himself next? I bet no because this is the last episode before the merge! Next time, we shall have a redemption challenge. Some will rise and some will fall. The only thing that matters is they all need to win my special card game to return. Stay tuned until next time for another episode of Total Skarmory Island!" Skarmory ended the episode.
Votes
Duosion: Lucario
Ledyba: Lucario
Scolipede: Lucario
Cryogonal: Lucario
Lucario: Houndour
Darmanitan: Houndour
Miltank: Houndour
Meowth: Houndour
Houndour: Houndour
Shedinja: Cryogonal
Cryogonal: 1
Lucario: 4
Houndour: 5 (eliminated)
We finally reach the halfway mark! Things are about to get intense. Bisharp got his gun ready to fire at both Grovyle and Skrelp. Grovyle will do anything in his power to come out on top. Skrelp got a few strategies left...
Most importantly, Lucario will be a true beast in the merge. The biggest threat of all time. What about Drifblim? She seems like the 'true final villain' after all.
On the contrary, Jumpluff and Houndour will compete to get to see their beloved ones again.
I foreshadowed the alliance between Meowth and Bisharp through the business talk between Jumpluff and him. Did anyone catch it? Meowth and Co. is revived! Mwahaha...
Finally, let me spoil a few things about the next episode, or should I? Nah, I will leave it for a surprise.