Hello one and all to a new chapter of Pokemon SVTA where today, we will begin the actual Treasure Hunt... kind of. This chapter will focus on Quaxly reuniting with his Pokemon friend from his previous trainer Steenee who promised to reunite with him via the promise of a split Mirror Herb and all things are happy until Steenee's trainer reveals that she has to leave the region for school and so Ash and the gang seek to make Quaxly happy at all costs.
Cyclizar's current moveset:
Taunt,
Rapid Spin,
Wild Charge,
Breaking Swipe
This won't be a long chapter but will help progress the development of Ash's Pokemon and was an idea I've had when we started this journey so let's begin.
Cover Story 16: Iris and the Shadow Triad 2: Discoveries
The last time we saw Iris, we saw her go on a journey with 3 bodyguards to take care of the Shadow Triad who have threaten her friends Ash and Cilan and seeks to find out her purpose. Together, she is joined by the stubborn Hugh who is searching for the Shadow Triad who took his sister's Purrloin, Grimsley, a former Unova Elite Four member who left due to addiction problems and Marie, a former member of the Shadow Triad who has intel on some Shadow Triad members in Anville Town. Thus, their journey begins.
Because of the high-profile mission and her no-nonsense attitude, Marie forced Iris to wear a hoodie and make her hair a bit different in order to avoid attention out of safety. Iris knew that her bodyguards are trying to look out for her and are as serious as possible (except Grimsley who was experiencing the world of board games) but wished they'd relax a bit and decided at a nearby campfire near Nimbasa to learn more about her bodyguards.
Iris mentions her journeys throughout the time she's been with Ash and Cilan and how even though Ash is the World Champion, she still can't help but see him as a little kid exploring the world though to be fair, she says she feels the same about being a kid. Hugh gets fired up being a fan of Ash wishing to challenge him but mentions wanting to find his sister's Purrloin first. Hugh mentions having a childhood friend all obsessed with battling Alder and wonders how she's doing right now, Grimsley teases him about having a crush which Hugh gets adamantly mad about.
Grimsley goes next and mentions how skillful he was at being a Dark type specialist but nowadays, he focuses on various activities in order to appease his mind off gambling such as wood carving which he and his Bisharp have been doing for the past 6 months. Iris turns to Marie, but she's not interested in this friend's stuff and just says that she's here to protect Iris and figure out her life to which Hugh tells her she's likely the edgy anime archetype causing the two of them to argue.
Iris breaks it up and says that a double battle is what's needed to calm down and everyone reluctantly agrees. Iris and Marie team up with Iris sending out their Excadrill and Lurantis respectively facing Hugh and his Dewott and Grimsley with his Bisharp. They battle each other throughout the night with Iris teaching some battle techniques and strategies she learned as a champion and Marie does the same by blindsiding her foes with Sunny Day in a dark forest blindsiding them and Iris's Excadrill hitting both Dewott and Bisharp at the same time with Drill Run allowing them to win.
For the first time in a long while, Marie was starting to have fun and asks to do it again enthusiastically as Hugh agrees as he's angry that he's lost and so they battle once more until everyone fell asleep. Hugh's bladder woke him up and so he decides to do his business, but notices Marie gone and as he went to the forest, he noticed Marie talking to a mysterious ninja like figure as Marie looked regretful, but Hugh didn't notice as he thinks that Maire betrayed the group and silently heads back to the group and back to sleep as if nothing happened.
Unbeknownst to Hugh and everyone else, there was more dialogue between the two saying that if Marie gets to do her job well, she can see her sister again and the ninja heads off with Marie conflicted with herself between her new acquaintances or finding her beloved sister.
To Be Continued
Cover Story 17: Hau (and friends) Bizarre Adventure 2: The Mysterious Women (Part 1)
Last time, Hau decided to go to the Pokemon School to fill his boredom and there, he got situated pretty well other than being chosen by Kiawe to prove his worth but eventually, they became friends and eventually became friends with the whole class. He was kind and sometimes shy, helped his classmates with stuff such as helping Mallow with the two eggs she's raising and Kiawe with his farm and overall, things seem to be going normal for him. Until one day.
During a class session about learning Galarian forms, they hear a Metagross and Espeon cry out in worry and investigate revealing a panicked Metagross worrying over their trainer, a woman with long purple hair and a suit to which Kakui helps her inside and grabs the first aid kit. Minutes later, the woman wakes up surrounded by the concerned Students, Kakui, Principal Oak, Nurse Joy and her Metagross and Espeon.
She thanks the group for their help and attempts to walk but she feels wobbly and is told to sit back down. Lillie asks if she remembered anything beforehand, she remembers seeing a person just like her when settling into Alola as a new member of the Battle Tree but was also there to investigate rumors of possible corruption of the Aether Foundation. Hau isn't too familiar with the Battle Tree, but Lana explains it's the largest tree in Alola and is a popular battle facility on Poni Island.
This shocks Lillie as she never suspected her mother of corruption, but Kakui asks to let the woman finish first but before she could, Lusamine's Clefable arrives from the tree elevator holding up a machine that displays some stats that are going off the chart alongside Lusamine. Lusamine explains that her machine found strange particles coming from somewhere and believes the woman might be containing particles relating to the Ultra Wormhole. The woman remembers Lusamine as the woman she's searching for and although Lusamine's confused, Kakui tells the woman to go on.
The woman explains that when she was at the Aether Foundation alongside a fellow detective, she remembered seeing a boy with a Pikachu, a girl similar to Lillie and an edgelord witness a cloud like Pokemon evolving and 'other' Lusamine going through this hole alongside a strange delinquent with a Golisopod. Kakui thinks it's Guzma but isn't sure why he's there. Either way, the last thing the girl remembers is going to the Altar of the Moone to witness a bloodred moon Pokemon appear and blackout before eventually ending up here somehow.
Kiawe asks to repeat the location and Clefable brings up the Altar of the Sunne which the woman remembers but not with the sun shocking the group. Lusamine comes up with the realization that she might be from another world and whatever's from that world, contains alternate versions of them who go through some stuff differently in thaat universe.
Mallow asks if the woman has a name and all that the woman remembers is, Anabel. This shocks Sophocles as he's heard of Anabel who has a similar appearance but not as a detective, but s a Battle Frontier Brain. The gang wonder what happened in that world.
To Be Continued
Main Story
The day prior,
We look into Team Rocket's hideout to see Meowth recording a podcast in the bar room basement but without Jessie and James seemingly talking about his adventures.
"In the end, jealousy can be a powerful motivator for hatred but if you manage to make it through your problems and resolve things with your friends, you can get over your jealousy and start anew. That's what I experienced today and helped a Pokemon in any way I can, I hope he's made up with his trainer by now but until then, see you at the next one folks! Next week, a special guest may arrive and please send your daily questions in our P.O box and see ya later." Meowth says placing the headphones down. The door to the basement opens where we see Jessie, Wobuffet and Lechonk looking defeated and resting on a nearby couch and James carrying a rather large lamp that resembled Goodra down the stairs.
"Oh, so that's where you've been yesterday?" Jessie says as Meowth nods, "Yep, just relaxing here watching movies and decided to go for a solo podcast today. What do you got there James?" Meowth asks.
"Oh this? It's a type of lamp that became popular at a pawn shop called Inoportuno and they resemble various Dragon Types, so I got one based on Goodra." James says setting the large lamp down and turning it on. Meowth starts to focus and has something on his mind, "Alright we need a plan for tomorrow going forward!" Meowth says getting the gang's attention.
"What do you mean by that? Is it your birthday tomorrow?" Jessie asks as Meowth shakes his head, "No! My birthday isn't even until March. No no no, from what I've heard, each of the schools in the Paldea region are starting Tomorrow are participating in their annual Treasure Hunt. An event where students head out through Paldea to participate in their own adventures in order to find something they treasure." Meowth continued as James and Jessie looked on confused.
"Meowth, we can't dress up as students. Four eyes will catch us immediately through our disguise and I'm sure he made his teachers go through some sort of training arc in order to bypass our abilities." James says as Meowth shook his head once more, "Once again, no! Think of it this way, what do you think the twerp with Pikachu's goal is in Paldea?"
"Helping the other twerps problems?" both Jessie and James say as Meowth nods, "I'm sure that's not overall goal but let's go with it, so where do you think they need to go?" Meowth says.
"Outside Pal- wait that's it!" Jessie and James say as Meowth nods, "There we go, without four eyes around, we can conduct our evil plans without them interfering." Meowth says as the gang finally get themselves together and discuss their plans away throughout the night.
The Treasure Hunt has officially begun with everyone having a goal in mind for their adventure with Ash taking on the Elite Four throughout the region to have a full 6 on 6 match with Geeta at her full strength, Nemona is challenging the gyms to face Geeta at her regular strength with Ash's training, Penny was focusing on taking down Team Star in order for their future to not be in ruin, and Arven seeking out the Herba Mystica to restore his Mabosstiff as their journey begins... kind of.
We see Ash's gang who had their camp set up 15 minutes into their journey as we see Ash and Quaxly about to battle a female trainer around Nemona's age who had slightly long yet short hair and had her Buizel on the field. The gang watched in the distance with Arven cooking while Nemona and Penny watched the battle with Ash's Pokemon cheering him and Quaxly including Ash's Hawlucha who he switched from Sceptile.
"15 minutes into our journey and Ash already gets into a battle, typical Ash." Arven says stirring the pot, "To be fair, they say when a trainer gets into eye contact with another trainer, they must have a battle." Nemona says.
"Where did you hear that from?" Penny asks, "I saw it in a movie once." Nemona said.
"How does that make sense!? If we look away, does that mean we get a fine and jail time?" Arven says as Penny looks on her phone, "According to the Orange Islands, yes, yes it is."
"Thank you for granting the honor of battling you i 2, the name's Skyler and please don't hold back." the trainer says as Ash smirks, "No problem and my name is Ash! Ready Quaxly!?" Ash says as Quaxly nods.
"Quax Quax!"
"That's the spirit! You may have the first move Skyler." Ash says as Skyler nods, "Alright Buizel, Aqua Jet!" Skyler says as Buizel nods and launches herself in a watery veil towards Quaxly.
"We'll do the same, use Aqua Jet!" Ash says as Quaxly launches himself in a watery veil towards Buizel and both clash with each other, "Quaxly/Buizel use Aqua Cutter/Liquidation!" both trainers say as Quaxly formed watery blades while Buizel formed flowing water on her hands, and both clashed with each other multiple times until Buizel brought both hands together prepared to slam.
"Quaxly dodge!" Ash yelled out as Quaxly twirled backwards letting Buizel hit the ground and Ash and Quaxly see an opportunity, "Alright Quaxly Aqua Cutter!" Ash yelled out as Quaxly gracefully jumped and slashed at Buizel sending it back. Skyler seems impressed and Quaxly's dancing before she gets back to her Pokemon who gets up with determination.
"You alright Buizel?" "Bui Bui!" Skyler nods before looking back to Ash.
"Your Quaxly certainly has some impressive dancing skills, almost sounds like my Steenee, she loves to dance during battles and often uses that as part of her strategies." Skyler says as Ash nods, "Quaxly does it often, right Quaxly? Quaxly?" Ash says now concerned for Quaxly as he stood there emotionless as if something happened.
In Quaxly's mind, we see flashing images of Quaxly being hugged by a Steenee out of safety, Quaxly and Steenee saying goodbye and them holding a split uniquely designed leaf as some sort of promise. Quaxly then wakes back up to reality by a concerned Ash, "Quaxly, are you ok?" Ash asked his partner who gets back to fighting form and nods. The gang watch in the distance in worry.
"I wonder if Quaxly's ok?" Arven asks, "Maybe he left the stove on?" Nemona says as Penny shook her head.
"No, I've seen this before. When someone goes into that stance, it means they're remembering something traumatic that they went through. Although Quaxly's stopped, it could happen again. Did Quaxly go through some stuff in the past?" Penny asks as Arven shook his head, but Nemona seems to remember something.
"Yeah, I think I remember when Ash first arrived, he encountered Quaxly as a troublemaker before we found out he was abused by a trainer in the past and got out of there. You don't think that the Pokemon Steenee has anything to do with Quaxly's past?" Nemona asks as the battle goes on.
"Alright Buizel, use Ice Beam!" Skyler says as Buizel released a beam of ice towards Quaxly as Ash sees an opportunity, "Alright Quaxly, time for the Counter Spin!" Ash says as Quaxly nods and spins really fast before proceeding to twirl and use Aqua Jet flying towards the Ice Beam that swirled the Aqua Jet, the Aqua Jet froze up and crashed into Buizel at full force knocking her out.
Quaxly breaks off the ice uninjured as Quaxly confidently smiles and Skyler returns Buizel to her Pokeball, "I'll admit, your Quaxly was certainly impressive. Now the real question is, can he handle my Steenee?" Skyler says throwing out her Pokeball releasing the graceful Steenee with two armbands was ready for battle.
"Alright let's go- Quaxly?" Ash says as Quaxly was in the phase again and it seems like Steenee was also going through the same thing worrying her trainer, "Steenee, you ok?" Skyler says also out of concern as the two Pokemon go to each other slowly almost shocked and surprised by each other's presence.
"Stee...Nee?"
"Quax?" Quaxly said in disbelief as Quaxly ruffled his feathers to reach something and Steenee looked under her armbands with both of them finding a half of a green and light blue leaf and upon the two connecting the leaf's, both Steenee and Quaxly's eyes started to tear up and both smile.
"Stee?" Steenee said in disbelief.
"Quax." Quaxly nods and both hug each other happily as their trainers are left confused.
"Quaxly, do you know this Steenee?" Ash asks as he starts to remember some stuff that Mesagoza's Nurse Joy told him and started to connect the dots, "Wait a sec is the Steenee from your-"
"And I think that's our cue for lunch, want to join us Skyler?" Arven says as Ash and Skyler nod and both head over to the table while Quaxly and Steenee held on to each other before walking hand in hand (or I guess wing for Quaxly) to the other Pokemon.
We see Ash, Pikachu and Skyler settled in at the picnic table while Quaxly and Steenee catch up on their adventures, "Well that was certainly a surprise at the end, that's for sure. But my name is Skyler and I'm aiming to be a Pokemon researcher one day." Skyler says happily.
"Once again, my name is Ash from Pallet Town, and this here is my buddy Pikachu and Koraidon in the distance." "Pika/Don."
"Arven's the name, first time cook for the group within 25 minutes."
"Nemona's the name and Pawmo's my partner." "Paw!"
"My name is Penny, and this here is Sprigatito." "Tito!"
"Nice to meet you all, this food is delicious Arven!" Skyler said as Arven blushes, "Well I- err- thank you! I'll have to keep working harder to provide my group with the most delicious of food." Arven said nervously. Skyler looked to her Steenee and the rest of her Pokemon playing with the gang's other Pokemon and softly smiles towards her Steenee's bond with Quaxly.
"So Quaxly went through a tough life before this huh?" Skyler says as Ash and Nemona nod, "Yeah, he was found with a scar on his head, and we found out he came from a trainer of bad quality. But since then, he's been happy under me ever since though he has experienced rage at one point, so I don't think most of his trauma went away. So, me and Nemona came to the same conclusion that Quaxly and Steenee are from the same trainer, did you find Steenee the same way?" Ash asked the girl who nods.
"Kind of, I found Steenee when she was smelled my newly baked Macarons and seemed a bit- beaten up and although she was shy and even scared at first, I offered her a Macaron and she seemed to like it and I asked the Nurse Joy who was taking care of Steenee if I could raise her, and she agreed. If I had known Quaxly was also there, I would have token them both in, but Quaxly wasn't there." Skyler said with a frown.
"Don't blame yourself, Skyler." Ash says as Skyler softly, "Thanks."
Penny did get curious about something, "Did your Steenee go through some 'episodes' of her own?" Penny said concerned as Skyler processed that question and realized what she meant.
"Kind of, it was never of rage though but whenever she's seen more 'scary looking' people or Pokemon, she would get a bit scared or nervous and even had some protectiveness over my other Pokemon protecting them kind of like a big sister of sorts."
Ash and the gang looked to Quaxly and Steenee who were playing with the other Pokemon happily, "I think I know where Quaxly's nobleness comes from, I'm impressed that he's managed to keep himself under control and still maintain a friendly personality at times." Arven says as Ash nods.
"I think that he's just trying to hold himself together, most of us just have inner demons we struggle with and usually try to hide it and Quaxly's no different." Ash says. The gang converse for a bit before Ash notices that herb from both Steenee and Quaxly and wonders what it was.
"Just what is that herb Quaxly and Steenee are holding there?" Ash asked as Penny brought up the herb in question along with trivia and lore about it, "That there is a split mirror herb, they're herbs that allow the user to copy the opponent's boosts and even allow them to copy a move. In most cultures and folklore, Mirror Herbs are also used for the idea of reunion. When someone splits a Mirror Herb, they make a promise to something that they intend to keep and leave for a while, once they come back, the promise is fulfilled, the herb restitches itself." Penny says as the gang look to the herbs and yet they still don't appear to be back together.
"I guess the herb thing is a legend." Arven says as they continue conversing, but Skyler appeared to be frowning towards something, "Skyler, what's wrong?" Nemona asks the concerned girl who wakes up.
"Oh, sorry about that. It's just, that I feel bad for Steenee because we have to leave Paldea tomorrow morning for Unova." Skyler says as she gets the group shocked.
"Wait what?" Ash says flabbergasted as Skyler nods, "Yes, I'm going to be an understudy for Professor Juniper for my future career as a Pokemon Professor so I'm heading over there in the morning."
"That means-" Nemona didn't even finish that sentence as everyone else nodded, "Does your Steenee know?" Arven asks as Skyler nods.
"Yes, she was excited upon hearing that we were going to Unova but now that she's reunited with Quaxly, I imagine she's feeling conflicted at the moment." Skyler said now sad. "What are we going to do? If we tell Quaxly the truth, then he'll-" Nemona didn't finish as Ash stopped her.
"Skyler, if you want, how would you feel about you and Steenee staying at our camp to allow for Steenee and Quaxly one more day for them to catch up with each other?" Ash suggested as the group looked surprised and so did Skyler as she thought about for a bit before nodding.
"I accept." Skyler says as Ash nods, "Ash, are you sure about this? Wouldn't this upset Quaxly?" Penny says as Ash looks on blankly.
"I know this will upset Quaxly, but I'd rather have Quaxly enjoy what moments he has with Steenee instead of breaking his heart right away. Me, Skyler or Steenee will tell him if things get serious and such. I know Quaxly will be angry, but I want Quaxly to be happy with the person he holds dear for." Ash says as the gang sat there in silence before continuing to converse all while Quaxly and Steenee enjoy the time they have together. Unbeknownst to Quaxly, Steenee appeared to be upset at herself for not telling Quaxly of the move.
We see Quaxly and Steenee walk to a nearby berry tree just conversing with each other, but Steenee still had that sad look on her face. "Quax Qaux Qua (So you say you're like a big brother figure to Skyler's Fraxure, that's strange and interesting.)" Quaxly says as Steenee giggled.
"Stee Stee Nee (I know, Fraxure is kind of shy towards others, but I help him out.)" Steenee said as they reach the Sitrus Berry tree, Quaxly uses his gentleman charm and says (in Pokemon speak) that he'll grab the Sitrus Berry for her. Quaxly jumped and used his mighty kick to bring down a berry but as he did that, he held his foot in pain as Steenee softly smiles and shakes her head.
She jumps and uses her foot in a sweeping motion to use Low Sweep on the tree bringing down 5 berries leaving Quaxly's mouth agape. "Stee (You just need to apply a little pressure to your kicks)."
"Quax? (How?)." Quaxly asks as Steenee helps him up and nods, Steenee then gets to a kicking position and then breathes in before proceeding to jump and use Low Sweep again. "Stee Stee (You just got to breath, focus and put all that strength into your leg)." Steenee says as Quaxly nodded.
He breathed in and got hopping like he does when battling and the leg glowed with a blue light, Quaxly proceeded to jump and sweep kick at full force onto the tree knocking more berries down covering Quaxly. Both Steenee and Quaxly have a laugh before she helps Quaxly up from the pile of berries. Unbeknownst to both of them, a Yungoos was watching them with malicious intent and proceeded to jump at the two.
Steenee notices this and proceeds to spin really fast before jumping and sending Yungoos flying away with a mighty kick as the Yungoos runs off, Quaxly stares at Steenee over her power and strength and blushed.
"Quax Quax? (What were those moves?)" Quaxly asked stunned as Steenee giggled, "Stee Stee. (A mixture of my dancing skills and my Rapid Spin.)" Steenee said inspiring Quaxly a bit.
Quaxly proceeded to spin to try to yield the same results as Steenee but whereas Steenee's (and to that extent, Cyclizar's) Rapid Spin was blazing quick, Quaxly's spin was fast but not to the point of Steenee's and immediately got dizzy but before he could fall, Steenee caught him in her arms.
"It's not as easy as it looks, it requires a lot of focus in order to use Rapid Spin but I'm sure you'll get it soon enough!" Steenee said positively as Quaxly blushed and smile.
We see the two head out to a nearby flower field full of dandelions and all sorts of flowers with Flabebe and Floette flying around as Quaxly and Steenee sit on the ground to admire the view of the fields.
"Quax Quax Ly. (It's quite beautiful out here.)" Quaxly said as he held hands with Steenee who agreed with him, "Stee Stee. (I agree.)" Steenee said in acknowledgement as Quaxly reminisces.
"Quaxly? (Say Steenee?)"
"Stee? (Yeah?)"
"Quax Quax Quax (Do you remember when Nurse Joy brought us here after we were rescued?)" Quaxly asked as both remember the time at this place.
6 months prior.
We see a nervous Quaxly (with an eyepatch covering his eye and scar) and Steenee at the flower field with Mesagoza's Nurse Joy as they sat looking at the view, "Quax?/Stee?" Quaxly and Steenee said nervously as Nurse Joy softly smiles.
"Whenever someone feels upset, human or Pokemon, I take them here to allow them to clear their mind a bit and hopefully, cheer them up in a way. So, feel free to be yourself for a bit." Joy said positively as the two nervously break off from Nurse Joy and walked together hand in hand to look at the flowers and after some Starly and Combee flew out of the flowers surprising the two, they were starting to smile a bit.
The 3 played throughout the day with Nurse Joy making flower crowns for both of them as they all enjoyed their time together.
"Stee Stee Nee Nee Steenee Stee! (It was the first time we really got to be ourselves, we owe a lot for Nurse Joy to help us.)" Steenee says as both Steenee and Quaxly were seen making something within the grass.
"Quax Quaxly Qua. (We really do, and I have something to appreciate our reunion.)" Quaxly says as both Pokemon presented their creations between each other those being flower crowns which caused both to blush.
"Stee Stee. (Oh Quaxly.)" Steenee says happily as both accept their crowns and wears their respective crowns, "Quax Quax. (This is beautiful.)" Quaxly says as Steenee blushes furiously as she rubs her arm.
"Stee. (Thanks.) Steenee says shyly as Quaxly found a red carnation and picked one out as Quaxly styled his hair a bit before facing Steenee, "Quax- (Say Stee-)" Quaxly didn't finish as he sees Steenee softly smiling as the wind blows looking towards the field of flowers as several Pokemon fly out.
"Stee? (Yes Quax?)" Steenee says positively as Quaxly blushes and simply shook his head to himself, "Quax Quaxly. (Nevermind, I was just admiring the- the flowers.)" Quaxly says astonished as Steenee nods and both continue to look at the field together side by side. After little while, Steenee appeared to be sad which caught the attention of Quaxly who looked concerned.
"Quaxly? (Steenee, is everything ok?)" Quaxly asked as Steenee softly frowns with a tear going down her face, "Stee Stee Nee... (I just wish, Toxel was still here with us...)" Steenee said sadly as Quaxly's eyes widen at those words before Quaxly also appears to have a tear drip down her face and wrapped an arm around Steenee as they both look at the field together sadly.
We see Quaxly and Steenee walking to a nearby cliff where the sun was dripping down as both had some things on their mind.
This is it; I need to tell Steenee how I feel about her. Maybe she can convince her trainer to come with us? Quaxly thought to himself still holding the red carnation as Steenee frowned to herself.
This is it; I need to tell Quaxly the truth. I can't keep delaying it any further than this, I have to tell him that I'm going to Unova. Steenee thought to herself sadly as the two stopped before they both breathed and turn their back on one another.
Here we go. Quaxly and Steenee thought to themselves before turning around to face each other.
"Quax Qua-/Stee Stee (I thought this would-)" both Pokemon interrupted each other by accident.
"Stee Stee-/Quax Quax- (Oh sorry-)"
"Stee Stee Nee. (Let's try this again at the same time.)" Steenee suggested as Quaxly nods, and both take a deep breath.
"Quax Quax Qua./Steenee Stee Stee. (I love you./I have to leave for Unova tomorrow.) both say at the same time as both gasp in shock, Quaxly and Steenee looked at each other in sadness and with no words to describe what just happened.
"Steenee? (You love me?)" Steenee says shocked, "Quax? (Your leaving?)" Quaxly said heartbroken as both Pokemon nod.
"Stee Stee Steenee Nee Stee. (Yes, my trainer is going to be an understudy to a professor. So, I'm leaving for there in the morning. I'm sorry.)" Steenee said sadly as Quaxly stares on before looking away worrying Steenee.
"Stee? (Quaxly?)" Steenee said worryingly before Quaxly looked back and offered her the flower to her before looking more confident, "Quax Quax Quax Quaxly Qua Qua Quax Qua- (I know 3 months isn't long, but it still feels painful knowing that we just reunited. I want to meet up with you again in 3 months and if possible, still be f-)" Quaxly didn't finish as Steenee kissed him on the beak, they don't know how long they were there for but both Quaxly and Steenee were blushing furiously as Steenee accepts the flower.
"Stee Nee Stee Stee. (Of course, I'll accept your flower and that new promise, I'll remember it.)" Steenee says as both smile if sadder before they were called back to the group by their trainers holding hands with one another. Tinkatink and Cyclizar would tease a blushing Quaxly over the kiss while Hawlucha and Pikachu encouraged him while Koraidon was curious about what love is. Steenee's fellow mons were similarly tease-loving and yet encouraging.
A night goes by at the camp with Hawlucha and Arven's Gogoat keeping watch throughout the night as the sun rises in the background, we see Steenee get up rather groggily as she places her half of the Mirror Herb together. Steenee then kissed the top of Quaxly's sleeping head as a tear drops down from her cheek.
"Stee Nee. (Thank you, Quaxly)" Steenee says as she leaves. The Mirror Herb unbeknownst to everyone was glowing with.
Steenee goes into the arms of her trainer as Ash (everyone else was asleep) prepares to say his goodbye to Skyler. "Skyler, thank you for allowing Steenee to stay with Quaxly for the day. I think he really appreciates it." Ash says as Skyler nods.
"It's not a problem, I just wish it didn't have to be like this at the moment." Skyler says as Ash shook his head, "It's not a problem, we all have dreams and paths we go for and I think it was bound to happen." Ash says feeling bad for his Quaxly. Skyler nods and looks towards the rising sun.
"I agree. Ash, let's meet again once in 3 months once my studies are complete, we do have a battle to finish after all." Skyler says as Ash smiles, "You can count on it." Ash promised as Skyler grabs her bag and carries her now asleep Steenee and hits the road waving goodbye.
A little while later, Quaxly wakes up. He looks around to see that Steenee was gone and left, Quaxly immediately went outside the tent in a hurry to look for her but to no luck but sees Ash and Pikachu who looked concerned for Quaxly.
"Quax Quax? (So, it wasn't just a dream, she's really gone?)" Quaxly says sadly as Ash sighed sadly, "I'm sorry Quaxly, they left around 10 minutes ago." Ash says as Quaxly stares in disbelief before proceeding to laugh it off like anything is wrong.
"Quaxly?" "Pika." both Ash and Pikachu say in concern as Quaxly appeared to be on the verge of a meltdown despite the laughter, Ash and Pikachu notice and Ash crouches to hug Quaxly as Pikachu also hugged him.
"Quaxly, you don't have to endure this alone you know. If you want a shoulder to lean on, then I'll be your- Quaxly?" Ash stops himself upon seeing Quaxly breakdown and cry into his shirt.
"I know it's not easy, just let it all out." "Pika." Ash and Pikachu say to their friend as Quaxly continued and the leaf in Ash's tent glowed once more as it appears to be stitching together.
We see Skyler at a seat waiting for the plane to take off as Steenee still sleeps and Skyler smiles. However, tears started to be felt on Skyler's shirt as Skyler looked to see Steenee crying in her sleep and Skyler hugged her.
"I know, it's not easy but I'll be with you." Skyler says kissing Steenee's forehead as the plane took off.
We see the gang already to go with Nemona stretching, Penny looking at her map and Arven petting Mabosstiff one last time before returning him to his Pokeball.
"Is everyone ready to go?" Ash says as the gang nod and prepare to leave but Quaxly still feels upset as he looks to the leaf, this is when the leaf starts to glow causing everyone to turn around to see that Quaxly's Mirror Herb was glowing and Quaxly himself was glowing.
"The Mirror Herb, not only is it restitched but it's also causing Quaxly to glow." Nemona says surprised, "So maybe the legend is true?" Arven says as the glow stopped and the seeds of the herb land on Quaxly's left wing.
"Quaxly, did something happen to you?" Ash says out of concern as Quaxly proceeded to be in his kicking position and spin but unlike last time, the spin was more in line with Steenee's and Cyclizar's spin impressing the group before Quaxly stops spinning seemingly in control instead of being dizzy.
"That was Rapid Spin, Quaxly's aren't normally able to learn that move." Nemona says as Ash came up with the conclusion, "Maybe it's as Arven and Penny says, the Mirror Herb is capable of immense, myth-like power." Ash says as he sees Quaxly go to a nearby patch of dirt and digs it up, putting the seeds in there.
"Quaxly, what're doing?" Ash asks as Penny chimes in, "They say that once a promise has been kept, the seeds of the Mirror Herb pop out and grow into the ground so they can start anew." Penny says as Quaxly places the leaf in there too.
"Here let me help with that, Vaporean use Water Gun lightly on the ground." Penny says throwing her Net Ball releasing her Vaporean who releases a stream of water to help the plants grow.
"Thank you, Penny. But Quaxly, isn't the leaf important to you?" Ash says as Quaxly nods, "I think to him, the promise between the two was enough to allow the leaf to reform and finish the job. Because of it, Quaxly no longer needs the leaf in some way and can move on somehow or at least that's my hypothesis." Arven says as Ash looks to Quaxly and softly smiles.
Quaxly goes ahead of everyone and urges them to come along as they do so and admire the view of the ocean, fields and Cortondo.
"There it is, Cortondo. Home to my first Gym battle!" Nemona says excitedly as Penny gulps, "And my home." Penny says as the gang move forwards ahead as more fun adventures continue on.
END
Quaxly learned Low Sweep and Rapid Spin (I know it's you need an empty moveslot in order to put in Rapid Spin via Mirror Herb but I'm twisting it slightly).
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed that filler chapter. I know it wasn't very long or plot relevant but I did want to try something different and have a Pokemon focused episode whereas everything else was more human focused and so I decided Quaxly would be a good candidate.
Anyway, as an unrelated note, Final Fantasy XVI is great, and you should play it when you have the chance. On a related note, the next chapter will be focused on the gang arriving to Cortondo where a festival is occurring when Ash and the hero Hawluchador (with his Shiny Hawlucha) save the town from criminals before Ash proceeds to help a Nymble become a great hero like Hawluchador via training with Ash and his own Hawlucha (and Team Rocket interfering).
It will also have a sort of semi-part 2 another chapter of sorts where we focus on Penny's homelife and her character mainly because I had no place to put this part of the story so think of it as a Part 2 within the same chapter but shorter.
See you next time.