He’d followed along happily with Temp at the offer to venture to see Father Winter together, but as they got deeper and deeper into the cave, he could tell that Temp was getting angrier and angrier. Before he could really ask him what his deal was, they made it to the meeting place. Mint’s eyes are on the strange cave drawings of Primal Kyogre and Groudon before they land squarely on ‘Father Winter’. “Daddy?!” he squeaked, immediately in a way he was sure would have made Chu-e Choi proud.

Father Winter is…rough around the edges, but Mint can excuse it. Temp apparently could not and he watched the taller man spit back at Father Winter. He felt a little ashamed of himself. The letter he’d sent had been more of a venting exercise than anything real. Yeah, it was kind of embarrassing to know a hot guy had read his vent writing, but how was he supposed to know that? He’d assumed the letters would just get displayed in their envelopes somewhere and that’d be the end of that. No replies, no weird rendezvous.

He waited, mulling over his thoughts on the subject. It wasn’t like the guy could give him anything he wanted. “I want a date this Friday night!” he blurted out. “But, like, if that’s off the table, and you don’t really have any cool, blue, mythical pokemon up your sleeve, can you check for a purple Lapras? Preferably, one holding a 500$ gift card for me.” He called out waving at the man and putting the charm on full display. What the hell else was he supposed to ask for?

Temp had Tails so…”I’ll take Heads I guess.”

VU5P4Vkt

Tempest Quinn

4. DATE WITH DADDY

( HAVEN'T SEEN MY EX SINCE WE BROKE UP, PROBABLY 'CAUSE HE DIDN'T WANNA GROW UP )


The blush that bloomed on Mint's cheeks could've been seen from space. One of the most successful, and only times, he'd ever asked anyone out. Oh yes. Oh fuck yes. Grab that goddamn hand. There isn't any hesitation, and any skill in judging character is thrown by the way side as seafoam green eyes are glued to one man. He's held close, Father Winter's fingers intertwining with his own as he's led through the portal.

The scenery is foreign, and it took him a little bit to figure out where they were again. Still Hoenn, clearly, as they walked out of the cave together but buildings, modern buildings, were missing replaced by mostly wooden structures. That's mildly distressing, but when Mint is about to bring it up his companion quietly distracts him, taking him by the hand for a clichéd romantic walk on the beach.

The events that follow are much like a dream, but Mint is convinced it's real. He doesn't see the strangeness of the dream, doesn't recognize it like the Soiree. He's captivated, and that's all that matters. Yearning pours forth through small glances, lingering touches, and excited laughs. Conversation is natural, and while Mint stuttered through it in the beginning, he's coaxed eventually into something more fluid and natural.

Mint floats through dinner with ease, barely remembering what he even ate. He can't concern himself with that. He wouldn't let himself do anything that could upset this perfect moment, a part of him fearing the shattering of a dream once more.

But any nerves are quickly forgotten when a gentle hand cupped his face and tilted his head up. Any sort of intelligent thought is gone when he felt lips on his. Soft at first, almost shy, but quick to prod further and further when Mint didn't pull away. A kiss turns into two, and he gets bolder. Mint fell gently on the sandy bank, gasping quietly as he felt hands move under his clothes before his lips captured again.

Too far gone to even think about protesting or finding some cover Mint felt his legs spread and then-

"TEMP?!" The horrified scream that ripped out of his throat as he caught sight of the gym leader, upside down, still laying on sand. With that, the illusion is shattered. Daddy Winter is gone, and Mint is left frozen in confused terror. It takes entirely too long for him to move again, practically dying from shock. And then, he scrambled to cover up his indecency, tears of frustration and humiliation brimming under a curtain of blue bangs.

Tempest Quinn

3. SHINY DISCOVERY

( WHAT'S THAT ICY THING HANGIN' 'ROUND MY NECK? THAT'S GOLD. SHOW ME SOME RESPECT )

IS this what it was like to get caught fooling around by your parents? He felt so ashamed- and what for? He hadn't even gotten to do anything yet. As soon as he saw him, Temp had made it to his side. He sounded angry- worried too and Mint sniffed hard and tried to wipe his face. "I-I'm fine!" He said, covering up while reaching for his clothes to shake the sand out.

He swallowed, face beet red before adding "NO! No, no, no it's fine!" One of his hands reached to grabs at Temp's arms trying to pull attention back to him despite being a bit of a blue balled mess right now. "I-I'm ok! I'm sorry- I lost track of time and- and-" Pale green eyes darted around once more. The only signs of life on the beach were him and Temp. "I...I don't think he was ever here." He sounded disappointed and busied himself with getting dressed. He turned around before eventually giving back Temp's shirt to him.

"HEY! Thanks for coming. I'm sorry if I made you worry." he said finally turning to the gym leader but unable to look him in the eyes. "Anyway- we're here now!" Wherever here was. "I did...a little bit of recon but it...it's just a weird case of dejavu? Everything's like...old and stuff. Clothes are old school but cute?" He wasn't sure if that was another illusion or if they really were in the past.

That line of thought is dropped however as he heard a soft, and curious coo. There, on the shores of Dewford, illuminated by the moon above was a curious little Lapras colored strangely. Another anomaly of this place? They cooed once more as if asking a question and Mint, once again, moved before he could think it through. He slowly approached the dual type, having been hunting for one for months now. Whispering soft words of comfort and encouragement, Mint held out his hand for the Lapras who almost swam off but he managed to convince to come back. "Hello pretty baby..." he said with a grin as she allowed herself to be pet by lowering her head to Mint's hands.

"Are you alone?" he asked out loud, looking around for the pod this one might've come from. He didn't see any others around but in the distance he did catch sight of a mighty ship in the distance. "Oh-....Oh Shit- Temp? TEEEEMP?!" he said turning his head and calling for the man lie ka child.

Tempest Quinn

1. VACATION

( VACATION'S WHERE I WANNA BE! PARTY ON THE BEACH WHERE THE FUN IS FREE! )

He's surprised but intrigued that Temp had a similar pokemon. But she's still special to him. She was pretty friendly, but he'd heard Lapras tended to be very open to humans approaching them. More so than other pokemon species. Before he can ask what's wrong, the ship fired off a blast at the town. Fire and screams erupted instantly.

Mint's immediate reaction was to bail, looking at the Lapras and about to vocalize as much when his friend takes off. "Hey! Temp?!" He's not nearly as brave, but he can't just let his friend fucking die! The Lapras is quick to yank him by the shirt as the other man sprinted down the shoreline. She more or less shoved him as her back and he agreed. "Uhh?! Ok I guess?!" he said before the Lapras burst forward in the shallow waters with a burst of speed. They caught up with Temp in no time. "So what's your plan?! This is kinda crazy!" he yelled his hands trembling as he held onto the surfing pokemon.

There's more canon blasts and even sparkles of different attacks- pokemon ones. The ship is parked close to shore and the barrage isn't stopping. He can see townsfolk screaming and running, while others stepping towards the shore lien to fight. They were about to get into a blood bath. He can see the portholes opening for the canons and he patted the Lapras' neck quickly. "Do you know Ice Beam?! I need to you fucking blast that at the windows."

They cooed worriedly before obeying, letting off a blast of cold and ice. One canon lets off a blast before the attack made it, the other two implode shooting after the ice blocked the openings. It's not bad, smoke pouring out through breaks in the hull. But its not enough. Now they knew they were here. "Shit- shit- shit-" he hissed as some of the pokemon under the pirate command turned their collectivE gazes at the interlopers. Some pirates even cut away form the group raiding the shore to intercept them. ThE rest seemed to move towards a weird building placed on top of a random patch of rock. It's dark blue, and only blue, decorated with what looked like wooden carvings of fish pokemon and seashells. Like something stuck underwater.

"They're coming!"

Tempest Quinn

5. DOUBLE TROUBLE

( BEEP BEEP! IS THAT MY BESTIE IN A TESSIE? )

Chaos is upon them and Mint doesn't remember the last time he was in a situation like this. Probably the Groudon thing back in the middle of summer. That'd been bad enough avoiding fire and magma. This? This wasn't as deadly as that, for now, but still terrifying. Hulking pirates and pokemon raced down the sand while another half of the rampaging group did battle with a group of people from the village. The sound of swords clanging and people screaming ( in pain, in rage? ) is incredibly distracting.

Things get even worse as Mint scrambled for a pokeball letting out Shellshocker who despite all the frantic noise is sleepy as always. Fuck playing fair they were about to die. As much would be seen by the loud cursing of a colorful woman with tattoos on her arm. A glance and she'd gotten sliced in the shoulder before quickly shoving someone back and pushing a spear through their stomach. It's gruesome. Mint felt sick. The Blastoise immediately takes control of the situation letting out a yawn before the skies darkened and thunder rumbled ominously. Sheets of water began to pour down on the beach. It helped put out some of the closer fires at least.

As Marina rampaged on the ship a flash of blue swings through and tail slaps the mega evolved pokemon back, unleashing an ear piercing roar. It's followed by the captain of the ship, standing on the edge and glaring down at the resistance he was facing. THUNDER strikes down simultaneously around the battlefield targeting multiple moving enemies: Marina, the warrior resistance, civilians. There's an ominous cry that calls out, as a long pink dragon snaked its way through the sky before coming to rest protectively around her partner.

A short, pink haired man glowered down at the scene before him. His damaged ship, the split forces, the two interlopers on another almost valuable but not quite water pokemon. Eyes like green sea glass displayed in full a cold and dangerous fury and soft features twisted in a cruel grin. "Who DARES attack The Blind Siren?" His eyes dart around before settling on Mint and there's a pause, and snicker. "Caspian is that you? Are you proud of your LATEST tantrum?" he asked as the Gyarados let out another roar at Temp's Mega Sharpedo, glowing with a strange light. "DO NOT EXPECT KINDNESS FROM ME BROTHER. MY AMBITION WILL NOT BE STIFFLED." A hand held up pink bangs revealing an eyepatch with a peculiar stone embedded into it. It began to glow, and the Gyarados did as well before growing in size.

"Rend them to pieces, leave no survivors, and secure King's children!" He called out as his Mega Gyarados glowed with power and summoned HURRICANE to the battle field, splintering part of the blue shrine asunder before moving to the village behind it. Likewise the pink Dragonair took off blasting THUNDER on any stragglers of the village. The pirate captain then quietly pulled out his cutlass, hopped into a row boat, cut the rope and dropped to the water ready to enter the battle. Now, it's personal.

Mint's petrified, and his instinct kicks in as he began to sweat in cold terror. "We gotta go- We GOTTA GO!" he says getting a pokeball out and taping the Lapras with it. It shook twice before stabilizing and Mint sighed in releif. He didn't have time for a feisty pokemon battle right now. "Shellshocker, PROTECT! Make a wall while we run for it!" He ordered, already scrambling towards the shrine after Temp. It was too late to grab him and head back towards the cave anyway. Godamnit.

2. ALPHABET ORIENTEERING

( IM STILL COMPARING MY PAST TO YOUR FUTURE )

Havelock is not one to let himself be stupefied often- but SHARKNADO does it. Not moments after the pink pirate captain managed to land on the shores, eyes on the chieftain as his main target, the SHARKNADO goes WILD almost as if battling his own pokemon's HURRICANEs for dominance like giant sky beyblades let it rip. Unfortunately, the poor Dragonair is mournfully pulled in and slammed into the beach, skidding to a halt in the sand about a 1 hundred feet away or so. Crewmates were sucked in and launched all around. The captain and the remainder of his fighting crew is forced to take shelter while under the cover of this chaos Mint and Temp received strange blue eggs.

"Oh- holy shit?" Mint blurted as he stared at the matching arm sleeves. He'd figured they were similar but up closed the resemblance really hit, and he found himself staring at Temp and then back at the Chieftain. For his part however, villagers glared at him noting the same pale green eyes as their enemy. They argue with their chieftain, and for a moment when one reached to grab at him, Mint moved closer into Temp to avoid getting yanked by the violent crowd.

Time's up when Marina is back, her energy expended. His eyes are on the village's leader and Temp, trying to stay attached to his hip. "IS- Is this what that pirate was talking about?!" he asked Temp, uselessly as the gym leader did his best to secure the eggs. They had no idea what's going on. They were about to get murked how many centuries ago? When Temp runs, Mint sprints as fast as possible under him, Shellshocker growling as any warriors still thinking about keeping him around. When Mint cleared enough distance despite the screaming and the pokemon above him, he recalled Shellshocker.

"Right there with you just be careful!" he shouted back over the rain and thunder and roaring of angry pokemon and pirates. "Is that- IS that a mirage?!" As they closed in, something like- something lie ka tea seemed to pull at the area. The battle rages on, but it felt like a new danger here. "You think- th- this might be it? A way back?" he was thinking out loud at this point but someone is quick to answer. A strange little psychic pokemon bumbled out of the tear. wriggling through the skinny exit and popping out before lazily floating over. "An X?....X MARKS THE SPOT!!" He shouted pointing at the Unown X with a grin. "C'mere you little bastard. Where's the door? Where's the way out buddy?" He said, manic that the ending of this NIGHTMARE was in sight. The Unown seemed to hummm for a moment, as if considering it before letting out a high pitched noise and floating back to the TEMPORAL tear. It began to glow with energy and the strange mirage seemed to twist and pull open.

The Unown then floated back to them spinning around Mint's head like a beacon. Mint would chose to believe they were on the same WAVELENGTH and this was the way out. "Watch your step Temp!" he said as he moved through. Though he only had to take a few steps before his body is virtually sucked into the vortex and then the air feels thin and then- black out. He woke up sore and cold on the floor of the cave in front of the mural. Daddy is nowhere in sight. Panic overtook him and he began wheezing and coughing before seeing a lump in the darkness. "T-Temp?!" he asked still trying to get his bearings.


( FT. 1. VACATION, BLUE EGGS RETREIVED )