It wasn't long after the end of the Battle of the Binded that the alliance and rebellion arrived in the Pokémon World. Specifically, Mezagoza in the Paldea Region. Fearing capture, Ginhana Sky opted to stay in orbit around the world to act as a watch. While the others were left to their own devices down in Mezagoza to investigate. One source being…
"Looks like you came to the right place." Penny said as some of the group stood in her room. "You want to figure out something about the trap they used?"
"Yeah. Matcha on its own can't just knock you out. So maybe something here did it." Twilight said.
"We figured if anyone could help us solve this mystery, you could, Penny." Eddy said.
"Well of course. Anything for Team Chronicle, the poster team of this school." Penny said, showing the posters of the various heroes involved in the events of their last trip to Paldea, notable Shun'ei, Himiko, and the Star-Busters, Mark's group. "You people have become quite the legends since defeating Team Star."
"Wow, you guys have been pretty busy in this region." Zi-O said to Team Chronicle.
"You have no idea." Double D said.
"Oh, that reminds us, how have things been since we last saw each other?" Glimmer asked as Penny looked miserable. "Oh…rough subject?"
"No…just remembering the work the chairwoman put me through. Anyway, the Star Bases are now training facilities. The leaders and members have returned to school as functioning students. And I'm drowning in work and haven't been able to binge a lot of anime I have saved up." Penny said.
"Yikes. Sounds like Geeta is working you to the bone. I have been hearing that a lot of the region's Gym Leaders don't like her work ethic." Shun'ei said.
"She's a demon." Penny said.
"Uh…right." some of them said backing off.
Her computer then dinged.
"Oh…we have a match." Penny said as she connected it to her phone as it dinged and brought up an entry.
"Bzzt! Poltchageist, the Matcha Pokémon! A Ghost and Grass Type! Supposedly, the regrets of a tea ceremony master who died before perfecting his craft lingered in some matcha and became a Pokémon." it said.
"A new Pokémon." Mari said.
"It looks a lot like Sinistea. Is it supposed to be some sort of alternate form?" Hilda asked.
"It's probably another convergent species like Wiglett and Toedscool." Twilight said.
"That must be what knocked you out. Poltchageist drain the life force of whatever their matcha sticks to." Penny said.
"It couldn't have been able to knock us all out by itself." Ignatz said.
"Must have taken a lot of matcha." Penny said.
"So where in Paldea can we find it?" Theo asked.
"Well…you can't. Poltchageist isn't native anywhere in Paldea. According to the article, they were originally discovered in a far-off area away from Paldea. A place known only as Kitakami." Penny said.
"Kitakami? Never heard of it." David said.
"No surprise. It's a small remote area on an island off the coast of Johto. Only a single village nestled near the mountains. If they would hide anywhere, it's more than likely there." Penny said.
"Then we should head there, right?" Glimmer asked. "Let's tell the others and get going!"
"I…would avoid rushing there. Not really a lot of space for such large ships." Penny said.
"Small remote area, remember, Glimmer?" David asked.
"Well how else do we get there?" Ethox asked.
"You could tag along with the school students. A group of students will be taking a trip there as we speak alongside our sister school." Penny said.
"Seems like the best option right now." Ajna said.
"Sister school?" Shun'ei asked.
"Yes. As you can imagine. We have connections to a few prestigious schools. Our joint one here, Indigo Academy in Kanto and Blueberry Academy in Unova. Blueberry Academy is who we are going with this year." Penny said.
"Wait, did you say Unova?" Leia asked.
"Still thinking about Keldeo?" David asked.
"Yeah. I kind of promised the other Swords of Justice that I would go back there for him someday." Leia said.
"Well, that day will have to come later. We gotta head to Kitakami right away." Alear said.
"Well we can't all go, we'd be crowding the students." Hope said.
"Uh…no you wouldn't. It's a small number of them. At least 3. Plus there will be chaperones. Plus I doubt they would raise objections if Team Chronicle was part of the group." Penny said. "Hey, where is Big Bro Mark, now that I think about it?"
"Uh…well…" Double D said nervously. "There may be a bit of a problem. You see, he's not exactly in a…pleasant mood at the moment."
"I'm gonna rip that vampire wannabe and stupid scientist to pieces!"
"I don't think we could stop him from going, even if we wanted to." Bardock said.
"Right. I suppose there's no way around it." Double D said.
"Well, I wish you the best of luck." Penny said.
"Thanks, Penny. Good luck with your workload." Eddy nodded as the group departed. "So, field trip, huh? Guess it's not gonna be so straightforward."
"Plus…it's an excuse to get new Pokémon for our collections." Himiko said.
"I admit, I am quite interested myself." Elisabeth said. "I have seen the synchronicity between several of our comrades and their Pokémon, so I hope this journey may help to find someone I may call a partner."
"I did make a promise that I'm going to get myself one of Meowscarada's kin." Mona recalled. "What was it called?"
"Sprigatito." Cure Starlight answered.
"Uh… You know that's a starter in Paldea, right?" David asked.
"Doesn't mean she can't find one." Theo said as he saw a book on the ground. "Huh?"
"Oh…apologies. I believe that's mine." a voice said as a woman approached.
"Oh…here." Theo said.
"Thank you." she said before looking at some of the group. "Team Chronicle…meaning you are the Alliance."
"Uh…yeah." Jexi said.
"Meaning…you all have been there. Area Zero." she said.
"Yeah, that's right." Shun'ei said.
"Mostly the Alliance." Zi-O spoke up. "This is our first time here for our team."
"How splendid. I hope to get permission to go there myself." she said. "My name is Briar. I'm a teacher from Blueberry Academy." she said.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am." Leia said.
"But…what's with the book?" Cobalt asked.
"Do you…know about the Scarlet and Violet books?" Briar asked.
"Wait… You mean the books written by Sada and Turo? Yeah, we know about those." David said.
"Dear boy. Your info seems to be lacking. These books were written by the explorer Heath but weren't sold well 'cause his discoveries were thought to be made up. I know this because I'm his descendant." she said.
"Whoa, really?" Twilight said. "I have so many questions. Like the combined pictures of the three beasts and the swords of justice."
"Ah…my ancestor drew those in dreams he had. Not sure what he was dreaming of…but…this book I have…is the original draft. Just curious, while you were there…did you see a creature like…this?" she asked, showing a picture of a turtle-like creature with a gem-like shell and a fluffy tail.
"Um… No. No, we haven't." David said.
"Terapagos?" Twilight asked, reading the name in the book.
"It's a creature he discovered down there. It is believed to be connected to the Terastallizing effect in some way." Briar said.
"Must be another legendary Pokémon." Geiz observed.
"Are you looking to find out more about this thing?" Glimmer asked.
"More than that. I'm going to find it…this will prove my ancestor's theories were correct." Briar said.
"That's quite the goal." Ignatz said.
"But…it will take time for the request to be approved. So now, let's be off. To Kitakami." Briar said.
The group was loaded onto the planes as they took off far away from Paldea. Soaring through the skies as they soon arrived at a small bus stop leading right into it, alongside several students. A remote area reminiscent of a Japanese village with rice paddies and apple orchards all across. It is known…as Kitakami.
"So this is Kitakami, huh? Looks great." Sachiko said.
"It's like we've stepped into the Japanese countryside!" Hagakure said.
"You'll find many species of Pokémon here in Kitakami, including ones not native to Paldea." Briar said. "We'll all be staying in Mossui Town up ahead, mainly in the community center."
"I bet we're gonna have a great time here. I read on the plane they throw this big annual festival every year." Kendo mentioned.
"Hey, David. You and Sachiko are still in summer vacation mode, right? Maybe this festival will be worth your while." Agito said.
"Hmm… You know what? Yes, I think we would like to see it. Can't have a summer vacation without a festival, can we?" Sachiko asked.
"U-Um…Ms. Briar? I don't feel so good…" one of the younger students from the joint school said.
"Oh dear. Could one of you head to the village and get the elder?" Briar asked.
"We can go." Mark spoke up, the group looking at him in mild surprise. "David, you're with me."
"Wait, why David?" Eddy asked.
"...He's one of the few who could stop me from breaking something." Mark whispered.
"Umm… Sure. Should I get my Pokémon ready, just in case?" David asked.
"Yeah. Already got mine, but the more the merrier." Mark said, showing his bag over his shoulder. "Let's go."
"Got it. Be back in a jiff, guys." David said.
The two of them headed into the village, only to be met by a pair. One was an older girl in a blue uniform while the other was a young boy hiding behind her and dressed in white.
"So…you guys are the visitors from Paldea." the girl said.
"Oh…way cool." the boy muttered.
"Hush, Kieran." the girl said sharply.
"Sort of, yeah. Depends on who's asking." David said as he looked over their uniforms. "Students from Blueberry Academy."
"Yeah. I'm Carmine. Sorry…but I can't let outsiders like you just wander into this town." Carmine said.
"Oh, is that so?" David asked.
"...I don't think you want to do this, kid." Mark said, taking a deep breath.
"Mark, Mark. Let me handle this." David said.
"No no…it's fine. We can settle this with a battle." Carmine said, approaching Mark.
"Aw, c'mon sis, you just wanna battle." Kieran said.
"I told you to hush, Kiki!" Carmine yelled, shaking her fists.
"...Alright. I'm in a bad mood, so I can blow off some steam with a Pokémon battle." Mark said, taking out a Pokéball.
"Oh, I give up. Fine, fine. Alright. Let's do this." David said as he stood in the center of the field.
With that, Mark and Carmine took their positions.
"I'm going to have some real good fun with you." Carmine smirked.
(Cue: Battle! Carmine - Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: The Teal Mask)
"Let's go, Poochyena!" she said, sending out Poochyena.
"You're up, Asura." Mark said, sending out his Breloom.
"Trainers ready? Battle begin!" David said.
"A Grass and Fighting-type huh? Easy. Poocheyna, attack with Fire Fang!" Carmine said as Poochyena ran at Breloom with its mouth on fire. "Let me give you a proper introduction to Kitakami. By making you eat dirt."
"(Did you say something?)" Asura asked as he didn't even bother to wait for Mark's command, sensing his foul mood, and hit Poochyena with a Mach Punch as it leaped towards him. Poochyena quickly fell with that hit.
"Oh…you know about type matchups. Not bad." Carmine said, recalling Poochyena. "Let's do this right then. Go, Vulpix!" she said, sending out Vulpix. "Attack with Flamethrower!" she said as Vulpix breathed out a stream of fire.
"I showed you that I know them…now I'll show you why you can't rely on them." Mark said. "Asura, Thunder Punch."
The Breloom coated its fist in electricity before it struck the Vulpix, damaging and paralyzing it.
"Now, Take Down." Mark added as Breloom knocked Vulpix into the ground and defeated it.
"Return!" Carmine said, recalling Vulpix. "I still got one left. Your Fighting and Normal moves won't work on this one! Go, Poltchageist!" she said, sending out the Matcha Pokémon.
"Tch. Asura, return." Mark said, bringing his Perfect Link back. "And here I was, hoping to beat you 3 to 1. Fine then. Kingambit, time for your reveal party." he said, sending out the Dark and Steel type.
"(Ah, a new land to witness the power of our army…very good.)" Kingambit said as it faced the regional variant. "(Prepare to feel my might, undead liquid!)"
"(Wow, he's funny!)" Carmine's Poltchageist giggled.
"Poltchageist, attack with Foul Play!" Carmine said as it flew in and attacked underhandedly, though not causing much damage.
"Let's see…oh, I know. Metal Sound first." Mark said as Kingambit unleashed a horrible scraping noise that lowered Poltchageist's Special Defense. "Carmine, was it? What was that you said? That I'd be eating dirt? Well…how about you eat void?" he asked as he pulled out a black Z-Crystal. "Ready to roll, Kingambit?"
"(Haha! Let us begin!)" the Big Blade Pokémon laughed as it grabbed the Z-Crystal, being flooded with power as Mark went through the motions.
"Just so you know, kid…you earned this. Black Hole Eclipse." Mark declared as Kingambit created a dark void as Poltchageist was sucked in before it exploded and took out the Ghost type.
"Who…who ARE you?!" Carmine said in shock as Kieran watched Mark in awe.
"(This guy…is so cool!)" Kieran thought.
"Battle is over! Mark wins the match!" David said.
(end song)
Mark sighed as he shook his head. "Well, I feel a little better…but not by much. Damn it…" he said.
"Wowzers…you beat my sis? You're…kinda awesome." Kieran said.
"There is no way you should have been able to beat me! But fine. I guess you pass…barely. Only cause my grunts are off somewhere." Carmine said.
"...Excuse me?" Mark asked, suddenly interested.
"Hey! What do you two think you're doing?!" the village elder said as Carmine and Kieran ran. "Apologies. Did those two cause you any trouble?"
"Trouble? No, not really." David said.
"If anything, I'm the one who would've caused trouble." Mark said with a mirthless smile. "You must be the elder."
"Yes. And I'm sorry for those two, especially Carmine. She can be a handful." the elder said.
"Since you're here, one of the students is having stomach issues. Mind helping us?" David asked.
"Oh, of course." the elder said, heading down the road.
"...Gotta thank you for coming with me, David." Mark said. "Not gonna lie, if it had just been me, the battle might not have just been between Pokémon."
"Don't worry about it. Someone's got to be the straight man in our little gaggle of psychopaths." David said, still reeling from the damage to Las Vegas. "Look…I'm sure Esther's okay. We'll get her back."
"...Yeah. Thanks, man." Mark managed a smile. "I'm just…worried, y'know? I'm sure you understand, being a big brother yourself."
"Yeah. Listen dude, you should just relax a bit. This area isn't that big. And there are some things to do around here, like catching Pokémon." David said. "I doubt it'll take long to even find those creeps and your sis anyway. Also, there's a festival here too. I'm sure you can enjoy that."
"...No promises, but I'll try." Mark said. "My family should be here by tomorrow. I guess we should take the time to get the group settled."
"Definitely." David said. "Things will get better. I promise."
Elsewhere in Kitakami, in a certain ship…
"What do you mean you lost them?!" Flux said in utter shock at Ian and Toga. "How do you lose track of seven bracelets and a baby?!"
"Sorry, we don't know what happened." Ian said.
"Yeah. While we were all gathering supplies, they were gone by the time we got back." Toga said.
"And this is why I should've stayed behind…" Boba sighed.
"Oh, we are so dead if the heroes find us before we find that baby and the bracelets…" DaDan said in dread.
"It's fine. I still have the ring I took from the dragon I can analyze. But without that baby, we're dead. Wait…of course. The surveillance tapes!" Flux said going over to the monitor. On the monitor, it showed Esther in the makeshift crib with the bracelets on the nearby table. It was then that a figure entered and looked around curiously. It looked at the bracelets first before gathering them up before it looked at Esther as it picked her up before it heard a noise and ran off with her.
'What the heck is that?" Spinel asked.
"I'm not sure. Perhaps some sort of Pokémon?" Photon suggested.
"It was wearing a mask. Hmm…you know…there are legends that tell of an ogre that lives in the mountains. You don't think…" Flux said.
"...Don't ogres eat humans in legends?" DaDan asked nervously.
"...Boba, you're in charge." Techno said. "Find that ogre and get Esther Anarchy before its too late."
"Right. I'm taking Twice and Spinel." Boba said as he motioned for the two to follow him, the three villains heading out.
"Have you ever witnessed Mark's anger in person, Flux?" Techno asked.
"Yes. Once. I tried to rule through memory. I paid dearly for that in wild lion attacks." Flux said.
"Then you know what's going to happen if he finds us, and realizes we lost the baby you had kidnapped." Techno said sternly. "Do not expect me to try and bail you out of this."
"R-Right." Flux nodded, shivering a bit. "(Oh, I am so dead…)" he thought.
In a distant cave, Esther was sitting on a pile of leaves as the masked figure paced.
"(What was I thinking, taking some human's baby? The parents in that metal house must be worried sick.)" it said as it paced left and right as it removed its mask for a bit. "(What do I do?)"
Esther looked at the figure before she babbled a bit, reaching out to them.
"(Oh! Uh…what does you want?)" the figure wondered as the cautiously approached Esther. "(Maybe she's hungry? Oh, what did my friend say that babies like? I don't…)" they wondered before Esther grabbed their arm, startling the figure a bit.
Esther looked at the figure before she smiled at it, cooed, then started pulling on its face.
"(...I guess…their not hungry now.)" the figure said as they didn't resist the happy curiosity of the child. "(...This isn't so bad. I haven't had company like this since…)" they thought before smiling. "(All right. It's settled. From now on, you and I are family, little one. I'll raise you big and strong!)" they said, lifting her up with glee.
Esther could only laugh with glee. She and this ogre had now become new friends.