Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon, or any other property in this work that I did not make myself.
Pokémon: Pokédex no Isekai
Chapter Forty-eight: The war for the world, part one
The flying ship fleet had landed in a safe haven in the Kalos region, controlled by the rebellion that had been drummed up to bring down Team Heart at its... well, heart. Professor Yvonne, who had been recently outed as the true Boss of Team Heart, was still in the region. She had to be found and captured if the heroes fighting to save the world from tyrannical rule are to have any chance at all of seeing a world, all of the world, free.
The drawbridge of The Big Beauty, the flag ship of the flying ship fleet, shot out and connected to the ground, allowing for her crew to disembark. Dawn Berlitz, Captain of The Big Beauty and acting as Admiral of the flying ship fleet, was met up by, surprisingly enough, Haldor, who has history with both Jazmina and Mitch. "I got it ahead of time that you and your fleet came here to help Kalos in its time of need," Haldor said.
Gently shaking her head, Dawn replied, "It's not Kalos's moment of need. At least not exclusively. It's the entire world's time of need."
Haldor gave an amused, agreeing smirk. "You have an excellent point, umm..." Looking confused, Haldor said, "Which of your titles do you prefer I address you with, Dawn?"
"You don't necessarily have to address me by any of my titles," Dawn replied, "But if you must use one of my titles, I prefer my Champion title due to how I'm the Champion of Sinnoh. But while acting with my fleet, my title of Admiral may be more appropriate."
"Well you're here to provide military aid," Haldor said, "So I think addressing you as Admiral Dawn would be the best-"
"Haldor!"
Haldor was cut off when Mitch and Jazmina called out in unison; Mitch came running down the drawbridge of The Big Beauty whereas Jazmina came running over from where The Reborn Hero was parked. The two Rangers both group hugged Haldor, eliciting a bit of amused and sincerely touched good natured laughter from Haldor. "Were it not for circumstances, I would have been very happy to see you two again," Haldor said when Jazmina and Mitch backed off.
"That foul villainess Yvonne is to blame for giving our reunion here a sour taste," Mitch said, "Just leave the bringing of justice to Mitch and Den! That witch will be on her knees, begging for mercy, by the time that mighty Den has said his piece!" Den the shiny Dedenne, as always sitting perched on Mitch's shoulder, chittered out a cry of agreement.
"Yvonne has grown past the age where an elder can give her a good clout about the head for her misbehaving," Jazmina began, "But that doesn't I won't attempt to discipline her anyway."
"Hopefully the Kalosian nobility will allow you to do so," Dawn remarked grimly, "I still remember the way they had treated you because you had to make an impossible decision and they didn't like that your choice didn't align with their whims."
Haldor had a mildly concerned look on his face. "...Oh, umm, about that," Haldor said, "Umm, all of the Kalosian nobility and royalty has, umm... Team Heart... took them out. Permanently."
Dawn was shocked to hear that, as were both Mitch and Jazmina. "...So Team Heart disciplined the spoiled brats who otherwise were untouchable," Jazmina said, "Granted, their methods must have been... a bit harsh... but they still made the nobility and royalty of Kalos take a punishment."
"Mind you, this only applies to the nobles and royals who acted against what Team Heart favors," Haldor said, "A few nobles and at least two royals are still alive, those who still live are ones who've not been discriminatory."
Dawn had a curious look on her face. "...Would you know if Grand Duchess Sabine is still alive?"
"She is, yes," Haldor replied, "But she, same as the other surviving nobles and royals are being kept under close supervision by Team Heart."
"Mitch says that we seize Team Heart by the horns and drag them out to where we can give them the good clobbering that they have coming," Mitch said, "Team Heart has been too entrenched for too long!" Den chittered in agreement with the bald Ranger.
"Well there ARE some points that need to be taken care of," Haldor said, "With Parfume Palace being one of them."
Looking curious, Jazmina asked, "That's where the Kalosian royal family lives, right?"
"Yes," Haldor replied, "Rebellion forces are currently laying siege to Perfume Palace in a bid to take it back from Team Heart. Things at the moment are looking even, but unless the rebels get some help and fast, Team Heart forces there could repel them."
Gesturing to himself, Mitch said, "Then let Mitch and Den beat the villains and liberate the home of the Kalosian royalty! We will make Team Heart regret ever being villains!"
"You won't go alone, Mitch," Dawn spoke up, "We're gonna need to assemble forces to bring along to help with liberating Parfume Palace." Hands on her hips, Dawn went on, "At the very least, I'm going to be coming along to help with liberating Parfume Palace from Team Heart."
"Ah ha ha ha!" Mitch laughed in good natured mirth, "Then the villains stand no chance! Admiral Dawn and her Pokémon are mighty indeed, with only Den being mightier! Team Heart is bound to run for the hills when they see such opposition come for them!"
Dawn, smirking in amusement, nodded along as she and the persons with her went about looking for forces for Dawn to lead to the siege currently going on over at Perfume Palace. It was looking to be Dawn's first serious bit of fighting in the rebellion currently and engulfing the Kalos region, but by no means was she gonna let herself end there.
Not while the world as a whole is still in danger.
Within short order, Dawn was leading forces over to Parfume Palace to help the rebels liberate it from Team Heart hold. Among those with Dawn were Mitch, Jazmina, and Haldor. Even before the heroes got there, they were already seeing sinister trails of ebony plume upwards towards the skies above, fouling the air with cinder and fume. It was a sure sign that the Battle of Parfume Palace was already well under way.
As the forces of the heroes rushed in, they saw fighting in the front courtyard, rebels fighting the men and women of Team Heart. Dawn, who was flying overhead on Tsukune, scoffed bitterly as she surveyed all that was below her. "Tsukune!" Dawn said, "Strike down the Pokémon belonging to the Team Heart members while we're up here!"
The named Palkia did not need to be told twice. It sent out streams of Flamethrower and Power Gem as it shot at the enemy Pokémon below, granting a much needed measure of relief to those on the side of good. The Team Heart forces outside of Parfume Palace were quickly overwhelmed, and thusly retreated within the home of the Kalosian royal family.
"Don't let them hide like cowardly Squirtles!" said a rebel troop leader as he gestured at the large front doors of Parfume Palace, "Break the doors down if you have to!"
The rebel troops rushed forward, but Dawn yelled out, "Everyone give me space! I'll break it down!" After she and Tsukune landed, Dawn got off of her named Palkia's back and pointed at the doors as she called out, "Tsukune, use Spacial Rend! Bust down the doors of Parfume Palace!"
Tsukune raised its right arm back, the gem in the right shoulder pad glowing as Tsukune took aim, then it slashed the space before it, sending a large crescent shaped energy projectile towards the doors. The Spacial Rend struck the front doors and instantly turned the lot of both doors into finely busted up, splintered kindling that others could easily rush over to storm the stronghold that Team Heart was trying to make for themselves.
Dawn recalled Tsukune, called out her named Koraidon Veldora, and together she and her legendary dragon who likes sandwiches rushed in along with all of the other heroes who came to liberate the home of the Kalosian royal family, although they DID have to do at least a LITTLE bit of damage in the process of saving the place.
Dawn stopped in the main front lobby to catch her breath. She even had to lean against Veldora as she took out her inhaler and used it. She still cursed how her asthma, an 'old friend' who she had thought she'd never see again, had somehow isekai'd its way back to her. At least here in the Team Heart timeline it didn't cause her to have to be dropped from the Masters Eight Tournament of the most recent World Coronation Series.
Dawn is still the Monarch, still officially ranked as the strongest trainer in the world. And she had also gathered other titles, although she still prefers her Sinnoh Champion title above all of the other ones. But it wasn't the right time to focus on things like that. Dawn and her fellows had to help with the liberating of Parfume Palace.
As Dawn put her inhaler away, she was met up by Mitch, Jazmina, and Haldor. "Are you doing okay, cub?" Jazmina asked.
"I'm fine," Dawn said as she straightened herself out, "I just had to use my inhaler a bit is all."
"Inhaler?" Jazmina asked, instantly worried.
"Dawn has asthma," Mitch said, "She is very much unamused by it. Mitch is also unamused by it, it hinders strong girl when she needs no hinder!"
"If she has asthma, then why is she taking part in warfare like this?!" Jazmina asked, very obviously upset, angry, and worried, "She should have stayed back, she-"
"-Wouldn't have been able to grant rebel troops entry to Parfume Palace because Team Heart would have been withdrawn into a shell we wouldn't be able to seep into easily," Haldor said, "Look, I know that you're not comfortable with someone with a health problem taking part in action like this. But there's no choice, she's the strongest one among us. And she IS able to control her asthma."
Dawn looked to Mitch, Jazmina, and Haldor. She got the feeling that Jazmina was going to insist on having someone go with Dawn to look after her, now that she knows about her asthma. Yet another reason Dawn hated the fact that her asthma had isekai'd its way back to her, it makes people fret over her in a way that makes her feel like she's being smothered unnecessarily.
"...Have any of you been to Parfume Palace before?" Dawn asked.
"I'm actually close friends with the king, as much as I don't wanna come off as sounding like I'm bragging," Haldor began, "I'm usually called in because I know how to work with Pokémon, and the king and the rest of the Kalosian royal family usually depend on me to help get the Pokémon here to be more cooperative."
"How familiar would you say you are with the layout of Parfume Palace?" Dawn asked, turning more to focus on Haldor.
"I know it like the back of my hand," Haldor replied.
"Where would you think the person leading the Team Heart forces here at Parfume Palace would hole up in?" Dawn went on.
Haldor understood what Dawn was getting at. "...Probably the king's study. I can lead you there if you want me to."
Dawn nodded in agreement, but before she could move, Veldora got down on all fours and gestured with its head for Dawn to get on its back. Not wanting to argue, Dawn got on. It felt sort of like she was riding a dragonic, prehistoric motorcycle. Haldor ran on ahead while Dawn rode Veldora after the wise and experienced Pokémon Ranger.
As she and Mitch watched Dawn and Haldor take off, Jazmina said, "As much as I understand that she's strong, she still shouldn't have taken part in fighting to liberate Kalos from Team Heart if she's got something as severe as asthma."
"You underestimate Dawn," Mitch said, "She is stronger than her breathing problem can hold back. Just you watch."
A short while later within Parfume Palace, Dawn and Haldor busted into the king's study, breaking down the doors in the process. Inside, Dawn and Haldor saw four Team Heart grunts, plus Admin Tress and Admin's Assistant Katey, all waiting inside. "So here comes the conquering heroes," Tress scoffed, a very bitter look on her round and plump face, "Thinking that Team Heart could actually be taken down fully."
"You and your forces here are on the losing end," Haldor said, his tone firm and expression showing he was by no means amused, "Unless you want to make things here difficult, I strongly urge you and your forces here to surrender."
"Alright, let's say that we do surrender as you're asking us to," Katey began, "And that you and the rest of the would be heroes that are fighting against Team Heart actually succeed in bringing Team Heart down fully. Do you have any idea what will happen as a result?"
"Yes, I do know what will happen," Haldor replied as Dawn got off of Veldora and stood by it as it stood back up ready to battle, "The world will be saved and everyone will be free again."
"No, that's not what will happen," Katey replied with a gentle shake of her head, "What WILL happen is that people will go back to their old discriminatory ways. They'll be able to exclude others again, they'll be able to be mean and cruel again. They'll take the so-called 'gift' of freedom and abuse it to no end. If someone gets a gift and does nothing but abuse it, then they don't deserve it. People don't change unless they're forced to, believe it or not, and change is necessary if things are to ever grow and get past the less savory parts of our past."
Dawn... found it tough to argue with Katey, actually. Dawn has seen evidence that a lot of Katey's rant isn't entirely unfounded. There are some people out there who only changed because they were forced to change; and Dawn has even seen a few people who can't or won't change, no matter what, even if forced to do so. As much as it disturbed Dawn to agree with even some of what Team Heart was saying, it's rather tough when you've seen sufficient evidence, can even present some, that can prove what they're saying right.
But that doesn't mean that they can allow Team Heart to continue being a thing. "Don't you think that the methods that Team Heart uses are a bit too extreme?" Dawn asked.
"Sometimes the extreme methods are the only methods that work," Tress replied bitterly, angrily, "They're the only methods that will let people get their point across. And if the extreme methods end up... overwhelming... the people on the receiving end of them, well..." Gently shaking her head, Tress went on, "...People who flat out refuse to change no matter what are loads who will do nothing but hold everyone else back. The world is better off without such people."
Again, Dawn found it really hard to argue with Team Heart on the claims that they're making. Hell, this overall attack on Kalos to liberate it from Team Heart rule is happening more or less due to the actions of two people who Tress says the world would be better off without. Dawn would actually be among the first people to agree with Tress that said two people are guys who the world would be better off without.
"Such extreme methods are what makes others all over the world view Team Heart as the bad guys," Dawn pointed out.
"That's because those people realize that Team Heart actually make people who normally won't have to own up for their wrongdoing own up for it," Tress countered, "People who force others to let them live a consequence free life don't like it when they're forced to own up for their actions. They're spoiled brats that don't like not being able to get away with bullying others. Trust me, if you would be heroes get your way and Team Heart authority all over the world is taken down, the cruelty and the bullying will not only resume in full, it'll do so with a vengeance."
"It's... actually rather sad how much faith you've lost in humanity," Haldor said, "Humans are better than what you give them credit for. They can grow to overcome their shortcomings, they are able to become better than what they started out as. They just need to be given a chance."
Katey gently shook her head. "...No, no they won't change. Humanity no matter what will never get off its ass and do as it should without being made to do so. Humanity is too selfish, too egotistical, too addicted to its luxuries and other goods to ever care for others outside of their varying exclusive circles. Trust me, Team Heart's way is the ONLY way the world, that humanity, is going to be able to move forward as a single, unified unit."
Dawn was feeling conflicted on if she should help to fight and bring down Team Heart, even though she knew full well she was going to do so regardless and in a heartbeat. Haldor was right in how it was sad to hear someone go on like that, as it's clear they've lost faith in humanity to be better. To make Katey's and Tress's words even sadder is the fact that, again, Dawn had seen evidence, is able to even present some, that validates them losing faith in humanity.
But regardless of their justified loss of faith, Team Heart was STILL a threat that had to be brought down if the world was to be saved, despite the fact that at least some of the world arguably doesn't deserved to be saved. And Dawn knew that there was only one way to stop Team Heart here, a way that Haldor also knew given that he looked primed to send out a Pokémon to stand next to Dawn's named Koraidon who was waiting for Dawn's orders.
Dawn looked to Tress and Katey, the firm and serious look on her face unwavering, but still there's a glint of pleading hope in her eyes. "...Is there a chance that this can be done any other way?" Dawn asked, knowing full well what answer she was going to be getting.
"No," Tress replied as she gently shook her head in the negative, her tone and expression equal parts angry, bitter, and resigned, "No there isn't any other way." Tress then called out her Snorlax whereas Katey called out one of her two Dusclops.
"Go, Noctowl!" Haldor said as he sent out a Noctowl.
Gesturing forward, Dawn said, "Veldora, use Collision Course on Snorlax!"
"Noctowl, use Shadow Ball on Dusclops!" Haldor ordered.
"Dusclops, use Curse on Noctowl!" Katey called out.
"Snorlax, use Body Slam on that Veldora thing!" Tress commanded.
Veldora was the fastest, jumping up and spinning like a wheel before it slammed right down into Snorlax, striking it hard and knocking it out. Katey's Dusclops was then able to lay a curse on Haldor's Noctowl, but it cut its own health in half to do so, meaning it was knocked out by Noctowl's Shadow Ball. But Noctowl was then pained by its curse as Tress and Katey respectively called back Snorlax and Dusclops.
"Go, Walrein!" Tress said as she sent out her Walrein.
"Go, Dusclops!" Katey said as she sent out her second Dusclops, "Use Fire Punch on Noctowl!"
"Walrein, use Body Slam on that Veldora thing!" Tress ordered.
"Noctowl, use Shadow Ball on Dusclops!" Haldor commanded.
"Veldora, use Collision Course on Walrein!" Dawn called out.
Once more, the named Koraidon was the fastest, jumping up and spinning like a wheel before it slammed right down into Walrein, striking it hard and knocking it out. Katey's Dusclops was then able to land its Fire Punch on Haldor's Noctowl, but it was then hit by Noctowl's Shadow Ball. For a second time, Noctowl was then pained by its curse, and the damage it took was adding up.
It got to the point that Haldor, erring on the side of caution, swapped his Noctowl out and sent in his Ursaring while Tress and Katey respectively called back Walrein and Dusclops to send out Hariyama and Dusknoir. Gesturing forward, Tress said, "Hariyama, use Brick Break on that Veldora thing!"
"Dusknoir, use Thunder Punch on Ursaring!" Katey ordered.
"Ursaring, use Shadow Claw on Dusknoir!" Haldor command.
"Veldora, use Collision Course on Hariyama!" Dawn called out.
For a third time, Veldora was the fastest Pokémon in the battle, jumping up and spinning like a wheel before it slammed right down into Hariyama. Despite how it wasn't super effective unlike on Snorlax and Walrein, Veldora's Collision Course still hit hard enough to knock out its target in a single, decisive blow.
Katey's Dusknoir was able to land its Thunder Punch on Haldor's Ursaring, even managing to score paralysis. But not only was Ursaring able to fight through the paralysis, but Ursaring has the Guts ability, meaning its Shadow Claw was even stronger. Being super effective, along with the boost it got from Guts, plus scoring a critical hit, meant that Ursaring's Shadow Claw was able to defeat the opposing Dusknoir in one hit.
Tress and Katey were wiped, Dawn was able to sense that. But she noticed how the Team Heart grunts in the room were not moving in to fight to grant time for Tress and Katey to flee. Dawn also couldn't help but realize that the grunts never tried to fight. "...Your rank and file here in the room with the two of you," Dawn began as she addressed Tress and Katey, "How come they didn't try to put up a fight?"
"The lot of us are already wiped," said the first Team Heart grunt, "We came in here with Admin Tress and Admin's Assistant Katey. But the only way out is through the door behind the two of you would be heroes, and I'm pretty sure your Ursaring and that... that thing... what did you call that thing you're commanding? Veldora? Never heard of that species of Pokémon. Regardless, there's no way those two Pokémon will let us pass, and I doubt humans can physically grapple with them."
"You're right about that," Haldor said as he fed a Lum Berry to his Ursaring, curing it of paralysis. Lum Berries are an all cure for status ailments, so Haldor focused on using them as there's not a lot of different types of berries to keep track of when time is of the essence.
"Veldora's species is called Koraidon," Dawn explained, "The name Veldora itself is the nickname that I gave to my Koraidon here. But that's besides the point." Taking a step forward towards Tress and her subordinates, Dawn said, "This madness has got to come to an end, and it has got to come to an end now."
"Madness, you say," Tress began, catching Dawn's attention. "You think it's madness to bring an end to discrimination," Tress said, "You think it's madness to make those who are cruel own up for their cruelty. You think it's madness to make things so that no-one ever has to deal with, ever has to feel, the sting of being made to feel like they don't belong."
Tress levied a grim, accusatory glare right at Dawn, and Dawn would admit that she felt a chill go up her spine. "...You think all of that," Tress said, "Is madness."
"The methods to achieve the goals, yes," Dawn clarified, "But not the goals themselves."
Tress gently shook her head. "The methods we used are the only methods that were ever going to work. Nothing else was ever going to stick on those who needed to be made to pay." Once more, it was rather difficult for Dawn to argue with a claim made by Tress, especially given the fact that Dawn had seen some evidence first hand lending credence to the fact that Tress's grim words had some degree of validity to them.
But taking over the world and ruling it in an iron-fisted dictatorship, where even the innocent can be punished for mere simple mistakes, was NOT the answer. There had to be other ways for humanity to overcome its flaws and move forward to a better future where everyone can stand shoulder to shoulder as true equals with one another. Dawn had decided that, once things with Team Heart had been fully settled once and for all, that she would look into finding the answer.
As much as a part of Dawn's heart ached for the pain and strife that notable names in Team Heart had gone through, she still had a duty to perform. With Tress and Katey defeated, Dawn with help from Haldor was able to detain them. This was actually the first time in known history that someone in Team Heart above the level of the rank and file had been successfully apprehended, and Dawn had a strong feeling that it wasn't going to be the last such incident during this rebellion in Kalos.
...Especially given that the biggest possible prize of all could potentially be nabbed here.
A short while later, things at Parfume Palace were settled, the home of the Kalosian royal family having been successfully liberated from Team Heart hold by the rebellion. "I still firmly believe that Dawn shouldn't have taken part in the fighting here at Parfume Palace," Jazmina scowled when she met up with Dawn, Mitch, and Haldor later, "Much less doing any fighting to liberate the Kalos region from Team Heart period."
Dawn was getting a little annoyed with Jazmina acting like her (Dawn's) asthma was a crippling handicap that required her to be sidelined from literally everything. Dawn remembered having been given similar treatment back in her previous life. "...Well I'm sorry that I have health issues," Dawn replied, her tone and expression showing she wasn't exactly amused, "But it's not like it's something that I had any say in."
"Jazmina, you're not exactly being fair," Haldor remarked, trying to gently scold Jazmina, "Besides, it's not like Dawn had been utterly floored by her asthma. She just needed to use her inhaler the one time during the siege on Parfume Palace."
Gesturing to Dawn, Jazmina said to Haldor, "You have no place to talk about this, Haldor! It's not like you have children!"
Dawn arched a wry eyebrow. "...Do any of your kids have asthma, Jazmina?" Dawn asked.
"No, all of my kids are perfectly healthy and have no health problems at all," Jazmina admitted, "But my point still stands. Children with health issues should not be allowed to take part in battles that are had to liberate parts of a region under the rule of a tyrannical dictatorship. Who knows what all could happen if said health issues crop up during siege battles?"
"As much as your worries have a valid point, the forces fighting to liberate the lands under the rule of Team Heart still need Dawn's strength," Haldor pointed out, "She is, after all, the strongest trainer in the world. Strength like that will be needed to bring Team Heart to kneel."
Jazmina made a wild gesture with her right arm. "She's too much of a liability!" Jazmina said, "I say she ought to just hand over her Pokémon to someone who isn't unhealthy and let them take things over for her! She's too weak to-"
*SLAP*
Jazmina was cut off when Dawn slapped her, very hard by the way, across the face. "...How dare you, Jazmina," Dawn snarled, "You treat me as a weak, non-able bodied child simply because I have asthma. You had even suggested that my Pokémon be turned over to someone who is 'healthy', and had gone so far as to call me a 'liability'."
All eyes were on Dawn as she continued to tear Jazmina a new one. "Just who in the hell do you think you are?" Dawn went on, "If I had known it ahead of time you'd treat me like a sickly, delicate flower because of my asthma, I would have never made you a Captain of one of the flying ships. I never would have even made you a member of one of the crews in the fleet."
Jazmina tried to speak up, but Dawn who wasn't done yet cut her off. "I expect those who are under my command to respect me," Dawn began, "And it's clear that you don't respect me. You had very clearly lost all respect that you had for me because you had found out that I have asthma. The shift in your attitude towards me since finding that out is pretty hard to not have noticed."
"Listen child," Jazmina began, "I-"
"You had said I shouldn't be fighting!" Dawn snapped, cutting Jazmina off, "You even had the gall to say I should hand my Pokémon over to someone else and let them do the fighting for me! Do you have any idea how much of a slap to the face that is, Jazmina?! Do you have any idea at all, or any care at all, of how what you had said makes me feel?! Do you honestly think that I LIKE having some manner of chronic illness that can hinder me if I let it?!"
Pointing right at Jazmina's face, Dawn said, "And you had just said that I SHOULD let it hinder me! That is a VERY low blow! What in blazes is wrong with you?!"
"I'm concerned for your well being, Dawn," Jazmina said, sounding annoyed like she was dealing with a pouty child she was trying to explain something to.
"And you think that gives you free pass to tell me to hide away?" Dawn said, "To allow my asthma to dictate my life, to make me a sickly and delicate flower that has to be protected?" Scowling angrily, Dawn said, "You think that your concerns gives you free pass to suggest that my Pokémon ought to be taken away from me?!"
"Everyone, we ought to calm down here," Haldor said as he stepped forward. With all eyes on him, Haldor went on, "Jazmina, I know that your heart's in the right place. But with all due respect, you did cross a line. Not only had you made Dawn upset with your suggestions, but you forget again that Dawn, for what issues she has, is still the best bet the world has to throw off the shackles that Team Heart had laid down."
"Mitch also has concerns with idea of Dawn being made to yield her Pokémon to others of good health," Mitch said, his strong arms crossed over his similarly strong chest, "It is very offensive to people to tell them to yield their Pokémon over to others, no matter the context. Mitch would be very crossed if told to yield mighty Den over to others." Den the shiny Dedenne chittered in a tone of agreement with Mitch as it sat on his shoulder.
Jazmina looked more annoyed than remorseful, but she did clearly look like she was understanding where the others were coming from. "...At the very least," Jazmina said, "Someone ought to stay with Dawn as her backup. As strong of a trainer she is, she is only one trainer. I believe that there's no such thing as a single trainer who can't be overwhelmed by sheer numbers, and overwhelming others with sheer numbers is the specialty of Team Heart."
Dawn could tell that Jazmina actually wants someone to stick with her (Dawn) more to cover her on case her asthma flares up, but she carefully phrased it in a way to not annoy Dawn while also giving a good reason for Dawn to have someone accompany her. "...Alright, fair enough," Dawn said, "I've still got Leona and Omiyo in the crew on board of The Big Beauty, I can go grah one or both of them and have them accompany me."
"I think that a trusted adult ought to accompany you instead," Jazmina replied, "I'm still free to-"
"I'll have Mitch or Haldor come with me, Leona, and Omiyo," Dawn interrupted, knowing full well that Jazmina was going to try to volunteer herself and be a smothering mother hen that will in truth hinder Dawn more than help her. Given Jazmina's recent shift in tone towards Dawn ever since she learned that Dawn has asthma, Dawn feels that her suspicions are valid.
Jazmina saw that Dawn wasn't going to relent on this, so she compromised. "...I recommend Haldor then," Jazmina said, "He's a strong and reliable person seen by many as a trustworthy father figure." Jazmina offered a wryly amused smirk. "Haldor's actually quite popular with the children here in the Kalos region."
Dawn could tell that Jazmina still wanted someone to fret and worry over her, thinking that Dawn is not able to handle herself solely because she has asthma. Dawn... did not like being babied like this, and by someone who technically is her subordinate. Dawn did not like being treated like she wasn't as capable as others because of something that she wasn't able to help, it made her feel as if she were... as if she were less than human.
Is this what the various higher ranked members of Team Heart felt like when they were made to feel the sting of the various forms of discrimination that had been dealt their way? Dawn could see why Team Heart wanted to do away with discrimination all over, it was not all that pleasant of a thing to deal with. Dawn did not at all like being made to feel like she wasn't as able as others, that she was not allowed to do things others got a free pass on doing.
Dawn was planning on having some strong words with Jazmina after things against Team Heart have been settled. But for now, they and the others helping with the Kalosian rebellion had to keep it up with the fighting against Team Heart's regime. Dawn had Haldor come with her while Mitch was free to back up Jazmina. However, as Dawn left with Haldor, she caught a glimpse of a sparkle in Mitch's eyes, a sparkle that suggested that he wasn't entirely happy with his senpai.
Dawn could only hope that Mitch and Jazmina could put what all issues the both of them have off to the side until things against Team Heart are settled. The absolute last thing that's needed right now was for things for the Kalosian rebellion to go south because two friends had a petty argument over differences that they have in opinion.
END, CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
Author's notes;
This chapter sees the rebellion to liberate Kalos from Team Heart rule begin in earnest. The first major battle that's seen is a siege on Parfume Palace, where Dawn goes in with Mitch, Haldor, and Jazmina. At one point, Jazmina sees Dawn use her (Dawn's) asthma inhaler, and upon learning that Dawn has asthma Jazmina freaks and asks why Dawn isn't standing back and letting someone else do all of her heavy lifting for her.
This argument has to be put to the side for the time being as the siege on Parfume Palace is still well underway. Haldor goes with Dawn and finds Tress and Katey in a room in Parfume Palace. The two heroes defeat the two Team Heart members, but not without Tress giving a speech about how, if Team Heart's rule is taken down, then people will be able to go right on back to treating others as being less than human.
Dawn can understand where Tress is coming from, and a part of her feels that there might be some validity to Team Heart's way. But regardless, Dawn feels that Team Heart is more harmful than it is helpful, so Team Heart at Parfume Palace is defeated and detained. This is the first major win for the Kalosian rebellion, as well as the first time that a member of Team Heart above the level of rank and file is captured successfully.
But after things at Parfume Palace are settled, Dawn and Haldor meets up with Jazmina and Mitch. There, Dawn and to a lesser degree Haldor and Mitch tear into Jazmina for her trying to coddle Dawn while acting like she's a delicate and sickly little flower who needs to be hidden away and not allowed to see any action. In the end, Jazmina ultimately doesn't back down but she does do some compromising and lets Haldor accompany Dawn.
Although Jazmina's heart is in the right place, Dawn still doesn't really like how Jazmina's tone and attitude towards her had shifted so drastically simply by finding out about her asthma. Dawn is also made to feel like she's being discriminated against, giving her more understanding of the stinging feeling that certain Team Heart members had been made to feel. It gave Dawn a lot to think about as the Kalosian rebellion rages on.
Anyway, the next chapter will see a certain other crew member (two, actually) of The Big Beauty who's on different flying ship now have a personal battle of their own. How things are going to be playing out there has yet to be seen, but it will be rather interesting if I have anything to say about if. Things will be picking up from here in the next chapter. Until then, take care.
Dawn's Pokémon: (on hand) Tsukune (Palkia), Fangfang (Yveltal), Kurumu (Groudon), Sif (Zacian), Veldora (Koraidon), Odin (Arceus)
Kenny's Pokémon: (on hand) Black (Giratina), Zamasu (Necrozma), Shenron (Rayquaza), Porunga (Zygarde), Armstrong (Regigigas), unknown legendary Pokémon
Trip's Pokémon: (on hand) Deelia (Dialga), Villetta (Miraidon), Cameron (Kyorge), Tetsu (Xerneas), Rogers (Zamazenta), Alucard (Lunala)
Mina's Pokémon: (on hand) Scar (male Eevee; scared over one eye), Gardevoir (male), Lucario (female), Umbreon (male; shiny), Espeon (male; shiny), Jolteon (male; shiny)