Prince of Po Town (Pokemon Isekai)

[Doge The Last]

Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying and there's lots more to come. Now that Ian has more or less a competent core team, he'll be able to hold his own in conflicts with others factions (which is largely what the first arc was about getting him to).

Click to shrink...

I'm loving the story so far and cant wait for more

 

[Oceanside Lowlife]

Chapter 15 Rival

The sun beat down on the group of six Team Skull members as they closed in on the treeline of the Akua Jungle up ahead. Even in Ian's airy tank top he could feel the humidity making him sweat.

"Okay everyone, we're coming up on the meadow," Plumeria announced as she slowed her bicycle down, prompting everyone else to follow suit. Ian stopped right behind her and studied the old, faded grey backpack she wore that stood out from the rest of the group's faded black packs. The words Silph Co. were spelled out on a patch with loose strings. Oh that's the Silph Bag Plumeria was talking about.

When the group came to a full halt in front of the Akua Jungle's first row of trees, Plumeria turned to Ian. "You and Sawsbuck go find some berries to grow so we have tribute for the Oricorio."

"Not to be that guy Big Sis, but I don't think we need the tribute. Sawsbuck and I are cool with the Oricorio now," Ian said.

Plumeria scoffed. "Oh cool," she said dismissively. "I highly doubt that, as I've been coming through the meadow regularly since the Ultra Rift showed up and the Oricorio got all defensive and they always ask for tribute."

"Did Tom tell you what we did last week?" Ian asked.

"I heard you damaged more of the meadow-"

"I did, but Tom and some stewards repaired the walkway and Sawsbuck helped regrow the flowers the Oricorio get their nectar from," Ian explained. "They were giving me berries at the end of it."

Hyde suddenly snorted like he was about to hock a loogie and spat on the ground. "What a load of shit. It's really pathetic how much of a hero complex you have, kid."

"Gonna be really funny when I get to say 'I told you so,'" Ian fired back.

Hyde scoffed. "Just because Tapu Bulu thought it would be funny to bless your whack ass deer with its power doesn't mean we all have to suck your dick, fake-ass Faller."

Ian's voice rose in anger. "I was here four days while-"

"Both of you shut the fuck up!" Plumeria shouted, her face contorted in anger. "We're not even an hour in and you two are already about to fight. Next time you two get into it, I'm sending someone back to Po Town and they'll be in The Basement until I get back."

Ian gulped nervously. The Basement was essentially Po Town's jail cell. Prisoners from hostile factions and Team Skull members who were caught doing stupid stuff ended up there.

"Big Sis, he's clearly a fucking spy, just send him in to The Basement and be done with it," Hyde said.

Plumeria groaned in frustration. "First off Hyde, you'd be the one sent back. We actually need Ian on this mission, we don't need you. And second, I don't think Ian's a spy."

"But Big Sis-"

"If Ian actually was a spy, his story would be a lot more consistent than it has been," Plumeria explained with an almost smirk. "And last of all, if Ian was actually a spy, wouldn't it be better for to stay with us and watch him, making sure nothing bad happens to us?"

Hyde looked down dejectedly but nodded. "Yeah."

Plumeria then turned to Ian, her face still contorted with controlled rage. "And you need to stop falling for Hyde's bait, okay?"

Ian nodded. "I gotcha."

"No bickering between you two for the rest of the expedition, is that clear?" Plumeria demanded.

"Yes," Ian replied.

Hyde gave Ian a sour look but nodded. "Okay."

"Good, now Ian go get some fucking berries," Plumeria said matter of factly before returning to her bike and started walking it to the trail. Ian grabbed Sawsbuck's Heal Ball and released it, still feeling tense as he walked along the perimeter, trying to find newly ripened berries as the plant life shifted with growth from Sawsbuck's Grassy Surge. A slight blip of green light caught his eye, but upon looking for its source there was nothing there. Mystery meat again? Been a bit since I've seen one of those.

A few minutes later, Ian and Sawsbuck met back up with the squad, all holding up their bikes as Ian carried a handful of red Cheri Berries in his hand, the view of the wooden staircase . Not that we'll need them. He handed them to Selene, who led the group to the wooden stairs where they'd watched the Oricorio tribute ceremony, as Selene had referred to it.

"Put Sawsbuck away, you'll scare them off," Plumeria whispered.

Ian put his hands together like he was praying and mouthed "trust me." Plumeria scowled at him but relented for the time being. No great beats or cracking sounds greeted them, instead a few Oricorio popped their heads out from the tall grass and chirped happily. Two began twirling midair like ballerinas over the heads of the knelt group of trainers before landing daintily on Sawsbuck. More red, twirling Oricorio fluttered to Sawsbuck, and one even landed on Ian's shoulder and chirped happily. Plumeria and the rest of the squad watched on in complete shock as the Oricorio began to chirp and sing happily One Oricorio landed in front of Ian with a berry in its beak and dropped it in front of him, then took a low bow and twirled back in the air.

"Oh my goodness…" Selene whispered.

Ian kept his gaze focused on the jubilant Oricorio and made sure not to look in Hyde's direction, no matter how satisfying it would be to see steam coming from his hater's ears. I'll let him seethe in peace this time.

***

After a little over an hour's ride of enduring sweltering heat and high humidity, for Alola at least, the road Plumeria elicited a sigh of relief. "Finally!" Plumeria called out, pointing up ahead to what looked to be the cluttered foundations of a building that once stood on the roadside clearing.

"What am I looking at?" Ian asked.

"That's Aether Camp, yo," Tupp replied. "Used to be an old Aether research station or something. When we was fighting Breon his dudes burned it down," Tupp explained. "We struck back and hit the 'Aether House' outside of Haina Town."

"I see…" Aether House, that was the place Cosmog got kidnapped from in the games, right? And there was an Aether building over here too? Why does that ring a bell? I think it was some sort of lab- Ian gasped as the realization hit him. It was the lab you'd get Zygarde from! THAT is what the green flashes are, they're Zygarde Cells!

"Ian, the fuck you going?" Tupp called out from behind.

Ian realized he'd biked well past the group's destination and circled back, still pondering the implications of Zygarde potentially being around. Considering how long I've been here, I haven't really thought about something like Zygarde or even Cosmog for that matter. When Ian pulled up to the remnants of the destroyed building, he noticed Plumeria hunched over with the Silph Bag on the ground. Suddenly a white beam reminiscent of a Poke Ball's beam shot out from the faded grey backpack on the ground and a large duffel bag appeared. So that's how the Silph Bag works.

Upon getting both duffel bags with their tent supplies out of the Silph Bag, Plumeria gave Ian a look. "You gonna stand there and gawk all day?"

"No-"

The lightbulb came on in Plumeria's mind and she shook her head. "Do they not have Silph Bags in Unova?" Plumeria asked.

"They're pretty rare," Ian lied.

Plumeria made a sound that was almost a laugh before returning to her task. "I didn't expect that, but it makes sense. I just wanted to make sure Mina wouldn't start getting jealous or anything."

Rapp and Selene both gasped overdramatically, covering their mouths as if an emotional bombshell just dropped. "Scandalous Ian! I never thought you'd be such a tramp," Selene teased.

Ian felt his cheeks warm up and he shook his head. I can't lie, Plumeria's attractive but she's definitely not my type personality wise. Plus maybe I only think she's good looking cause I haven't done the old five-knuckle-shuffle since I got to Alola. "In your dreams, Plumeria," Ian fired back.

"Only if I wanted to be sober and vomit," Plumeria spat back. "How about you take your reddening cheeks and go find some berries for us?"

"Cheeks?" Ian asked mockingly. "Oh, you mean the ones on my face," Ian said in faux-realization.

"Next time you make that joke I'm taking Hyde's side in your next lovers' spat," Plumeria retorted.

Ian sighed lowly and noticed Tupp beside him snickering. "I guess I'll go out and bring home the bacon for everyone," Ian announced overly obnoxiously.

"Should I send Tupp with you just in case? You sure you'll be okay doing it alone? " Plumeria teased.

"Alone? I'm not alone, I'll have Sawsbuck with me," Ian said with mock enthusiasm.

Selene giggled. "Ian, I'm only going to say this because Hyde can't, but that sounded incredibly lame."

Ian's grin widened. "Just make sure he says 'thank you' while I'm gone." With that, Ian made his way to the nearby group of trees and pulled out Sawsbuck's Heal Ball, casually tossing it in front of him. When Sawsbuck manifested, Ian immediately noticed something very different about his blessed stag's antlers. Gone were the pink cherry blossoms, now it appeared like there were two bushes above its head. "Sawsbuck, why are your antlers gone?"

Sawsbuck grunted loudly as if it resented being accused. "So you're telling me it's so hot right now you turned into your summer form?" Ian continued. Sawsbuck shook its head and bleated, looking to the treeline ahead of them. Well that's unexpected. Ian felt one of Sawsbuck's vines nudge him, and Ian smiled. "Might as well go for a ride after all."

Moments later Ian had mounted Sawsbuck and his blessed stag began trotting through the nearby bank of trees. "No offense Sawsbuck, but I liked your springtime antlers more. I can't see a good amount of space in front of you with these bushes in the way," Ian said, fidgeting with the newly grown plant life on Sawsbuck's antlers. The buck seemingly ignored Ian's critique of its new do. Oh yeah, if his forms are seasonal or weather based, he can't really control it.

He spotted an Aspear Berry tree, and when Sawsbuck's Grassy Surge affected the fruits, they grew to about three quarters of their ripened size, with green still overshadowing the yellow. "We'll come back to you tomorrow morning," Ian said with a grin.

Just as Sawsbuck neared the ending of the small, natural orchard of trees he caught another green blip of light in the corner of his eye, this time on the trunk of a rather large tropical tree. "Another Zygarde cell!" Ian called out. He shook the reins on Sawsbuck and pointed to where Sawsbuck could see and his blessed stag hurried over. Ian investigated the old tree trunk, noticing the tree itself had to be at least five times his height if not more. Ian kept his gaze on the trunk, and as he studied it further, noticed a faint, green patch in the wood. Right about where the flash seemed to come from. Ian reached his hand out, thinking maybe the Zygarde Cell would somehow lift itself from the wood. It didn't appear to be a separate entity, but it had fused with the bark. Part of him thought of maybe chopping off that part of the trunk, but he realized that likely wouldn't grant him any favors with the Zygarde Cell, if it was sentient at all. Or its brethren.

Ian watched on curiously, noticing it blip with green light a couple more times over the five minute period. Oh yeah, the protagonist in the Sun and Moon games was given some bracelet or watch thing that absorbed all of the Zygarde Cells. Something tells me a device like that isn't exactly heading Team Skull's way anytime soon.

Ian finally grew bored of the seemingly dormant Zygarde Cell and waved goodbye to it as he directed Sawsbuck away. On the topic of Legendary Pokemon… If Mohn never got wormhole'd away from Aether, does Aether still capture Cosmog and keep it in captivity? Well, that's not even mentioning Aether Island is abandoned now, right? Maybe an experiment with Cosmog went wrong or something and a bunch of Ultra Beasts appeared? That would make sense… Ian sighed as he didn't realize he could get that creative. Sawsbuck's pace slowed as mount and rider came upon an incline that signaled the beginning of some of the nearby foothills. He looked up to the southern sky, seeing the great, snowcapped peak of Mount Lanakila looming over him and Sawsbuck ominously. Right where the summit would be was the bright light of the Ultra Rift, bright enough to be seen from his position who knows how many miles away.

And what about the Ultra Rift? Maybe Nebby or something of its line as at the center of it? That would make some sort of sense… Maybe Nebby's a Cosmoem and it's stuck there, being something so dense it tore open reality? Ian shook his head in disbelief. If I ever got off this crazy island I could be a big help to some physics professor… Ian shook his head again, trying to remove the notion from his mind. And this is all even IF Cosmog was found. Maybe it's still at large? There was that postgame event where you could get another Cosmog right? You had to go to this opposite world where day and night were reversed and go- Ian's jaw dropped as a second huge realization hit him in the day. You had to take a Solgaleo or Lunala to the Lake of the Sunne… Or Moone, depending on the version. And a Cosmog would be born at the weird altar thing. Maybe Cosmog's hanging out at the Lake of the Sunne? Maybe that's where Lusamine found it in the game timeline… Ian's brain continued churning through ideas. And there's the Arceus design being seen from above. What the hell did Arceus have to do with Alola in the first place? Plus Zygarde, wasn't it supposed to be in Kalos? Ian cringed as he remembered speculation from fans that there was supposed to be a sequel game to the X and Y that got cancelled in favor of doing the Alola games which explained Zygarde's presence in Alola. Am I seriously debating whether a cancelled video game from a different dimension is going to have potential real world consequences for me now? Ian shook his head in disbelief again. "This is nuts," Ian said aloud.

Being so lost in thought, Ian hadn't realized Sawsbuck had stopped in front of another tree, this one being full of freshly ripened Leppa Berries. "Good job Sawsbuck. You're the best autopilot a guy could ask for."

Sawsbuck bleated happily as if it was cheering in agreement. I'd never be able to investigate the Lake of the Sunne anyways though since Tapu Bulu almost beheaded me when I was there last time. Plus Plumeria said there's an Alpha Golurk guarding the place as well… Ian sighed, this time in frustration. But a Cosmog being there would explain why the place is off limits and so well guarded. It wasn't guarded at all in the games. Why the hell is the place so important anyways?

One of Sawsbuck's vines dangled a fresh Leppa Berry in his face and Ian's rumbling stomach got the better of him. "Thanks bud." Sawsbuck seemingly chortled with a series of grunts, and Ian rubbed the back of his blessed mount's neck affectionately. "If I didn't lose your Heal Ball and you hadn't vouched for me in front of Tapu Bulu that day, I probably die then," Ian recalled out loud. Sawsbuck didn't seem to respond as it now had a number of Leppa Berries wrapped up in its sets of vines. "So even if Nebby's there, we can't exactly go prowling around. Anyways Sawsbuck, let's get these berries back to camp."

***

When Ian returned, two tents had been set up, and a hole in one of the ruined building's exposed foundations had become a makeshift fire pit with three occupied lawn chairs surrounding it. Plumeria stood with arms folded, looking out to the horizon and the nearby shore he hadn't realized was so close by.

"Food time!" Rapp announced from her chair as she saw Ian and Sawsbuck riding up with a dozen Leppa Berries on them. Selene turned her head and smiled eagerly at the prospect of food. Hyde, who sat in the third lawn chair, turned his head away.

When Ian neared the campsite, he tossed a couple berries each to Selene and Rapp. When it came time for him to decide about giving them to Hyde, Ian caught a glare from Plumeria and tossed one. The Leppa Berry landed on Hyde's lap but rolled off as Hyde made no effort to stop it, instead just leering at Ian.

"Here, have mine," Selene said quickly, getting out of her seat and placing her own berries directly into Hyde's hands. Selene went to Sawsbuck and took a couple berries from one the blessed stag's vines and gave Ian an annoyed eyeroll.

Ian gave her an acknowledgement nod and turned to Plumeria, who seemed oddly fixated with the coastline. "Is the ocean that pretty down here compared to the view from Po Town?"

"Yeah, Mahiki Bay is probably the prettiest coastline on Ula'Ula," Plumeria said.

"So the most picturesque coastline on the island is just a two hour ride down The Straightaway? Neat," Ian said, extending a Leppa Berry

Plumeria shook her head. "South of the jungle it's the Laa Path," Plumeria said, emphasizing the ah-ah sound in the Alolan word Laa.

"Cool…" Ian said, holding a Leppa Berry out for Plumeria to take, which she finally did.

"It's also Sinclair's territory," Plumeria added between bites.

Oh yeah, the pirate guy. "The beach?"

Plumeria shook her head. "Just the waters and the islands in the bay," Plumeria said. A lot of the so called islands were really just rock formations sticking out of the sea, but he did see a couple in the distance with some land in between. "His base with all of his ships is probably on the biggest island but it's way far out."

Ian nodded, looking out at the bay, noticing Tupp doing something Ian assumed had to do with Sobble. Upon looking further into the distance, he saw two large hills sprouting up from the ocean in the far distance. Probably those, I take it. Something nagged at him though, words Tupp had said a few days prior when Ian had questioned him about why there were never planes in the sky.

"The ASF closed the skies around Ula'Ula cuz Surge and his Zapdos threatened to shoot down anything that came close," Ian recalled Tupp explaining.

"So Plumeria, Surge and Zapdos have air superiority over the island, right?" Ian asked.

"Yeah," Plumeria answered sourly.

"And you said Sinclair and his pirates raid shipping coming from the rest of Alola, right? I assume that goes to the ASF before getting distributed around, right?" Ian continued.

"Yeah, where are you going with this?" Plumeria asked skeptically.

"Why doesn't Surge take Zapdos and destroy Sinclair's boats then? Sinclair's raiding stuff that Surge is bound to get anyways."

"Good question actually," Plumeria said. "Remember that boat that woke us up this morning?"

"Yeah," Ian answered.

"We think Sinclair pays tribute to Surge through Outrigger on the down low," Plumeria explained. "That boat would have to have been sent off in the middle of the night to get to be that close to Po Town at sunrise."

"Ooooooh, that makes sense actually," Selene chimed in.

"Yeah," Ian said. "Plus it weakens the ASF."

"What?" Selene asked.

"If Surge doesn't like the ASF, having SInclair harass them is great. It keeps the ASF busy while Surge does whatever his game plan is for later," Ian explained.

Plumeria stood in silence, eyeing Ian curiously. "That's pretty well thought out actually. Where'd you come up with that?"

"I played too many strategy games with my buddies back home," Ian said.

Plumeria thought on something for a few seconds before addressing Ian once more. "When we get back to Po Town I may ask you to sit in on a strategy meeting."

Hyde cleared his throat obnoxiously loud, glaring at Plumeria. Ian wanted to cackle, knowing it would get under Hyde's skin, but he swallowed his pride instead and took a deep breath instead. "I'm gonna join Tupp down there on the beach then."

"Damn, I shoulda' brought a swimsuit or something. Water looks perfect yo," Rapp said.

"Yeah," Selene said.

"Don't go swimming in the bay," Plumeria said. "Lots of predatory Water Pokemon in that water."

"Wasn't gonna do that but thanks for the heads up," Ian said as he waved goodbye.

***

The hour of training with Tupp ended up being really productive, as Ian got to reveal his newly evolved Pyroar to his best friend. Pyroar got to show off his new moves, namely Flamethrower, Hyper Voice, and Roar. I was hoping he'd have Crunch for some Type diversity, but whatever. Ian did his best to stifle laughter when Pyroar tried doing some of its agility training. Being significantly larger and more muscular had made him clumsy. It'll definitely be something he need lots of practice to get used to.

By the time the sun started setting, Ian and Tupp were called back to camp, and Ian was made aware there'd be a night watch since they were close to enemy territory.

"So who's first yo?" Tupp asked.

"Ian," Hyde said bluntly. "I'll stay up and do a double. No way I'm sleeping when he's on watch."

Ian looked at Plumeria to prove he wasn't about to start bickering, and Plumeria sighed in frustration. "Suit yourself Hyde."

Ian took a seat in one of the lawnchairs as Plumeria led the girls to bed. Tupp stayed out for a while to make sure Hyde played nice, but eventually he yawned once too many and went to the boys' tent. From his position, Ian got to see the night sky illuminated with countless stars and a three-quarter moon. Ian had rarely gone camping, so he'd almost always been near a big city with light pollution. By the time the stars really came out, he was usually stuck in his bunk in Shady House, he found an unusual enjoyment of looking at the night sky, that is until his neck started to hurt.

Ian tried to play off how awkward the silence felt. Part of him wanted to get a fire going just to have something to be distracted with, but Plumeria said it would be visible for any of Sinclair's patrol boats. After a good fifteen minutes, Hyde moved, checking his watch and then clearing his throat.

"Just go to sleep man," Hyde said.

"And the moment you catch me snoozing, you'll go and wake up Plumeria tell her I'm useless," Ian said. "That'll be a no from me, but thanks for the offer."

"It wasn't to be nice," Hyde spat.

Ian took a deep breath, trying not to raise his voice. "Do we have to do this now? We'll just wake up everyone and get kicked off the mission in the morning."

Hyde didn't respond, opting to just sit in silence for another few minutes, and Ian took the opportunity to admire the night sky some more. Eventually something crossed his mind he'd yet to ask Hyde yet, and decided it was probably the best chance at an olive branch he had. "I heard a rumor about you," Ian began.

"Bullshit, whatever it is," Hyde croaked.

"I heard you're hostile to all Unovans, not just me," Ian said.

"Believe whatever you want," Hyde said, returning to silence for a good half a minute. "The rumor's true though."

"I assume there's a good reason why," Ian said delicately.

"There is."

Ian waited for Hyde to elaborate further, but realized he wasn't going to volunteer the information. "Can I ask what the reason is?"

Hyde sat in silence for another minute as Ian did his best to remain patient. Finally Ian heard Hyde shift in his lawn chair, and the pale moonlight reflected off Hyde's watch. "You see this watch?" Hyde asked.

"Yeah."

"It was my brother's," Hyde said. "He's dead now."

Ian gulped. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"You don't have to be so fake around me, plant," Hyde croaked. "He took an offer to go to a Unovan military academy. You're their bitch for four years, but they give you a place at the end of year Castelia Cup when you're done. You basically become a big shot overnight from there."

"You guys are from Alola though, right?" Ian asked.

"Duh."

"So why's a Unova military academy taking him in?" Ian asked.

Hyde sighed in frustration. "Dude, you being this clueless about Unovan shit-"

"Can you just explain it to me man? I think the politics in my world are way different," Ian said, trying to de-escalate.

Hyde gave an annoyed exhale but began speaking again. "They probably don't tell you this shit in your propaganda schools, but you Unova fucks do a lot of shit around the world. Even worse, you don't like doing it yourselves. So you have this military academy called the Striaton Institute that takes people from other regions, and they do your guys' dirty work for you. That's where he went."

Ian gulped. "They definitely don't tell most Unovans that."

"You don't gotta be fake with me, plant," Hyde said. "When he left he had a big smile on his face and told me he'd see me again in four years and 'everything would be different.' Six months later they sent us the news about him. I give the Unovans credit though, I didn't think they'd give us his watch back, but they did."

Ian didn't respond, letting the moment breath.

"And in four days it'll be the three year anniversary of him leaving," Hyde grunted.

Ian continued letting the moment breath, making sure Hyde didn't have anything else to add until he finally opened his mouth. "Thanks for sharing that Hyde. I know you hate me, and nothing's gonna change between us, and that's okay," Ian said.

"Still trying to be nice, you're just as stubborn as Tupp," Hyde scoffed. "You know, Palmer's Ranch is only a few miles from Malie City's outer defenses. It'd be best for you if one night you just disappeared there and never came back."

Ian gulped. "I owe Team Skull everything-"

"Nah you don't, not anymore. And a little advice, don't go thinking Mina's into you or anything," Hyde said definitively. "Only reason's she's flirting with you is she wants to piss me off."

"What?" Ian asked in shock.

"We started talkin' in the first month, back when we thought Breon would use his Tyranitar to destroy Po Town's walls and wreck our shit. We even made out a couple times. But she broke it off, saying she got some dude back home she still had feelings for."

Well that would explain her hesitation earlier today… But nothing out of Hyde's mouth can be trusted. He wants me to have no attachments so I'll leave. "Good to know," Ian lied.

"She's just gonna tease you to get attention," Hyde said. "Just like why she does her dumb murals."

Ian exhaled deeply, feeling very awkward now, not wanting to pick a fight but wanting to defend his artsy friend he was kind of crushing on. "So what time you got?"

"Twelve minutes until your shift is done. By the time you're snoring it'll be my turn anyways," Hyde said dismissively.

"Good talk," Ian said as he got out of the lawn chair.

"Fuck off," Hyde replied.

"The harder you try to get me to leave, the more likely I stay just to piss you off, Hyde" Ian said with a light chuckle.

***

Ian awoke to Tupp tapping on the forehead. "I'm awake bro," Ian said hoarsely.

"You said you had a surprise for breakfast?" Tupp recalled.

Ian smiled. "Oh yeah, we're in for a treat today." He crawled out of his sleeping bag and debated rolling it up, but figured the rest of the squad would appreciate breakfast first. He made his way outside of the tent where Tupp had already started folding up the lawn chairs and Plumeria was mid-yawn as she emerged from her tent, her long strands of hair looking uncharacteristically disheveled.

"Morning Plumeria," Ian greeted.

"Morning Ian," Plumeria croaked.

"Got a treat for us this morning," Ian said.

"You fit a coffee machine in your bag there?" Plumeria asked, wiping the sleep from her eyes.

"Hey Big Sis!" Hyde's voice called from the boys' tent. "Ian ain't even roll up his fucking sleeping bag-" Hyde froze as he saw Ian standing right next to Plumeria.

"Hyde, I have been awake FOR LESS THAN TWO MINUTES!" Plumeria roared.

"Bis Sis, I-"

"So you're going back to Po Town then, right?" Plumeria demanded.

"Wait, my bad, I-"

Ian grinned at Tupp as he ducked the escalating scene, getting Sawsbuck's Heal Ball ready. Moments later he was on Sawsbuck's back, the small shrubs on the blessed stag's summer form antlers blocking a good chunk of his frontal vision. Sawsbuck seemed to remember the route, and when they got to the Aspear Berry tree it didn't take long until they had twelve berries in their hands, leaving the rest of the berries for a return trip for his Pokemon team's breakfast.

When Ian got back to camp and started distributing Aspear Berries, Hyde seemed particularly dejected.

"So what's so special about Aspear Berries?" Plumeria asked.

"They're like if coffee was berries," Ian said, handing her a pair, then giving her another pair to give to Hyde.

"I made Hyde roll up your sleeping bag," Plumeria said lowly.

"Thanks," he whispered back. Plumeria took a bite of one of her Aspear Berries and her eyes lit up as the warming sensation came across her body. "Fuck, these are better than coffee."

When Selene took a bite of one she gasped too. "They are!"

Ian was given an old grocery bag and made a return trip to the Aspear Berry tree and a nearby Oran Berry tree for the group's various Pokemon team members. He made sure to feed his team away from camp, especially his massive Tyrunt.

Ian re-appeared at their campsite he remembered they called Aether Camp, and noticed the last tent's duffel bag was being beamed into the Silph Bag.

"Breakfast is gonna have to be fast for our Pokemon, I want to hit that Ultra Storm forming up ahead," Plumeria said, pointing to their southerly route. "Not too far out of the way either."

Ian noticed a faint white glowing dome a mile or so inland and smiled at the prospect of finally getting to go to another Ultra Storm. Maybe give Wartortle some EXP Candy… Or maybe I just save it for when Grimsley thinks a Pokemon's mentally ready to evolve. Yeah, that's a better idea.

Selene and Rapp began releasing their Pokemon, and Ian watched closely as he'd never seen their full teams out at once. Selene's Brionne appeared with a cheer, her Arcanine and Dusk Form Lycanroc immediately began playing around excitedly, while Toucannon stretched its wings out. Arcanine, as big as a tiger but acts like a dog. If I didn't already have Pyroar I would so go for one… Ian thought for a moment as Selene grabbed her last tow Poke Balls. Maybe help Tupp get a Growlithe or something. There weren't any on this island if I recall, but who knows what an Ultra Storm will bring. Plus if it's male it might give Tupp an in with Selene. Selene released her last two Pokemon, one being the floating squid-like Pokemon Inkay, floating around lazily, while her sixth Pokemon emerged from its ball and Ian recognized the primate with a helmet and hard ball looking thing under its arm as a Passimian. Neat. Never would have expected her to have an Inkay though… I wonder how they evolve if you can't turn the 3DS upside down?

Ian turned to Rapp's Pokemon, her Comfey and Galarian Ponyta were out first, but a Stufful and a Smoochum joined the other two. Interesting. Plumeria's Salazzle, Alolan Muk, newly added Varoom, and Haunter that Ian had seen before came first, followed by an Arbok and a Toxapex. Toxapex stuck out to him, as the large blue, Corsola-eating starfish moved slowly, ominously as it neared the pair of berries near it. Varoom didn't even touch the food, instead opting a patch of gravel and mechanically grinding it up underneath. Never thought that's how a Varoom would eat, but you learn something new every day. Ian turned back to Salazzle and noticed a string around its neck with a dark purple crystal hanging on it. Is that a Z-Crystal? Ian turned to Plumeria suddenly and looked at her wrist, noticing a bracelet of some sort he'd always thought was a watch.

Other than Hyde leaving the group's vision to feed his Pokemon team "where no enemies will see," everything went smoothly as the group rode down the Laa Path. Mount Lanakila loomed larger and large over them with Ian noticing the bright white light of the Ultra Rift at the summit becoming more and more prominent. One day, if I ever get a flyer I want to get a closer look. I'm sure it'd be really cool.

They were maybe a half mile out when Ian noticed the Ultra Storm's dome-like luminescence begin to become a more vibrant shade of white before cycling between red, blue, green, and yellow, before the color green returned. Moments later a boom sound hit their ears, which made Ian thankful they weren't so close to this time around. A couple minutes the group of six was dismounting, and Plumeria began barking orders.

"Ian, Tupp, you guys go around the perimeter. Hyde, you and Selene go help create a buffer zone in there, Rapp and I will occupy that buffer zone so we can watch and observe. Go!" Plumeria said.

The squad left their packs with their bikes and hurried to the fog-like barrier. Ian released his Pyroar and Tupp his Gumshoos. Selene released her Arcanine and Hyde his Torracat.

"Aw, we're matching tiger Pokemon," Selene said with a giggle.

"Switch your 'mon, I don't want Ian seeing the rest of my team," Hyde said bitterly.

"Okay…" Selene said with a trying to not be mad-customer service voice.

"Get Toucannon, it can distract while Torracat closes in for the kill," Hyde explained. Selene looked to Ian and Hyde and gave them an eyeroll, but did as Hyde bade.

Plumeria got her Alolan Muk out again, and Rapp kept Comfey at the ready. Ian and Tupp rushed in first, the morning sun dimming inside the dome. Pyroar licked his chops as he leapt in front of Ian and Tupp. Gumshoos followed closely behind on all fours, watching every movement suspiciously.

Ian noticed shards on the ground already, but knew he wanted to make sure things were more stable for leaving himself vulnerable. As if on cue, a vibrant blue crack appeared just before them and a swirling white hole expanded. Pyroar and Gumshoos readied themselves for whatever would come out. Pyroar wound up what Ian realized would be a Hyper Voice, and Ian watched as the Ultra Wormhole opened up, dropping a small, pink humanoid form with a head almost as big as the rest of its body. Big white eyes expanded as it glowed with Dark Type Energy. An Impidimp? Neat.

Ian put his hands over his ears to prepare for Pyroar's Hyper Voice, but the Impidimp suddenly knocked Pyroar right in its neck with unreal speed. Sucker Punch? Pyroar whailed in pain as it collapsed from the sudden hit in an awkward spot, and Gumshoos turned to avenge its fallen partner, but Impidimp jumped with otherworldly agility over Ian and Tupp, scurrying off and murmuring frantically as it did.

An Impidimp would be really cool, kinda go with the whole Team Skull vibe too. Ian turned to follow the pink little imp, but Tupp stopped him. "Bro, look."

Ian turned to where Tupp pointed, and he saw the last flash of electricity twenty feet or so away from them, with Selene's Toucannon falling from the sky as it appeared it had suffered a pretty brutal knockout. Toucannon hit the ground harshly, and Tupp started charging over to Selene. You owe me, Tupp. Gimshoos followed Tupp, and Pyroar clumsily got back to its feet and looked to Ian for further orders. Ian pointed at Tupp and Gumshoos. "You had a good idea though, just unlucky."

Ian focused on the situation at hand and saw the bright red eyes of an Alpha, with a huge yellow arachnid body. Gotta be a Galvantula. Ian eyed Gumshoos as Hyde's Torracat spat flames at the Alpha to prevent it from attacking Toucannon. A red beam of light got the fallen bird Pokemon off the field, and Selene's Dusk Form Lycanroc appeared in its pleace howling angrily as it charged Galvantula.

Galvantula then crackled with Electric Type Energy and suddenly sent a wave of electricity, hitting Torracat, Lycanroc, and Gumshoos. The wave seemingly fizzled at as it got to Pyroar. Good thing we're late to the party, or that Discharge would've hit us hard. "Pyroar, Flamethrower!" Ian roared.

Pyroar leapt into the air, its mane gave off some embers and then it unleashed a stream of flames as it roared ferociously. The Alpha Galvantula was hit directly, letting out a high pitched cry of pain as it endured the stream that lasted for a good five seconds. Pyroar seemed already a bit fatigued, and Galvantula turned to Pyroar with its red eyes.

"Right!" Ian commanded as a thick, white String Shot came streaming toward Ian's lion. Pyroar managed to dodge barely, but a bolt of electricity followed the String Shot, which connected, causing Pyroar to roar with pain. Ian noticed Torracat charging in, mouth ablaze with flames. Torracat sank its teeth into one of Galvantula's legs, causing more high pitched whining. It then fired off an Alpha Roar, knocking Torracat off of it, and even stunning Lycanroc who had just recovered initiative from Discharge. Galvantula stepped next to the stunned Torracat, and Ian looked at Pyroar.

"One more Flamethrower, give it all you got!" Ian commanded confidently.

Pyroar growled, forcing itself up and leapt forward. Its man gave off a short burst of embers, and another stream of flames erupted from Pyroar's mouth. Galvantula turned to the oncoming onslaught, and all Ian heard was Galvantula's high pitched whines of pain to know Flamethrower had hit home.

When Pyroar tired and let up on the stream of fire, a crack had already formed behind the fallen Galvantula and begin pulling it in. "Excellent work, Pyroar," Ian said with a smile as he pumped his fist.

Ian looked behind him to see if the Impidimp had re-appeared, but no dice. "Damn it," he said under his breath. Ian then rushed over to where Galvantula had fallen, and there sat a blue cube of EXP Candy. A medium one. Ian knelt down and picked it up when he heard nearby footsteps.

"I think I should get that," Hyde declared. "Seeing as Torracat engaged it and was bait for your Pyroar to come in and save the day."

Ian rolled his eyes. "So you do like the Alpha Poop now? I had a suspicion-"

"You just so happened to hold back so the rest of the team was bait," Hyde accused.

"Pyroar got Sucker Punched by an Impidimp, that's why we were late to saving you guys," Ian retorted.

"Boys, we are in an Ultra Storm, can you please cut this shit out?" Selene scolded.

Hyde was having none of it. "He clearly values that thing-"

"PLUMERIA!" Selene shouted loudly.

Hyde froze and grimaced, then relaxed and stepped back. "Fine."

Ian stifled a laugh but made sure he made eye contact with Hyde as he had a shit-eating grin on his face.

 

[Firejd1]

Wow! So early. Let me just slap my theory on the Ultra Crisis happening here really quickly in a spoil cause it's fucking long. I can fix spelling and stuff tomorrow when I'm on my computer, not my IPad about to go to bed

Spoiler: Part 1

Alola was already spacially unstable, but something exasperated that. Ian was theorizing this chapter about how it might be Cosmog or its evolution causing it. I personally thing that could be true, but the main force is two things: Aether, and the Hisui Crisis. Okay now just hear me out before you start replying to me calling me wrong!

Spoiler: Part 2

This is clearly a AU to mainline Pokémon media, with a difference being pointed out to us that Lusamine's husband is alive, and the current CEO of the Aether Foundation. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but one of Aether's(ahem Lusamine's) main reasons to get involved in Ultra-Wormhole stuff if that Lusamine's husband got lost in one. With her husband now instead never getting lost in an Ultra-Wormhole, and being the CEO instead of his wife, the whole of the Aether Foundation changes. One of those changes being the privatization of the Observatory on top the mountain where the Mega-Wormhole is. This acusation and subsequent privatization could be totally innocent in record wormhole energy and activity, or it could allow the Aether Foundation to influence them in ways that may cause the space to become even more unstable, which allows for other Space-Time anomalies to interact with the regular Ultra-Wormholes. Which segues into the second part of my theory: the Hisui Crisis

Spoiler: Part 3

When Giratina rebelled against their Father, and meddled in their siblings domains, shit got fucked up(as seen in the Legend: Arceus), but we were every only shown things being taken into the time period, never out. Something like a Space-Time blackhole sucking things into the time period. Here though, we have seen something taken away from Hisui for the first time(probably, don't quote me): Warden of the Pearl Clan, Irida, was mentioned in passing as being a leader to a group of people. There is interaction between the current time in Alola, to the time of the Hisui Crisis! So much so that someone has escaped the blackhole like nature of its Space-Time to appear in the second most unstable place, Alola. The two most unstable times/places interacting is not good, and is almost certainly causing the more stable of the two(Alola) to worsen. Which causes the Space-Time rifts opening and just the whole Ultra-Wormhole badness. There are a few ways I can see this being resolved, stopping Aether messing with the Ultra-Wormhole's and helping Solgaleo and Lunala fix things(either through like so candys, food, healing, or raising Nubby to help them), interacting with the Creation Trio to help patch things up(hey maybe this is after Giratinas second attempt at overthrowing their Father and they are chill now), or going straight to Arceus(lamo good look, best bet is to go to that woman in Paldea who gives out rotor cases and hope she can magic out an Arc Phone)

Spoiler: TLDR

TLDR: With Aether's CEO being different, their direction on how they do things is different. They may be messing with Ultra-Wormholes enough to mess up the local Space-Time enough that it touches Hisuis fucked up Space-Time, which causes Alola's to get even worse. Stopping Aether, helping Solgaleo, Lunala, and Nebby can be a way to stop this Crisis; or you can go to the Creation Trio; or Arceus

 

[ThunderBasilisk]

Damn good chapter. And man the dumbass just flat out accusing him of being a spy right to his face. Also do you mean Roar or Noble Roar as a move? And man Hyde being in deep shit cause he won't stop is funny but I bet he's gonna do something stupid soon. Wonder who's getting the candy this time?

 

[Oceanside Lowlife]

Wow! So early. Let me just slap my theory on the Ultra Crisis happening here really quickly in a spoil cause it's fucking long. I can fix spelling and stuff tomorrow when I'm on my computer, not my IPad about to go to bed

Spoiler: Part 1

Alola was already spacially unstable, but something exasperated that. Ian was theorizing this chapter about how it might be Cosmog or its evolution causing it. I personally thing that could be true, but the main force is two things: Aether, and the Hisui Crisis. Okay now just hear me out before you start replying to me calling me wrong!

Spoiler: Part 2

This is clearly a AU to mainline Pokémon media, with a difference being pointed out to us that Lusamine's husband is alive, and the current CEO of the Aether Foundation. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but one of Aether's(ahem Lusamine's) main reasons to get involved in Ultra-Wormhole stuff if that Lusamine's husband got lost in one. With her husband now instead never getting lost in an Ultra-Wormhole, and being the CEO instead of his wife, the whole of the Aether Foundation changes. One of those changes being the privatization of the Observatory on top the mountain where the Mega-Wormhole is. This acusation and subsequent privatization could be totally innocent in record wormhole energy and activity, or it could allow the Aether Foundation to influence them in ways that may cause the space to become even more unstable, which allows for other Space-Time anomalies to interact with the regular Ultra-Wormholes. Which segues into the second part of my theory: the Hisui Crisis

Spoiler: Part 3

When Giratina rebelled against their Father, and meddled in their siblings domains, shit got fucked up(as seen in the Legend: Arceus), but we were every only shown things being taken into the time period, never out. Something like a Space-Time blackhole sucking things into the time period. Here though, we have seen something taken away from Hisui for the first time(probably, don't quote me): Warden of the Pearl Clan, Irida, was mentioned in passing as being a leader to a group of people. There is interaction between the current time in Alola, to the time of the Hisui Crisis! So much so that someone has escaped the blackhole like nature of its Space-Time to appear in the second most unstable place, Alola. The two most unstable times/places interacting is not good, and is almost certainly causing the more stable of the two(Alola) to worsen. Which causes the Space-Time rifts opening and just the whole Ultra-Wormhole badness. There are a few ways I can see this being resolved, stopping Aether messing with the Ultra-Wormhole's and helping Solgaleo and Lunala fix things(either through like so candys, food, healing, or raising Nubby to help them), interacting with the Creation Trio to help patch things up(hey maybe this is after Giratinas second attempt at overthrowing their Father and they are chill now), or going straight to Arceus(lamo good look, best bet is to go to that woman in Paldea who gives out rotor cases and hope she can magic out an Arc Phone)

Spoiler: TLDR

TLDR: With Aether's CEO being different, their direction on how they do things is different. They may be messing with Ultra-Wormholes enough to mess up the local Space-Time enough that it touches Hisuis fucked up Space-Time, which causes Alola's to get even worse. Stopping Aether, helping Solgaleo, Lunala, and Nebby can be a way to stop this Crisis; or you can go to the Creation Trio; or Arceus

Click to shrink...

The first big theory post! This makes me so happy, not just that you typed out a whole thing but it's so incredibly flattering that you've spent a legitimate amount of time thinking about something I've written. I've been throwing hints around, and seeing how deep you're looking, every angle you're looking at, it is just so much fun for me to read. Thank you for reading and your deep thinking, I really appreciate it. I hope I'll give you plenty more to speculate on going forward! (I definitely will lmao)

So for this post and all the theorizing/speculation going forward, I can promise you that there are answers to everything, and the theories won't influence where the story goes. I won't respond and say what's right or wrong (unless you are asking about fundamental premises like "is there a Cosmog in this universe" or something of that sort). I can't wait to see what theories come up, and react to some of the "oh shit" moments I think I have brewing.

 

[Oceanside Lowlife]

Also do you mean Roar or Noble Roar as a move?

Click to shrink...

For clarity's sake, a Pokémon using an actual move will always be capitalized. Pyroar will do a (regular, not special Pokémon move) roar quite a bit. The actual move Roar will be capitalized. Also Pyroar already had Noble Roar in its moveset as a Litleo, so this is Roar.