"Don't do it, Ardi!"
The young Pansear desperately called out to the small lizard Pokémon that stood on the opposite rooftop. She watched the young Scraggy take a few steps back, working up the courage to jump. Pansear banged her hands on the floor, tearily struggling to contain her emotions. "You don't have to prove anything to me, ok!?"
"Just don't jump! You're gonna hurt yourself!"
The young lizard took a deep breath, before his eyes narrowed in determination.
"I BRAVE!" Scraggy howled, charging forward and leaping.
"NOOOOO!"
...
...
...
[=====================================]
The first war of Aurumus was a long, bloody conflict with many sacrifices.
...
But in the end, the other nations relented
...
And Aurumus stood strong.
...
The mun of the land had learned the taste of freedom and would never go back.
[=====================================]
"Get inside children," Cinccino Vii said to her confused class, ushering them into the inn. "Everything will be fine."
She closed the door of the inn in front of her, finding herself standing alone in the dimly lit street. She sighed in frustration.
"You let two of them run off," a voice said behind her.
The flash of a lantern revealed a figure sitting atop a rooftop behind her. It was a simian Pokémon with dark blue skin, its face obscured by a wooden mask painted with tribal markings.
"Hello Dendro," Vii replied, not bothering to turn around.
The mon leaped from the roof and landed on the ground with a thud. "Rather careless of you, huh?"
The Cinccino smiled. "Those kids are something special, I doubt I'd be able to rein them in even if I tried." She twirled one of her hair tufts around in her hand. "Do me a favor and keep an eye on them, alright?"
The blue monkey scratched his chin underneath his mask. "That's your job, no?"
She chuckled. "I'm pretty sure this falls under the jurisdiction of the Security Committee now." Vii turned, looking back at him. "Besides, you're the one who's been knighted."
"Exactly," the monkey replied, looking down at the much shorter Cinccino. "I've got a lot more responsibilities than you do. I'm busy here."
"Too bad," she said, wagging her finger and rolling her eyes as she looked up at him. "My sister and I were going to talk Femia into going on a date with you, but if you're too busy…"
The monkey stumbled over himself, looking flustered underneath his mask. "What? Really!?" He fidgeted with his hands nervously. "Well… I suppose I can make a little time…"
He vanished in a blur.
Vii grinned. She'd always known how to push his buttons - ever since their group's adventure together through the last Queen's Tournament.
[=====================================]
When it came time to harvest the Golden Fruit,
...
The greed and gluttony that had once afflicted their ancestors returned to the mun of Aurumus.
...
For the chance to consume the fruit, which foreign rulers had warred over for centuries, the mun were prepared to slaughter one another.
...
But Meloetta stepped forward, and she said:
...
'AMICITIA AUREA!'
[=====================================]
Mienfoo dashed out onto the main streets of the city, the flickering lights of the lanterns above giving him just enough visibility to see his surroundings. Scraggy was up ahead, and Mienfoo could just make out the shadow of Simisear even further ahead. He grit his teeth, dashing forward to catch up.
Scraggy stopped before the shadowy entrance to a deep alleyway. He gulped for a second, before running in. Mienfoo reached the alley's entrance a few moments later. He investigated the dark alleyway, squinting as he barely made out the outline of a something moving in the shadows.
Mienfoo continued forward, the faint light from the lanterns outside fading to black - plunging him into darkness. He slowed his pace, taking careful steps forward while keeping his arms in front of him. His claws had fully extended, and he could feel his heart racing as the adrenaline coursed through his veins. He stopped and listened closely.
Mienfoo turned his body, hearing a noise. The sound of Scraggy's breathing a short distance ahead. And then he heard a second noise. His body froze.
He was in the midst of a slow exhale when it happened. Something grabbed him and pulled him forward, his breath cut short. Before he could react, something struck his gut – hard.
Mienfoo collapsed onto his knees. He tried to force his lungs open and take in air, but his stomach ached and his vision blurred.
He could hear Simisear's mocking laughter in the distance, and his heart raced as his eyes darted around the alleyway, trying to see what had struck him.
A pair of eyes - glowing red and yellow - appeared, floating in the darkness. "You're in my part of town now, brat," the eyes said before darting sideways. Mienfoo held up his arms in a battle stance, trying to follow the light from the eyes as they circled around him.
He flexed the muscles in his arm as the eyes approached, allowing the loose red skin to spiral rapidly as it whirled into a tiny red cyclone. [WHIRLING ORCHID!]
Mienfoo thrust his arm straight at the eyes – but they shifted sideways and snaked around him. The eyes got behind him, and he yelped in pain as something chomped down on his shoulder. The figure's jaws dug into his shoulder, its razor-sharp teeth piercing through his flesh and sending a sharp jolt of pain up his neck.
It pushed him forward and forced him into a wall. They released their bite, and he heard a voice whisper sharply in his ear: "The winner of the Queen's Tournament will be Simisear Adelaide. Not some no-name runt like you."
"Oh?" Mienfoo said, wincing. He spun, whipping his arm at the figure only to find that it had already stepped away. He felt blood dribbling from his shoulder, running through the red fur of his arm. "And yet she has to rely on dirty tactics like this?"
He clenched his fist, holding his arm in front of him as he clenched the forearm with his other hand. He began to twist his arm, spiraling the loose skin as his fingers and palm simultaneously pressed into it. He could feel a burning sensation as the friction caused his skin to rapidly heat.
The figure circled around him, before charging in his direction once more. Its eyes began to dart side to side, tracing a zigzag pattern, growing faster and faster until they became an army of charging afterimages.
Mienfoo stomped his foot forward and reared his arm, now glowing red hot from the friction. He twisted his wrist, sending his sleeve spiraling even faster. Flames leapt from his arm, flying forward with his fist and spreading outwards to form the shape of a huge flower that illuminated the alleyway.
BURNING CARNATION!
The Watchog froze like a Deerling caught in the headlights. Mienfoo's fiery fist collided with his stomach, launching him backwards. There was a loud *CRASH* as the meerkat Pokémon smashed through the wall.
Mienfoo panted, wincing as he relaxed his muscles. The flames dissipated, leaving burn marks on his forearm. He'd known this technique was painful to perform, but he didn't care. This mon was standing between him and his friend.
He paused as he realized he could see, even though the flames had dissipated. He turned in the direction of the light – the hole in the wall – and saw a candle burning on the floor inside. Beside it, a brown and black crocodile Pokémon was lying on his side – evidently in the middle of a good book. Annoyed, they glared at Mienfoo.
"What the hell, kid?"
...
...
...
"She's always been a problem child."
"I told you, that's not wh-"
"Skipping class, that awful music, her rowdiness... but to think she'd push her friend off a building!"
"You're not list-"
"And a member of a protected group? I can't believe her behavior brought Dame Olga from the Round Table to our doorstep!"
"She said there was no proof!"
"Well, things are going to be different now, Adelaide."
"Mum!"
"You've embarrassed this family long enough."
...
...
...
Scraggy stopped as the series of winding alleys opened into a small courtyard, nestled between a circle of tall buildings which hid it from the main city streets. At the edge of the courtyard stood a deteriorating stage, a remnant of its days as a vibrant concert venue.
Simisear Adelaide stood atop the stage, looking down at Scraggy with a smile. "You made it, Ardi," she said holding the large plush at her side. "So glad to have you."
Scraggy clenched his fists, fuming.
Simisear looked around, as if reminiscing. "We used to hang out here all the time, didn't we?" She chuckled. "I heard the mon who sung here betrayed the kingdom, so they boarded it up. Pretty lame. It was such a cool place."
"YU BAD FRIEND!" Scraggy growled, stepping forward.
Simisear's smile turned into an enraged scowl. "Oh, I'M the bad friend!?" she shouted, flames erupting from her body. "You don't remember, do you!? All the #$%# you put me through!?" She waved a flaming hand angrily. "You took away everything I loved, and you're too stupid to even notice!"
Scraggy stopped, tilting his head in confusion.
The mohawked mon paused, her expression softening with a sigh. Her flames dwindled. "I guess I was a bad friend, though. I've always been a good-for-nothing." She took a step closer to the edge of the stage, looming over the younger lizard. "But... don't you go talking about bad friends to me, Ardi."
Scraggy looked up at her, his expression a mixture of rage and confusion. "I-" he started, only to stop himself. "I... I not bad frien..."
Simisear smirked victoriously. "Tell me... where's that Mienfoo friend of yours?"
Scraggy grit his teeth and clenched his fists. "He... he no... you..."
Simisear chuckled. "Oh I'm sure he was begging you to chase after me earlier." She saw the uncertainty in Scraggy's eyes and pushed harder. "And I'm sure your new friend was perfectly happy to sit back and wait while you plunged headfirst into danger."
"N-no... no he not..."
"Oh really?"
"YESH!"
"Well..." She smirked and wagged her finger down at the lizard. "...if he did chase after you, I'm sure my boys are giving him hell back there."
Scraggy stopped, holding his trembling arms at his sides. His eyes welled with tears, unable to muster a response.
"Yeah, that's what I thought."
Simisear raised her hand, holding Scraggy's Beartic plushie up in the air. "We're both bad friends, Ardi," she said through a smirk. Her hand ignited, and Scraggy's eyes filled with horror as the plush Beartic burst into flames.
"We both ruin everything we touch."
[=====================================]
The mun fell silent, and Meloetta asked:
...
'Did you forget your promise? The bonds that unite us!?'
...
'YOU DISAPPOINT ME!'
...
The mun hung their heads in shame, and she went on:
...
'If you can't decide who the fruit will go to, then I will decide for you.'
...
'You fought to secure a future for your children-'
...
'-so the Golden Fruit shall be theirs!'
[=====================================]
"W-wait!" Mienfoo exclaimed, running through the hole in the wall and towards the crocodile pokémon. "I'm sorry - I didn't mean to interrupt!"
Laying on his side, the Krokorok sighed. "S 'okay," he said with a dismissive wave of us his hand. "This building wasn't exactly up to code anyways. So many structural flaws, it made me want to vomit. I would've demolished it myself if it weren't such a pain in the tail."
"S-still!" Mienfoo replied, glancing down at the chunks of broken wall scattered along the floor. "Please let me pay you back for your loss! You have my word that I'll rebuild this place…" His words trailed off as he noticed the Watchog he had been fighting, laying in the middle of the debris.
The meerkat Pokémon was lying still, covered in bruises and scorch marks. Mienfoo's heart sank for a moment in horror, but sighed in relief when he noticed the Watchog breathing slowly. He couldn't believe he had attacked without holding back like that! His aunt had explicitly warned against doing so.
Krokorok stared at Mienfoo with an unamused expression. He pointed a single clawed finger behind Mienfoo. "Friends of yours?"
A young bear Pokémon stood behind the broken wall, small for a Beartic but still large enough that he had to crouch down to peer through the hole. On the Beartic's shoulder was a Ferroseed, whose painted-on gang symbols reflected Krokorok's candlelight and seemed to glow red in the darkness.
Mienfoo stepped back, his muscles tensing. "Y-you..."
The Beartic growled, falling onto all fours and walking into the building like a prowling beast. "You're gonna pay for what you did to our friend, kid."
Mienfoo's claws extended once more. He took a deep breath, trying to focus his mind. "I don't want to fight," he replied, retracting his claws.
"You didn't seem to feel that way this morning," the Ferroseed said, angrily. "Now you wanna play nice!?"
Mienfoo shook his head. "I just want to get my friend back. We don't have to do this."
Beartic laughed, his voice booming as his body expanded to its full height, standing upright and towering over Mienfoo. "I think you need to learn just what happens when you pick a fight with the big kids."
The bear Pokémon roared, swinging a huge arm at Mienfoo. The mustelid dodged, and the bear's claw went on to shatter the floor where he had just been standing. Mienfoo ducked under the bear's arm, dashing around him towards the hole.
The Ferroseed leapt from the bear's shoulder, cutting off Mienfoo's escape. "PIN MISSILE!" A flurry of metal spikes erupted from its body and shot towards Mienfoo, who had no choice but to raise his arm in defense.
The spikes bounced off his arm, leaving several bleeding cuts across his forearm. Mienfoo clenched his jaw, his mind racing. Behind him, the Beartic turned - whipping its claw sideways and smashing through a nearby bookshelf before reaching for him.
Mienfoo threw a quick jab, his fingers striking between the Ferroseed's thorns and forcing it back. Then he spun, avoiding the Beartic's claw with a backward leap. Twirling in the air, Mienfoo slammed his foot into its leg, causing it to stumble onto all fours and growl in pain.
Mienfoo landed in a crouch, looking around frantically. He noticed a pair of eyes appearing in the darkness behind the Beartic, rising rapidly.
"Come on now," Krokorok said as he leapt into the air, descending to smash his feet into the Beartic's back. The larger Pokémon was pummeled downwards, with such force that the floor beneath it visibly cracked. "Just whose house do you think you're wrecking here?"
The Beartic let out a pained grunt before falling limp. Krokorok landed, standing atop it like a bearskin rug. He glanced irritably towards Ferroseed, who was trembling in shock. "If you'd be so kind," the croc hissed, looking down at the thug with a scowl, "you can leave me your address so I can bill you for the damages."
The Ferroseed quivered for a second, before darting off through the hole in the wall.
Mienfoo stared in awe. His heart raced with adrenaline while his arms stung painfully. He was hurting, but he knew he needed to keep going. "I'm sorry," he said to Krokorok with a respectful bow, "but I need to go. I promise I-"
"Just get out of here," the Krokorok said with a dismissive flap of his wrist. "I'll do the repairs myself. I've been wanting to redesign this trash heap anyways."
Mienfoo gave a grateful bow, then dashed through the hole in the wall, his heart racing. The dusty alleyway echoed with the distant sounds of conflict. Despite his efforts, he couldn't calm himself. Scraggy's words echoed through his head:
"YU STAY, I GO!"
Mienfoo lowered his head as a turmoil of emotions swirled through his mind. But one feeling rose above the rest, filling him with determination: worry. He clenched his fist, ready to forge ahead into the unknown.
Just... please be ok...!
[=====================================]
But WHO among Aurumus' children would receive the fruit?
...
To decide, Meloetta offered to hold a contest, open to all the children in the land.
...
One that she would judge fairly and justly.
...
The winner would have the fruit, and all the blessings that would bring.
...
It would be a tournament,
...
The first of many to come.
[=====================================]
Scraggy looked at Simisear with a look of shock and horror, his eyes locked onto the plush as it burned. His arms trembled, and his heart pounded in his chest. Gradually, his expression changed into one of rage. Scraggy roared, and then charged. Simisear threw the burning toy to the ground and brought up a flame-covered fist, ready to meet him.
Scraggy leapt onto the stage, bringing his forehead forward as he swung his arm. Simisear sidestepped his attack and retaliated with an upward swing of her own, but Scraggy was ready.
He spun, twisting his torso to avoid the blow. With the momentum of his spin, he whipped his head towards her ribcage and smashed his skull into it.
Simisear was struck hard in the side, stumbling and wincing. Scraggy wasted no time, pressing forward with a barrage of headbutts while Simisear threw up her guard.
"Not bad!" the monkey shouted through a smirk. "I didn't think you had any fight in you!" She crossed her fists and then whipped them outwards, releasing a wave of fire that forced Scraggy back. "But I'm not about to lose to a stupid lizard like you!" She came forward with a flaming knee, smashing it into Scraggy's stomach.
Scraggy groaned, stumbling backwards as Simisear pressed the assault. "You don't know what it's like to live like I do," she hissed, bombarding him with a flurry of flaming punches. "No one in my family will even talk to me anymore!"
She launched herself forward, her blazing foot colliding with his face.
"BECAUSE OF YOU!"
He grunted in pain, falling off the stage and crashing to the ground below. Simisear caught her breath as she walked forward. "But when I win this stupid tournament," she continued through ragged breathing, "they'll see." She jumped from the stage onto the ground in front of Scraggy. "They'll realize that I was worth it all along."
She smirked as Scraggy stood up, extending her hand with her palm pointed upwards. A small sphere of fire formed in her hand, growing bigger and bigger with each passing second. "And that's why I can't afford to lose." She swung her arm, pitching the fireball towards Scraggy. "Flame Burst."
The lizard Pokémon scowled and leaned his torso backwards, then whipped his head forward to smash his skull into the approaching fireball. It erupted on impact, kicking up cloud of smoke and dust across the area. Simisear raised a hand in front of her, shielding herself from the dust.
When the dust settled, she lowered her hand. Scraggy was still standing, a charred burn mark on his forehead. "Seriously?" she said with a frustrated sigh. "Why can't you just stay down?"
Scraggy wiped the ash from his forehead, glaring at her. "Yu bad friend."
"SCRAGGY!" a familiar voice called out, accompanied by the sound of rapid footsteps. Mienfoo emerged into the courtyard, quickly noticing the pair fighting near the stage and rushing in their direction.
Simisear sighed. "Yeah, I know." She reached a hand into the fluff on her neck, digging her fingers into it and pulling out a small orange pill. "I'm the worst..." She popped the pill into her mouth.
[=====================================]
But a normal tournament, a mock war for the fruit, would only propagate
the greed and gluttony that had overtaken so many.
...
Meloetta knew this.
...
The children were the land's future, but they were still growing.
...
They still had much to learn, and to discover about themselves.
...
She did not wish for them to repeat the mistakes of the past.
...
She wanted them to grow into better mun.
[=====================================]
Scraggy took a step back, holding his arms up in a defensive stance. He looked at Mienfoo with a sorrowful expression. "No," he replied, before turning to face Simisear. "Yu... Yu bad friend. But... yu not... yu not wurst friend."
Simisear was crouched over, holding her stomach and writhing in pain. She had enough energy to look back at him, narrowing her eyes. "Stop blubbering, lizard."
"Are you ok!?" Mienfoo cried out as reached Scraggy. He took a moment to catch his breath, before his eyes widened at the sight of the burning Beartic plush. A look of sadness filled his face, but it quickly became one of unbridled rage as he noticed the various burn marks that were scattered across Scraggy's figure.
"YOU...!" he hissed, extending the claws of both his hands. He rushed at Simisear, who seemed unsurprised. "YOU DID THIS!"
Simisear smirked. "Yeah," she said, before extending her arm in front of her. Like a match striking oil, a huge flame burst from the limb. The sudden heat singed Mienfoo's fur, forcing him to stop in his tracks. She stood up straight, looking down at him. "I did."
Simisear took a step back while the flames spread from her arm to the rest of her body. They wrapped around her figure, surrounding her in an intense, blazing aura. "You made a fool of me this morning," she said calmly. "But no more."
Element Enhance
- Blaze Mode -
Simisear stepped forward, swinging her arm in Mienfoo's direction. A whip of flames leapt from her fur, the tip of it snapping against the ground and leaving a scorch mark. Mienfoo jumped backwards, the heat from the attack leaving his fur charred.
"It wasn't easy to get my hands on this," she said, her voice muffled by the flames engulfing her. She held out her hands, looking at her palms. "But it's the real deal, alright." Her lips curled into a manic smile as she turned towards Scraggy. She shot towards him with a burst of flame.
Scraggy stumbled in fear as her blazing body rocketed towards him. He struggled to put up his guard, only to pause as a voice rang in his ears:
"WATCH OUT!"
Scraggy turned his head in time to see Mienfoo tackle him out of the way. The lizard Pokémon stumbled sideways, his eyes widening in horror as Simisear's blazing figure collided with his friend. A shockwave burst from her aura, and Scraggy watched as his friend was launched backwards. "No..."
Simisear laughed, straightening herself. "This #$%# is incredible!" she said cackling as the flames surged around her. She turned towards Scraggy, who shrunk backwards in horror. The lizard turned and dashed towards the collapsed Mienfoo - leaving the flaming monkey to stand in place, roaring with laughter.
"I'M INVINCIBLE!"
[=====================================]
Children, more than many, had the capacity to grow. To change.
...
Meloetta wished to guide them on their journey to adulthood.
...
She wanted the children of this land to learn to work together,
to learn to trust and respect one another.
...
To face their flaws head on, and better themselves.
...
And, on their quest to claim the Golden Fruit,
...
She would help them.
[=====================================]
Just as he arrived, Dendro quickly studied the scene that had unfolded below. The strong flames surrounding Simisear Adelaide brightly illuminated the courtyard, but his dark blue fur allowed him to blend in with the dark tiles of the rooftops.
The unnatural flames drew most of his attention – they were more powerful than he'd ever seen a child muster (well, save for that one mon, but he was a special case). Her fire was almost comparable to the flames of a fire-type knight! The teenage Simisear didn't seem to be that much of a prodigy, though. Something was surely amiss here.
"Element Enhance," he muttered to himself.
A new drug that had hit the underworld markets recently, supposedly being distributed by The Eye. The drug would draw out the latent elemental powers of certain types, though at a steep cost. He surmised that she had consumed a fire-type variant, and a high dosage at that.
The young mun down there fighting her were in danger. He tightened the muscles in his body, preparing to leap down there and intervene the moment she made another move. He'd make quick work of her - even significantly powered up, she was still nowhere near his level.
…
But what was he seeing in that kid's eyes? The Mienfoo, though crumpled on the ground, did not seem frightened at all. His expression was filled with courage, determination, strength…
Passion.
He saw it clearly in the mustelid's gaze now. He knew that look well. It was something he'd seen on the faces of many mun when he competed in the tournament ten years ago. It had been on the faces of his companions at times. Likely on his as well.
This fight for him was personal. It wasn't something he was being forced to do because his back was against the wall… it was something he needed to do. To move forward. To grow.
He groaned inwardly. My boss is gonna chew me out for this later, huh?
He extended both hands to the sky and grasped at the air, feeling the water molecules floating in the thin clouds far above. He half closed his fingers, gripping them from afar. He began to weave his arms back and forth, guiding the clouds together until they formed a dark cloud overhead.
"Let me at least give you kids a fighting chance."
[=====================================]
Meloetta's tournament was to be an experience.
...
One that would help define the lives of all who compete.
...
It would represent the struggles that the mun of the land had gone through, and the future they wished for.
...
It would be something that the children could enjoy, learn, and grow from.
...
Something positive. Something fun. Something special.
...
An adventure.
[=====================================]
Mienfoo groaned, rolling to a stop with blurred vision and aching all over. As he shook off the daze, he saw Scraggy standing before him, tears welling in the lizard's eyes. "Greggy...!" Scraggy choked out. "I... I..."
Blinking to clear his vision, Mienfoo noticed the red, swollen mark on Scraggy's forehead, still smoking with a bruise forming. He stood, patting Scraggy's shoulder. "We can talk later," he said firmly, locking eyes with the lizard. "But right now, we need to deal with Simisear."
Scraggy hesitated, glancing at Simisear - her blazing form flickered with her laughter. Determination filled his eyes as he nodded.
"No," Mienfoo affirmed, adopting a fighting stance. "She won't leave us alone unless we stand up to her. Can I count on you?"
Scraggy clenched his fists, trembling but resolute. "I not down yet."
"Good." Mienfoo held his fists up in front of him, readying himself. I'm sorry, auntie... but I don't think I can afford to hold back this time.
BOOM!
A thunderbolt reverberated through the courtyard. The accompanying lighting briefly drowned out the light of Simisear's flames.
Then came a torrential downpour.
Simisear's laughter stopped as she felt the sudden rush of cold water slamming down on her blazing aura. A sizzling sound filled the air as the rain evaporated on contact with her aura, chiseling away at the flames and steadily putting them out. She looked up at the sky in frustration.
Mienfoo felt the rain pour down on him, washing the dirt and soot from his fur. He could feel the adrenaline coursing through his body. His muscles tensed up, the loose red skin on his arm tightening as they twisted. Water dribbled through his fur as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
His eyes shot open and Mienfoo kicked off the ground, rushing towards her. She looked back just in time to see his claws come swinging down on her, and she swiftly raised her hand to block them. A scorching pain shot through his hands. The flames weren't completely extinguished, and her hand felt like it was burning into his wet fur. Mienfoo grit his teeth, twisting his left arm into a cyclone, throwing Simisear off balance.
The fire monkey stumbled backwards, just as Scraggy charged forward and smashed his skull into her ribs. She grimaced, grunting in pain. She swung her arm wildly, catching the lizard Pokémon in the gut and knocking the wind out of him. A blazing kick followed, throwing him to the ground. She panted, clenching a fist as she tried to steady herself.
Mienfoo was on her before she could, dashing forward and launching a flurry of blows onto her stomach. Simisear grunted and hissed as each blow hit her, and Mienfoo pressed on. "WHY. CAN'T. YOU. LEAVE. MY FRIEND." He planted his foot down and pivoted into a powerful palm strike. "ALON-"
Simisear's eyes filled with rage. The flames around her arm burst back to life as she swung her hand, slapping his attack away. Mienfoo stumbled in surprised while she raised her fist. "You don't know anything about me."
Her fist collided with his stomach, propelling Mienfoo backwards. He rolled across the ground, finally stopping near the edge of the stage. He panted on the ground, struggling to his feet. The rain continued to pour, flowing through his fur. He lowered his gaze, taking in a deep breath and steadying his mind.
She was right. He didn't know anything about her. He didn't understand why she acted this way. Why did she continue to antagonize Scraggy? Why was she so determined to defeat him that she would rely on this strange, unstable power? He imagined she had to have her reasons. Her own story.
Simisear's hair had become wild, swaying between the wind and the trickling flames that leaked from her body. Her eyes burned with a determined intensity. She took a deep breath, and Mienfoo tensed up.
A gust of wind slammed into the courtyard. She closed her eyes and breathed in, steadying her mind. The flame on Simisear's body grew stronger, pushing back at the rain. She was like a raging river, the flames burning fiercely and churning through the air around her. Steam flowed from her aura, from the heavy rainfall that slammed down on her. She opened her eyes and let out a roar, the wind howling through the courtyard.
She charged forward, and Mienfoo had little time to react. He leapt to the side, barely avoiding an explosive fist that demolished the edge of the stage. She turned to face him, flames shooting from her body, the winds raging around her.
"It doesn't matter," he said through the pouring rain, pulling himself into a fighting stance. "I don't need to know about you."
She swung a fist in his direction, just as he kicked at a puddle to splash water towards her face. The water punched through her blazing aura and got into her eyes, making her stumble. "All I need to know is that you're a bully."
Mienfoo reared his fist, feeling the rainwater dribbling down his singed and blood-soaked fur. He slid his feet on the ground below him while he shook his arm, stirring the droplets within it. His fist flew forward as the water leapt from his fur, forming a torrent of petal-like spikes which flew up at her.
WATER LILY!
She let out a cry of frustration, raising both arms to block the attack, but the spikes of water exploded upon impact. The flames surrounding her body extinguished and she was launched into the sky.
"BAD."
Scraggy roared, leaping into the sky himself. He spiraled his torso in midair, before concluding the motion with a brutal descending headbutt.
"FRIEND!"
Simisear rocketed downwards, and fragments of splintered wood flew in all directions as she smashed through the center of the stage. The flames spread to the stage, only to be quickly extinguished by heavy rainfall. The wood creaked and moaned, the sounds echoing through the courtyard.
[=====================================]
Mun watched as their children competed for the Golden Fruit.
...
Some held selfishness in their hearts.
...
Some were greedy.
...
Some were kind.
...
Some were brave.
...
Some were cruel.
...
Some were humble.
...
Some were weak.
...
Some were strong.
...
Some were clever.
...
Some were foolish.
...
They all had their strengths and flaws.
...
Their virtues and their vices.
...
They all made mistakes.
[=====================================]
Simisear Adelaide felt the splintered wood dig into her back, rain bombarding her from above. Her energy was spent and her flames were extinguished, but she still had enough strength to barely open her eyes. She was lying in a crater of broken wood; a collapsed section of the stage. She panted heavily, a wave of dizziness overtaking her. She raised a hand, reaching for her head as it spun.
The rain began to let up. Her ears twitched as she heard footsteps resound above her, followed by a voice.
"Scraggy..." she heard the Mienfoo say to Ardi, somewhere on the stage nearby. "Are you ok?"
"Mmmmmmmmmmmm..." was the only reply the lizard Pokémon was able to muster.
"I'm glad." She heard the young mun sigh in relief.
The sounds of the rain died down, and she heard a soft thump as Mienfoo either sat down or collapsed completely. She could still hear both mun breathing above her, though. A few moments passed, and Mienfoo spoke up again. "There's something I wanted to tell you, Scraggy."
"Eh...?"
"Earlier, when Simisear showed up and egged you on... I asked you not to follow."
"I... I..." Addie could hear the guilt in Ardi's splintered response.
"But you ignored me and chased after her anyways."
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"That hurt, Ardi." Addie felt tears form in her eyes as she listened to Mienfoo's words. "It really hurt."
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"I-I sorry."
"I wurst friend. Not listen to yu... put yu in danger… prolly hurt Addie too..."
"I... I do better," Ardi continued. "I be better friend."
She heard Ardi begin to bawl, and she felt tears begin to drip from her own eyes. She raised her arm, covering them. Back then... why didn't I just… talk to him?
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"Really," the Unfezant teacher said with a scowl. A tiny Scraggy stared at the classroom floor in shame. "You need to learn to not break school property, young mon," she continued, pacing back and forth with a stern look.
Scraggy kept his gaze firmly on the ground, his shoulders slumped.
She pointed her talon at the corner of the room. "No recess today. You can stand over there and think about what you've done. Understood?"
"Yesh..." He slowly walked to the corner of the room, his feet dragging behind him. He pressed his forehead onto the wall, tears forming in his eyes.
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"Psst... hey kid..." Scraggy's attention perked up. He glanced up to see a small red monkey standing in the window beside him. "You look like you're not having much fun in there."
Scraggy looked at her curiously, his expression softening a bit as she extended a hand to him.
"Wanna get out of here?" The Pansear's lips curled into a wide grin. "Amicitia Aurea!"
[=====================================]
But in the end, they learned.
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They grew.
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And they grew closer.
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And the parents realized -
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Aurumus had a bright future ahead.
[=====================================]
Mienfoo laid beside his friend atop the stage, staring up at the open night sky overhead. The dark clouds had receded along with the rain, revealing numerous bright stars that twinkled in the darkness. A shooting star streaked across the sky, disappearing as it passed behind the swaying branches of the great tree Aurum.
He took in a deep breath, feeling the water drip from his soaked fur. The cool air and the smell of fresh rain soothed his mind, helping ease the pain that had accumulated during the fight. He closed his eyes, sighing. "This is just the start of our adventure, Scraggy," he said, his voice calm and clear.
"I get the feeling it's going to be a big one."
[=====================================]
Aurumus has a long history, one born from and forged by war.
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But we decided that we would not let that define us.
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Instead, it is our bonds and our friendship that shape our history and push us towards a brighter future.
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The Golden Fruit is a symbol of unity.
It is a reminder of who we once were and who we wish to be.
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The tale does not end there
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It continues to be written to this day.
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And someday, Little Gregorian,
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You shall write your own chapter.
[=====================================]
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Krokorok sighed, crossing his arms. He rested his back against the wall of the alleyway as he glared into the courtyard where a fight had just gone down. If you could even call that amateurish exchange of fists and flames a fight.
He had to admit, though, that the Mienfoo had some interesting moves. It reminded of something, actually - though he couldn't recall what. Something he'd read, maybe? No… that didn't seem right.
"This... complicates things..." a voice said from the darkness behind the crocodile.
Krokorok turned, frowning. "We're bystanders here... we'll be fine as long as you don't go around murdering kids." He curled his lips into a mocking snarl. "I know how hard that is for you."
A Weavile emerged from the shadows with a scowl. "Your tongue is loose, child," the foreigner said, bringing one of his scythe-like fingers to his mouth. "Continue to speak without restraint and you may just lose it."
Krokorok shivered.