Skip a beat, skate upbeat, get a sweet, or something to eat, take a seat, enjoy your treat, rinse, repeat, ain't that neat?
A/N:
Slipped my schedule, I'm afraid; I apologize, but life's been hell lately. I have had a slew of actual tests (which, by the way, only ends next week, which means I need to get back to revision straight after this), but at least the holidays are coming, whoopee.
So, anyways, to those of you not in the hospital after my decidedly shocking April Fools' Day prank, well, welcome back! I'm on a gameshow binge right now, thanks to Survivor: Cagayan, so this chapter will be fittingly-themed.
Since it's come to this, I'd like to take this opportunity to say that thirty-thousand views feels great, so thanks a lot to everyone who kept coming back.
Once again, feel free to review with what you liked or didn't like about the chapter, or any wild mass guessing that may or may not arise from the progression of said chapter.
That's all from me, so allons-y!
Wait, one more thing: HOENN CONFIRMED! LITERALLY! YAY! I'M GETTING BOTH OMEGA RUBY AND ALPHA SAPPHIRE!
But don't worry; I won't start the Hoenn Chronicles so soon. Have to finish this one first.
The next morning passed by quickly. The quintet agreed that Route 5 was their next intended destination, and so, one by one, they said their goodbyes and made for the south-western gatehouse.
Of course, wherever they went, an occurrence of some kind was bound to follow.
This was exactly why Calem found himself being approached by a man with dark purple hair, an equally dark purple moustache, and a light pink suit.
"Hey!"
The man stopped directly in front of him and held out a hand. "Nice to meet you, friend! They call me Mr. Bonding, so, how do you do?"
Without even pausing for Calem to actually shake his hand, he continued his spiel, "Have you heard about O-Powers?"
Again, without pausing for Calem to actually answer (not that he could, since he had absolutely no idea what O-Powers were anyway), he didn't slow down as he said, "That expression of yours tells me you haven't! Don't worry— I'll tell you all about it."
As the man went on and on and on, Calem found his already-waning concentration slipping away. Since he really wanted to get going, he cut in, "Pardonne-moi, but I need to be going soon, so could you please finish… whatever it is you were going to finish?"
"Skipping straight to the point now, are we? Okay, then," the man inched ever closer to him.
"Let's get started, shall we? It's bonding time!"
"What happened to you?" "Don't even ask."
Serena stared blankly, as Calem readjusted his belt, before shrugging whatever it had been on his mind off. "What's new?"
"Well," she gestured, "I've already battled every trainer on the route, so you can thank me for that later. I'm heading back to Lumiose for the afternoon."
"Haven't you already spent enough time there?" he asked pointedly.
"Personally, I need to get a few things done. There has to be something else I can do to increase my style." She waved behind as she disappeared back through the gate.
A moment passed, before Calem shrugged again and made for the actual Route. If that was what Serena wanted to do, well, he couldn't tell her otherwise, could he?
"Route 5 goes by the alternate name of Versant Road. In old Kalosian, 'Versant' translates loosely to 'meditate', thus its archaic nickname as the 'Road of Meditation'.
Of course, most people refer to it nowadays as the Skating Road. And who can blame them?
Sporting a plethora of roller-skating related obstacles, and a skate park, the largest in the world as of this publishing, Route 5 can serve as both a form of entertainment and relaxation to travellers on the go. Sticking to the road and the meadowlands will likely net you some of the route's Pokémon, including the flightless double-domeheaded dodo Doduo (try saying that three times fast), the adorable mount Skiddo, the stylish dog Furfrou, among others.
Good luck with the route's rarest residents, though. The wild Abra love to Teleport themselves out of any dangerous situation, and since they don't know much else at their maturity level, they're likely to do just that. Conversely, the Gulpin will eat nigh everything.
Try not to open any Honey jars around these parts. You'll attract a horde of at least five Pokémon to your general location, although the number can go up to over fifty on an especially hungry day. You really don't want to open any Honey jars during the summer seasons; the aroma is especially strong in the sweltering heat."
'The Official Kalos Companion Guide' (2020), by Maison Prince Calem.
"Yo, C-Sharp!"
Tierno lumbered towards him, the Swirlix on his shirt replaced with a Farfetch'd. "Have you seen the hordes of Pokémon?"
"Hordes?" Calem asked, "I thought Pokémon only attacked individually."
"Well, they're starting to attack in groups of five." Tierno proceeded to twirl in a circle, "They're just like a dance team made up of Pokémon, aren't they?"
Laughing, Calem patted his friend on the back. "Oh, Tio, do you ever think about anything besides dancing?"
"Funny, that's what Trevor usually says." He nodded. "And nope, even during Pokémon battles, I'm always checkin' out their moves! Like Swords Dance, which, now that I'm mentioning it…"
He turned to Calem, a slight grin plastered on his face. "I want to see Oberon dance again. Would you mind battling with me, so I can see his sweet moves?"
Facepalming, but knowing he meant well, Calem took out a Premier Ball.
Calem is challenged by Tierno!
Tierno sent out Corphish!
Calem sent out Kirlia!
"Hey, hey, morning, Oberon! How's your day so far been?"
"Fine, thanks. So, we're battling, huh? Good luck, man."
"Eugene!" Tierno spread out his arms. "Swords Dance!"
Crossing his claws together, Eugene spun in a circle, Tierno copying his movements and doing the same. Simultaneously, a set of holographic swords swirled in an arc around him, before crossing together. As they came to a halt, Eugene swung out his claws, breaking the images of the swords, and causing his claws to glow blue.
"Now, get in close and Vice Grip!"
Scuttling forward, Eugene covered the distance between them quickly and jumped. Oberon tried to run to the side, but was too slow, and ended up pinned down by the neck.
Beating the iron-hard pincer with his hands to no avail, Oberon tried to use his legs to kick Eugene's feet from beneath him, again to no avail.
"Sorry, mate. This is gonna hurt." He apologized, widening the space between his claws.
Oberon continued to struggle wordlessly.
With a wide sweeping motion, Tierno cut the air in front of him. "Finish him!"
Only realizing, right then, that Calem looked strangely very, well, calm.
With a loud crack, the two pincers slammed shut, and Oberon stopped struggling.
Before bursting apart in an explosion of grass.
"Tierno, you should never let your eyes off your opponent." Calem pointed out, slightly smirking.
"Unfortunately, that goes for you too."
Turning around, he stared into Oberon's hand, and the blue energy that came with it.
"Confusion!"
Recoiling from the face-on blast, Eugene shrugged it off, before raising one energy-filled claw.
"Now I got yo-kfft!"
Before swinging it down, and essentially delivering a right hook to the side of his face. Painfully.
Oberon winced. "Whoops. I think the Confusion worked a little too well…"
"Snap out of it, Eugene!" Tierno pleaded.
Ignoring the other trainer, Oberon twirled in a-
"Wait, what?"
Be nice, Oberon. Tierno wanted to see you dance.
"Do I have to?"
Eugene's mind was still reeling. "Who you talkin' to, Oberon?"
"No one!" he hastily replied, twirling in an arc before tiptoeing his way towards the shellfish, and holding up one hand, charged with psychic power.
"Sorry, but I guess I just got lucky. Confusion!"
A few seconds later, one unlucky crab fell on his back, foam bubbling out his mouth.
"My head's spinning…"
Calem defeated Tierno!
"That was some nice footwork! But ah well, C-Sharp, you're too strong for me." Tierno mumbled, returning the recently-healed Eugene back to his Pokéball.
"You aren't that bad, Tio." Calem rubbed the back of his head. "If you pay more attention to your surroundings, I'm sure you'd be good to-"
Whatever he had to say next was interrupted as a Pokémon crashed into Calem, knocking him to the ground.
"Ow…that's gonna leave a mark…" the figure rubbed its head.
"No kidding, are you alright?" Oberon looked over the newcomer.
"Oh, wow," Tierno took out his Pokédex, "Trevs is gonna be soooo mad!"
He lined up the camera's crosshairs with the Pokémon in sight, and with a click, the information patched through.
"Lucario, the Aura Pokémon, and the evolved form of Riolu. By catching the Aura emanating from others, it can read their thoughts and movements." Tierno took a breath, before continuing, "Also, it can tell how others are feeling from over half a mile away."
"That's my full potential? Wow!" The Lucario, female now that Oberon heard her right, got up, before helping Calem to his feet. "Hello there, mister!"
The human in front of her stared blankly right back at her.
She noticed her own mistake, and knocked herself on the head. "Oh, right, you can't understand human speech! Hold on…"
Hello there, mister!
He blinked once.
You can communicate with telepathy?
She was remarkably surprised. You're not surprised that a voice is suddenly talking to you in your head?
Well, a third, distinctly higher-pitched, but still male voice, sounded out, I would think Sir's used to it by now.
Oh, a Psychic-type Pokémon, I see! But 'Sir'?
Force of habit.
"And, send! Let's see how Trevs reacts!" Tierno said to himself as he put the Holo Caster back in his pants pocket.
So you already share a telepathic link… No wonder your aura's so strong! The Lucario tapped Calem's hand. Anyways, hello there, I'm Lucia! You've been selected to take part in So You Think You Can Skate, so would you please kindly follow me?
Both trainer and Kirlia exchanged a look. Wait, me? I actually got selected for So You Think-
Well, I'm just looking for contestants, and you just so happened to fit the bill, mister!
"I probably should be working on my next super selfie." Tierno took out a notebook, before flipping to the latest page. "Maybe something to do with a movie… Crobatman? Hmm…"
As if the telepathic three-way talk couldn't get any more confusing, a fourth, higher-pitched voice chimed in. Lulu, have you found someone?
Coming soon, Lady!
Oberon cocked his head to one side. Lulu?
Wait, Lucia turned to him, shocked, You heard that?!
Lulu, we're starting in five, we need to hurry!
Alright, I'm coming! She turned to Calem. We're late, no time to say "Hello, Goodbye", we're late, let's get going!
Without waiting for a reply, she immediately got behind Calem, and started pushing him back the direction she came from.
Oberon stared as they disappeared around the corner, before shrugging and following them.
Scribbling down a final note, Tierno struck a victory pose.
"Eureka! Okay, C-Sharp, are you finished having your staring contest with the Lucario…"
It was only then did the lovable lug realize that he was now all alone.
"Huh, where'd he go?" He shrugged. "Guess I'll go check on Trevs."
Beep beep.
"And speaking of Trevs," Tierno checked his Holo Caster, "One new Holo Clip, let's see what-"
"WHERE DID YOU FIND THAT LUCARIO I THOUGHT THEY WERE EXTREMELY RARE IN-"
Ever since the concept of reality shows appeared on the radar, television stations worldwide began to broadcast them in increasing amounts, proportionate to the amount of shows produced. Some of them became instant hits with the crowd.
"Devon. My corporation. Where millions upon millions of Pokémon training products are manufactured and exported worldwide each year." The blue-haired man turned to the camera and smiled. "My name, is Steven Stone, ex-champion of Hoenn, and its successor. I own buildings all over Hoenn; agencies, casinos, contest halls, you name it, I've probably owned it. I've mastered the art of the deal, and turned the name 'Stone' into the highest-quality brand. Now, I want to pass the knowledge my father passed to me to somebody else. I'm looking for… The Apprentice."
Some others, well…
"And welcome back to the second episode of the Season Two of Searching for Suicune!" The man on-screen paused at looked around. "Wait, did everyone quit already? That was quick. Ah, who cares, I'm gonna go look for Suicune anyways!"
Many of these programs were regional-based, and each region usually had about five to seven. Kalos was no exception, and an up-and-coming favourite of the community had to do with a certain charismatic, peppy teenage gym leader, her skills at roller skating, and a certain portion of the skate park down Route 5.
"Welcome to 'So You Think You Can Skate'! And here's your one and only host, give it up, for…"
With a burst of confetti and an expertly aimed axe kick that split the conveniently placed boulder down the middle, a blonde girl made her dynamic entry to the legion of adoring fans.
"Time for Lady Korrina's big appearence!" she waved.
The crowd went wild, and the cheers magnified in volume, before quieting down to let her speak.
"Tonight, two random challengers will be flung onto the scene, and be made to overcome the Versant Vector course in one take, by any, means, necessary!"
The cameramen zoomed out to show a panoramic view of the obstacle course-portion of the skate park, filled with mini-half-pipes, quarter pipes, funboxes, and enough rails to make a train track.
"As usual, I sent out my Lucario to scout out two random passerbys from the public, and," she spun in place, "Here one of them is now!"
As if on cue, which most definitely so since this was a live show, Lucia came in from one end, Calem and Oberon in tow.
Clapping her hands, she offered a hand to Calem, who accepted it.
"Ladies and gentlemen, our first contestant!" she handed the microphone she held to him, "Would you be so kind, as to introduce yourself?"
"Um…" he held up an uncertain hand to the live audience. "I'm Calem, from Vaniville Town. It's a pleasure to be here."
Cheers followed, and died down again as Korrina pointed to the other end. "And here's the other!"
Another Lucario walked in, followed by a very familiar Skitty, and behind it-
"C-Sharp?"
"Kat?"
"Ooh, hi, Obi-Wan Kenobi!"
"…What."
"Fancy that, C-Sharp!" Shauna chirped, giving him a hug for good measure. "Never thought I'd see you here, of all places! You look great today!"
"Well, you look great yourself!"
He was being entirely truthful; today, Shauna was decked out in a pink and sparkly bolero dress, and her hair was back in its usual four-sided-pigtails style.
With a cough, a certain ignored Gym Leader glared at them. "Ahem, if you two lovebirds are done-"
The two immediately separated, with Shauna insisting, "We're just friends! Very good friends!"
Korrina raised an eyebrow, while the audience catcalled and wolf-whistled, with one guy even shouting "Just kiss her already!", making Shauna blush furiously, while Calem pulled his cap down over his face.
"Seriously." was his muffled, unheard reply.
"Well, okay." Korrina smirked, before passing the mic to Shauna, "Anyways, you are?"
"Shauna. Vaniville Town." she pointed at Calem. "I'm his neighbour and bestie."
"That's what they all say," Korrina sniggered under her breath, before turning to them with a smile, "Let me officially welcome you to So You Think You Can Skate! A round of applause for them, everyone!"
As the cheers went down in volume, she looked straight into the camera before announcing, "And now, we cut to a short commercial break, while we get them outfitted! But don't touch that remote, because we'll be right back!"
"And… cut!"
Korrina immediately let out a huge huff, before turning to the duo were both standing awkwardly with a smile. "So, are you actually dating?"
"NO!"
"Kidding, sorry, heh." She held out a hand. "Korrina Guillory. Host, gym leader, ace skater, but you probably already knew that."
After they shook hands, she gestured to the two Lucario who had taken their place next to her. "Now, before we get started putting your gear on, I highly recommend you let your Pokémon sit this out; apparently, if you go too fast, which could happen, something weird happens to them inside their Pokéballs, and considering the fact none of you have skated before, well…"
She shrugged. "It's bound to happen at some point. Even I made a lot of mistakes when I was young. So, you can let them out, if you want them to watch."
"Okay!" Shauna retrieved the three Pokéballs from her belt, as Calem did the same. "Come on out, guys!"
As the Pokéballs returned to their owners, the remaining four Pokémon materialized onto the field.
Upon which, Fontaine immediately jumped onto Almond's arms, and screamed something none of the humans understood, sending both Oberon and Blair into a fit of laughter.
"Ah-choo!"
The Riolu rubbed her snout, before sneezing again.
"Someone's shouting about me! Cool, I'm relevant again!"
And then she stopped sneezing.
"Aaaaaand, there I go. Aw, phooey!"
"Laura, who are you talking to?"
"Aaaaaaaaand, welcome back!"
Taking her place on the starting ramp, Korrina performed a 360 in place, before posing for the camera. "Let's get the ball rolling, shall we? Gentlemen first!"
Calem tugged at his helmet strap uncomfortably as he walked up the steps to the starting ramp. "So, I'm going to be taking on this course first, huh?"
"Yep!" Korrina replied enthusiastically. "So, tell me, tell us all, how much experience do you have with rollerskating?"
He shook his head. "I grew up in Unova, and didn't come to stay here until pretty recently, so zero experience whatsoever."
"Well," she guided him over to just before the dropping point, "Then consider this a free lesson, of which you'll have me to help you through!"
As he looked over the edge to the five-metre-long ramp, Calem asked warily, "So, is this the point where I say a one-liner before we start?"
"Nah." He heard Korrina say. "This is where you go down."
Before he could react, a light push sent him just a little bit forward.
And onto the ramp, where he went a lot forward.
"Woah!"
Skittering down the ramp, amazingly enough, he managed to keep his balance.
Up until he went up the first quarter-pipe, and fell straight on his back coming down.
The audience immediately winced and cried out in unison.
"Ouch, that's gotta hurt!" Korrina yelled, before smiling and skating down the ramp. "But that's going on the replay section for sure!"
As Calem groaned and got up, he knocked his back several times, relieving it of some of the soreness.
"That went badly." He wheezed out, having had the breath knocked out of him on impact.
"Actually, that wasn't too bad, you know?"
Korrina was by his side, helping him steady himself. "Some of the others couldn't make it down the ramp without falling over, so you definitely got the balance portion of rollerskating under control. Isn't that right?"
The crowd cheered in response, and it gave Calem the much needed morale booster, to which he straightened up.
"Well, then, what do you propose?" he asked, playing it up for the cameras.
"For starters, allow me to show you how to perform a Running Start!"
Meanwhile, out of range of the cameras, the Pokémon branched off into two groups and had their own separate conversations.
"She did that?!" Lucia gasped, after Blair finished recounting the events of that night, "Oh wow, that's got to hurt! No wonder he's scared of us, huh, Luke?"
Luke, the other Lucario, smiled faintly. "I admit… I did not expect such an action from a member of our species. I would like to meet this Riolu one day."
"You're a pedophile, bro."
"Says the girl who can't grow." After ducking and dodging Lucia's attempted jab at his head, he added, "Literally."
As she watched Lucia take another, more successful jab at Luke's stomach, Blair smirked. Their sibling relationship was much rougher than Oberon's and hers, to say the least.
Well, what am I supposed to do? Oberon joked, I can't hit you unless I catch you off guard, and even then, you've got a type advantage going against me.
Are you implying I'm stronger than you, niichan? she simpered, Because it sure sounds like you are.
He raised an eyebrow as he watched their master miss a slalom and faceplant into a cone. Don't be ridiculous. I'm a Kirlia now; there's a lot of potential left in me. I should invest in a few new moves, though-
"Did you get that, Oberon?"
"Huh?" Oberon broke the connection to focus on his friends.
After the initial introductions, Blair had spent the while chatting up the two Lucario, Almond, Kat and Meta were in a nearby field training, and he and Fontaine had been having a discussion of some sort. Oberon had zoned out, and had been watching Calem skate, or telecommunicating with Blair. And now, he was the metaphorical Deerling in the headlights.
"Yeah, I, uh, got it?" he replied unconvincingly.
"Then let's go!" Fontaine rubbed his hands together in anticipation. "Mission 'Hit-On-Laura' is a go!"
He dashed over in their direction, pulling along a slightly bewildered Oberon, who was thinking, What have I just agreed on him doing?
"Hello there ladies," Fontaine greeted, "And Luke, is that right?"
The nod confirmed his guess, so he went on to say, "You all are looking very fine today. Especially you, Lucia."
As this point, Oberon noticed a cloud of anger starting to form in Luke's mind.
"You know, Lucy, can I call you that? Anyways, Lucy, have you ever thought of getting a boyfriend?" Fontaine asked.
"Uh, yes, actually." Lucia admitted. "But-"
"Then you deserve someone with class," he flexed his non-existent muscles, "Someone with style, and someone who's awesome!"
Blair had sensed something ominous in the air, and wasn't surprised to find out it was coming from Luke.
Lucia remained oblivious, as she cocked her head to one side and studied Fontaine. "But you don't-"
"I'm all of that. In fact," he turned around, "Oberon, tell us what the others say about me, now?"
"Well, they say he's a flirt, a pervert, and I don't think he-"
Oberon paused as he stared at Lucia's unassuming face, Luke's enraged face, and Fontaine's completely-terrified masked face.
"What," he queried, "What was I supposed to say?"
"Well, now, Fontaine, was it?" Luke cracked his knuckles, before a blue aura enveloped both his paws. "Did I forget to mention I'm a very protective older brother?"
Fontaine gulped.
"A lecherous toad with designs on my sister… Do you know what I don't like about that? EVERYTHING!" Luke yelled, before taking off at the ninja frog.
"Oberon, you were supposed to tell them the good things about meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee…" Fontaine screamed, before running away on his two thousand feet-a-minute, well, feet, Luke in hot pursuit.
The remaining three stared at their retreating forms in the distance.
"Your brother has a sister complex." Blair muttered.
"I can't argue with that." Lucia admitted.
And for all the wit he had, Oberon could only facepalm.
Grabbing onto the rail, Calem turned the bend, before skating back onto the ramp, and with a final burst of speed, he made it back up the starting ramp, where Korrina clicked a stopwatch.
"Two minutes, fifty-five!" She grinned, and gave him the thumbs-up. "You did awesome!"
Upon which, the crowd burst into applause and cheer, and he fell to the floor, panting. "Good, because I'm not doing that again!"
"Don't count on it. We call back the top ten timings for Round 2 in a month, and you've already topped the rankings!"
"Oh, come on!" he cursed exasperatedly on the ground, to the laughter and jeers of the crowd.
"Okay!" Korrina called out. "Ladies next!"
Shauna, now in a similar helmet as Korrina, with her hair sticking out the back, got to the front. "Present!"
"Excellent! So, tell me, tell us all, how much experience do you have with rollerskating?" Korrina asked.
Shauna tapped a finger to her chin. "I haven't actually been on a skatepark, but I've done some basic skating with my friend Serena, so I know enough."
Surveying the course from a first-person perspective for the first time, she shuddered. "Wow… this course looks so much harder when we're actually doing it."
"Well, it's much easier than you think," Korrina told her, "And besides, you have me to guide you through this, so don't worry."
"Okay, then, let's go!" Shauna stepped up to the front, before having a sudden realization. "Wait, isn't this the point in time where-"
A quick shove from behind sent her down the tall ramp.
"Works every time." Korrina quipped, to the laughter, then amazed gasps of the fans, as they watched Shauna flail her arms around, before regaining her balance, and successfully clearing the quarter-pipe.
"And then, this one time, we accidentally caught Sinnoh champion Cynthia when she was swimming in the-"
"Oberon! Blair!"
Pausing from the story he was recounting, Oberon turned to find Fontaine peeking out from a row of bushes.
"How'd you get away?" he asked.
"There was this ninja boy and his Frogadier, and I think he went after them instead." Fontaine turned to Oberon. "Now what the heck was that supposed to be? You were supposed to say accolades about me, not-"
"Hey, leave Oberon-nii out of your endeavours!" Blair retorted, before sticking out her tongue.
"Speaking of endeavours," Fontaine's eyes darted to Lucia, and he beamed. "Lucia, I believe we haven't been really properly acquainted."
Lucia tensed up. "I think I heard enough… You are not exactly denying anything he's said, you know?"
"I may be everything he's said, I don't deny it. But my feelings for you are genuine, and your beauty is enamouring." Fontaine nodded his head knowingly. "I truly believe you are one mignonne Lucario."
Lucia looked back. Feeling the rush of emotion, Oberon raised an eyebrow as she calmed, rubbed her hands, and smiled.
"Aw, than- whoops!"
It was then, that she tripped over a pebble.
She wasn't sure exactly how that had happened, especially since she was standing still, and there hadn't a pebble in sight before, when she was talking to Oberon and Blair.
But trip she did and land she did as well.
On Fontaine.
He didn't even react with any sort of pain.
"I wish I could freeze this moment forever, with you." he charmed.
Lucia continued to stare into his eyes, as he leaned in closer.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING YOU PERVY TOAD?!"
"Whoops, gotta go!" Fontaine gently pushed Lucia off him, picked himself up and dashed.
Oberon took this moment to walk over and pick up the pebble, which, he noted, was covered in a slight sheen of water.
A/N: Greninja's Pokémon X Pokédex entry states that it can throw bubble-covered pebbles with precise control, hitting empty cans up to a hundred feet away. Make of that what you will.
"Congratulations to both participants for actually finishing the course under three minutes! That's a Skate first!"
"Why am I not surprised?" Calem muttered to Shauna, who emphatically agreed with a nod.
"As your prize, Calem and Shauna," Korrina reached for two bags a cameraman passed to her, before passing them on to the two. "You both receive…"
Calem took one look inside and groaned.
"A complimentary pair of rollerskating shoes!" Korrina finished, to the laughter of the audience. "So that you'll remember your time on the show, even though we'll call you back for Round Two!"
I guess something good came out of today, at least. Shauna held up the pink-and-brown pair. Practical and lightweight, but where are the wheels?
"These are modelled after my own design! Tap them together once, and you'll get your wheels in no time at all!" Korrina continued explaining to the crowd.
Calem knocked the boots together, upon which, a pair of fairly sturdy wheels popped out the bottom, before locking in place.
"That's it for today!" Korrina waved to the audience. "Be sure to tune in next week! I'm Korrina, and this is goodbye! Ciao!"
As the crowd finally dispersed, Calem and Shauna recalled their Pokémon, and checked their Holo Caster to find a couple of unread Holo Clips.
The first came from Trevor, who had a grumpy expression on.
"I'm going back to Lumiose with Tio. I need a café au lait or two, and Tierno wants to create another PR Video…" the hologram of Trevor sighed, "So much for trying to get to Camphrier Town for me. We'll catch up sooner or later."
The other came from Serena, who, Shauna noted, was wearing something she had saw in the Boutique they'd been shooed out from: a particular grey tie-neck blouse that fit her perfectly.
"I'm going to be in Lumiose for a while longer." Serena waved a hand, "They have an introductory class on how to style a Furfrou, and that famous Star Pokémon Groomer, Sherman, is teaching! So, yeah, see ya later!"
With that done, Shauna turned to Calem.
"Guess it's just you and me, C-Sharp! C'mon, let's get to Camphrier Town!"
"Wait up!"
The duo turned, to find Korrina skating up to them.
"Awesome moves just now, guys!" she complimented, "For absolute novices, you sure knew how to put up a good show! Thanks a lot!"
"You welcome, I guess…" Calem put crossed his arms. "I didn't quite like the nudges you gave us, if it can be called that."
Korrina giggled and knocked her head. "It's in the name of entertainment. I'm sorry if I gave you both quite the shock; you especially, Calem."
"Fair enough." He shrugged, before pointing down the road to where Camphrier Town was a little while ahead, "You're going in the direction of Camphrier Town too, Miss Korrina?"
She waved her hand. "Please, Korrina's fine. And I'm heading to a Gym Leader's meeting, so, yeah, guess I'll tag along with you."
"Well, okay, then, let's go."
Before Calem took another step forward, though, he was stopped by a hand on his shoulder, courtesy of a certain blonde.
"Well, now, it's not quite as exciting just to walk there anymore, is it?" Korrina grinned. "I'm pretty sure you at least learned how to move in a straight line perfectly!"
Clicking the heels of her shoes together, she hopped and landed perfectly on the wheels that had now emerged from the soles.
Understanding immediately, Shauna did the same, as Calem accidentally clicked the back of his shoes not once, not twice, but thrice in quick succession.
He wouldn't be able to explain why later, but he could've sworn an outside source had been controlling his legs.
Instantly, Korrina's smile dropped, and she desperately held a hand forward.
"Oh no, don't do that, that's the-"
Immediately, a pair of miniature rocket-boosters emerged from the sides.
"Wait, w-"
Before they ignited.
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-"
And sent Calem zipping down the road, waving his arms wildly like a madman.
The two stared down the road, before Shauna sighed, and started skating after him.
Korrina continued to stare blankly.
She didn't even react… Do things like these really happen that often to him?
Shaking her head, she sped down the road after them.
Why did I even get Clemont to install those boosters anyways?
"Lord Arceus, what have we done to deserve this?!"
"I can't hold much longer! My hands are slipping!"
"At least you have hands! Kyah, tasukete!"
As Almond's clearing continued to spin, Oberon readjusted his shaky grip on the clump of grass he held onto. Off to the side, Almond lost his grip, but managed to bite into the branch of the tree next to him. Blair, peculiarly enough, shouldn't have been affected by the rotating room, since she could levitate and had no ties to gravity, but her entire body was inexplicably whirling in and over her head on end.
"When is this gonna end?!"
As if on cue, suddenly, the entirety of the environment halted in its tracks, right side up. The current inhabitants, on the other hand, did not, and Oberon was jerked off by the momentum, falling flat on his back. Almond collapsed to the base of the tree nursing his sore jaw, and Blair, well, she was still spinning.
"A little- help would- be fantastique right- about now!" Blair pleaded, in between short revolutions.
"I gotcha." Oberon got up, walked over and stopped her gently.
"Thanks… wait, why are there three of you now?"
Almond pushed himself up to a standing position. "Any idea what that entire mess could've been?"
"I don't know, but I'll ask Sir Calem," Oberon replied, "Since he probably knows why."
Sir Calem? No response.
Sir Calem, are you there?
Dashing back to his room, he grabbed the remote and turned on the television showcasing the world outside. Immediately, he realized exactly why his master had not been replying.
Well, if you had half your body submerged in a fountain and a face-sized indentation in said fountain's surface, well…
For the second time that day, Oberon facepalmed.
You guys are seriously putting him through hell and back. He thought to no one in particular.
A/N:
Pardonne-moi – Excuse me
mignonne – cute
Tasukete – Japanese for 'Help [me]!'
Fantastique - Fantastic
Pokédex count:
Central Kalos – 51/150 seen. Additions: Lucario, Doduo, Gulpin, Plusle, Minun, Furfrou, Pancham, Scraggy
(Coastal Kalos – 1/153 seen. – Rhyhorn – Unregistered)
(Mountain Kalos – 1/151 seen. – Ditto – Unregistered)
(National – Koffing, Misdreavus – Unregistered)
And now, presenting a new segment: Random Trivia.
This month: Abilities.
A metaphorical lightbulb turned on over Lucia's head. "Oh yeah! I've been meaning to ask; earlier today, you managed to hear what Lady was telling me over telepathy! How'd you do it?"
"It's not much, actually." Oberon drew out a small circle on the ground, and then separated it into three portions, with two of them being significantly larger than the third.
"Ralts are born with one of three quirks. The first," he pointed at one of the larger portions, "Is the ability to subconsciously project our status conditions onto our opponents who have just inflicted them on us. This is referred to by humans as 'Synchronize', and while it works on some opponents, well…"
Lucia nodded. "You can't burn a Fire-type, or poison a Poison-type."
"The second," he pointed to the second, just-as-large portion, "Is the ability to copy any quirks the opponent may have."
"For example, if Oberon-nii had that ability," Blair added, "He would be able to replicate my levitation."
"Correct. The third and final one," he pointed to the third, small portion, "Is the one I possess, telepathy. While the Ralts line, and really, most Psychic-types can already communicate by telepathy, those of us born with this quirk can accurately hone in on other telepathic conversations, barring interference."
Oberon sighed. "But while I can hear your conversations, I cannot insert myself into them or otherwise converse, unless you allow me, such as in the case of you and Sir Calem."
Lucia put one hand to her head, where the aura sensors on the back of her head rose up. So, you can hear this message I'm directing to Lady Korrina, then?
"I do believe I can, yes."
What message, Lulu?
Calem's Team
Name: Oberon
Species: Kirlia
Approximate level: 21
Ability: Telepathy
Moves currently in use: Confusion, Double Team, Teleport, Lucky Chant, Return
Tierno's Team
Name: Eugene
Species: Corphish
Approximate level: 16
Ability: Hyper Cutter
Moves currently in use: Bubble, Harden, Vice Grip, Leer, Return, Swords Dance
Bonus scene:
So, what were the other three doing during the show? Well…
"Sparks, Thunder Wave!"
Complying, a weak burst of electricity shot out from his cheeks; not enough to injure, but enough to paralyze the now-awake Abra.
"Okay, now keep him steady while I-"
Who, near-immediately, Teleported out of the grass, to somewhere it would be less disturbed.
Needless to say, Trevor was understandably, slightly angry.
"GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! THIS IS THE EIGHTH TIME AN ABRA'S RAN AWA-"
Okay, maybe not slightly.
"M-I-N-U-N! P-L-U-S. L-E! M-I-N-U-N! P-L-U-S. L-E!"
Tierno was hyperventilating. A cheerleading squad consisting entirely of Pokémon? This, was, awesome!
Meanwhile, Eugene basked in the sun, a few metres away, still resting after his earlier battle.
"We're still getting our payment for this, right?" the lone Minun asked, his Plusle sisters finishing their routine.
"Hey, hey, of course!" He tossed an object into the air, and the Minun caught it, before smiling.
"Pleasure doing business with you." Keeping the Shuca Berry who-knows-where, he turned to his quintuplet siblings and called, "Okay, we're done for the day!"
"A-A-Another Pokéball, ma'am? 200P…" the cashier weakly grabbed the note, before handing the Pokéball to Serena with trembling hands.
Pocketing it, she turned around to face the cashier, an evil glint in her eyes. In her hands was another 200P note.
"Oh, caaaaaaaashier!"
Perfect, she decided, this was going to increase her style for sure!
Next time, on The Kalos Chronicles...
I'm bringing back something from a while ago.
"Oh! So you've already been acquainted with the AmuSphere!"
And bringing up a very much overlooked character.
"Yo, allow me! I may look an' act like a punk, but I ain't lacking anything up here!"
And bringing forth events to come.
"Well, that plan went up in smoke." "And into its gullet."
All will be revealed on Chapter 18: Carry On Camphriering!