Things to rage about this chapter: DIANTHA, Y U NO HAVE SUFFICIENT CHARACTER FOR ME TO WORK WITH?
A/N:
Yeesh. Sorry if this took so long, but, again, my school life has been rather turbulent lately. I've just finished the bulk of about five different projects, and I have to get back to them after I put this up. Ah, well, what can I say? I've already come to expect the hectic life of a student.
Also, to Gyop, two things. First, as I'm guessing the 'calendar' in your first review is supposed to be Calem, well, hmm. I wasn't planning on anyone catching a Kangaskhan, tbh, but now that you and another of my faithful reviewers have mentioned it... Although, only Oberon is able to speak to Calem, and even then, it's through telepathy, and not direct speech. Theoretically, however, I can't bend around the rules to allow the Kangaskhan to talk to Calem, unless it's through a translator, like Oberon himself. Now that I'm saying it out loud… Time to get to work.
Secondly, heh, while I am privy to the idea of a Valentine's chapter, it would mean that I'd be pushing the story back, again, for more filler. I've already had the Christmas chapter and Q&A chapter back-to-back, so, story progression time. Anyways, to both you and Logan, if I were to let your intended situation(s) happen, it would mean I'd have to pick a definite side in the neverending war between KalosShipping and BrightTomorrowShipping.
And in case you haven't noticed, there's also a reason why the three names you see on the story listings deliberately do not contain any pairings. Compare it to a Fire Emblem Awakening fanfiction: unless the author's deliberately stated who Robin ends up with, Morgan's other parent could be anyone.
Anyways, that's just about it. Trixie, Altair and Hershey say hi. Other than that, nothing much at all, so, on with the chapter.
And now, taking a cue from one of my newly favourite authors' stories, don't forget to review. I mean it; reviews are nice, and I'm interested in knowing what you liked or didn't quite like about each chapter. It's a way for me to know what I should increase more of, or cut back on.
(Also, yay, 100+ followers!)
"Niichan?"
"Hm?" Oberon turned from where he was frying his batch of Bluk Berry pancakes. "Yes, Blair?"
"Do Ghost-type Pokémon have dreams?" she queried, in between bites of hers.
He turned off the fire, before placing the plate on the kitchentop-cum breakfast table (courtesy of Lotus).
"I think they do. Why do you ask?" He replied, as he began digging into one of the pancakes.
"Well, I had this weird dream, where I was looking for you, and a Jirachi showed up out of nowhere."
He then proceeded to choke on said pancake.
"W-What?" he coughed out.
Blair munched a bit more, before swallowing, and adding on, "He also gave the impression that he and you knew each other. I wonder why?"
"Oh, so THAT'S how he got hold of my nickname." He muttered under his breath.
"Bonjour, messieurs and mesdemoiselles! Welcome to the Café Soliel!"
Calem greeted the waitress in return, before asking, "Excuse me, but we have a prior reservation with Professor Sycamore. Is he in?"
She consulted a list, and nodded, gesturing to inside the café. "Right this way, then, monsieur, you should not keep them waiting."
As they walked into the relatively peaceful, yet stylish, café, Shauna asked, to no one in particular, "Them? Who else are we meeting?"
Knowing the fateful encounter from yesterday, it didn't take long for Trevor to single out a likely answer. "Lysandre; head proprietor of the Lysandre Café, and inventor of the Holo Caster."
"Lysandre?" Tierno pondered, "Is that his first or last name?"
"Last."
Professor Sycamore waved them over from his group of tables in the back, before continuing, "Funnily enough, his first name is actually -"
"Don't you think about saying it out loud, Augustine, or so help me I'll introduce your scalp to Lysandre Labs' new brand of hair removal cream."
Surprising the quintet, Lysandre sidestepped them from behind and took a seat beside the professor, who had wisely kept his mouth shut. He then turned to the five, and smiled. "Come on, have a seat, children. It's rude to keep you standing."
And so they did.
Noticing the seat opposite Calem was empty, Serena queried, "Are we expecting someone else?"
"That would be me."
Wearing a white jacket over an equally white vest and dangerously short shorts, the woman sidled up to the group. Dropping her Holo Caster into her pink handbag, she took her seat.
Ever saw a woman and thought, She's beautiful, but way out of my league? Well, Calem had the first taste of that, in person, right across him. Her elegance and radiance shone through, and without any visible make-up, the woman in front of him looked just like a porcelain doll. But her smile was genuinely alive and friendly, if a little mischievous, and adorning her neck was a beautiful necklace, with a golden charm that was inlaid with a multi-coloured stone.
Amidst the gasps of his friends, Calem realized where he'd seen that particular smile-and-charm combination before. Back in Unova, during the few times he'd been there, Pokéstar Studios had a multitude of posters with her face on them. But that would mean-
"Good morning, children. I am Diantha. You may have heard of me."
Well, she mused, Augustine's definitely outdone himself this time.
Diantha surveyed the five new hopefuls.
Three, two, one-
And as with Sina and Dexio before them, the five of them bombarded her.
"You're *the* Diantha?! The Champion of the FLAK and world-renowned actress?!"
"I am such a big fan of your movies! Especially Gone with the Pokémon!"
"Don't forget The Lavender Town Mob! My parents loved that movie!"
"Can I have your autograph?"
Retrieving a pen from her jacket's side pocket (she didn't wear her usual poofy coat today, since she had to stay conspicuous), she expertly signed the notebook, the other notebook, the third notebook, this handkerchief…
Thank Arceus there were only five of them. There was that one time she'd been mobbed in Nimbasa.
"So," she clicked the pen and slipped in back into its holder, "Now that I'm done, shall we?"
Professor Sycamore and Lysandre nodded in tandem. Augustine then cleared this throat, before addressing the quintet of friends.
"So now that we're all here, I'd like to say a few words."
He then stood up, before pointing at nothing in particular, and shouted, "Be the best Trainer you can be-"
Before he was smacked on the head by nothing in particular. Hard.
"Diantha Chop!"
Okay, fine, it was really Diantha's outstretched hand.
"Well," she said, nursing the underside of her hand, as Professor Sycamore's face made contact with the coffee table, "I can see why she used a book. Anyways, Augustine, do you remember what we agreed on?"
"No disturbing the peace." came the muffled reply, before he unglued his face from the coffee table, settling back down into his seat.
"To be completely honest, we've gathered you all for a mission of ours." He intertwined his fingers and leaned forward, head resting on said fingers. "It's to do with one of the Kalos region's biggest Pokémon mysteries: the secret and potential of Mega Evolution."
"Mega… Evolution…?" Shauna asked, uncertain.
"Yes. You heard right." Lysandre continued for his friend, "It's a new kind of Evolution that occurs in battle; much like an instantaneous boost to its overall power, although its effects are temporary, only lasting for the flow of one battle."
He shot a look at Diantha, who nodded, hands moving to the back of her neck.
"This necklace I wear; it is, in fact, a Mega Charm. The Key Stone embedded in it," she traced its outline, "Contains an untold power that enables Pokémon to Mega Evolve, although its powers can only be granted to one Pokémon at any point in time."
"You all may have some Pokémon that, in their final stage, have the power to Mega Evolve. Serena," he gestured at her, "Shelby herself will be able to Mega Evolve when she becomes a Blastoise. Do you mind bringing her out?"
"I would, but…" Serena checked her pockets and came up empty. "I left my Pokémon back at the lab, because I wasn't aware we were going to showcase them, sorry."
"Same goes for the rest of us." Tierno added.
"Well…" Calem brought out a Pokéball, before taking a Great Ball from his other pocket. "Not me. I always carry my Pokémon with me; force of habit, I guess."
Professor Sycamore's eyes twinkled. "Well, if I recall correctly, you own a Kirlia, no?"
"If you mean Oberon, yes." He replied, holding onto said Kirlia's Premier Ball.
Diantha leaned forward. "Well, isn't this a strange twist of fate. Do you mind if I meet your Kirlia?"
"I don't see why not. Come on out, guys!"
"S'cuse me. I'm not disturbing you, am I?"
Lotus looked up from where she was overseeing the dishes washing themselves, well away from the actual running water.
"Oh, non non non, I'm perfectly fine. I don't recognize you, though; my code hasn't registered you in my memory yet. May I know your name?"
"Almond." He looked around the premises. "So this is the PokéPuff-making room. Looks just like how Blair described it."
"Oh-hohoho, so you're one of Blair's and Oberon's teammates, I take it?" The frying pan, now in pristine condition, levitated itself gently back to the holding rack. "You just missed them on their way back."
"I see. Well, in any case, I'd like some breakfast." He held something out in his hands. "Blair told me that you could prepare custom orders, so, will you and your magnificent crest please help me prepare something with this Berry?"
"Flattery will get you anywhere, boy." She walked over, preparing to take what he offered, when she caught sight of it.
"T-This is an Apicot Berry! How did you come by one?!" Lotus interrogated him.
Taken slightly aback, Almond replied, "It had spawned out of one of my trees; I've honestly no idea how it happened, but I remember the taste well."
"Well," she plucked the berry and walked back to one of the kitchentops, "Then I suppose I know exactly what to make with it."
In a few minutes, a perfectly delicate vol-au-vent sat on top of a plate on the kitchentop. The Apicot Berry had been pureed and filled inside, and little streams of it oozed out the top.
Almond took a tentative sniff, and his mouth instantly watered.
"It smells heavenly! Would you like a bit, Miss Lotus?"
"It's all yours. I will not take a bite of something a customer has ordered." she said, before adding, under her breath, "As much as I want to."
"Thanks a lot, Miss Lotus! And now…"
Almond opened his mouth wide, ready to bite down on the pastry.
Which is what he would've done, if not for the glowing rope that shot in from the guest door, roped around his body, and pulled him away before he could close his mouth.
A moment passed, and Lotus spent it blinking.
"He… isn't going to be coming back for a while, is he?"
Lotus pondered the situation, before a lightbulb lit up over her head.
Literally; as a program, she wasn't bound by the normal laws of reality.
"Well, my code never specifically stated I couldn't eat something I've prepared, right?"
The 'ding' that followed indicated the answer.
"Hoho! Well, then," she pounced on the treat, "Bon appetit!"
"YEOWCH!"
Odd, Almond thought, What happened to the crunchiness?
"Almond, what, exactly, are you doing, with niichan's arm?"
Recognizing the voice as Blair's, he opened his eyes, for quite a shock.
Instead of the tart he was going to eat, he had somehow bitten down on Oberon's left arm.
Releasing his hold, he quickly apologized, before explaining the hypothetical chain of events that had occurred.
"Ah. That explains it." He flexed his arm once. "Well, nothing major, so, don't worry, we'll let this one slide."
Oberon. There's someone who would like to meet you.
Yes, sir?
Turning from the private conversation with his friends, Oberon locked eyes with the Champion of Kalos.
Well, he didn't know that, per se, but she gave off the vibe of someone who had been in the spotlight for a long time.
"So, this is Oberon, I would suppose?" She turned to face Calem once more. "He certainly looks beautiful; you've been raising him well."
"Thanks. Wait, you can tell?"
I'm sensing traces of two telepathic links emanating from her… Is it possib-
Diantha retrieved one last item from her jacket pocket: a Luxury Ball.
"Of course; I own two members of the Ralts line myself."
It was exactly as Oberon had suspected.
Are you awake?
Diantha had spent quite a few years as reigning champion of the Kalos League. Her ace was the same Pokémon she had started with, all those years ago; a Gardevoir.
Yes, Lady Diantha, I do believe I am.
That same Gardevoir had, a few years ago, mated with one of her teammates, a Gourgeist. What arose from their union, however, had been a subject of much discussion.
For the Ralts that hatched out of the egg had blue hair, orange psychosensors, and orange eyes.
There's someone I would like you to meet.
Recent studies have confirmed that this was the result of genetic variation; something akin to, but it no ways similar, to other genetic quirks such as heterochromia, or albinism in humans. It's exceedingly rare, with less than three-hundredths of a percent chance of it occurring; or one in four thousand and ninety-six.
Who is it?
Several cases of these 'Shiny' Pokémon, as they were dubbed, had been recorded over the years. Legend has it that in the past, during the rule of the Warlords of Ransei, Oda Nobunaga, Warlord of Dragnor, reportedly once held possession of a black Rayquaza. It is unknown if this is true, as Rayuaza himself has declined to comment on his past incarnations.
He's a fellow Kirlia; mayhap he knows a different Chant.
In more recent times, however, these appearances have shot up. The red Gyarados in the Lake of Rage over in Johto is one of them; current-Unova Champion Rosa's chance encounter with a black Haxorus in the Nature Preserve is another. The most recent of these, however, was the birth of said Ralts, which, the press considered, was a miracle worthy of the Kalos champion.
I see. Then, by all means, let us acquaint.
Of course, the hype died down, eventually. The Ralts evolved into a Kirlia, who went by the name of-
"Noire, come on out!"
Well, Diantha just stole my lines. Back to them.
Materializing out of the ball, which returned to Diantha's outstretched palm, the Kirlia took a look at her surroundings, curtsied, and held out a hand to Oberon.
"A pleasure to meet you. My name is Noire."
He shook her hand. "Oberon. I hope we can be friends."
"Blair. I'm Oberon's sister. I'd shake your hand, but, well," she glanced down. "I'm lacking any. Again."
"Almond. I'm their teammate, and that's about it."
"So it would seem." She turned to face Oberon. "May I please know your starsign, Oberon?"
"To the point, I see." Oberon's fingers crackled magnolia, as he continued, "Are you always this direct, Miss Noire?"
While the Pokémon conversed, a different discussion played out between their trainers.
"So this is what happened to your Shiny Ralts!" Trevor said, excitedly. "I watched the news report, but I never thought I'd get to see it in person!"
"It looks even more gorgeous up close! Did you have a secret for raising it?" Calem asked.
Diantha tapped her chin and thought a while, before replying, "Not really. Ralts and Kirlia naturally grow well under the influence of positive emotions; I just exposed them to a lot of it."
"Incidentally," Sycamore folded his arms, "The reason we were interested in Oberon, was because, you see, one of his final evolutions, Gardevoir, possesses the potential needed to Mega Evolve."
"Really?" Serena tilted her head to the side. "Now that I think of it, Mom did say something about Miss Diantha's main Pokémon being a Gardevoir that could evolve, but I hadn't believed it until now."
"She speaks the truth. I have seen my mother do something of the sort in battle, and I wish to do the same when I have grown."
"Permit me to ask," Lysandre interjected, "But, Calem, how long ago did your Ralts evolve?"
Trevor raised a hand. "Yesterday; the same day I met you, Monsieur Lysandre."
"A fairly recent evolution? Well, isn't that coincidental?" Diantha grinned. "Noire achieved hers scarcely last week."
"In that case," Tierno added in, "Why don't they have a battle? We can see whose Kirlia is stronger!"
"…You want an excuse to watch them dance while they battle, don't you?" Trevor deadpanned.
"Yep."
The same matter was being discussed between the two female Pokémon currently in the group.
"Battle oniisan? No offense to you, Noire, but Ber- gomen, Oberon is fairly strong. I'm not sure if you can beat him."
"Blair, I'm not that-"
"All the more reason for me to fight him. I have only just grown used to this form, so I wish to test it out."
"Well," Almond voiced out, "Where should we have this battle, then? Here in the café?"
"That's not a good idea, because we might hit some of the…"
It was then Oberon, and the rest of the group, realized how the chatter had died down.
"Custom…ers…"
Mysteriously, a good number of the café's patrons had left, leaving their group, and a few of the café's baristas, who, apparently treated this as one of their regular occasions, because they were intently watching the two Kirlias.
Okay, seriously, how are you doing that?
Oberon, who are you talking to?
Trade secret, Oberon. Now, go and battle.
Moving to the centre of the room, Oberon and Noire faced each other, just as their trainers did so, behind them.
"One-on-one. No commands. Oberon and Noire will fight free of any of our orders." Calem restated.
"Fine by me! I look forward to seeing which of us has raised their Kirlia better." Diantha replied.
"Okay," Oberon cracked his neck, "Let's do this."
"Very well." Noire bowed, before shifting her stance.
"Good luck to the both of you!" Blair cheered from the sidelines.
The Mild-Mannered Maiden In Blue! Noire!
VS
The Intrepid Butler In Green! Oberon!
BATTLE, BEGIN!
Novice Calem is challenged by Champion-Incognito Diantha!
Champion-Incognito Diantha sent out Kirlia!
Novice Calem sent out Kirlia!
"Oberon, please do not hold back because I'm a girl. I will not show you any mercy should you try."
"That was never my intention, Miss Noire. I won't pull any punches."
While Oberon dashed to the right, Noire wasted no time in setting up her first move.
"Shadow Sneak."
The multiple shadows of Noire on the ground, courtesy of the many lamps in Café Soleil, all merged into one transient shadow. This shadow paused for a while, before zipping off in the same direction as Oberon.
"Woah!"
Lifted into the air by his leg, Oberon shot a bolt of Confusion at the amassed shade, breaking it apart. Landing gracefully on his feet, he was then not-so-gracefully launched into the air, flying halfway across the café's floor, courtesy of Noire and her Facade.
"Kft!" Dropping into a crouch, he dove into a roll on the ground, before coming back to an upright position.
"Okay, change of plans, forget about holding back," Oberon muttered, before his newfound hands ere bathed in an electric yellow shine.
"Twin goddesses, each born with a single wing… in imperfection lies everchanging hearts… Lucky Chant: Gemini!"
As the two copies of Oberon dashed across the floor, Noire took a glance at them, and without bothering to find out which was the real copy, twirled, bathing her body in a brilliant light.
"Dazzling Gleam."
By all accounts, Oberon should have been blinded, or at the very least, stunned, by the radiant rays of her attack. But when Noire completed her twirl to face Oberon again, she indeed got a faceful of him, as he slammed into her, head-on.
Well, the rules never said you couldn't use your body double as a projectile. Come to think of it, there weren't any rules either.
As the stars cleared out of her eyes, Noire leapt to her feet, Oberon's doppelganger fading away to her side.
And promptly arched her back, narrowly missing the Confusion bolts Oberon sent at her.
"Too close."
Coming up straight, she charged up her own bolts and sent them in a wide array at Oberon, who managed to dodge the first few, before-
"Kft!"
As one bolt stunned him, the others crashed into him, sending him to the ground.
As he got up unsteadily, he threw up his hands. "I yield…"
"You do?"
The tips of his fingers shone blue. "Course not."
"O spring of eternal purity… Bubble with the songs of the Fairies… Lucky Chant: Aquarius!"
The healing rain washed over Oberon, who stood up, reenergized.
"And now that that's settled…"
He snapped his fingers, as a memory of him and Calem playing on the Undella Beach resurfaced. Just like before, the memory turned to light, which gathered around his hands as he skittered forward.
"Return!"
Noire unsuccessfully tried to dodge to the side as both of his hands struck her in the stomach.
She gasped as she was sent back a couple of feet, collapsing to her knees.
"N-Not here. Not now."
She brought her arms to eye level…
Where they gleamed pearly-white.
She's using her Lucky Chant? Oberon thought. Whatever it is, it doesn't look good…
"O valkyrie of the doomed rebellion… In the depths of despair, sing us to victory! Lucky Chant: Libra!"
Almost immediately, Oberon was bathed in a pillar of light.
"What the- GYAH!"
Every inch of his body cried out in pain, as energy was drained from his body; it was as if his very lifeforce was being sapped from him.
The destructive power of this Chant… No wonder she was so reluctant to share it with me…
When the glare died down, Oberon shook in place, having been reduced to the same level of power as Noire.
"Forgive me, Oberon, but I would not resort to having to use it unless my opponent was truly giving me a hard time." Noire's voice called out, her kneeling figure three feet away from where he was.
"A-Apology accepted. So, it comes down to this, huh?" he countered, barely having enough energy to remain on his feet.
"Verily," she replied, forcing herself into the same standing position, before the two of them charged their last shot.
"Confusion!"
Their respective blue bolts struck each other's left psychosensor, sending them pirouetting in a circle, before they both teetered, and fell forward.
"I've… I've lost… So this is how it feels to lose…"
"That floor is looking pretty close to my face now, isn't it-" *thud*
Both Pokémon have fainted! It's a draw!
Oberon propped himself on his elbows.
"Are… you alright, Miss Noire?" he asked, the visible area in front of him a blurred distortion.
"I… I'm fine. Thank you for the battle."
Sir Calem? A few healing items would be good right about now.
No problem. Here, take this.
Downing the Oran Berry in one go, Oberon felt the colour return to his face (not that he had any to begin with, what with his white skin and whatnot, but you get the point) and his eyesight clearing up. Across from him, Noire had also gotten up, munching on what appeared to be a Sitrus Berry.
"Oberon, it was an honour to have fought you, so, thank you once again." she held out a hand. "Perhaps, now, we should exchange chants, should you not mind. I have faith you will be able to use it well."
"Of course I don't." He moved closer until he was directly in front of her. "Ladies first."
"Merci."
A fountain of flashbacks and a chant later, one perfect copy of Noire's legs stood side-by-side with her.
"I would suppose this chant needs practice; hopefully, the next time we meet, if we do, I will be able to use it as well as you do." she admitted, before stepping forward for her end of the deal.
While rushing through her memory banks, Oberon noted a number of recurring images. There was a Gardevoir and a Gourgeist, who he guessed were Noire's parents; the same Gardevoir, who looked to be in a wedding dress, with split psychosensors (he assumed that that was the Mega Evolution her trainer had been talking about); and quite a few instances of learning TMs.
He also noted that, not once, she was seen with anyone other than her parents, and her TM coach, not once did she interact with another Pokémon.
The words fell into place, although Oberon already knew what they were from Noire's use of the chant, earlier.
Breaking the connection, and making sure Noire was fine, he didn't waste any time voicing out his thoughts.
"Pardon me for asking, but you don't have many friends, do you?"
While her expression remained neutral, he could hear a slight tinge of sadness in her voice as she replied, "I have not much exposure to the world outside my family. As such, to answer your question, yes, I do not have friends to speak of, as it were."
"Well, we could be your friends, right, guys?"
"Right!" Blair flew around in an arc. "We should also introduce her to the rest of the gang!"
"When the time comes, Blair. When the time comes."
Through this, Noire inner-monolouged, "I guess… they're my friends, now. That's a nice word: friends."
"Trevor, my lad, if that's what 'best Trainer' means to you, then I want you to go out there and complete the Pokédex like your life depended on it!"
Professor Sycamore, having completed his spiel, addressed the quintet. "Any more questions?"
Serena raised a hand. "Professor, where should we begin our mission to search for the secrets of Mega Evolution?"
"I can answer that for you." Lysandre snapped his fingers. "Your first destination would be Camphrier Town, after Route 5. Perhaps, you'll learn more about its history and significance there."
"Got it!" the five of them chorused.
"Okay," Augustine checked his watch, "It's nearly one. I have an appointment with another Trainer in about fifteen minutes, so I must be going."
"So must I. The Lysandre Café is about to reach one of its peak hours, and frankly, I don't trust my sister to keep the employees in line."
They shared a brief laugh, before the two men got up and left.
"I shall take my leave as well, then. Children," she paused, before standing up and adding, "I bid you good luck on your journey, for I have seen the hardships one must go through. And now, I must bid you adieu."
Shall we leave, Noire?
Allow me to say goodbye to my… friends.
Diantha beamed. If you say so.
Noire nodded, and orange met garnet as Noire looked directly at Oberon.
"Thank you very I hope we meet again soon, and when that happens, I will challenge you in battle again, Oberon. Until then…"
She leaned in and brushed her lips across both sides of a surprised Oberon's face.
"W-W-W-W-W-W-W-W-W-W-W-What are you doing to oniic-"
Before doing the same to a now-furious Blair.
Stunned into silence, she gawked as Noire repeated it once more on Almond, before noticing Blair growing redder by the moment.
"What is wrong?" she asked.
"You- I- what- kissed- Berry-nii- why did you-"
"It's faire la bise… You know, the Kalosian custom of kissing each other on the cheeks to say hello or goodbye?"
In the silence that followed, Noire raised a metaphorical eyebrow. "You all are not from Kalos, are you?"
"Nope." "Um, no." "Well, technically I am, but…"
She sighed, although Oberon could tell it was a more cheerful kind of sigh, and not the 'I'm surrounded by idiots' kind of sigh.
"Looks like we both have a lot to learn. I should hope to see you again, friends."
She smiled. "Au revoir, Almond, Blair, Oberon."
As she followed her Trainer out of the café, Oberon put a hand up to his face. "That… was surprisingly soft."
Perhaps he should have watched his tongue.
"Baka-niichan!"
If Blair had hands, they would be on her non-existent hips. "I can't believe you, oniichan! Of all people, her!"
"Wait, what did I- Blair!"
She floated away with a harrumph, leaving Oberon stunned, before he made to go after her.
And promptly crashed into a table, Blair having harmlessly phased through it.
And through all of this, Almond looked on, a mixture of amusement and pity reflected on his face.
Jeez, he thought, and I thought Kirlia were the Emotion Pokémon.
As they walked out of the café, Lysandre complimented, "They certainly look like a nice group of friends, don't they? Kind of like us, back then."
"Yeah… back then." Augustine's tone was a bit forced.
"Look, what happened then was a thing of the past. A flaw, if you will; it should not affect our future."
"I'm merely afraid the same thing'll happen to them. I don't want this quest of ours to shatter their bonds like it did ours." Professor Sycamore confessed.
"Don't worry. I'm sure nothing of that calibre will happen to them."
"Yeah." He brightened up, "Merci, Lysandre. I'll continue to believe in their bonds. But for now, au revoir, I should really be getting back to my lab."
Lysandre watched his best friend walk away, before adding, to himself, out of earshot.
"I just hope they don't get in the way of Team Flare's plans. I'd hate to have to eliminate them."
A/N:
messieurs and mesdemoiselles – sirs and madams
monsieur – sir
vol-au-vent – a French puff pastry, with filling
merci – thank you
Au revoir - goodbye
Baka – (C'mon, you should know what this is; if you don't, here) Stupid
Pokédex count:
Central Kalos – 43/150 seen.
(Coastal Kalos – 1/153 seen. – Rhyhorn – Unregistered)
(Mountain Kalos – 1/151 seen. – Ditto – Unregistered)
(National – Koffing, Misdreavus – Unregistered)
Calem's Team
Name: Oberon
Species: Kirlia
Approximate level: 20
Ability: Telepathy
Moves currently in use: Confusion, Double Team, Teleport, Lucky Chant, Return
Diantha's Team
Name: Noire
Species: Kirlia
Approximate level: 21
Ability: Trace
Moves currently in use: Confusion, Teleport, Lucky Chant, Shadow Sneak, Dazzling Gleam, Facade
Lucky Chants Used
Gemini – "Twin goddesses, each born with a single wing… in imperfection lies everchanging hearts…" – Clones oneself; subset of Substitute, except this substitute's sentient.
Aquarius – "O spring of eternal purity… Bubble with the songs of the Fairies…" – Restores energy; Heal Pulse, except all members on one's team are targeted.
Libra – "O valkyrie of the doomed rebellion… In the depths of despair, sing us to victory!" – Reduces opponent's health to your own; Endeavour, in a nutshell.
To those of you who don't understand how Lysandre's seems so OOC until the end:
Okay, if you look past the holocauster aspect of Lysandre, you'll see he's actually a very polite and affable guy. In this continuity, however, around his best friend(s), there's a more fun, joyful personality, that shows when he's at ease. He isn't in his Dalek personality all the time, y'know.
Bonus scene:
Later on, after Blair had returned and calmed down, they'd settled in for lunch.
"You know, pardon me if I'm wrong or mistaken, but I thought Ghost Pokémon live off the fear of others. In that case, you shouldn't actually need sustenance like us, don't you?" Almond asked, digging into an Oran Berry parfait, courtesy of their trainer.
"True." Blair agreed, "But I have a mouth, and a set of working taste buds, so I might as well enjoy the other little things in life. Course, I do steal fear from time to time, though."
"Hello!" "AIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"
They watched as one of Calem's female friends ran from the Hoppip that had coincidentally floated into the café. Oberon shot a knowing glance at no one in particular.
"Like now." he commented, scooping up another spoonful of caramel pudding.
As her gem stopped glowing, the absorbed fear storing itself into its reserves, Blair accepted the spoonful. "Un. Like now."
Next time, next month, or if my project teammates actually DO WORK, on The Kalos Chronicles...
Allegedly, after an afternoon acquiring an array amongst additional affairs,
"Swords Dance? Cool! Eugene'll be psyched to learn an actual dancing move!"
And another, appalling actuality appears,
"What do you mean, I'm not as stylish as I can be? These pants are a hundred percent leather!"
…Nah, I can't think of any more alliterative terms. Let me lay it out straight: dinnertime.
"Table for three. No, we're not dating. The Special Triple Battle Meal? Three guests from Unova?"
Guess I've got to set the table for a certain set of triplets.
"They forgot me? ME?!" "See, I told you nobody would remember us!" "To be fair, um, we have left our positions for nearly five years now."
Order up, ladies and mentlegen.
Join us next time, for Chapter 16: The Dinner Date Dine-In!