Wednesday, May 11th, the Pokemon School; after the fun the gang had at Alola TV and helping George with a little problem he and a film crew had, the heroes are now back in school and currently working on a special assignment. As Kukui, the Island Kahunas, and the Alolan Royal Family are finally carrying out the Alola Professor's plans for the new Pokemon League, Sarah, her friends, Race, and Asha were in the schoolyard, training themselves and their Pokemon for the big event.
On one part of the schoolyard, Lana and Primarina were training together to master the signature Primarina Z-Move known as Oceanic Operetta. They were keeping in mind everything Ida taught them throughout their previous meet-up and lesson as the Water Type student activated her Z-Ring and she and her partner did the Water Type Z-Move poses in conjunction with the new moves that are used to allow her and Aqua's species to use their ultimate attack.
"Here we go, Primarina!" Lana called to her partner as she transferred her Z-Power to her Soloist Pokemon. "Past the ocean's horizon... Use Oceanic Operetta!"
Primarina sang as she blew a giant water bubble that was several times bigger than the ones she usually blew, the same bubble Ida's Primarina blue when she and her partner used Oceanic Operetta, and floated it over to the nearby lake area before it exploded upon her final note after Lana did a conductor's pose to finish it off. The exploded water rained down in a drizzled flurry of sparkles which took the two of them by surprise, causing them to stare in awe and amazement.
"Whoa..." Primarina gasped.
"Alright, Primarina! We did it, you can use Oceanic Operetta now!" Lana cheered.
"Wonderful!" Lillie and Mallow praised as they and their Pokemon (along with Sandy) were watching Lana and her partner practice the Primarina Z-Move.
"That was great, Mallow!"
"It was amazing!"
Lana smiled as she replied, "I kept my promise to my mentor. Never doubted her for a minute, ever!"
"Z-Moves sure are the coolest! But, it would be nice if I can finally use one myself," Mallow admitted with a smile.
"And, you will someday, Mallow! All it takes is a little bit of practice and the ability to trust your Pokemon, especially Tsareena and Shaymin," Lillie encouraged as they watched Tsareena talking with Primarina.
"Your Oceanic Operetta was fabulous, Primarina! I only wish Mallow and I can do the same with Bloom Doom," Tsareena said to her Water Type friend.
"You will. And, when you do, you're gonna be great at the Pokemon League!" Primarina reassured heartily.
"Thanks, Lillie, you're right," Mallow giggled knowingly.
Lillie nodded before she turned to Snowy and vowed, "I think we'll need to try even harder, for Father should we ever find him. Right, Snowy?"
"Yeah, for your daddy!" Snowy chirped eagerly as Primarina and Tsareena rejoined the girls' group.
"Know that we'll be right behind you two all the way. Even on your search for Mohn if you and your family go find him," Mallow reassured.
"That's a promise, darlings!" nodded Tsareena.
"Well now, ha-ha! I see you're all hard at work; congrats on that Oceanic Operetta, Lana," Kukui smiled as he approached the girls.
"Hey, Professor Kukui!"
"We're all busy training for the Pokemon League coming up!"
"Since we heard that you, the kahunas, and Sarah's real family are going through with it, we thought we'd get a head start on it," Lillie, Lana, and Mallow put in.
Kukui smiled brightly as he looked at them and asked, "So, Lana, you're entering, too. How about you, Mallow? Lillie? Are you two and your Pokemon ready to go? It won't be for a while but I can imagine you'll all do brilliantly with a dash of Nature's Madness!"
Mallow and Lillie's smiles grew as Lana placed her hands on their left and right shoulders and asked, "You're in, right?"
"Yeah, I'll do it!"
"I'll do my best!"
"Now, Zacian! Focus Blast!" Sarah bellowed from afar, catching the group's attention.
"And, speaking of training for the Pokemon League," chuckled Kukui with a grin as they walked over and found Sarah, Kiawe, Ash, and Sophocles training in the schoolyard's battle area.
Asha and Race were with them as well but the two of them paired up so they can go through their training at a rapid yet controlled pace for the Alola League or were carrying out their own normal training with Blaze going up against Tyranitar. While Race will be eager to participate in the competition should everything with it be done for the event, Asha decided to pass up on it since she only had three Pokemon on her and she knew nothing about the Pokemon League Kukui is working on with the Kahunas and her sister's family.
As for Sarah, she was doing a Double Battle with Ash and Kiawe, pitting Stufful and Zacian against Pikachu and Turtonator. Sophocles, Togedemaru, and Vikavolt joined the rest of Sarah's family as they watched from the sidelines to see how the Double Battle would go but initially, they were surprised to see Stufful taking part in the training round once it was decided she should get a workout for the Pokemon League.
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt/Turtonator, use Dragon Tail!" the two boys shouted, having their partners use their chosen attacks at the younger Warrior Pokemon and the small Flailing Pokemon.
"Zacian, use Sacred Sword, now!" the little princess shouted, allowing Zacian to cut through both attacks and cancel them before she turned to Stufful. "Okay, your turn, Stufful! Try Rock Slide!"
The tiny Bear Cub Pokemon prepared to use Rock Slide but she stopped as she gazed upon Turtonator's giant size. Immediately, she became intimidated by how big he really was compared to her and it didn't help that she hasn't battled as much as the rest of her family ever since she was adopted by her human mother the previous year. So, the only she could do was to run away and jump into her arms, shivering while whimpering.
"Oh, Stufful," Sarah sighed sadly, rubbing Stufful.
Kiawe and Ash were surprised as they and their Pokemon stopped before the Kanto trainer puzzled, "Hey, what's the matter with Stufful?"
Kiawe frowned worriedly as he immediately knew what was wrong with Stufful, "Oh, man. It looks like Stufful's still too shy to battle, I guess the thought of having to battle against larger opponents like Turtonator really shook her up. That's gonna be a problem for you should you enter the Pokemon League, Sarah!"
"I know, Kiawe, but she's still very young. She's the youngest out of all the Pokemon I have and frankly, I don't want to force her to risk any form of injury to herself," Sarah admitted reluctantly.
"But, Master, she used Thrash easily against Rose and Team Eclipse's Poke-Mechas when she got caught by them. We didn't even have to lift a finger to get her out of trouble!" Hashimoto replied.
"She only did it out of complete fright, Hashi. I saw it myself. She doesn't have as much self-confidence in herself to give it her all in the face of danger or competition, especially if it involves fighting through her own fears," Ching Wan rebutted.
"I heard that; I had a similar problem when Vikavolt and I practiced our Z-Moves for the first time and we couldn't get in on it yet. We went through a trial battle recently with one of the Trial Pokemon on Akala Island when we met up with Kiawe for some personal training and it was only until he helped me realize that I have to work out the solutions to each problem we and Togedemaru had on my own that we were able to use Z-Moves in the first place. It was the realization that I can't let myself be bogged down by my own fears and finally not having everybody help me out all the time that allowed me to earn a Z-Ring, after all," Sophocles smiled.
"Well, that Totem Araquanid was no cakewalk with how we fought it earlier. And, it was not just your belief in me but also Sis believing in us and your quick thinking that got us to use Savage Spin-Out," Vikavolt replied, chuckling.
"Rather than thinking how to help her conquer her fears by battling, maybe some muscle training will help Stufful out," Kukui suggested, much to Sarah's confusion.
"Muscle training, Professor?"
"Yeah! I'll tell you what, why not you, Mallow, and Lana come over to my place tomorrow where we can all train together and help Stufful?" Lillie offered to her best friends. "We still have plenty of time before the Pokemon League starts and Kukui, your family, and the Kahunas still need to finalize the plans so we have as much time as we need!"
"I'm in!"
"Sounds great, yeah!" Lana and Mallow cheered.
"Thanks, Lillie, I really appreciate it," Sarah smiled thankfully to her Ice Type best friend.
"Right! And, while you're all doing that, Ash and Sophocles, you two will be coming to my place for some additional training and battle experience for the Pokemon League; my Z-Move training camp!" Kiawe declared proudly, getting Sophocles and Ash excited.
"Training camp?! I really want to be a part of that!"
"Me, too!" Ash and Pikachu cried eagerly.
"And, I'll help you all keep up with the training camp record-keeping!" Rotom-Dex replied, already deciding to go with the boys.
"And, since your farm's got the best ice cream anybody could ever ask for, yes!" Sophocles cheered.
"Great!"
"Count me in!" Togedemaru and Vikavolt concurred.
"Yeah, while you're all chillin' and goin' bananas at Farmer Kiawe's abode, wise guy, I'm gonna keep track of the girls and their cool performances on our end. And, believe me, kid, what they'll have planned for their regime will rock the waves!" Rotoscope remarked coolly as he reappeared, making Rotom-Dex fume at him.
"Then, it's decided," Kiawe smiled.
"We'll go to Island Girl's place and train there ourselves."
"You all have fun while we hit the gym there," Race and Asha said as they joined them.
Kukui had no problems with the arrangements as he gave his blessings, "Give it your all, everyone!"
"Right!" they all agreed.
[New Theme Song - Drunken Lives (Young Hero Fong Sai Yuk - ft. Johnny Ip) {Roughly Translated Ver.}]
(The new opening begins when we see legions of Pokemon trainers and their Pokemon training in a giant stadium and amongst them, Sarah, Ash, and the Pokemon School gang are training with their own Pokemon, preparing for the most important chapter of their lives before the trainers and their Pokemon stood at attention and the gang got into a group fighting pose as the song begins. They will eventually take part in the finalized Alola League to determine who is the top Pokemon trainer in the entire Alola region)
When life is rough and too dark to see, my regrets wash over all of me~
Pain is immense but don't you cry or pout, you'll very soon find your way out~
(In small snippets and previews of what's to come or will be happening now, Sarah and her friends are living out their normal lives again after the demise of Lothor and Team Eclipse including Sophocles and Vikavolt taking part in a Vikavolt Race, training for the upcoming Alola League, the arrival of a little Pokemon looking like it's made from metal, and Mallow, Lana, and Lillie along with Sandy, the female Shaymin, and Snowy taking part in a TV program)
Live a life worth living, make it beautiful, and work hard to be strong and happy~
In the mortal world, your life is so meaningful, so go and prove your own mettle~
(All the while, at specific points in the last volume of the story, Race and Sarah reaffirm their love for each other while Gladion continues his family's mission to uncover more about their father, Mohn, and to determine his current whereabouts, hoping to reunite with him once again as the Alola League was finally completed and approved)
So, who would you connect with to meet up with me as friendly voices cut through the peaceful sunny crest~
Your heart is now mine forevermore, your sincerity shines at its best~
(The opening ceremonies kick off before Race and Sarah stand together in the midst of a fireworks celebration during a festival as their love continued to blossom and the gang takes up a bit of a sport called Pokemon Golf while helping a famous golfer and her Toucannon out of a slump they're in)
So, who would you connect with to meet up with me as friendly voices cut through the peaceful sunny crest~
Your heart is now mine forevermore, your sincerity shows me your love I can't detest~
(Guzzlord somehow enters Sarah's world along with other Guzzlords to join him after the Alola League reaches its climax, forcing everybody in the region to try and stop them from destroying Alola and repeating the tragic history of Dia's world. In the short instrumental, the gang takes part in battling at the Kantonian Gym in Malie City on Ula'Ula Island as short snippets of the gang getting themselves into scrapes throughout their misadventures are shown)
So, who would you connect with to meet up with me as friendly voices cut through the peaceful sunny crest~
Your heart is now mine forevermore, your sincerity shines at its best~
(Lana is then shown facing the toughest challenge of her life as she and Brionne come across a Kyogre and she has to do her utmost to tame it as she reels it in when its life is in danger. Sandy, Mallow's Shaymin, Sarah's Shaymin, the metal-like Pokemon, Breezeon, Sho, and Donka explore Malie City unsupervised after trying to recover a hair ornament before coming across Team Rocket again. Pikachu (and his entire team) and Blitz (with some of his brothers and sisters) go on an adventure to find Ash, Torracat, Sarah, and Silvally disappeared on them when the quartet traveled back in time and meet a younger Kukui as he starts out on his Pokemon journey that leads him to become a Pokemon Professor in studying Pokemon moves)
So, who would you connect with to meet up with me as friendly voices cut through the peaceful sunny crest~
Your heart is now mine forevermore, your sincerity shows me your love I can't detest~
(Finally, snippets of the Ultra Rescue Rangers' final missions involving Evox with their and the Beast Morphers Rangers' final clashes with him and his followers, the return of Necrozma and their efforts to restore him as the Bright One, the gang all taking part in the Alola League including Sarah or Ash facing off against Guzma and learning how he became the trainer and punk he is now and why he was running away, and a final battle with either one facing off against Kukui and Tapu-Koko in a final full 6-on-6 Pokemon battle and a match for the ages in Alola are shown. The intro then ends with Sarah reviving Necrozma in his true form and standing with him along with Cresselia, Zygarde (10% Forme), Zacian, Zamazenta, Xerneas, Giratina, and Rayquaza while she turned into her Lion Form and roared proudly as the titles appeared above the group on the ground)
Pokemon Sun & Moon - The Warrior Princess
The following day, Sarah and her family arrived at Lillie's mansion with Mallow and Lana along with Shaymin, Tsareena, Sandy, and Primarina. While his old friends and their parents decided to stay behind and help train Asha and Race themselves while juggling their arrangements with Kukui and his plans for the Alola League, Tsukumaro and his team decided to tag along so they can aid them and Stufful in their training.
Upon arriving, they were soon greeted by Lillie's loyal servant and close friend, Hobbies, as he answered the door, "Ah, Sir Tsukumaro, Ladies! How lovely to see you again, Miss Lillie mentioned you were coming here today to train for the Pokemon League."
"Hi, Hobbes. That's what we're doing," Sarah greeted while giving him a nod.
"You'll find her in the backyard waiting for you."
"Thank you," Mallow and Lana smiled as the group then made their way to the backyard where Lillie was waiting for them at an already-set-up table that had a lot of food ready for them.
"Hey, Lillie."
"Alola!"
"Hey!"
"Sarah, Lana, Mallow, you made it!" Snowy and Lillie smiled brightly before they noticed Tsukumaro joining the trio and his family. "Alola, Tsukumaro, what brings you to my place?"
"Oh, my friends are both staying at the castle. They're going to help Ms. Asha and Sir Race with their training while their Lady Donna and Lord Doug are helping Master Kukui with his plans for the Pokemon League so I decided to spend some time with you to help you train for the competition," the old advisor replied as the Pokemon and dragons mingled over breakfast and had fun in the playground (with Snowy happily mingling with Snowflake and Tundra in the process).
"I think the boys are really training hard at Kiawe's training camp right now," Mallow thought, thinking about what Ash, Kiawe, and Sophocles are up to.
"You can be sure that's what's happening and it'll be the same with Asha and Race at Sarah's place," Lana said with a determined look on her face.
"It'll be great for us to begin training once we finish breakfast and help Sister Stufful ready herself for the Pokemon League," Nebby added beside them as he and Nebula had their breakfast with their human mother, aunts, and uncle.
"You're right, Nebby, we can't let them beat us! After breakfast, why don't we all start training?" Lillie implied, getting knowing nods from Mallow and Lana before turning to Sarah with a smile. "We can start now if you want, Sarah. We'll get a headstart on helping Stufful overcome her shy nature and figure out what to do from here, for her sake."
"Thanks, Lillie, you always know what I'm thinking," Sarah smiled, getting Stufful's attention as she ate her breakfast until it finally came to her and her heart sank.
Soon, it was time for everybody to begin training for the Pokemon League again. While all the Pokemon were eager to begin with the dragons with Tsukumaro and his team willing to supervise the girls' training regime, the little Flailing Pokemon was now anxious. She retained her shy and cautious nature throughout their her family's training sessions and as a result, her battling prowess took an unfortunate nose dive. A few days ago, this showed when she held back while battling another trainer's Slurpuff in a mock battle, not having much self-confidence in herself to hold her own in a Pokemon battle.
She wanted to be a strong Pokemon - a Pokemon that can help her family more in life-threatening battles when they're in danger. But, how can she do that in something like a Pokemon League competition and against some larger opponents that dwarf her in size along with those who are more her size but are much stronger than her and who have the will to win?
After some thinking, she ultimately lost her appetite and she quietly slunk off to have some time alone while the rest of her family continued to eat and ready themselves for their upcoming training regime but not without a few familiar yet worried faces looking after her.
Stufful walked for a few feet away from Lillie's mansion until she finally sat down and sighed, wondering what she should do but coming up with nothing as her mind drew up a big blank. She thought she would be alone in wanting some peace and quiet so she can work out her problems with her lack of self-confidence on her own or think over what she should do if she can't compete in the Pokemon League. But, at that moment, Cinderace, Cufant, and Arctozolt (still with worried looks on their faces and having finished their breakfast) came up from behind her to see what they can do to comfort her.
"Hey, kid," Cinderace called gently, getting Stufful's attention before she gave a sorrowful sigh and turned her back on them.
"Stufful, we have to talk," Arctozolt sighed while sniffing, trying to get Stufful to speak to them.
"You okay?" asked Cufant worriedly.
Stufful sighed again as she remained silent, "..."
"Is it about training yesterday and days prior?" Cufant inquired, knowing what the problem was and only getting a nod from her.
"No self-confidence in yourself?" Cinderace added, getting another nod from Stufful.
"...I don't get it. I want to be strong like my friend before she left. She isn't afraid of anything and her mommy is strong when she came to Aether Paradise, I can't do it. I can't fight like you guys and Mama! It's just not meant for me! I, I...I'm scared," Stufful whimpered, beginning to cry as she sniffed.
The three Pokemon looked at each other before they replied, "...Well, you barely fought anything ever since you came with us long before Sarah took us in."
"And, the only times you did fight was when our family was in danger, particularly the time Ching Wan told us you've beaten up a Ludicolo and some Poke-Mechas from Team Eclipse."
"You've always been the sweetest out of all of us but that doesn't mean you have to be a tough cookie. Wooloo and Skitty themselves managed to be both."
"Then, why can't I battle you all in training or be of more help or use to our family let alone fight other Pokemon?! I'm just not cut out for fighting! I'm not as tough as Big Brother Wooloo and Big Sister Skitty! I'm only cute and fluffy, I get easily scared whenever we're in danger! All I'm doing is running with my tail between my legs, I'm always holding back in every training battle or real battle we do, I can't do it! What's wrong with me?!"
Stufful just sobbed as the Rabbit, Fossil, and Copperderm Pokemon looked at each other sadly, now more worried for the cowardly little Normal Type, deciding to join her and let her unleash her frustrations and fears of her being useless and her dwindling self-worth to their family. They all wanted to help Stufful build up her self-confidence and make her a true Pokemon that they and their family and friends could all be proud of and depend upon should anything happen to them or get them out of a pinch in the Pokemon League once it's finished but they didn't know how.
Cinderace sat down beside Stufful as the Flailing Pokemon sobbed while hugging him while Arctozolt and Cufant nuzzled her as best they could while doing their best to be gentle with her. None of the three Galar Pokemon knew what to say next to help her come to terms with her greatest weakness, until...
"There's nothing wrong with you, my dear..." a kindly, soothing voice (Voice Reference: Queen Sonia (LoZ: Tears of the Kingdom)) called, startling the four Pokemon and making Stufful shriek with fear as she hugged Cinderace tightly while he, Cufant, and Arctozolt whipped around, looking for its owner.
"Who's there?!"
"Who are you?" Cufant and Arctozolt asked warily.
"Self-confidence is all you need but you can't obtain it without the support of those who love you and if you can't fight your fears," another voice added but one that's more of a deep and powerful male's voice (Voice Reference: King Rauru (LoZ: Tears of the Kingdom)).
"Where are you? Show yourselves, you're scaring Stufful!" Cinderace snapped while looking around.
"Oh, we didn't mean to startle you. I'm sorry," the female voice continued before the owners appeared, and soon, out of the shrubbery ahead of them came two strange creatures that looked familiar yet different at the same time.
Cufant, Cinderace, and Arctozolt were speechless once they got a better look at the creatures before them:
The first Pokemon (and owner of the female voice) was a mechanical version of a Virizion with most of its body primarily green and with a splash of grey on its face, neck, hind legs, and underside but it instead had bright red eyes akin to a robot visor, metal horns ending in half circles on the side of its head, a silver snout with a bright red blaze running from its horns to the back of its head, and white spots inside of the blaze. The grey parts of its body also had several darker gray lines connecting to its different parts, its neck was covered in green circle armor in threes, the middle circle having a green tipped-leaf on either side while connecting to the smaller green circle above it, the leaves having a bright red tip along with white spots.
Also, the green armor plating on the upper half of its body also connected three pointed tufts that formed a medium-long tail which had two large spikes on either side. Its front legs resembled green knee-high armored boots with bright red diamond highlights and white spots on its knees and connected to that armor are three leafy tufts while green cylinder-shaped armor coupled with half-circle tips and black hooves at the ends of its hindlegs connected with some green leg armor.
Interestingly, around its neck were two strange necklaces, each having a peculiar jewel on them (one of the jewels being gold and fixed on the necklace below its first); they were comprised of 18 irregular pentagons on top decorated with different colored symbols that resembled all 18 Pokemon Type icons.
And, to top it all off, on the center of its body (right at its chest area) is a small hexagonal protrusion with a white hexagon on top of it that had triangular extensions on each corner, connecting it to the protrusion's edges.
However, the second creature was more of a large bipedal theropod that looked more like a dinosaur with white diamond-shaped markings that greatly resembled those of a Suicune but compared to the Shiny Aurora Pokemon, its height was doubled compared to her original topping at 11'06" which only made it several inches taller compared to Nebby and Nebula. It also had a white snout and one horn underneath its chin.
Its two powerful light-blue hind legs had six feathers and three white claws on each of them while two long white tails and seven small spikes coupled with height blue spiked markings on top of them added to the creature's intimidating stature. And, what's more, its red horizontal eyes with white sclerae surrounded in red looked more prehistoric to fit its appearance, adding more to its terrifying looks that could strike fear in any normal Pokemon trainer within the blink of an eye.
What's also strange about it is that the creature also had a teardrop-shaped stone (a white one that looked like it was made of crystal) but in an odd wristband wrapped around its right forearm.
"Whoa..."
"Am I seeing things...?"
"...You, y-you're... Are you, V-Vi-Virizion, S-S-Suicune...?" the three Galar Pokemon stammered, completely gobsmacked by what they were seeing.
Stufful carefully turned to see the two creatures staring at her and her first three friends with straight faces and yet kindly soft eyes despite their appearances as they were tenderly looking at her in addition to Arctozolt, Cinderace, and Cufant. She was also speechless and tried to respond but she only whimpered fearfully as she also didn't know what to say in her shock and fear.
"It's okay, my name is Iron Leaves," the first creature soothed.
The motherly tone in the first creature's voice, now known as Iron Leaves, caused Stufful to slowly become less afraid of her and the second creature with her as she fully turned to meet them and blink, allowing Cinderace to put her down gently and she took a step towards them, feeling as though the former seemed familiar and not just by her looks.
"And, could we ask what your name is and those of your three friends, child?" the second creature inquired kindly to Stufful.
"...Um, uh... I, I am, S-S-Stufful. M-M-My friends, C-Cinderace, Arctozolt, and C-Cufant, we came here to, a friend's house, with our family... T-To, uh, to, t-t-t-train," Stufful replied, trying to pluck up courage as she took in their strange yet familiar appearances. "A-Are you two, uh, r-r-r-really, Ms. V-Vi-Virizion, and, M-M-m-Ms. S-Su-S-Suicune...?"
The second creature looked a little surprised along with Iron Leaves but they looked at and gave each other a small hint of a smile as he replied, "What an unexpected answer. We are technically the futuristic counterpart of Virizion you've mentioned and the distant ancestor of Suicune of this world's Paldea, after all. Or, at least we were the last time I checked."
The four Pokemon blinked before they turned to each other in bewilderment and Stufful rallied her courage again as she peeped, "Y-You are, a counterpart of, M-Ms. Virizion? And, you're the a-a-ancestor, or, great-great-great-great-great granddaddy of Ms. S-Suicune?"
The second creature nodded as he confirmed his identity and introduced himself, "My name is Walking Wake - Prehistoric Paradox Pokemon of the Paldea Region of this world, your world. But, if it helps, you may call us Link and Zelda, if you like."
Iron Leaves (Zelda) nodded as she added to the four stunned Pokemon before her and Walking Wake (Link), "I am sure you children have a lot of questions but it would be best for you to have clear heads first before you overwhelm yourselves."
"Whoa..." gasped Cufant, Arctozolt, and Cinderace, not knowing what else to say.
"Stufful! Cufant, Cinderace, Arctozolt? Where are you?" Sarah shouted, getting their attention as they saw Sarah and her best friends along with Tsukumaro, the Swords of Justice, the Legendary Beasts, Blitz, Silvally, Tai Lung, Guardeon, Umbreon, and their families looking for them.
"Mommy!" gasped Stufful in surprise.
"There you are, I was so wor-!" Sarah breathed to Stufful before she stopped upon seeing the Paradox Pokemon with the girls bumping into her, causing them all to dogpile on each other with a yelp and Tsukumaro joining them while still on his feet, all of them in bewilderment at the sight of the new Pokemon.
"Whoa..."
"Are those...?"
"They're, they're Pokemon!" Lana, Mallow, and Lillie gasped.
"But, they're not Virizion or Suicune! They look far too different to be them!" Tsukumaro gawked as the Swords of Justice and the Legendary Beasts were left speechless at the sight of Zelda and Link.
"Virizion?!" remarked Terrakion, completely flabbergasted as he looked between his group's wisest and her futuristic counterpart. "But, that's impossible!"
"There can't be two Virizions here, let alone one that looks more like a robot!" added an equally-flustered Keldeo.
"I'm more or less seeing double!"
"Sister can't be that creature, Raikou! It's on two legs and it looks more like a dinosaur but in her species' normal colors!" commented a shocked Raikou and Entei as they stared down Link.
"But, how...?"
"This can't be," Virizion and Suicune breathed, speechless as they looked between themselves and their counterparts.
"Who...are you?" Sarah finally said, unsure of what to make of the new Pokemon.
"What do you want?" Cobalion demanded, snapping out of his own stupor and giving a warning glare at Link and Zelda.
"Sarah, guys, um... Meet Iron Leaves and Walking Wake or Zelda and Link, from Paldea," Cufant introduced.
Everyone was shocked by what they heard as they echoed, "Paldea/Paldea/Paldea?!"
"Your little Stufful, Young Lady, felt distressed upon voicing her fears of her lack of self-confidence in battling and her cries managed to summon us and allow us to answer her cries for help," Link told Sarah as he looked at her. "Her plight is just as much a mystery to us since we don't know much about her struggles apart from the basics. But, if she does have trouble battling and standing her own ground due to her lack of extensive fighting experience and self-confidence, then it all makes sense."
Stufful blushed as she lowered her head sheepishly while Zelda jokingly looked at Link and told him, "Oh? I believed her right away when I saw that look in her eyes. You needed to see her broken state as proof, Link? I can feel a hidden power from within her even if she doesn't want to evolve into a Bewear, a spark waiting to be unleashed from within the little darling. Additionally, I sense that she is lost on what to do if she can't battle and needs a guiding hand to help her take the first step."
Link felt a little sheepish by Zelda's deduction until he looked between Sarah and Stufful again, "Ah, I see... In any case, young lady, your Stufful mentioned she wasn't able to battle your other Pokemon while in training let alone become as strong as them after you adopted her. I can only assume her lack of self-confidence presented itself as an issue after you took her in and she wasn't able to be of much use or worth whenever you're in the face of danger and you had to defend yourselves when needed..."
Sarah sighed and simply replied, "Yes. She's always been like that and we've always tried to gently ease her out of that shell of hers. But, no matter what we and our friends tried, especially regarding the Pokemon League, nothing worked. I want us to help her but how do we do it now? I don't know what else is possible to help bring up her self-confidence..."
Link looked thoughtfully at the pair again while everyone else gave Stufful sympathetic looks as Sarah gently went over to her little Flailing Pokemon while she spoke. That was until Zelda gave him a slight nudge to ease himself from his thoughts and she kindly walked over to the pair just as Stufful felt like crying over her embarrassing yet truthful plight, knowing what can help the shy Normal Type.
"Now, Stufful, dear... Young Lady, you don't need to solve all your problems at once. Why not allow one of us to take her as our pupil and train with her until she's ready to battle at her full strength and with full confidence?" she offered warmly, surprising everybody and especially Stufful.
"N-N-N, No! I-" Stufful stuttered, feeling like she doesn't deserve help from the two Paradox Pokemon although Zelda remained insistent with her proposal.
"One of us will guide you on how to battle and maybe gain the self-confidence you needed so badly, it'll benefit you greatly, Stufful. We'll have your mistress tell the rest of your family wherever they are that you're, out on a small camping trip between us should she need time alone once we know what's wrong. It is true, after all. Link or I will make sure you'll be well-fed and watered in that time, too, before you're ready to return."
Stufful and Sarah didn't know what to say as Zelda soothingly finished to Sarah, "I'm sure your little one will be ready for whatever comes your way, dear. Battling with self-confidence and support from the ones they love from afar without always needing their help takes time."
Seeing no malicious intentions and only kindness and compassion from Zelda's visor-like eyes and feeling her words as genuine despite her not having an actual heart, the little princess looked at the surprised Stufful and back towards her and gave her a nod.
Then, after returning to Lillie's mansion, Lana and Sarah decided to have a mock battle between them with Link and Primarina against Stufful and Aqua.
"Alright, Sarah! As we arranged, Link and Zelda will go easy on Stufful so they'll see what's wrong with her," Lana called.
"I got it! Just try not to rough her up too much, okay, Link?" Sarah nodded while calling out to Link who nodded in compliance before she looked at her two Pokemon (with Poor Stufful slightly shivering as her nerves were getting to her). "Okay, girls, this is it! We're up against Primarina and a Paradox Pokemon, ready?"
"Copy!/Y-Y-Y-Y-Yes..." Aqua and Stufful replied.
"Wait a minute," Lana blinked before she turned to Link and he looked at her. "Excuse me, Link, is it? Do you know what kind of moves you and Zelda do?"
"Hold up there, 'Lil Lady, I got your back and it's a good thing my databanks have move set entries on these two 'cause my bulky bro is missin' this sweet gig! I don't have actual entries on them yet but scientists in Paldea will hopefully get on that," Rotoscope replied as he floated over and scanned Link first before reading his move set. "Okay, here's the sitch; first up, this bad boy's moves are as follows: Aqua Jet, Roar, Twister, Bite, Water Pulse, Noble Roar, Hydro Stream, Dragon Pulse, Flamethrower, and Sunny Day."
Then, he floated over to Zelda (who was watching from the sidelines with the others and the rest of Sarah's family with them) and he scanned her before he displayed and read her move set, "*As for our dudette of the hour, here's her move set cookery: Quick Attack, Helping Hand, Work Up, Magical Leaf, Quick Guard, Night Slash, Swords Dance, Sacred Sword, Psyblade, and Solar Blade.*"
"Ten moves for each of them? Wow, that's powerful stuff!"
"Zelda and Link must be really powerful Pokemon to be able to use attacks like those!" Mallow and Lillie gaped.
"Hmm, that's funny," Rotoscope pondered, getting their attention.
Mallow looked at him and asked, "What's the matter, Rotoscope?"
"Their move sets are da bomb! But, I never caught wind of these Hydro Stream or Psyblade moves before."
"You think Link and Zelda are the only Pokemon that might know these attacks?" Lillie questioned curiously.
"We're about to find out, the princess and Lana are about to battle with our new friend and their chosen Pokemon now," Tsukumaro remarked as Lana and Sarah began their battle.
"I'll let you have the first move, Lana!" Sarah offered to Lana.
Lana nodded as she called for a Joint Attack from Primarina and Link, "Alright! Link, Primarina, use Double Aqua Jet!"
Using Aqua Jet together, Primarina and Link shot forward toward their opponents as Sarah countered, "Aqua, use Reflect to block Primarina! Stufful, try your Thunderpunch against Link!"
"Reflect-o-mania~!" Aqua sang as she used Reflect and blocked Primarina's Aqua Jet.
Stufful, on the other hand, gulped as she steeled herself and jumped before closing her eyes as she ran forward. She tried to use Thunderpunch against Link as she aimed it for him but because she had her eyes closed, she missed as she tripped and fell to the ground which caused Link to miss her as well.
"Stufful, no!" Sarah shouted.
"Now... Feel my Bite!" Link bellowed as he rounded back towards Stufful and tried to use his Dark Type attack until he was blocked by Aqua's Reflect which shielded her, canceling his Bite and causing him to cancel his Aqua Jet. "What?!"
"Hang on, was that Reflect used by Aqua?" Mallow blinked in surprise.
"Oh, I get it! Reflect is a defensive move that protects Ally Pokemon on one trainer's side from Physical Attacks so Link's Bite attack wouldn't have any effect on her as she's protected from it," Lillie smiled, remembering the defense move Aqua used prior while Stufful looked at the Reflect move protecting her and touched it just as it disappeared.
"Stufful! Are you okay, can you go on?" Sarah shouted worriedly to her Flailing Pokemon.
"Y-Y-Yeah, uh... Um, O-Okay!" Stufful stuttered again with a stiff nod, looking over at Link.
Sarah nodded as she then shouted, "Force Palm!"
With a whimper (as she was still going up against Link) but steeling herself again, she charged forward and used Force Palm on the male Paradox Pokemon, blasting him back with a force of energy as he let out a pained grunt.
"Urgh! Ugh... You, you've got spunk, little one," Link remarked, a little impressed.
"Primarina, don't let up on Aqua! Sparkling Aria!" Lana called to her partner, allowing her Soloist Pokemon to use her species' signature attack on Aqua.
"Not so fast, Lana! I have a little surprise for you and Primarina! Aqua, it's time to counter with Psychic!" Sarah boomed as she snapped her right pointer and thumb and Aqua's eyes glowed light blue and she sang while she held Primarina's Sparkling Aria in a psychic grip.
"No way!"
"Oh, no!" Lana and Primarina gasped in shock.
"Look at that! Did you see what Aqua did?"
"Yeah, Aqua just learned Psychic and used it to block Primarina's Sparkling Aria!" Mallow and Lillie cried in fascination.
"YAY, AQUA!"
"That's my girl, Aqua!" cheered Snowy and Milotic.
"Excellent!" nodded Absol congratulatory, looking determinedly at Sarah's Soloist Pokemon as Sarah issued her next order.
"Now, send it back to Primarina and Link!"
With a final note and a hefty throw, Aqua tossed Primarina's own attack back towards her and Link, the Sparkling Aria shattering and hitting them both while Stufful quickly darted back to Aqua and saddled close to her. In response, the collared Primarina gently soothed the nervous little Normal Type.
Lana could only smirk as she was given a real challenge before she said, "Not bad, Sarah, but now it's my turn! Alright, Link and Primarina, time to chill this battle out and blow Stufful and Aqua away with Icy Wind and Twister!"
Link and Primarina nodded as they unleashed two of their most powerful attacks but while Aqua was hit as she held her own against her rival/friend's Icy Wind attack, Stufful could only pale at Link's Twister and scream, "**AHHHHHH!**"
"Stufful, it's okay! Stay calm, you can do this! I know you can! Now, dodge!" Sarah reassured as she tried to get Stufful to move but all she did was freeze up and whimper while she braced herself for the incoming Twister, striking the princess with fear as she saw her Flailing Pokemon give up once again. "Stufful! What are you doing?! It's oka-NO! LOOK OUT!"
"Stufful!"
"Oh, no!" Lillie and Mallow screamed in horror while everyone else gasped and Stufful screamed in fear again.
Realizing what this meant, Absol gritted his teeth with worry and immediately dashed forward, his speed allowing him to grab Stufful in time by the scruff of her neck and pulling her out of range of the Twister Attack and gently setting her down next to Sarah, ending the training battle as Link and Primaria halted their attacks in surprise and bewilderment. This was all too much for the little Normal Type to take as she whimpered some more and after relaxing for a moment before she broke down crying and hugged her human mother's leg.
"Stufful..." Sarah sighed remorsefully, seeing that nothing's changed for the shy little Pokemon.
"Oh, dear, I'm afraid that training battle didn't go well for Stufful, at all," Hobbes frowned sadly, seeing Stufful crying in defeat and self-pity.
"I guess that was it for her."
"It sure is," Lillie and Mallow breathed, feeling bad for Stufful.
"Poor Stufful, that battle was too much for her to bear so she just froze up and broke down at the last minute when that Twister was shot her way," Tsukumaro said solemnly.
Lana also gave a remorseful frown as she saw that the little Flailing Pokemon was still as scared to battle for real as ever, "This isn't good..."
"I don't get it, she was doing great even with that little stumble with her Thunderpunch!"
"She got Mr. Link good with that Force Palm, too!"
"Why did she lose it after nearly being hit by that Twister?" Scorch, Ponyta, and Yamper remarked in disbelief over how Stufful fared.
"I think she's had enough for one day, Princess," Absol suggested as Sarah picked up her Flailing Pokemon and hugged her as she shivered while quietly crying.
"...You're right," Sarah conceded as she rubbed Stufful to soothe her after the nasty scare she went through.
Dusk finally rolled in and it was finally dinnertime. While everybody was enjoying themselves with dinner of their choice from within the dining hall and out in the backyard, Link was treated to some fish and fish-flavored Masaladas and Pokemon food, given that nobody knew what they liked to eat along with their diets beforehand.
In the meantime, with Absol helping them look after her, Cufant, Cinderace, and Arctozolt decided to have their dinner with Stufful so they can keep her company and comfort her in the wake of her greatest folly. Now was a good time as any for the female heroes and Tsukumaro along with their Pokemon and the princess and old advisor's family to ask Zelda and Link some questions they've been dying to ask since meeting them.
"Hey, Link, you mentioned you and Zelda came from the Paldea Region, right?"
"Paldea's the neighboring region of Spain in Europe but how did you both travel from there to Alola without creating a mass panic?" Mallow and Sarah questioned the two Paradox Pokemon, getting their attention as they ate.
"As with my descendant, I've retained the ability to walk across the water with ease. Hence why I've carried Zelda in my mouth since she is only at her best while on land," Link explained in his gruff but kind nature.
"You carried Zelda all the way from the Paldea Region?" Lana blinked in surprise.
"Yes. Your world's oceans and I...don't fare well with each other. So, Link was my best choice of leaving Paldea for Alola," Zelda nodded, albeit a little sheepish to admit a fault in her robotic design.
"Wow, your tails are moving on their own like with Suicune's feelers and mane," Piplup remarked, noticing Link's tails as he looked him over.
"Yes... I can see the ancestral resemblance between you and our sister," Raikou nodded as he examined Link's mane and two tails.
"But, if you're both related by your evolutions with you and your futuristic robot design and Link's prehistoric resemblance to Suicune, Zelda... If you're Pokemon, what kind of Pokemon are you?" Tai Lung inquired.
"I'll take care of that. Not to bang on Professors Sada and Turo but I'm grateful that we even have Pokemon Types for them downloaded into my databanks, we were running blind without whatever crazy research we did on these bad boys," Rotoscope replied as he scanned the pair again for their current entries.
"Walking Wake, the Paradox Pokemon. A Water and Dragon Type, ecology under research. Current Level - 75. Iron Leaves, the Paradox Pokemon. A Grass and Psychic Type, ecology under research. Current Level - 75. Of course, that's all the data we could scrounge on them fantastic beats so they're still very much a groovy mystery still waiting to be solved."
"Level 75?! Are you kiddin' me?" Silvally gawked in shock while the baby and younger dragons and Pokemon let out shocked gasps and cries of their own.
"The real deal, dude! See for yourself," Rotoscope confirmed as he showed everyone the entries and the current data pertaining to Link and Zelda's species.
"I've never seen a Pokemon with such a base power level before!" Tsukumaro gawked in shock once Rotoscope showed everyone the data.
"They must be a pair of Poke-Powerhouses!"
"More like those two creatures with those strange tear stones from that new Legend of Zelda game Sarah got for all of us and her friends to play just last week," remarked Leafeon and Glaceon.
"Or maybe like those four guys called 'The Champions' from Breath of the Wild we've been playing along with Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity," Flareon added.
"'Ecology under research'?"
"There's nothing else besides that?"
"What does that mean?" Mallow, Xena, and Lana quizzed.
"I think it means they're both new Pokemon species so not much is known about them yet which makes sense since they're the only Pokemon of their individual kinds," Lillie deducted with a smile. "However, given that Link and Zelda are both distant and future relatives of Suicune and Virizion, I think it's safe to say what they've shown is a basis for their current behaviors and move sets."
She then turned to Rotoscope as she remembered something he noted prior and inquired, "Rotoscope, you mentioned that you've never heard of Hydro Stream or Psyblade before but judging from the data about Link and Zelda's species, what do you know about those attacks right now?"
"Details are a little sketchy, Lils, but from what I've downloaded from Professor Sada and Professor Turo's research, Hydro Stream deals damage while giving a Walking Wake a power boost by 50% in harsh sunlight instead of it being reduced. As for Link's sweet ability, if ya'll are wonderin', it's called Protosynthesis; unlike Photosynthesis, which is common for plants, Protosynthesis can either boost a Pokemon's most proficient stat in harsh sunlight or if a Pokemon is holding an item called a Booster Energy Capsule. In short, in harsh sunlight or via an Energy Booster Capsule, Protosynthesis gives Link an extra power surge!"
"Are you, serious?" gasped Sarah, stunned.
"Booster Energy Capsule?" Mallow puzzled.
"A new item that's possibly only unique to the people of Paldea, Ms. Mallow. And, what else do you have regarding Ms. Virizion's metallic relative, Sir Rotoscope?" inquired Tsukumaro to the Rotom Phone.
"That, my friend, is the best part involving Zelda's species; her ability: Quark Drive - a power surge that also boosts a Pokemon's most proficient stat, her Physical Attacks per say, when Electric Terrain buzzes or if a Pokemon is also holding a Booster Energy Capsule."
"Wow, so Zelda's ability is a mix of the old and new!" Lillie beamed in awe.
"What about her Psyblade attack?" Lana asked.
"Details are also a little sketchy there, Lana baby. Psyblade also deals damage but unlike Hydro Stream, Zelda's Psyblade allows her to attack her targets with an eartheal blade and if Electric Terrain is charged up and ready, its power rate is doubled by 50%."
"Now, that's power!" smiled Mallow brightly.
"Amazing! So, my species was descended by you as a Water/Dragon Dual Type?" Suicune breathed in awe and fascination as she came over and looked over her ancestor.
"Of course, I can tell you're impressed by what you now know about us and our species, my descendant," confirmed Link.
Suicune was amazed but she gave a small jealous sigh as she admitted, "Still, even if I would have to give up my body to understand what it'd be like to roam this world like you in yours, I feel like you had it best with your abilities."
"Now, you know how I felt when I found out my ancestors are also Steel Types."
"Or, Psychic Types with mine," Goodra and Braviary remarked sympathetically but still strongly twinged with jealousy over their own ancestors.
"And, I'd prefer you not get wrapped up too much in such a fantasy. You're much better let alone perfect as you are and that's what I would want for you," Link soothed Suicune knowingly.
"But, how exactly did I lose my Fighting Type when you came about?" Virizion questioned as she joined Zelda along with her fellow Swords of Justice.
"I can still use your Fighting Type moves such as Sacred Sword, Virizion, dear. But, I went through a natural evolution process to become a Psychic Type which is why I'm the only Pokemon to ever use Psyblade," Zelda informed, demonstrating her signature move as her leaves on both sides of her neck and the central part of her head extended to create three long pink blades around 18 inches in length (with the dining room big enough for her to show the Swords of Justice her signature move without accidentally breaking anything).
The Swords were stunned, "Whoa...!"
"Sweet!"
"What a cool move!"
"I like her already," Oshawott, Tepig, and Snivy commented in delight.
"I guess like with...You-Know-Who, WE are the very first people in Alola, aside from those in Paldea, to have our very own newly-discovered Pokemon!" Voltage exclaimed excitedly, managing to dance around the subject of Meltan.
"Yep-Yep-Yep!"
"Wicked," Dracovish and Dracozolt agreed as Zelda canceled her move.
"But, doesn't that make you weak to any Bug Type and Dark Type moves since you're a Grass/Psychic Dual Type, Zelda? Virizion, in her current stage, can take only half of the damage done to her by Dark Type moves," Sarah pointed out to the Iron Leaves before everyone.
"What a discovery nonetheless! This has to be the greatest find in the history of Pokemon Research!" Lillie gushed, unable to contain her excitement.
"And, since nobody yet outside of Paldea knows about them, we might be the first people to ever witness them up close!"
"And, see them battle at their full strength!" agreed an equally ecstatic Mallow and Lana.
"Ha-ha! You got that down, ladies! Can you imagine my predecessor and your buddy boys bugging out from seeing these cool dudes? They can't be that 'cause cool is the rule, dude!" Rotoscope laughed, already picturing how Rotom-Dex, Ash, Kiawe, and Sophocles along with their Pokemon would react once they see Zelda and Link with his party.
"And, are you two the only stowaways from the Paldea Region we know of?" Tsukumaro inquired suspiciously.
"Yes. As far as we know, no other Pokemon from that paradise has ever crossed over its borders without warning as of yet," Link nodded.
"If you say so. But, what are those necklaces around your neck, Ms. Zelda? And, Sir Link, what is that strange stone you're wearing around your wrist?"
"These? My necklaces are from an abandoned lab somewhere in the Paldea Region."
"And, my Secret Stone was with them before we made our escape," Zelda and Link answered.
Sarah looked at the necklaces as she approached the Iron Leaves and carefully unlatched them via some hooks on the back, fashioned like the hooks from gold or silver necklaces. As she carefully examined the necklaces in her hands, she couldn't help but feel that there was something off about them, as they were somehow alive and resonating with a hidden power she and everybody else know nothing about.
"They're beautiful... They even have all eighteen Pokemon Types on them," the little princess commented in awe, looking the necklaces over.
"Shiny-shiny, nya!" Skitty meowed as she joined her human aunt and her eyes glistened at the necklaces.
"Yes, Master. There's something peculiar about them if somebody made them like this," Wang Lun agreed thoughtfully, gently rubbing his chin.
"Since there are two here, you have one and Uncle Race can have the other," Skiddo grinned, causing Sarah to blush even though it made sense in a way.
While all of this was going on and everybody continued to chat with Link and Zelda, Stufful was still reeling from her previous scare with Link's Twister and how the training match had gone wrong because of her. She still felt down about everything but while Cufant, Cinderace, and Arctozolt decided to give her some privacy so she can mentally recover on her own, Absol stayed behind to look after her. Laying down by her side, Tsukumaro's Disaster Pokemon gently nuzzled her to help her calm down from her ordeal and she returned it with a thankful nuzzle of her own.
This caught the girls' and Tsukumaro's attention as they turned to see them nuzzling together and seemingly acting like Stufful was more of a daughter to Absol (who acted more like a father to her in her time of need when she was alone).
"Your Absol is quite the Pokemon," Sarah said to her godfather.
"Aww, that's really nice of him to look after her," Lillie agreed, cooing with a smile.
"He's like a father to her."
"Or, even a big brother," Mallow and Lana nodded.
"Absol is indeed a special Pokemon. Despite his species' rather unfortunate reputation, he is truly one of a kind," Tsukumaro smiled softly.
"Tsukumaro, there's one thing you haven't told us about Absol. How did you come to meet him and have him as your Partner Pokemon?" Lillie inquired curiously, causing him to blink in surprise.
"Whatever do you mean?"
"We've known for a while Absol has been your partner ever since you found me during the Pheromosa incident but I've always wondered how you met each other. Absol, by people's perception, are to be known as 'Bringers of Disasters' since they're thought to bring disasters whenever they appear at the wrong place at the wrong time but something must've happened for you to get to know that one and accept him as your Pokemon," Sarah replied, adding her own two bits into the equation.
"So, there must've been a disaster he was trying to warn you and everyone else from over 500 years ago that made you want to catch him," Mallow added.
"Even during a time of magic," Lana nodded.
Tsukumaro didn't know what to say as it never occurred to him to open up about his first encounter with Absol and how he came to be his partner given his species' checkered reputation since they were first discovered and recorded. Turning back to his partner, the male Disaster Pokemon turned towards his human master and nodded with a soft smile, giving him his permission to recall their tale from long ago. The old advisor, knowing what he was thinking, smiled and returned the nod before he turned back to the girls.
"Well, I suppose it is time for me to tell you that; I'd reckon it's a story long overdue for you all at this point. It was long before I entered the castle and met your parents, Princess, when I was still living amongst the common folk and those insufferable nobles. I remember that time like it was only yesterday," he began as he recalled how Absol came to be his very first Partner Pokemon.
(500 Years Ago)
Over 500 years ago, Tsukumaro, who decided to live with the Muggles in the real world after many years of being an Auror and his time at Hogwarts in Gryffindor House, was walking through the Alola Region. At that time, since it was the 1800s (sometime before the events of the recent Harry Potter game: Hogwarts Legacy) the Muggle/Real World operated much like his old homeworld in the 19th Century; carts were still being pulled by Mudsdales, trains let alone railways haven't become a global mainstay yet as they were still on the cutting room floor amidst the barrage of tramways and canals in Great Britain, no technology like cell phones and computers was made at that point in time, the Alolan Royal Monarchy was still in place, Pokemon Leagues weren't established as of yet, and so on and so forth.
However, the wizard that would eventually become the royal advisor to the last Alolan Royal Family was often looked down upon, laughed at, spat at, and ridiculed nonstop by the nobles (who are still as snooty as, if not, more so than their descendants) compared to the common Muggles whom he got along swimmingly despite his magical talents (some of them being witches and wizards like him and whom he found common ground with for that reason).
Everywhere he went, as he went about his life in the Muggle World, he could see some of the nobles unrestrained in their harsh treatment of him while shamelessly exerting their superiority over people they saw as inferior such as him. Some of the nobles (despite the large majority not being magical folk like him) even discriminated against him to further emphasize their point of being better than common folk in every way, going so far as to call him a Mudblood (something that did often get them into hot water with the local authorities and the Island Kahunas at that time but resulted in them being left with serious warnings and minimal fines, much to the Muggles' chagrin despite the lack of sufficient evidence of their discrimination).
Even though he had to endure the abuse thrown at him throughout his time in the Muggle World while living in Alola, he took it all in stride and never bothered to pick a fight with the nobles as he felt they were wasting their breath on him and all of his Muggle friends with the constant flouting of their superiority. Some of them were concerned with why he didn't want to refute their claims or fight back but he always told them that fighting is not the only way to solve problems such as their being discriminated against by the nobles and they would all get their due one way or another.
He didn't know how true that was going to be on one fateful day when he would meet a Pokemon that would change his life forever; the day had been well for him as he carried on with his daily routines which included working odd jobs for money and essentials to help him get through his new life after leaving the Wizarding World. Now that he was finished with his jobs for the day, he was heading home with some grocery bags full of food he had ordered so to make his dinner. It was early evening by the time wizard had finished and he was feeling at ease with himself for the most part.
"'Ello, gov'nr!" greeted a friendly man as he passed by.
"Good evening," Tsukumaro nodded as he continued on his way and passed through the market district.
"Tsukumaro, dear! How is everything for you, love?" called a friendly fruit saleswoman.
"Very well, darling."
"Thanks for helpin' with the rafters for the construction site, mate!" added a kindhearted male vegetable merchant.
"You're welcome," Tsukumaro replied before he would come face to face with a few of the nobles that ridiculed him and he glared as he just said to the leader, "Ebenezer Clarkson, what brings you here?"
"Why so tense, Wong? Don't like having us here, you should've cleared off when you had the chance. My father and I made a bet, you see. I don't think you'll last a few more years while we nobles are around," Clarkson mocked.
"Yeah, our mate's father also bet you won't even last the whole of next year with how ragged you are doing all those odd jobs for those Muggle runts," added one of Clarkon's mates, Donald Johnson, with a sneer.
"I don't have time for your and your mates' nonsense, Clarkson. I've had a busy day and it's time for me to return home," Tsukumaro sighed, his glare unwavering and unflinching at the nobles before him as the townsfolk noticed the latest confrontation. "At least, with the Muggles here, I can find peace and solitude with them whenever I'm out and about but you don't seem to give a damn about them and their wellbeing. Now, will you please make way for my departure?"
"Why bother mingling with them? We have a much brighter proposal for you, my boy. If you like, we'd be more than happy to accept you as one of our own," Clarkson sneered as his mates blocked the wizard's path. "My family will vouch for you if you accept, we might offer you a good position to make up for the treatment you were given-"
"I don't ever give a damn about what you and your family think, Clarkson! Your father and the other nobles harassing these kind people are vile and cruel and you're pathetic," Tsukumaro retorted as he shoved past his harassers, annoyed by Clarkson's heartlessness.
"Pathetic?" snarled an offended Clarkson before he placed his hand on the top end of a cane he had with him and pulled it out to reveal a wand pointed at Tsukumaro behind his back as he stalked him before... "Avada-!"
"'Oi! What's all this then?!"
"'Ello, 'ello, 'ello! What's going on here, then?" called two police officers, one of them having a Growlithe and the other a Baile Style Oricorio after hearing the commotion and wanting to see who was responsible for the scuffle.
"You!" snapped Clarkson in shock at the two police officers as he hastily sheathed his wand and Tsukumaro turned to the officers in question.
"Sebastian, Oliv, good evening," Tsukumaro greeted warmly. "How has your day been?"
"Mr. Wong, Mr. Clarkson. Now, might we ask what's been going on with you two?"
"Not riling each other again with your petty rivalry threatening to explode into a dogfight, are you?" the officers, Sebastian and Oliv, greeted and questioned.
"Well, officers, I'm glad some of us ACTUALLY have common sense around here. THIS mongrel offended me and my family by-!" Clarkson began before he was cut off by Tsukumaro.
"I assure you, Officers, it was just a simple conversation that got out of hand as usual for I was making my way home after another job done until Clarkson and his posse proposed an offer for me to join them and his family to which I've promptly refused," he said, aggravating Clarkson and his mates as they only gave off an annoyed huff and muttered amongst themselves.
This was enough for Sebastian and Oliv as they considered the explanation and nodded before the former warned, "Very well, then. But, I should warn you yet again to not cross paths with Clarkson and the nobles, they are a bad-enough influence as we speak and you're a good man. We don't want you getting mixed up in all the despicable acts they're doing and we and our lads don't want you behind bars should this spat of yours eventually go too far."
"I promise, M'dear. But, you do seem more tense than usual. Something catching your attention, I assume?"
"Yes, recently, our squadrons have been receiving reports of random Absol sightings in the area. We've been trying to pinpoint the creature but it comes and goes whenever it appears," Oliv nodded, explaining what she, Sebastian, and their police department were doing.
"Absol, the Disaster Pokemon?" Tsukumaro questioned.
The oddball wizard was intrigued by Absol and from what he read about them, they rarely made contact with humans and they only appear before them if there was a reason for it to do so. As a result, when disaster does strike, it gets the short end of the stick by everyone. But, not Tsukumaro, given his fascination for them.
Sebastian and Oliv looked at each other, knowing their friend's interest in the Disaster Pokemon as the latter then nodded and said, "One should up a few days ago but nobody at that time knew why. So far, there's nothing it actually did to arouse suspicion. But, it is kind of sad to hear the unfortunate reputation that such a rare and supposedly wonderful species of Pokemon garnered for even the most trivial of things... I wonder why it has been appearing more often, what could it want by coming here?"
At that moment, just as the three of them began to think more about the Absol mentioned, a gust of wind blew before them and everyone else. And there, standing in the middle of the market district, was a wild Absol as it perched itself on one of the market stalls. The sight of the Disaster Pokemon scared some of the people while others lost their heads, by comparison, recalling the unfortunate reputation its species carried and acting upon them.
"AHHHH!"
"It can't be!"
"Absol!"
"It's here!"
"It's the Disaster Pokemon!"
"The one said to bring all disasters wherever it goes!"
"No!"
"'Oi, get off of there, you rat!"
"Why are you here, devil?!"
"Haven't you caused enough trouble already with your disasters?"
"You're not welcome here!"
"Filthy animal!"
"Beast!" the nobles around the marketplace barked angrily, ridiculing the Disaster Pokemon.
But, Absol just ignored them as its mellow authoritative yet stoic gaze was centered on something or someone else. Sebastian and Oliv were just as surprised and shocked and even their Growlithe and Oricorio were taken aback but Tsukumaro was entranced by it. He didn't know it but he could've sworn that while he was looking at Absol, it appeared to be staring right back at him, its powerful gaze never leaving his own as they stared at each other for several moments.
Sadly, it all came to an end when a loud screech was heard and everyone saw a female Hungarian Horntail flying in the skies above, roaring furiously.
Naturally, the people and nobles panicked and fled in all directions, trying to take shelter and hide from the angry dragon. While Sebastian and Oliv called for backup and tried their best to pacify everyone as they helped in fast-track evacuations, Tsukumaro looked on in stunned awe and wonder as he noticed the Horntail and Absol now fighting as the Disaster Pokemon fired a Hyper Beam at the dragon. The Horntail dodged the powerful attack and screeched at it, prompting Absol to get to the rooftops and fire a Psycho Cut at her instead before she countered its attack with her flames.
The Dark Type had to jump down to avoid the flames and without warning, it ran across the streets with the female Hungarian Horntail trailing after it, their game of Cat and Mouse causing major damage to the nearby houses and market stalls while destroying some others.
In the chaos, Tsukumaro managed to hold on to his groceries despite the smoke billowing out from the flames and the Horntail before he looked around and found Absol staring at him again from ten feet away. He thought its mellow authoritative gaze was asking him something on the back of its mind from a mental standpoint but the soon-to-be royal advisor couldn't understand what it wanted with him before it rushed off and the smoke cleared. The Horntail looked around but it didn't find what caused her to appear in the area, so with that, it was forced to fly away.
The damage done to the area and the entire market district was devastating as fruits, vegetables, flowers, seafood, and so on were scorched, ruined, destroyed, and scattered everywhere. Everyone was shocked by the devastation before them and they all complained bitterly about the Absol from before, thinking that it was responsible for the appearance of the female Hungarian Horntail.
"My flowers!"
"My fish!"
"My fruits! All of them gone!"
"It's that horrid beast's fault!"
"Damn that Absol! What does it want with us?!"
"No dragons ever came here for years!"
"We were all doing just fine until that rat showed up a few days ago!" the citizens grumbled.
"The beast that dared to bring trouble on our land won't let us rest until we destroy it!"
"If we're to have any lasting peace, we must exterminate the rodent, once and for all!"
"No matter what happens, this is something that must be done! I SAY WE KILL THE BEAST!" Clarkson and two of his mates shouted, trying to rally the citizens to take action against Absol as they got some cheers from the nobles and more irate citizens much to the anger and disgruntlement of Sebastian, Oliv, and Tsukumaro.
"Everybody, quiet down! This is not a situation that demands retribution! Whatever that Absol has done, it was completely out of its control and it had nothing to do with the Horntail that appeared earlier!"
"We'll all do our best to not only control the situation but also to get to the bottom of this mystery involving the Absol! So, please, do yourselves a favor and don't get involved in these dangerous affairs! Everybody get back to your regular business and we'll all pay for the damage done!" Sebastian and Oliv shouted, trying to pacify everyone just as their fellow officers and their Partner Pokemon arrived to help clear up the mess and figure out what was going on.
Tsukumaro was furious at the citizens for pinning the blame on Absol for the destruction of the entire market district and wanting revenge against it for what he now saw as a warning regarding the female Horntail and how angry she was. The wizard doesn't want to kill the Absol that tried to warn everyone of any impending danger it knew beforehand as they wanted, he wanted to understand what danger it was trying to tell them about before the dragon made herself known.
Deciding that he wanted no part in the citizens' and nobles' pointless crusade, he decided to go home. But, not before Clarkson stopped him and accused, "So, that rat seems to be very keen on you. Got something to do with the mongrel, Mudblood?"
That was the last straw for Tsukumaro as he held his bags in his left hand and roughly grabbed and twisted Clarkson's left hand and wrist that held his right shoulder, causing him to let go and scream in pain as he painfully got on his knees, striking fear into his mates as they backed off to not get on his bad side.
"You know nothing about me or that Absol. I've nothing to do with a fascinating Pokemon that rarely makes contact with humans unless it has a reason to if it involves a greater danger that we humans are oblivious to. Your plight will fail and you and the nobles along with everyone else influenced by you will be a disgrace to Muggles and magical folk of all kinds. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must return home for dinner before you continue to try my patience. Toodleloo," Tsukumaro remarked as he shoved Clarkson back to his mates and made his way home, the nobles within earshot and his harassers all scowling at him in humiliation and embarrassment as he left.
The wizard soon arrived back at his home which was an apartment complex that he managed to buy just for himself after going along the street and path leading him from the market district, the events from before, the Absol, and the female Hungarian Horntail still on his mind.
In truth, he did have it as a home before meeting Doug and Delilah and becoming friends with them. It was basic but it provided all the comforts of home he needed following his days in the Wizarding World which was true as he went to the kitchen and sorted out his groceries to prepare something for dinner. As he worked, he couldn't help but think back to the incident regarding the Absol from before and the Hungarian Horntail and why the Disaster Pokemon seemed interested in him.
He knew that Absol, as a species, were naturally suspicious unless their trust can be earned and a Hungarian Horntail never interacts with humans. He couldn't figure out why they would appear in the village he was in the harder he thought about it.
Tsukumaro thought he had seen the last of the Disaster Pokemon but he couldn't have been more wrong; the next morning, Tsukumaro woke up after he decided to get some sleep the previous night but he felt a little sore from his back given that he still thought about Absol and the Hungarian Horntail well into the night.
"Ugh... Bloody hell, not a good idea to think too heavily on Absol and that Horntail after midnight, I suppose," he grunted while rubbing his eyes just as his stomach growled. "Oh, dear, must be quite famished despite that dinner I had. Oh, well, time for breakfast."
After cleaning himself up, changing into new clothes, and making sure to take along a knapsack and his wand for self-defense, he went about his daily routine yet again which was to find another job for some money to help him get on. While he made his way to the village, he couldn't help but continue to think about Absol and the female Hungarian Horntail which meant Absol would be blamed for its appearance but he knew that it was too much of a coincidence for them to show up out of the blue like that.
"Absol, I just hope it managed to keep out of trouble following what happened yesterday. Such a fascinating creature, poorly misunderstood by the worst of humanity and those influenced by them," he pondered before he sighed and made up his mind as he pulled off a determined face and nodded to himself.
Later, he decided to take a little hiking trip up the mountains (given he was living in Melemele Island at that time) with one goal in mind; he was going to find Absol and solve the mystery of its and the Hungarian Horntail's appearance himself and clear the Disaster Pokemon's name. Using Avenseguim, he turned a small rock into a tracking device that will allow him to find the Dark Type so he can get some answers regarding the previous incident. He knew he would get an earful from Sebastian and Oliv but he knew that it was the only way for him to save Absol and realize what was going on.
Eventually, the rock led him to a poacher's camp on a mountain pass just as he heard a pair of loud and angry roars from a familiar Pokemon and dragon, prompting him to go into the bushes and crouch down from within them. As he peeked through an opening through them, he was shocked to find a few tents that were pitched up and some cages lying around, one of which contained the Absol he was looking for as it growled at its captors and rammed the bars, trying to break free from his prison.
"Aww, come on, you mangy mutt. That cage you're in is made out of the finest steel our boys can pick out, even a dog of your type can't hope to break out of that lot," sneered one of the three poachers standing before it while the other two laughed in its face.
Tsukumaro was stunned as he recognized the poachers before him who are known as the Hunters Three, simply known as Drake, Caleb, and Coren, who are interested in magical creatures and making a profit out of hunting them down and capturing them. But, it got even worse as he saw a small group of seven nobles (four noblemen and three noblewomen) approaching the hunters joining them which were actually Clarkson and his lackeys from the previous evening.
"No..." he breathed in horror, realizing he was too late to find and save Absol himself.
"Well, Drake, I got to hand it to ye and yer mates. You've done sterling work in capturing Suspect Number One; the other nobles and the commoners will be grateful once we tell them that we've managed to wrangle in this savage with your help," Clarkson sneered while he leered at Absol.
"It's about time we've done something to this unsightly fractus for all the trouble it's caused us," sneered one of the noblewomen, Pansy Pavarotti.
"You and the human you like have given us an awful lot of hell lately."
"But, once we kill ya and skin yer coat off, the nobles will reign supreme and you won't rat us out regarding our little 'operation'," Johnson and another nobleman, Bob Eisner, mocked.
Tsukumaro raised an eyebrow as he looked around, wondering what Johnson and Eisner meant by 'operation' until he saw another cage next to the one holding Absol and a much larger cage standing behind the two of them. The wizard gasped as he looked at what was inside the two cages which were a dragon egg that was a gray color akin to cement and with a hard shell and a familiar female dragon that looked to be sedated despite how angry she felt as she fought helplessly against the cage she was in and her restraints.
Tsukumaro was horrified as he not only knew what kind of dragon egg it was but also what happened to it and the Hungarian Horntail that attacked Absol and the village the previous evening.
(Flashback Pause)
"No way!"
"Those hunters along with Clarkson and his friends stole a dragon egg from that Horntail?!"
"A real Hungarian Horntail dragon egg?" Mallow, Lillie, and Lana gasped in shock.
"No wonder that Horntail was mad and she made a mess out of that market district let alone chased after Absol! She must've thought he was the one that took her egg when it was actually those hunters and the nobles that bullied you earlier," added Sarah, shocked by what she had just heard.
Tsukumaro nodded as he continued, "And, not only did they frame Absol for the Horntail's rampage over her stolen egg but they also scapegoated the poor Pokemon as he found out about their ploy and tried to warn everybody about their machinations. In my time, poachers were an outright threat and nuisance; from their collaboration with the Hunters Three, I had a feeling Clarkson and his lot and their families are running a dragon poaching ring. Female Hungarian Horntails are at their most aggressive when protecting their young and the way she appeared to be looking for something during her attack was curious to me for I've seen her looking around the village and its market district for her egg and the ones who stole it."
The old advisor sighed as he then mentioned, "Absol never meant any harm as I suspected the whole time; he found out about the Horntail's stolen egg and tried to help her locate Clarkson and his lot since they were the ones who instigated the capture of her only child with the assistance of the Hunters Three. Most likely, they've stolen it while she was away from her nest given that it's at one of the mountains to the west of Melemele Island."
"Hmph! Well, that wasn't a very nice thing for those horrible people to do!"
"Those nobles should be ashamed of themselves for hanging out with the wrong people and stealing from that poor dragon!"
"They really are bad guys!" the girls snorted in anger and disgust over Clarkson, his posse, and the Hunters Three.
"Was that why Absol came to you that night?" Sarah asked her godfather again.
Tsukumaro nodded as he looked to his partner (who continued to comfort Stufful even after she finally fell asleep) and continued his story, "He needed my help in finding and returning the egg back to its mother while finding the monsters responsible for her rampage. He must've known that I'm the only one he can trust to perform such a risk-aversed and valiant deed. Despite knowing the odds that are against me, I knew what I had to do..."
(Flashback Resume)
The wizard looked over the scene before him as he tried to come up with a plan; as he was only one wizard against a trio of world-class poachers and seven nobles in league with them, he knew he was on his own and he couldn't get help even if he wanted to. Tsukumaro also knew that it would be suicide for him to try and take them on his own, 10 to 1, but given his time at Hogwarts with one of his best subjects being Care for Magical Creatures, he knew of a certain species living in the mountainous region he was in and quickly went off to find it. Thankfully, the type of beast he was looking for was living not too far from the poachers' camp as he arrived at a nearby clearing.
"Hello! Gryphlite, are you there? Remember me? ...I am Tsukumaro Wong, I come in peace!" Tsukumaro called out, seeing several heads popping out before they emerged from their hiding places and into the clearing.
They were called Gyphlite, a Mythical Light/Dragon Griffon-like Pokemon that stood 10 ft in height and 8.5 ft in length with emerald green eyes, pure white feathers on their heads and necks with tan-brown wings and a chest of the same color, golden yellow wing feathers, and golden eagle talons with black claws on their griffon-like front halves.
As was the case with their mythical ancestors, their lower halves also derive inspiration from the lower body of a lion but they had brown spots while their tails sported black stripes and had yellow paws to top it off. Because they were somewhat relatives to the Hippogriff and Griffon, Gryphlites are proud but fierce creatures that can be easily offended but they can be loyal friends to any skilled witch or wizard that knows how to approach and befriend them. Tsukumaro was one of them as he approached one of the Gryphlite at the front of the pack that seemed to recognize him and bowed before it (allowing it to make the first move while not breaking his gaze from it), the Gryphlite returning the bow after a little while and allowing him to rub and touch it while the others watched.
"Old friend, we have a poacher crisis on our hands and a Pokemon that wanted my help is in trouble. I need you and your tribe to bring those hooligans to justice and rescue what they have captured and stolen from one of them. Will you help me?" he asked the Gryphlite before him.
The proud Griffon-like Pokemon looked at the kindly Gryffindor wizard for a moment before it gave a nod.
Back at the poacher camp, Absol continued to try and break out of the cage it was in so it can try and get the egg before Johnson stepped forward and pointed his wand at it, "Ah-ah-ah, don't want to scramble our newly-caught prize for dinner, do we?"
Absol (now battered and bruised from his repeated and failed attempts to break out of his prison) just snarled with unbridled fury at its enemies as Drake then approached the Disaster Pokemon while bringing out a wand and sneered, "You and your species have been a plague that has cursed our world with disasters only you can bring, you reaper of sorrows. But, it's thanks to you that we nabbed ourselves a trophy that'll make us millions and have our co-operatives live the high life while the authorities are running around like headless chickens over this whole case involving you."
He chuckled darkly as he then turned his attention to the still grief-stricken and angered Hungarian Horntail mother as she continued in vain to try and break free from her cage and her restraints, "Your attempt to call for help only allowed us to finally wrangle that monster in and we won the bigshot when we showed you two the egg containing her only child and the millions of pounds we'll receive for a job well done. But, don't worry; it'll all be over soon. We'll take care of her baby until it finds a good home from all the millions we'll collect and once you're both out of the picture, the world won't miss one less Pokemon and dragon for all it cares..."
Clarkson smirked as he and his posse (who also laughed and sneered at Absol and the Horntail) joined Drake, Caleb, and Coren and brought out their wands, preparing to finish the job they started after capturing the Disaster Pokemon and the female Horntail along with her egg.
"Say 'goodnight', you great ugly brute," Clarkson sneered, getting a hateful snarl from Absol as he braced himself for his final moments and a quick and painless death from the Killing Curse.
Suddenly, a loud cawing sound was heard and Clarkson, his lot, and the Hunters Three were ambushed as a Gryphlite swooped down upon the startled group and rammed them away from Absol (making them yelp in shocked pain) while a large flock of Gryphlite arrived soon after.
The Gryphlite flock showed no mercy towards the screaming and yelling poachers and their accomplices complicit in their crimes as they tore the camp apart and started to attack them to keep them away from the cages containing the Horntail, her egg, and Absol. The Disaster Pokemon was greatly surprised by its unexpected saviors coming to their rescue while it watched the helpless poachers struggling to fight back no matter how many combat spells they used against the Pokemon flock.
"What's going on?!" shouted Pansy as she fired Petrificus Totalus but missed one of the Gryphlites attacking her.
"What are these bloody animals?"
"How should I know!?" argued Johnson and Eisner as they fired Stupefy and Rictusempra but also missed some of the griffon-like Pokemon continuing to ambush them and their group.
"'EY! Clarkson, what is this?! You never told us there'd be other Pokemon around here!" barked an annoyed Caleb.
"You said that Absol, the Horntail, and her egg would be the only ones around these parts after you contacted us!" added an aggravated Coren.
"I did tell you that, you idiots! Somebody must've seen us and set this ambush up!" snapped Clarkson before he suddenly saw a familiar figure riding aboard the back of one of the Gryphlites glaring at him. "MUDBLOOD!"
"Gryphlite, let's go!" Tsukumaro called to his friend who nodded and swooped down to the cages containing Absol and the Horntail's egg with a proud caw.
"Oh no, you don't! Kill them! Avada Kedavra!" Clarkson roared with fury as he and his lot fired the Killing Curse and failed to hit them as the Gryphlite and its flock's Light of Hope safeguarded them from it before they fired Light Beam (an attack that's the equivalent of Hyper Beam but made out of Pure Light) and blew them back.
Tsukumaro an the Gryphlite with him approached the cages and he jumped off before opening the cage holding the dragon egg with Alohamora, carefully taking it in his hands before he then approached Absol's cage.
"You better stand back," he warned the Disaster Pokemon, getting a nod from Absol as it scooted back, leaving Tsukumaro to take a few steps back before he pointed his wand at and destroyed the cage's lock with, "Bombarda!"
This also destroyed the door as it fell off of its hinges that were also shattered from the Exploding Charm and allowing Absol to jump out of the cage and join Tsukumaro as it nuzzled the kind-hearted wizard, allowing him to soothe it and reassure it that it is safe along with the Horntail's egg. The female Horntail saw everything as Tsukumaro and Absol went over to her cage and used the Exploding Charm to blow the door open and destroy the lock, allowing him to enter the cage and break the restraints on her before he brought out and used a re-energizing potion called an Invigoration Draught from his knapsack to counter the effects of the sedation the poachers used on her.
The poachers all saw what was happening and they tried to go after Tsukumaro but Absol, despite its current condition, kept them at bay using Psycho Cut and Flamethrower and gave the kind wizard that saved it enough time to revitalize the Horntail. Now alert and wide awake once again, recalling when she finally found the crooks responsible for stealing her egg, she broke out of her cage with a mighty roar and unleashed her motherly rage (which was both good and bad for everyone involved as the Gryphlite pack quickly regrouped and wisely kept their distance from her).
"Clarkson, look!" Pansy cried, noticing the Horntail at full strength and her seeing them and the poachers with her eyes now trained on them.
"The Horntail!"
"That miserable little slog! He's managed to free her and nullify our sedation with that Invigoration Draught on him!" Coren and Caleb gawked in shock and terror.
"This is all your fault, Clarkson! If you told us about those Pokemon and that mudblood meddler who vouched for that beast beforehand, we would've been home free!" barked Drake at Clarkson.
"Clarkson, what'll we do?" Johnson questioned, feeling a little afraid of what could happen now.
Clarkson seethed with fury as he took note of the situation at hand and, realizing that they lost the battle thanks to Tsukumaro and the unexpected assistance he had garnered to save Absol, the Horntail, and her egg, he ordered his lot and the Hunters Three to retreat but not before giving the hero wizard a hateful glare as he spat at him as the others left, "My father will hear about this, Wong! You'll pay for messing with the Clarkson Family and the nobles in charge of this region! That beast you're protecting will still die for all the terrible things it did after appearing a few days ago!"
"You'll all be joining your families and the Hunters Three in Azkaban once word gets out about your little dragon poaching ring before you even have the chance to touch Absol again, Clarkson!" Tsukumaro spat back as Clarkson left and he, Absol, the Gryphlite flock, the female Horntail, and her egg were all alone.
The Hungarian Horntail mother soon eyed Tsukumaro and Absol, roaring at them with regard to her egg and getting their attention. The hero wizard then approached her and carefully presented her with the egg containing her unborn child, feeling relieved that the poachers, Clarkson, and his lot won't be coming after them for a while and knowing that they're safe once more thanks to Absol.
"Here, it's yours. Your child is safe, you won't have to worry about those horrible monsters robbing you and harming your baby ever again," he soothed.
The Horntail gave a small growl as she tilted her head at the pair but she accepted her egg back as she gently took it in her mouth and, with a great flap of her wings, she left the site of the destroyed poachers' camp and returned home. All the while, the Gryphlite flock, Absol, and Tsukumaro happily watched as the Horntail mother returned to her mountain summit home where she will hopefully be able to raise her unborn child in peace.
(Flashback Pause)
The silence that followed was amazing as Sarah, Lillie, Mallow, and Lana gawked in total fascination at the old advisor. Even the audience of Pokemon and dragons listening in on his tale couldn't help but be mesmerized and even Stufful (who had woken up slightly in the climax of his story) was left speechless, looking at Absol with a sense of awe and wonder (and glistening eyes) over their heroics as he just gave her a warm smile.
"Wow..."
"That's amazing!"
"So cool!" Mallow, Lillie, and Lana breathed in amazement, breaking the silence.
"So, you went to a flock of these Gryphlite and asked for their help in beating those hunters and Clarkson and his stooges AND rescuing Absol, the Horntail, and her egg?" Sarah recapped, stunned.
"And, she actually thanked you for saving her egg after accepting it back?" Mallow chirped excitedly.
"The coolest!" Lana piped up.
"That must mean the Horntail trusts you two now after you saved her and your future partner along with her egg containing her unborn child!" Lillie gushed ecstatically.
Tsukumaro chuckled as he replied, "I wouldn't go as far if I were you, Ms. Lillie. But, yes, she was grateful in her own way that her egg was safe and back with its rightful owner. But, I wouldn't have done it without my old friend, his flock, and especially, Absol."
"That's amazing!"
"You're out of your mind taking on those guys even with their help!"
"You're nuts!"
"Crazy!"
"You were lucky to survive all that!"
"I'll say, you gotta be the most whacko human we've ever met!" Keldeo, Piplup, Appa, Puff, Whisker, and Andres remarked.
"I can't say I approve of your reckless actions, Master Wong. But, I can commend you for following your heart and doing what you feel is right," Guardeon smiled.
"What happened next, what happened after you rescued that mommy dragon, her egg, and Mr. Absol?!" Mai begged, wanting to know the end of the story.
Tsukumaro smiled, "Well..."
(Flashback Resume)
Wanting to take a break from the adventure they just had and feeling like Absol deserved to have its wounds treated, Tsukumaro took him to the village to find a Pokemon Center or a doctor that would be willing to treat it. He also felt that it would be best to tell Sebastian and Oliv what had gone on during his little misadventure while doing so, hoping they won't be too mad at him for risking his own life to save the Disaster Pokemon, the Horntail, and her egg (essentially meddling in their crew's affairs in the process that could get him into trouble).
But, when they arrived back at the village, the townsfolk were not happy to see Absol returning after the incident involving it and the Horntail mother, throwing it hateful, disdainful, and suspicious looks. Tsukumaro gave a small huff as he silently scorned them back with Absol also opting to ignore them as they continued on their way before Clarkson, Pansy, and their group emerged from the crowd to confront them.
"So, you're back and you brought the Messenger of Doom with you, Wong?" she snorted.
"What makes you think Absol was the one who brought along the wrath of an angry Hungarian Horntail who's only looking for the ones that took what rightfully belonged to her?" Tsukumaro retorted coolly.
"Don't play dumb with us! You must've had something to do with all of this yesterday because you, on the other hand, stole what was hers from the start!" Clarkson spat angrily, still seething from the hero wizard's meddling in his and his lot's affairs.
"On the contrary, weren't you and your lot the ones who knew about her motherly wrath moments ago, Clarkson? I seem to recall hearing and seeing you work with the most notorious poachers in the world, the Hunters Three, and you and your families operating a dragon poaching ring in the mountains. Your little 'operation', I might add, also involved stealing a Hungarian Horntail egg belonging to the Horntail mother and selling it off for millions of pounds."
"What utter nonsense!" Johnson snapped, making Absol growl at him disdainfully.
"Then, how do you explain you all wanting to kill the poor creature and skin it while leaving the authorities including Mr. Sebastian and Ms. Oliv in the dark about your poaching ring? I know your game; you nobles wanted to continue flouting your superiority and show everyone and the entire world that you are all but the far superior people compared to the Muggles who you saw as nothing but a nuisance and a disgrace to mankind. You wanted to continue oppressing the common Muggle folk who have or don't have any magical talent on them and reap all the rewards so you get the spoils and the ones you truly deserve those same riches are left with nothing. All while you squander them and your power for your own selfish pleasures and desires and continue to slander your fellow people just for being different compared to you!"
"ENOUGH!" Clarkson bellowed as Tsukumaro and Absol remained unflinching and he unsheathed his wand, preparing to curse them to as to shut them up and kill them. "I'll see to it that you're put out of your misery, Wong! And, when I do, I'll make sure your little friend has its head cut off for its transgressions and then, I'll-!"
"You'll what, young man?" boomed a voice, startling everybody gathered save for the hero wizard and Absol as they all swiftly turned to the owner.
Everybody looked back or in front of them from behind the Disaster Pokemon and Tsukumaro and gasped before muttering in shock; there, standing before them alongside Sebastian and Oliv, Growlithe, Oricorio, and some of their fellow officers and their Pokemon, was Doug (who was a prince long before meeting and marrying Delilah) along with his parents, King David and Queen Donna. The one who had spoken was King David as he, his wife, Doug, Sebastian, Oliv, their fellow officers, and their Pokemon had heard everything and glared at Clarkson and his lot while walking towards them, Tsukumaro, and Absol.
"Oh, bullocks, it's King David and Queen Donna!"
"And, Prince Doug, too!" whispered a startled Eisner and Pansy.
"Y-Your Majesties! Officers, l-l-listen! Please, it was all a big joke, a misunderstanding! I-I-I assure you, I was only telling off this ingrate of a commoner about the heinous crime he committed," Clarkson tried to walk back and lie.
"Indeed, he was probably the one who colluded with this Absol to unleash a dragon attack only yesterday," added Pansy but the royal family and the police with them were in no mood to listen to them or the rest of their lot.
"I can assure you what we heard just now was no joke, Mr. Clarkson, Ms. Pavoretti. My family and I had been in talks about the incident regarding the Absol that appeared recently and the Hungarian Horntail from yesterday and we were just coming to help pacify and assure everyone that the matter will be taken care of," David replied, his glare not leaving Clarkson and his lot before he turned towards Absol and Tsukumaro as the former stared back while the wizard bowed to him.
"However, what we did not anticipate was the heroic meddling of this fine man who had the right-minded audacity to learn that there is more to this incident than meets the eye and there is some treachery from the nobles that has been running rampant from under our noses until now. Also, if this Absol was responsible for the dragon attack from yesterday with the arrival of the Hungarian Horntail, how come this little fellow has all of those wounds on it?"
"Last I checked, the reports on its condition didn't mention it being wounded like this. And, the data researchers have gathered mentioned that Absol will not, in any way, make contact with humans unless they have very good reason to do so," Oliv added suspiciously.
"And, why is it that you were working with the Hunters Three when it's been stated clearly that any form of poaching is forbidden and anybody committing this crime is to be turned over at once?" Sebastian noted.
He then narrowed his gaze at Tsukumaro, making the wizard cringe and laugh sheepishly as he whispered to him, "We'll talk with you, later."
"Absol are not that stupid, they know when to steer clear from trouble whenever they sense something wrong and not injure themselves to a degree," Doug replied to the evil wizards and witches matter-of-factly.
"And, might I add that as we were making our way here from the palace, we overheard your petty rant about this young man and the Absol with him as well as the threat of killing him and cutting its head off which sounds very much like a personal vendetta you have against them while he explained everything. That is more than enough for me and all of us to believe his story rather than your lies. I must say, we are very, very disappointed in you, your lot, and your families, Clarkson," Donna brooded with fury at Clarkson and his posse.
"Also, stealing eggs from dragons is the greatest offense against these creatures one can ever commit so this entire affair and what we've all heard is more than enough to convince us and our squadrons that you and your lot, Clarkson, are the ones responsible the Horntail incident!" Oliv snapped, glaring at Clarkson and his group while her Oricorio shook her head disdainfully at them and cracked her knuckles in her talons, ready to give them a beating with Sebastian's Growlithe barking in agreement as he growled at the villains.
"Ebenezer Clarkson, on behalf of their royal majesties, King David, Queen Donna, and Prince Doug, you and your mates along with the Hunters Three and your families are hereby under arrest for treason, pokemon cruelty, and illegal poaching! We'll make sure this gets to the Ministry of Magic and request that you all be sent to Azkaban for your crimes. Do your thing, lads and lasses," Sebastian finished, allowing his and Oliv's friends and comrades in the police force to surround the dark wizards and witches as they desperately tried in vain to protest their arrest.
The royal family, Tsukumaro, and Absol all watched as Clarkson and his mates were all taken away by half of the members of Sebastian and Oliv's police force with the former and his Growlithe leading the way while the other half stayed with Oliv so they can look for the Hunters Three if they're hiding out somewhere in the village, all while the villagers now scorned the dark wizards and witches for everything they did and for getting them mixed up in their scandal.
"And, I believe we'll be wanting a word with all of you given the support you've given those hooligans for their plans to kill off this Absol that meant no harm to you all when it tried to warn you of their dangerous plight. Tomorrow morning, we expect you all to report to our castle so we can ensure that this incident doesn't happen again and that the nobles will be severely punished for their transgressions against all of you, Muggles and magical folk alike," David added, looking with disappointment at the citizens as they all squirmed and looked ashamed under his and his family's disappointed gazes.
"Now, if you don't mind, we'll be taking our leave to help Ms. Oliv search for the Hunters Three within this vicinity," Donna added before she turned to Absol and Tsukumaro and smiled warmly but kept a firm gaze. "And, I think it's best if you two keep yourselves out of trouble from now on. Especially you, young man, for while you have the best intentions, it could've all gone horribly wrong for you in the blink of an eye."
"Uh, yes, Y-Your Majesty, um... Ahem, of course, heh," Tsukumaro replied sheepishly as the royal family left with Oliv and her officers.
As they left and the villagers quietly got on with their lives, Oliv stopped and looked at Tsukumaro with a relieved yet disappointed look on her face as she nagged at him, "You're very lucky to still be in one piece, Tsukumaro Wong. If this were to take place in Hogwarts, you would've been stripped 50 points from Gryffindor or worse, expelled!"
"Clarkson would've thrown the first punch given that he had his wand at us and he and his mates looked ready to murder us on sight with the Killing Curse. I couldn't chance Absol dealing with those monsters alone before finding out about the Horntail's egg in the hands of them and the Hunters Three let alone leave it at the mercy of the villagers that scorned it for anything beyond its control and only for warning us of the greater threat those dark wizards and witches posed."
"An act of heroism that put you on the path of an angry Horntail that nearly lost her baby! ...Still, good on ya, Tsukumaro. But, as Sebastian said, we'll talk about it later, especially since we need your testimony and witness statement given that you saw what they and the Hunters Three were doing."
"Um, uh... Right, of course, yes... Uh, then, I'll see you in due time, Oliv, darling," Tsukumaro coughed sheepishly.
"Cheerio," Oliv nodded, smiling at Tsukumaro before she and her Oricorio joined their fellow officers and police Pokemon and the royal family, leaving Tsukumaro and Absol alone.
Tsukumaro sighed contentedly before he looked down at Absol and smiled, "Well, my friend, it's all over. Clarkson and his mates along with their families are done for, their dragon poaching ring will be disbanded, and the Hunters Three will be in Azkaban with them soon. Now, your name is cleared and you won't have to worry about anybody else slandering you for warning us about unknown greater dangers anymore. I would like to take you to a Pokemon Center to have your wounds looked at but I guess you've been through enough already, knowing you belong in the wild. Good day."
The hero wizard went on his way to return home and take a day off from his usual odd jobs routine as he left Absol alone but as he arrived back at his apartment, the sound of scurrying feet caught his attention along with a gentle nuzzle. He turned and he saw Absol having caught up to him as it looked at him longingly.
"Sol..." the Disaster Pokemon replied.
"Absol?" the wizard pondered in confusion.
"Absol..." Absol purred again as they stared at each other, holding their gazes for a minute before Tsukumaro realized what the Dark Type wanted and widened his eyes in surprise.
"...You want to come with me from now on?"
Absol just nodded before it gave him a soft smile which slowly brought a smile out of the hero wizard before he knelt down and held out his arms for it to come over, the Dark Type accepting a loving embrace as the two of them (while silently crying tears of joy and love), from that day forward, effectively became...partners.
(Flashback End)
"Absol couldn't thank me enough for what I've done to help him stop and crack down Clarkson, his lot, and the Hunters Three along with their dragon poaching ring that day. And, I couldn't repay him enough for getting me to uncover their horrible plot to grow their abuse of power by stealing that mother's egg and scapegoating him in the process. And, ever since, my beloved Dark Type has never left my side, not once," Tsukumaro finished fondly as he watched Absol gently take Stufful (once she had fallen asleep again) to one of the rooms Lillie had given her friends since they'll be staying for the night to continue their assignment the next day.
"That's wonderful! No wonder the royal family assigned you as their royal advisor back then!"
"So cool!" Lillie and Lana chirped heartily at the old advisor.
Tsukumaro smiled humbly as he said, "I guess I just wanted to help a friend in need while providing my own opinion on the matter once I got to the bottom of that mystery."
"You and Absol must really be alike given how much you care about other people and Pokemon and each other while trying to watch out for danger and keep the peace whenever possible. That's why you have such a strong bond between you two," Mallow smiled.
"Absolute, darling!"
"Yeah!" Tsareena and Mallow's Shaymin agreed, smiling.
"I couldn't agree more," Sarah added as everybody else had nothing but praise and admiration for the Disaster Pokemon.
That night, everybody was fast asleep and preparing themselves for a brand new day of training tomorrow. All that is, except for Stufful, who rocked herself back and forth while she was attempting to sleep with Cinderace, Cufant, Arctozolt, and Absol but couldn't after thinking about her previous folly during her, Aqua, and Sarah's training battle with Lana, Link, and Primarina as well as Tsukumaro's story on how he met Absol. Sighing as she couldn't find it in her to sleep, the little Flailing Pokemon decided to get up and go outside for some fresh air.
As she left, Sarah woke up as she heard her leaving thanks to her enhanced hearing from her Lion DNA and quietly went after her, All the while, the two of them had no idea something or someone was watching them before it moved towards the mansion and the sleeping Pokemon.
A few feet from Lillie's mansion, Stufful eventually laid herself against a nearby tree, continuing to hate herself for how she went through her previous training battle and wondering how Absol and Tsukumaro were able to find the courage in them to fight against their common enemies despite their own fears. She felt so insignificant compared to them given how she had given in to her fears while Sarah's godfather and his partner fought against their own fears and managed to save Alola from a perilous poaching operation that would've resulted in the Disaster Pokemon's death had Tsukumaro not stepped in and found out what was going on.
Eventually, she let out her frustration and inner turmoil as she proceeded to beat the tree while not using so much force so as to not wake up her family and friends before she eventually gave up and sat down, sniffing as she began to cry.
"You know a tree will bite back if you ruin its bark, do you?"
Stufful turned and saw Sarah behind her as the little princess joined her, "Mommy..."
"Still bummed about what happened today?" the little princess quizzed, only getting a sad nod from the Normal Type before she picked her up and rubbed her.
"Stufful, I'm sorry. I know you feel bad about blowing that training battle we and Aqua had against Link, Lana, and Primarina but in truth, you didn't really fail. I know how badly battling scares you and, if I can be honest, it scares me, too... There are many times I had been scared in more ways than one throughout every battle I went through involving all the Pokemon I've brought into my family along with the dragons of Berk. Some of those battles even involved me nearly losing my life and my friends nearly losing their own but if any of you younger or baby Pokemon get involved in a battle, I worry and care for you too much. I'm worried you'll all be badly hurt because of me."
Stufful blinked her tears off her face in surprise as she looked at her human mother while she continued, "It's been like that for me ever since I first adopted Wooloo and Ponyta before my family and I found out about their brothers and Rapidash. But, over time, I've come to trust them to look after themselves after they've gotten stronger over time and more so now that their own family's back together after I took in Rapidash, Scorch, and Yamper when they crossed over from Galar to Alola last year. I know you still have a long way to go but somehow, someway, I know that you'll eventually be a great fighter like your old friend from Aether Paradise and her mother living with Team Rocket."
Stufful was silent for a moment but a sense of hope was born from within her as she squeaked, "...You promise, Mommy?"
"I promise," Sarah smiled as the pair shared a loving hug.
The next morning, the girls went back to their training routine and this time, Stufful was squaring off against Mai.
"Now, let's try this again. But, you'll be up against Mai so we don't have a repeat of our mock Double Battle with Lana," Sarah reassured.
"...Okay," Stufful nodded with a gulp.
"Come on, Sister! It's not as hard or bad as it looks!" encouraged Mai as the two of them faced each other.
"Right. Stufful, use your Force Palm! Mai, Shadow Ball, go!" Sarah began, having her two Pokemon unleash their attacks with Stufful being hit in the face as Mai's Shadow Ball touched her first.
"OW!" Stufful cried in pain as she tried to shake it off.
"Come on, Stufful! You can do it!" Sarah cheered before...
"AHHHHHHH/MOM!"
"Star, Lillie!" Sarah cried, causing Mai and Stufful to gasp as they followed after their human mother/caretaker and joined the rest of their family, her best friends, Tsukumaro, and his team as they found themselves surrounded by a trio of Deathgrippers sporting a strange orange and green color scheme as they circled around them. "Wait a minute, Deathgrippers that are orange and green? But, I thought they were normally black and red!"
"Pals of yours, guys?" Dusk quizzed Twilight and Dawn (Deathgripper) and their Deathgripper family.
"Don't look at us, dude."
"Never saw these freakshows before, didn't know there were any others around besides us and the ones we took in as our own," the Deathgrippers in question admitted.
"Yeah," their Deathgripper children agreed.
"Who are you, what do you want?"
"Why have you come here? Our friend's mansion is off-limits to anybody posing a threat to family and friends alike," Pyre and Keldeo demanded, the strange Deathgrippers keeping quiet as they continued to prowl around them in their circle formation.
"The silent but deadly approach, eh? Okay, don't say we didn't warn you!" Wildfire snorted as he, Pyre, and Keldeo nodded to each other as they got in front of the group and prepared to attack just as the Deathgrippers hissed with delight and charged forward, prompting them to attack as they roared proudly.
"Pyre/Wildfire!"
"No, Keldeo! Wait!" Sunflare, Phoenix, and Terrakion cried in alarm.
Their charge was all for naught and the latter three's warnings were too late as the orange and green Deathgrippers suddenly stung the two dragons and Colt Pokemon without warning, making them yell before they suddenly fell limp.
"Keldeo!"
"PYRE, WILDFIRE!" Virizion and Sarah screamed in horror before everybody saw them standing before them while coming up alongside the strange Deathgripper dragons, opening their eyes and revealing that their pupils are now cat's eye slits.
"Pyre, Phoenix! Are you okay?!"
"Keldeo, wake up!"
"What's happened to them?" gasped Mallow, Lana, and Lillie.
"Get them!" one of the evil Deathgrippers ordered, forcing Pyre, Wildfire, and Keldeo to get into battle stances as the former two roared at their own parents, family, and friends and Keldeo prepared himself to charge at his own family and teachers as he turned to his Resolute Form and activated Secret Sword.
"Keldeo!" Terrakion, Virizion, and Cobalion cried in shock before they were forced to dodge and counter with their Sacred Sword attacks while Pyre and Wildfire charged at the others and their parents.
"Pyre, Phoenix! Wait!"
"Stop! What are you doing?!"
"Guys! NO!"
"Cut it out!"
"Quit it!"
"Are you crazy?!" Nova, Starfire (Stormcutter), Skystorm, Melody, Hurricane, and Voltage snapped as they and everyone desperately dodged their attacks while trying to snap them out of their trance.
"Pyre, son! It's us, your mother and father!"
"Wildfire, honey! Don't you recognize us?!" Sunflare and Phoenix boomed desperately to their sons.
"They're not listening to us-WHOA!"
"GAH! It looks like that-UH-venom those Deathgrippers used-UH-is, somehow, putting them-UH-under some sort of-DUNH-hypnosis!" Winter and Shadow called frantically as they dodged Pyre and Wildfire's assaults on them.
"Oh, dear! I should've known; the venom of a Deathgripper can also warp the minds of the infected and make them their servants!" Tsukumaro cried.
"You mean like putting them under a spell that can make them do things according to the demands of another person?!"
"Wasn't that busted in that TV show called Mythbusters we've been waiting for a while now?" Appletun and Buneary inquired as they also tried to dodge Keldeo, Pyre, and Wildfire's attacks on them and everyone else.
"I guess we can rule that myth out for those guys that did this to Keldeo, Wildfire, and Pyro," Mallow retorted as she, Lillie, and Lana summoned their Poke-Fury Sabers as they and their Pokemon fought to defend themselves from their mind-controlled dragon friends and the hypnotized Keldeo.
"Oh, great! Talk about hypnotic deja vu!" grumbled Silvally as he swatted at Keldeo with his head fins and knocked him back with a Quick Attack.
"Keldeo, stop! What's the matter with you?! Don't you recognize me, Virizion, or Cobalion?" Terrakion shouted to Keldeo as they faced each other with Sacred Sword and Secret Sword in a deadlock. "I'm Terrakion, one of the Swords of Justice! We're your friends, your family in all but flesh and blood!"
"Take him down!" snapped a red Deathgripper amongst the three evil Deathgrippers attacking the group to its servant.
"NO!" Keldeo shouted to Terrakion, obeying the evil read scorpion-like dragon that gave him the order as he knocked Terrakion back and slashed him, forcing Cobalt and Nyasi to use Bone Rush and Solar Blade to counter Secret Sword before Keldeo could use a downward slash to hurt the Cavern Pokemon.
All the while, the red Deathgripper laughed along with its orange and red companions as it sneered at the heroes, "Too bad you won't be able to help yourselves once you're all under the power of our venom!"
"I'd much rather stay sane than lose my mind through your venom after the suffering I went through beforehand!" Nyasi retorted as he and Cobalt forced Keldeo back and continued fighting him.
"He's got a point, though-bzt! They'll keep coming at us-bzt!" Manteon panted frantically.
"I have a hunch that red baddie that just spat at us is the ringleader! Take him out and maybe the venom that creep and its mates used will be burned out!" Brawleon shouted, realizing what they can do to save their hypnotized friends/brothers.
"It's risky but we've got to try it!" Cobalt agreed, seeing where Guardeon's Fighting Type son is getting at as he blocked the orange Deathgripper's stinger with Bone Rush still at hand.
The green Deathgripper tried to mind-control Cobalt while he was distracted but through his Aura and sensing the venom coming at him, he parried the orange Deathgripper's stinger again and dodged, causing the venom to miss him and melt the grass where he used to stand instead of catching fire when it hit the air.
But, the read Deathgripper made up for it by fixing its eyes on another target as it found Sarah and Stufful, the little Flailing Pokemon squeaked fearfully as it charged at them and separated the pair, causing Stufful to be left alone at its mercy as it hissed gleefully and prepared to sting her. Stufful screamed yet again in terror as the evil dragon prepared to sting her, leaving Sarah in shock and horror as she saw what was about to happen to her little Normal Type.
"STUFFUL, LOOK OUT!" Sarah screamed, diving in front of her and taking the red Deathgripper's stinger in her place before she let out a pained scream and then went limp as well.
"MOMMY!"
"Princess!" Stufful and Tsukumaro bellowed in horror as they saw her now standing up and opening her eyes to show that her pupils also became cat's eye slits and she is now under the red Deathgripper's control as it laughed.
"What a waste of humanity, diving head-first to take on my venom just to save a measly little teddy bear such as you. But, don't worry, I promise it won't be painful for either of you," it sneered with malicious glee.
"Princess, no!"
"They got her!"
"Now, she's under their control, too!" shouted a horrified Amber, Lana, and Helioseon.
"Keldeo! Come on, kiddo! You got to remember! I don't want to hurt you, neither would Cobalion and Virizion!" Terrakion pleaded as he continued to block and parry Keldeo's Secret Sword with his Sacred Sword. "We're still family! That stupid venom may have made you a puppet but you're more than that!"
"We'll never forget how much you meant to us after we found you all those years ago!"
"You're a true Sword of Justice and we love you too much to lose you already to something like mind control!" Virizion and Cobalion added.
"Strike, my slave! Now!" the red Deathgripper bellowed to Keldeo, unconcerned about the Cavern, Grassland, and Iron Will Pokemon trying in vain to break their pupil and adoptive son free from its control.
The three Unova Legendaries braced themselves to try and snap Keldeo out of his trance, looking at each other and nodding as they decided to take a gamble and recite the Swords of Justice Oath they made and amended following the Colt Pokemon's duel against Kyurem to help him remember.
"You mean much more to us ever since we found you and took you as our own, Keldeo! And, now, we're gonna show you why!" Terrakion called before he, Virizion, and Cobalion brought their Sacred Swords together and began their oath. "Greater than one is two!"
"Greater than two is three!" Virizion continued determinedly.
Keldeo was surprised to see his mentors and adoptive family reciting the oath they made a long time ago, hesitating as he didn't know whether or not to attack as he slowly started to remember his time training as a Sword of Justice before his fated adventure with Ash, Iris, and Cilan during their journey all over Unova. All the while, Cobalion, Virizion, and Terrakion waited patiently for him to remember the oath as they watch him slowly shake his head and thrash about, slowly remembering and fighting against the evil dragon's venom.
"I gave you an order!" the red Deathgripper snarled at the Colt Pokemon. "DO IT!"
But, Keldeo didn't hear the evil dragon; he just continued to thrash about as his mind juggled its control over him through its venom against the memories of his life before and after meeting the Swords of Justice, Ash, and his Unova friends. Each memory he remembered after he heard Virizion and Terrakion's lines for the oath they and Cobalion made when he became a true Sword of Justice following his adventure with the Kanto trainer, Cilan, and Iris caused him to be confused as he didn't know what to do, feeling his old self take over. Slowly but surely, he made his way to the other Swords of Justice despite the red Deathgripper's protests and threats against him and eventually locked his Secret Sword with their Secret Swords.
"...Greater t-than, three, i-i-is, four!" Keldeo struggled, finally reciting his part of the Swords of Justice Oath.
"NOOOO!" the red Deathgripper bellowed furiously.
Virizion and Terrakion smiled with relief and Cobalion gave his pupil a proud smile as he added, "When the strength of friends is combined into one..."
And, with that, just as a golden light from the combined Secret Sword and Sacred Sword attacks shone over Keldeo and clensed him of the venom from the Deathgripper controlling him, all four finished with, "Then, true power and courage are created!"
The light soon died down and Keldeo slowly opened his eyes, his pupils back to normal from the cat's eye slits they once were, the red Deathgripper's venom completely burned out and gone from his body as he looked at his teachers in confusion and pulled away while canceling his Secret Sword.
"...Terrakion?" Keldeo peeped, getting a smirk and nod from the Cavern Pokemon before he looked at the other two Swords of Justice, both of them also relieved as they smiled warmly at him. "Virizion, Cobalion? What happened, what's going on?"
"It's okay, Keldeo, you're alright now," Virizion soothed.
"TRAITOR!" the red Deathgripper screamed at Keldeo.
With a furious battle cry, the red Deathgripper then tried to charge at Keldeo to sting him again to get him back under its control but finally remembering who stung him and forced him to fight his family, he bucked with a Hydro Pump and forced it back. Then, as he did before in his rematch with Kyurem, he faced the dragon that made him dance like its own marrionette and used Double Team before using Focus Blast and dealing an incredible amount of damage to his former puppetmaster.
Stufful frantically dodged Sarah's blows as she swung the Sun Sword at her while a few of the others tried to restrain, parry, and block her blows to stop her from attacking, her mind racing as she looked back and forth between her friends and family as they fought against her, Pyre, and Wildfire. She could her them crying out to the puppets of the orange and green Deathgrippers while seeing the evil dragons themselves in combat against Link and Zelda while they maintained control over their slaves, wondering what she could do to help.
But, in the midst of the chaos, she also saw Keldeo breaking free from the venom of the red Deathgripper and fighting back against it (seeing the pupils in his eyes back to how they were) and at that moment, Stufful recalled what Zelda told Link as she spoke of her and Sarah, "I can feel a hidden power from within her even if she doesn't want to evolve, a spark waiting to grow from within the little darling. Additionally, I sense she is lost on what to do if she can't battle unless she has a guiding hand to help her take the first step."
This triggered something from within Stufful as she thought back to Zelda's words and echoed in her mind, "First step... My own power, a spark within me... Waiting, waiting to be unleashed..."
Looking at the Deathgrippers threatening her family and friends and drawing on the love and happiness she gained from them, fighting against her fears of being hurt in battle, she finally steeled herself and...
"NOOOOOOOOO!" she roared, letting out a tiny but mighty cry as she charged towards the orange and green Deathgrippers and catching their attention before they could continue their assault on the exhausted heroes fighting them.
Stufful's front legs glowed a bright orange as she jumped onto the evil dragons and whacked them hard, sending them flying into the air as they screamed in panic and pain before they eventually crashed into the ground, groaning.
"Ugh, man, that kid can dance," mumbled the orange Deathgripper painfully as it heard birds chirping around his head.
"You said it," agreed the green Deathgripper with a pained groan, having swirls in its eyes.
"Stufful!"
"Hey, what's going on with her?" Piplup and Skiddo blinked in bewilderment.
"Her front legs! They're suddenly glowing orange!" Fennekin cried in awe, looking at Stufful's front legs.
"Sick, dudes! That's Superpower, one of the most dynamic Fighting Type moves a Pokemon can learn!" Rotoscope buzzed ecstatically as he scanned Stufful's new move. "It may lower the user's Attack and Defense stats by one stage each but it can really pack a wallop for anybody uncool enough to be in its path!"
"Whoa! When was the kid able to learn a powerful move like that?"
"Regardless, it's still a gamble! With each Superpower attack used, it gets weaker with each use!"
"So, it's basically a Fighting Type version of the Fire Type move, Overheat!"
"That means she'll have to make her first shots with it her best shot or else it'll grow weaker from spamming," Falcon, Blaze, Tou-Tou, and Seleneon remarked.
"That's very true."
"I have to agree but the kid picked a good time as any to learn it and bust it out," Totem Luxray and Totem Marowak admitted.
"GET HER!" the red Deathgripper ordered Sarah, Pyre, and Wildfire as it pointed them furiously to Stufful.
"Forgive me, Mommy, Cousins," Stufful prayed as she used Superpower a second time to clean their clocks.
"What do you know? That puny little teddy bear's finally kicking my pipsqueak's butt to Timbuktu," chuckled an impressed Eternatus.
"You meddlesome, puny, little-!" seethed the red Deathgripper before it charged forward to attack her before the Flailing Pokemon gave it a glare and a smirk as she dodged each attack it throws at her while she taunted and made fun of her assailant, waiting for the right moment to strike with Superpower again.
"Ow..." moaned Wildfire as he, Pyre, and Sarah finally came to with their parents, Lillie, Lana, Mallow, Blitz, Silvally, Absol, and Tsukumaro helping them recover.
"Pyre, Wildfire!"
"Sons! Thank Odin you're back!" Sunflare and Phoenix breathed with relief and happines as they nuzzled their sons.
"Oh, dude! What happened? Ugh, my bell is seriously rung, almost like those brass clangers from Big Ben himself," Pyre groaned, shaking his head as he felt the pain from Stufful's Superpower, the Fighting Type move having completely nullified the effects of the evil Deathgrippers' venom injected in him, his brother, and Sarah.
"Are you alright, Sarah?" Lillie asked as her best friend shook her head and winced from Stufful's Superpower move to her head.
"Yeah... Oh, god, I feel it's as though I got run over a train while running along a path made out of charcoal," the little princess grunted, holding her head while trying to endure the pain but suddenly remembering what nearly happened to Stufful as she looked around. "Wait a minute, where's Stufful? What happened to her?"
"Heh, see for yourself, pipsqueak," Eterantus grunted with a hidden laugh, directing her to Stufful as she jumped and stomped on her Deathgripper assailant after dodging its latest attack before picking it up (in a similar fashion to how Brock's Blissey as a Happiny had beaten Jessie's Seviper many years prior to her evolution) before spinning it around like a top before throwing it towards its lackeys, causing them to yelp in surprise.
"All right!"
"Yeah! Go, Stufful!" cheered Lana and Mallow while Sarah stared at her little Flailing Pokemon, completely speechless.
Once she was satisfied with the beating she had given the evil Deathgrippers, she growled at them as she began to glow orange again but with the glow covering her entire body as (despite her Attack and Defense stats having already been lowered twice) she prepared to use Superpower at full force.
"I won't run away anymore! And, I won't let you three hurt anyone ever again! YAAAAAAHHHHHH!" she roared as she charged forward towards the terrified evil Deathgrippers (who all screamed in fear of her) and threw one final punch that sent them on a Team Rocket blastoff.
"We're not those Team Rocket creeps we've heard about..."
"...But, stilll..."
"...It looks like we're..."
"BLASTING OFF ALONE!" the Deathgrippers screamed until they twinkled out of the sky, never to be seen again.
"SHE DID IT!" Cyndaquil cheered, causing everyone else to join in on the celebration as Stufful stared in awe and amazement at what she did and herself as she looked at the glow covering her body before it died out.
"You can finally fight!"
"And, you learned Superpower, too!"
"You did it, Stufful!"
"Way to go, Bear Killer!" Fennekin, Frosmoth, Phanpy, and Altaria congratulated heartily as they all picked her up and brought her to their family and friends as they tossed her up and down several times while shouting her name in elation before laughing and rubbing her after they stopped.
"We knew you could do it!"
"Yeah, you were awesome!" Nebby and Nebula praised the little Flailing Pokemon.
"We knew you wouldn't die fighting!"
"Lose a limb!"
"Or your head!"
"Pack it in all together!"
"NEVER!" Danny, Talonflame, Goodra, Slurpuff, and Cinderace, Cufant, and Arctozolt chanted proudly as they and everybody else cheered for Stufful's first-ever battle victory.
Zelda and Link looked at each other with a smile and they nodded proudly at Stufful as they watched her looking at Sarah and jumping into her human mother's arms, her victory giving her a second wind and a much-awaited feeling of satisfaction as she tried to take in her very first victory in a fight (especially a battle between life and death).
"Mommy, Mommy! I did it! I can finally fight! I won! YEAH!" Stufful cried happily as she flailed a bit in celebration while in Sarah's arms, a wide grin sported on her face.
"I knew you could! I've never doubted you for a moment!" Sarah laughed heartily, elated that Stufful has finally overcome her fear of fighting.
"That's an improvement but a much-needed hail mary," Dusk mused while looking at the happy Stufful.
"By our standards, you got that right, Bro. But, I wonder where those Deathgrippers came from, anyway," Luna added, wondering about the evil Deathgrippers, catching Sarah's attention.
"...I have a hunch but I think they might've come from the Hidden World," she replied to her Midnight Form Lycanroc.
"The Hidden World, you say?" Link puzzled as he and Zelda joined her and Stufful.
"It's an old legend my dragons and the Vikings of Berk along with the people of Dragonstone told me about but, it's said to be the ancestral home of all of the dragons living in the Barbaric Arcipelago and the greatest secret of my Dragonstone predecessors: Queen Atha and King Blizzard."
"Didn't you meet five other teens in Canada who are protecting the Hidden World and its dragons a few months ago?" Lillie recalled curiously.
"Yeah. Tom, Jun, Eugene, Alex, and D'Angelo; they're charged with safeguarding it from any intruders that might know about it and wanted to kill off or take the dragons from it for themselves."
"But, I don't remember Deathgripper acid melting the grass instead of catching fire as soon as its fired. The acid from your Deathgrippers could catch fire," Mallow pondered.
"I think it's because those three must've been an evolved variant of the original Deathgripper species. I guess that's why those other two are both orange and green compared to the usual black and red and they're much stronger, faster, and more cunning, too."
"What about their lack of fire venom?" Lana added.
"If anything, whatever realm they were in must've caused them to devolve which meant that the acid they spew from their stingers can no longer react in air pressure so they won't catch fire anymore. It's now normal acid that would burn through anything and melt down any organic material it comes into contact with."
"You may be right, Princess. I have a feeling those three are of the same species but their own acid blasts have changed due to their isolation from the Hidden World before crossing over to here," Tsukumaro.
"But, at least they're gone now, thanks to Stufful," Mai replied, grinning at Stufful as she happily blushed.
"Hey, guys! Why don't we get back to training and go through Sarah and Lana's Double Battle training again? After that, we'll have a party in celebration of Stufful's first victory!" Lillie grinned, having a great idea.
"Yeah!" Mallow and Lana agreed.
"Indeed!" Tsukumaro added with a knowing nod.
"Perfect! Ready to go against Lana, Link, and Primarina, Stufful?" Sarah nodded as she asked Stufful.
"Yeah, I'm ready now! Let me at 'em, let me at 'em!" Stufful nodded with a determined grin as she made small jabs, now eager for a battle now that she's overcome her fear of fighting at last, getting hearty laughs and more cheers out of everybody while Link and Zelda continued to smile proudly at her.
Channeling the love of her family and her newfound desire to protect all she loved, Stufful finally conquered her self-doubt and gained the confidence she desired so much! Who'd thunk? It won't be long before the Alola Pokemon League finally gets underway while she continues to grow with her family as the journey continues!