Izuku finished wrapping his bandages on his arm for the morning, he'd change them again later. Cinnamon was sitting by his side and Drake and Lola were fighting by the entrance.
He had to go see Kamado in a bit so he was trying to stall as long as he could (he wasn't scared of Kamado… the man was just.. intimidating).
Standing up he brushes his hair back and pulls his cap on tight, looking in the mirror he moves a few strands around.
He was never able to care much for his looks in the future? Past? Anyway, he was never able to care for it much as it would always get ruined anyway. He thinks the uniform looks good on him but he might change a few things if he can, so Izuku decides to ask Miss Cyllene later.
Grabbing his packs he straps them on, and sorts them out, making sure to keep sight of his Pokédex and Star Badges (of which he has two now).
He's finally healed enough to go out of the village, which he's glad for, it was getting a little stuffy and his team were getting antsy.
He did as many tasks as he could in the village, even catching the wisps around. Oh! That's what he was missing.
Opening his cupboard he pulls out a stone around the size of his hand and ties it to his belt. After making sure it's secure he recalls his team and heads out.
Walking to Galaxy Hall he waves 'hello' to Beauregard who waves back. Inside the hall he can hear people talking quietly in the Medic room, Miss Cyllene is working in her office. He'll make sure to talk to her later.
Walking up the stairs to the left he heads up to the second floor, then to the third.
There's a new person in the office, she wears the Diamond Clans outfit so he assumes that's where she's from.
Kamado holds his chin puzzled, "Hrrrm… So it's come to Ursaluna as well… This suggests that even Pokémon that are not Nobles can become Frenzied…" he nods gravely, "I have received no word from Adaman or Irida… But this is not something we can simply ignore."
He stands straight, "I'm any case, you have my thanks, Miss Arezu. You did well to inform us of Ursaluna's situation."
Arezu brushes a strand of hair back, "No problem! Adaman's got his hands full running our clan and all, and Ursaluna's warden wouldn't even give me the time of day… So the Galaxy team are the only ones I could turn to about this."
Izuku stands there a little confused, if Ursaluna isn't a noble, why do they have a warden?
"Ursaluna's warden is Mistress Calaba of the Pearl Clan, is it not? Of all the wardens, she is the most narrow-minded— Ahem! Bound by tradition. She likely does not take kindly to outsiders meddling in her affairs."
The two of them take notice of Izuku as he steps forward.
"I have a new mission for you, Izuku. In order for you to study Ursaluna in the Crimson Mirelands! I permit you to show your strength if necessary!"
Izuku nods with a little hesitation, he doesn't want to fight if he doesn't have to. After being dismissed he heads down to get his mission info from Miss Cyllene.
"The next area you will be sent to investigate is the Crimson Mirelands. You will find the Pokémon living there to be more fearsome than those in the Obsidian Fieldlands." She shuffles her papers, "Even the landscape itself is harsher, with steep ravines and seaside cliffs. It is not welcoming. At your current rank, you should be able to handle the Crimson Mirelands on your own."
Izuku nods in agreement, he should be able to handle it, but if he can't he has his team for help.
"Your destination is a place within the Mirelands known as the Solaceon Ruins. That is Where you'll find Ursaluna's warden."
Izuku nods, "Miss Cyllene?"
"Yes?"
"I-… I was wondering if I'm able to have different looks for my uniform? Like different colours if that's okay?"
Cyllene puts her papers down and looks at him fully, making him more nervous.
"Yes, that should be fine, just run it by me beforehand. We'll talk about this more after your mission."
Izuku smiles, "Thank you Miss Cyllene."
"It's no trouble Izuku, now if that's all, your dismissed."
Izuku bows lightly before leaving.
Walking to the gate he spots Akari there fiddling with a Poke-ball.
"H-Hey Akari!"
"Oh Izuku! Perfect timing! I wanted to have another battle with you, so I can grow closer with Pikachu!"
"Sure, but we have to be quick. I have a mission I need to d-do."
She nods, before sending a Mime Jr. out.
Izuku grabs Drake's ball and sends him out, Drake should be faster.
"Drake! Use Quick attack!"
"Iron Defense!"
A metal shield appears before the two Pokémon blocking Drake's attack.
"Use it as a ramp and use Swift!"
The Eevee is quick to rebalance himself and jump off the metal ramp, a burst of stars fan out from the Pokémon's tail and fly around the barrier and slams into the slower Pokémon and ground, causing a brief kickup of dirt.
When the dust clears Mime Jr. is out cold on the ground.
Drake runs up and cheers with Izuku before returning to his ball.
"Uhhh! I should have trained Mime better!" Akari cries out before recalling the fainted Pokémon.
"It's alright Akari, you just need to think of more tactics you could use… Eevee's are pretty agile so it was easier to get around the d-defence."
Akari nods, "Right, anyway, Come out Pikachu!"
"Your turn Cinnamon!"
The two Pokémon cry out as they are released and stare intently at one another.
"Quick attack!"
"Ember!"
Pikachu just barely gets out of the way from the Ember and slams into Cinnamon.
Akari cheers before realising Izuku is grinning, confused, she watches as Cinnamon rabs Pikachu before the spots on its back light up with flames.
"Flame Wheel!"
Cinnamon kicks off the ground, sparks of flame pepper the air around the two, burning Pikachu, before whipping in a circle and throwing Pikachu away. Not stopping, Cinnamon chases after and nails Pikachu in the side just as he lands
Akari stands there shocked as Pikachu lays there, fainted, and Cinnamon trots back to Izuku with a slight limp.
"Wow, that was awesome-!" She's cut off by a sudden glowing and kickup of a brief wind.
Looking over she sees Cinnamon grow larger the spots around their neck transferring to their lower back and head making a mohawk-like structure as fire shoots out.
Izuku gasps, "Oh look at you! You evolved!"
"Wow! Cinnamons a lot bigger now!" Akari yells
Cinnamon puffs their chest out in pride
Akari recalls Pikachu before walking over, "Man, Pikachu will not be happy with me after that.." she mutters, "Thank you for battling me. Here- have this new recipe as a reward for winning." She hands him a slip of paper.
She thinks for a minute before grinning, "So you know those weird Space-Time distortions that have been appearing lately?"
Izuku nods, he has been hearing about them. He hasn't seen one yet though.
"It seems they hold wonderful items- but frightfully strong Pokemon, too. If you plan to go into one, be careful about it!"
"I will, thanks for the warning though."
She grins, "Well time to head to the Mirelands, let's go!"
Izuku nods and the three of them head off.
...
It takes about half a day for them to get there on Wyrdeer, who allowed Akari to ride him as well.
Wyrdeer stops a bit before the camp and lets them off before returning to the fieldlands, walking to the camp they see Professor Laventon speaking with one of the guards.
They catch his attention as they walk closer.
"There you two are! Welcome to the Crimson Mirelands! An area teeming with poison-wielding Pokemon and plenty of others besides!"
"Oh Izuku, since you're looking for the Solaceon Ruins I could show you where we have to go!"
"That'd be great, Akari."
"Alright, then I'm going to see if I can find any Time-Space distortions, geez it would be helpful if my map showed where they happened."
"Yeah i-it would." Izuku ignores the way his Arc-phone vibrates silently in his pouch for now.
Laventon smiles, "I'm counting on both of you to carry out your survey work as best you can' but be mindful of your limitations as well, won't you? If the wild Pokémon are giving you trouble, I suggest you go to the training grounds and have Captain Zisu teach your Pokémon some strong moves."
"We will Professor!"
"Alright, just making sure."
Akari turns to him, "Come on! Let's get moving."
Izuku nods and they head off once again.
...
"Here we are!" Akari gestures to the dusty grey pillars carved into the mountain.
"Wow.."
"I know right! Anyway, I have to go find that Distortions I saw earlier, I'll see you back at camp later!"
"See you there."
As Akari runs off Izuku enters the Solaceon Ruins.
An old woman stands with a Bibarel at her side, dressed in Pearl Clan attire.
They both turn to look at him when he walks closer.
"I'm Calaba of the Pearl Clan. Warden Calaba to you."
"Ah- I-I'm Izuku.." it didn't seem like she heard him.
"Ho?" She looks at the Celestica Flute tied to his pouches, "Now would you look at that… you have a Celestica Flute. You must be the one they say fell out of the space-time rift." She concludes.
"Y-yeah, I guess." He scratches his chin.
"I see, I see."
They stand there silently, before she takes a deep breath.
"I've already heard about you. That you quelled Kleavor in his frenzy. I'm sure many people were saved by your actions, but I wonder if there wasn't some other way to handle the situation…"
She frowns, "What you did is hardly different from bullying a Pokémon into submission, after all. And you run about catching Pokémon up in those little balls you carry.."
Izuku wants to butt in and speak but the Warden just keeps going.
"I don't need any help from your sort. Or the Diamond Clan, for that matter. The young lady, Arezu, offered to help, by associating with the Diamond Clan… it just won't do."
"Be on your way, there is much I must attend to, and I'd prefer not to be distracted and further."
She turns and walks deeper into the large room, not paying much attention to him anymore.
Izuku is about to follow after her when a shiver crawls across his spine, turning to face behind him he sees Volo walk up.
"Ah, Izuku! How about you show me the strength that could quell even a Frenzied Lord?"
"I-I'm a bit busy, Volo."
"Ah, a pity, but I must ask for your assistance."
"A-Alright, what for?"
"I need your help in retrieving the stolen wall fragment."
"Wall fragment?"
Volo nods, "Yes, some bandits made off with a fragment of the wall engravings." He points behind Izuku to the wall in the back that is missing a large part of its engravings.
"Have you not heard of the notorious Miss Fortunes? They're a trio of bandits that have even hit us Ginkgo Guild merchants more than a few times! Not the kind of regulars I like to have, let me tell you!"
He gestures to Calaba, "Mistress Calaba is doing everything she can to regain the fragment, but at 99 years old… it's a bit hard for her to chase leads all over the place."
He looks back to Izuku, "So what do you say? Of course I'd be happy to lend a hand! Those sisters swiped my wares, too, and I'm no Ginkgo Guild merchant if I take that lying down!"
"Sure, do you think they're somewhere near here?"
Volo pauses for a moment, "You know, I did see the remains of a campfire near the Mirelands Camp. Perhaps worth checking out?"
Izuku nods and they both walk out of the ruins, Izuku still tense around the older man… he can't help but feel… watched by something.
...
Walking up to the campsite, Izuku crouches to look at the fire pit, it's still smouldering a bit, so someone was here recently.
He stands up to look around before he hears a voice from behind.
"Now who might you two be? Not some stray Travellers, from the look of you."
Whipping around they're met with three women.
"There's only one reason people go poking around out here in the middle of nowhere. You're after us three, aren't you!"
Izuku scratches his chin, "N-Not necessarily… we're more after the wall fragment you have… and from what I saw of the w-wall, you need the whole thing to translate it. So it might n-not be worth much on its own."
"WHAT!? Really?" The black haired one shouts out.
Izuku nods, "I'd be better if we c-could return it. But from what I've heard at those T-Time-Space Distortions strange items appear in them.. those might be worth more?"
"Huh," The one in the middle says, "you might be right, what do we get out of it?"
"Uhh…"
"You know what! Forget it! Let's give ourselves an introduction before we beat you two into the ground!" The third one speaks up.
The other two sigh before they introduce themselves.
"I bring good luck to my sisters wherever I go- and ill luck to anyone who crosses our paths. I'm the eldest, and I'll be your unlucky Charm!"
"Thought you spotted a four-leaf clover? Well, I'll soon have you seeing double! I'm the middle sister, and I'm one Clover you can't pick!"
"Heads, I win, and tails, you lose- you've got no chance in this game of fortunes. I'm the youngest, Coin, but I'm definitely not your good-luck piece!"
"We're the infamous bandit trio, the Miss Fortune sisters- and your luck's just run out!"
Izuku braces himself after that, seemingly pre-planned monologue.
"Let me handle this, sisters. I'll only hurt him a little. Come on, Toxicroak. Let's douse this fool in poison!"
'Toxicroak? Poison/Fighting right? So… Drake can't come out, Lola is fastest after Drake… alright that's should do it!'
As she released Toxicroak, he released Lola and called out, "Lola, Quick Attack!"
Before Lola is even fully out of the ball, she's already in front of the Toxicroak, slamming into the frog Pokémons gut.
"Rock Smash!" Toxicroak's arms glow as he braces to attack back, Lola is quick to get out of the way but a barb on Toxicroak's arm cuts her a bit.
"Thunder Shock!"
Static grows from her fur before it grows into bolts that strike into Toxicroak, causing the frog to lock up.
"Shit! Toxicroak use poison sting!"
Toxicroak tries to move but freezes as small sparks off static traverse his body.
Izuku grins, "Thunder Fang!"
Lola grins a feral grin as her fangs glow, she pounces and sinks her fangs into the frog Pokémons leg.
The Toxicroak cries out as electricity travels around its body before collapsing. Lola backs off to Izuku glaring at the three sisters, before she starts glowing and a wind kicks up.
When the glowing dies down a Luxio stands there instead of a Shinx.
She growls at them.
Coin sweats nervously, "Ah- I'm not fond of this outcome, but at least it's still better than plowing fields for the Galaxy Team."
"Hnnrg, the Galaxy Team continues to spoil things for me, even after I've left. Take the blasted fragment and go. Just leave us alone!"
Coin gives Izuku the Fragment.
"The weird writing made us think it was some kind of treasure!" Clover says.
"Tell me- why were you seeking us out? What set you on this path?"
"I w-wanted to help Ursaluna.."
Charm looks surprised, "Goodness, how selfless of you- to go so far out of your was for the sake of another. Not all of us have the luxury of offering such unthinking kindness to strangers. For some of us, simply surviving another day takes all that we have."
She grits her teeth, "And I've got a score to settle with the galaxy team, which now includes you!"
Izuku winces, he doesn't like making enemies, and he didn't want to fight to begin with…
Charm turns before looking back at him, "Remember what those ancient verses tell us… 'Why is it, in days of spring, beneath the soft caress of the sun, the blossoms tremble and fall, spirits lashed by uncertainty?'. Your days are also numbered, Galaxy fool."
All three turn off and run.
"Huh, well that was interesting."
Izuku jolts, having forgotten Volo was there.
"Y-Yeah… anyway, I-I should get this back to Calaba."
"Yeah you do that, I'll see you another day my loyal customer!" Volo smiles and walks away.
Izuku stands there for a minute before looking down at Lola, "You'll watch my back as I carry this right?"
Grrreow!
"Thanks!"
...
Biberel notices him first as he walks into the ruins, Calaba speak outs without turning to look at him.
"Oh, so you've come to bother me again? Well, come as often as you'd like, but it won't change my mind."
"T-This wall Fragment belongs h-her though…"
She whips around, "What? You went and retrieved the fragment from those bandits? Why go out of your way like that for a complete stranger like me?" She huffs, "I guess your that eager to calm Ursaluna, hmm?"
"Yes, i-if possible…"
"I'll admit, I didn't expect anybody else to truly care for Ursaluna… well then, let's see that wall fragment."
After a bit of work the two of them manage to get the fragment back in place, Calaba decided to read what was written.
It was in Unknown so while Izuku could understand a little bit of it do to some studying he did when he was still in the future he couldn't get through it as fast as her.
"All lives touch other lives to create something anew and alive…" she pauses, "I see, I suppose it mean people helping each other, like how you helped retrieve the fragment. I've read this passage many many times but this is the first time I've understood what it means. Maybe this is the Almighty Sinnoh's guidance?"
"What is your name again, boy?"
"Uh- Izuku, Warden Calaba."
"I see… Izuku. Please lend me your strength, so that we may help Ursaluna. It's true that Ursaluna has become enraged but he doesn't seem to be in an utter frenzy. I think he will return to his normal state if we can give him some medicine."
"Yeah, if he's not in a f-frenzy like you say, some medicine will hopefully help."
"I could never bring myself to engage Pokemon in battle.. but that's something I can rely on you for, am I right?"
Izuku nods, while he doesn't like unnecessary violence he will fight if he has too.
"Ursaluna prefers to stay on Sludge Mound. Please join me on a walk there."
Izuku nods once again, "Only if I can let my friends out."
"Of course."
...
They had to take a few detours, due to some wild Alpha Pokémon but they eventually make it to Sludge Mound.
"Now… Ursaluna is enraged, yes, but he must still recall his long relationship with the Pearl Clan. He never fails to show up the moment I play my Celestica Flute."
Izuku nods.
Calaba turns away from him and pulls out her flute, before playing it twice.
A rumble shakes the ground before suddenly, Ursaluna stands before them.
Rrragh!
A large quadruped bear like Pokémon that reminds him of a Ursaring, a moon covered in clouds shaped onto its forehead.
"Now," Calaba grins, "Show your mettle to Ursaluna! Remember Ursaluna is very dear to the Clan, I will not permit you to catch him."
Izuku nods and steps forward, now from what he's heard and seen from both now, and on his walk with Calaba, Ursaluna is at least a normal type.. and maybe Rock or Ground… so.
"Cinnamon, use Flame Wheel!"
Kicking off the ground Cinnamon spins rapidly towards Ursaluna and hits him in the side of the face.
Ursaluna's claws glow as he charge for quick Fury Swipes.
"Dodge!"
Cinnamon manages to dodge three swipes but gets hit with the forth.
"Shoot! Use Smokescreen!"
A huff and a large amount of ashen smoke covers the two combatants. Izuku knows he gave himself a disadvantage but he also gave the Noble one as well.
"Use Quick Attack! Followed by Ember!"
Groooo-!
He hears a hit and a burst of light from within the smokescreen, another glow of Fury swipes causes the smokescreen to blast away.
Both Cinnamon and Ursaluna look worse for wear.
"Are you good to keep going?"
Quaaar!
"Good! One more Flame Wheel, Strong style!"
Cinnamon nods, their flame gaining a slight purple tint as they push forward as hard as they can, curling into a wheel their flames enveloped their being, before finally that bash into Ursaluna as hard as they can.
They both collapse to the ground afterwards, exhausted.
Izuku and Calaba rush over to the two Pokémon.
"Ursaluna, my poor darling! You must be exhausted from running around like that. Here. Let me make you two all better. I have a special medicine for you right here, Ursaluna, from the Pearl Clan."
Ursaluna gags after taking the medicine.
"It's so potent we can only use it on strong Pokémon like Ursaluna." She says to Izuku before turning back to the noble Pokémon, "There, there, dear Ursaluna. You've calmed down now haven't you?"
Ursaluna huffs before standing up, Cinnamon also stands up and waddled over to Lola and Drake who sandwiched the newly healed Pokémon between them.
"This is all very strange, though…"
"He.. wasn't really f-frenzied.."
"How so?"
"He wasn't glowing…"
"Very astute of you, Galaxy Team recruit. You're exactly right. When you quelled Kleavor's frenzy, I could see the strange light rising into the sky all the way from here." She looks to Ursaluna, "But no such strange light erupted from Ursaluna after you defeated him, nor was he glowing."
She pauses, before reaching and petting Ursaluna's coat.
"And what is this clinging to Ursaluna's coat? It seems like some kind of powder… That girl from the Diamond Clan, Arezu… now, why did she of all people find the need to come and tell me about Ursaluna, I wonder?"
She huffs before looking to Izuku, "Oh but I almost forgot something important, play your Celestica Flute for me, won't you?"
"Uh, sure." Izuku pulls out the Flute and plays, it's not as good as Calaba but it's there.
Calaba nods.
Ursaluna does a little shimmy before crying out.
Grou-uh-oh!
Izuku watches as Ursaluna stalks off before returning with something held in its maw. Raising its head, Izuku takes the offered item and realises what it is.
Another plate that resonates with the two he has and the flute.
"Ursaluna is very good and finding things that are buried in the ground. We say that he's digging for treasure, even if these treasures might not always glitter or gleam."
Calaba smiles gently, "Now go and let your commander know of what transpired here, child of the Galaxy Team."
Burrrr..
"I will, thank you for hearing me out, Warden Calaba."
She nods once, and Izuku is on his way, his three Pokémon trailing after him. He'll explore later after he's reported to Kamado.
By the time he makes it back to camp, it's nightfall, he can hear both Laventon and Akari in their own respective tents. Deciding now's a good time to sleep, as he is very exhausted.
Laying down he waits for the other three to get comfortable before falling asleep.