The Terastal phenomenon wore off, and with it, the oversized gemstone disappeared from the Fuecoco’s head. The tiny crocodile waddled back to its trainer, getting scooped up by her.

“You did great out there, Jalapeño. Mommy loves you! Mwah, mwah, mmmwah~” Andrea spoiled her red, reptilian son with a great many kisses.

That familial dynamic caused a nearby Dusknoir to cock a singular eyebrow, but it was not enough to distract the grim reaper from their duty. Hoenn had no shortage of souls to guide to the afterlife.

“With all the wild Pokémon lurking about, we haven’t even gotten a chance to appreciate these ruins.” The eccentric girl turned towards Beckett. “Did you know they were built by the Draconid people?”

beckett carlson //skipping

☉

[attr="class","header"]THAT’S HOW SUPERHEROS LEARN TO FLY

[attr="class","setting"]

Realizing she didn’t notice his look, he debated what he should do. He supposed he could just ask, but what if his question annoyed her? Not everyone wanted to answer questions someone might have, especially if they were questions he should know the answer to. He had a feeling that this was one of these times.
[break][break]
Still, for once, his curiosity was trumping his desire to just stay in the background. To not draw attention to himself. Realizing his curiosity would only get stronger, he decided to risk it.
[break][break]
“U-Ummm… If you d-don't mind me as-asking what you did you ju-just do with your Pokémon, you kn-know the weird thing ov-over their heads. You don’t have to an-answer if you don’t wa-want to, of course,” he said, trying to back out of answering at the end, still a bit worried about coming off as annoying.
[break][break]
Shifting his weight nervously, he looked around, spotting a Pikipek looking for food. It seemed absorbed in what it was doing, so he decided to just leave it be.
[break][break]
At the mention of the ruins he nodded. “Ye-yeah exploring the ruins wo-wouldn’t be a bad idea though like you sa-said all the wild Pokémon are making it hard. As for the Draconoid p-people, I’m afraid I wa-wasn’t born here so I’m n-not aware of all the fo-folklore surrounding Hoenn.”[break] Andrea Vaneau

[attr="class","oocnotes"] + skipping

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

“Oh, that? That was Terastallizing! Pretty cool, huh?” The PokéManiac casually replied, flashing a shit-eating grin. “Jalapeño turned into a Dragon type just now!”

The Fuecoco was not a Dragon type anymore, of course, suggesting the type change was only temporary. There were still many mysteries surrounding the Terastal phenomenon, but the next topic was arguably even more mysterious.

“To be fair, I was born here, and I don’t even know everything about the Draconids.” The dragon fanatic leisurely strolled the ruins, ignoring a wild Gabite that passed them by. “They were a tribe of humans that lived in Hoenn many, many centuries ago. They built this Sky Pillar and also the shrine in Meteor Falls. They also drew those murals of Groudon and Kyogre in Granite Cave. That alone should tell you how ancient they were.”

beckett carlson //skipping

☉

[attr="class","header"]THAT’S HOW SUPERHEROS LEARN TO FLY

[attr="class","setting"]

“Y-Yes, though I admit that this is th-the first time I’ve h-heard about it. I’ve only ju-just started out as a tr-trainer, so there’s still some th-things I’m learning about,” he admitted, looking down. Admitting his late start with his Pokémon training was definitely making him feel a bit awkward, even though there wasn’t really anything wrong with starting late.
[break][break]
At the mention of her being born in Hoenn, he glanced up at her. “Probably not too un-uncommon not to kn-know everything about wh-where you were born,” he said with a small shrug before continuing. “I was b-born in Kanto, but I never really le-learned much of the folklore s-surrounding Kanto or the neighboring re-region of Johto.”
[break][break]
It was still hard to know that he didn’t know much about the place where he had been born. Then again, due to the way he had been brought up, that was to be expected. Growing up, he hadn’t really had the luxury to study up on the folklore of his home region.
[break][break]
Legendaries were still not a subject he knew very much about, and he was about to admit as much when something out of his peripheral vision caught his attention. Looking to see what caught his attention, he was a bit surprised to see a town. The fact that it hadn’t gotten so close without him noticing was what surprised him.
[break][break]
The dragon type spotted them around the same type, and seeing that it was ready to attack, she released Sisi from her pokeball. The larger-than-average Alonan Ninetales immediately dodged the Razor Wind attack the Noivern attempted before firing off an Ice Beam attack.
[break][break]
Upon hitting, the attack would immediately freeze the dragon type. Seeing his chance, he would hurl a pokeball towards the Pokémon to catch it.[break] Andrea Vaneau

[attr="class","oocnotes"] + catch attempt on Noivern

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

“For someone who’s just started out, your Pokémon look pretty capable.” The dragon-costumed woman observed. Even though Beckett was a rookie by his own admission, his companions all seemed to possess a potent fighting spirit.

The Sky Pillar was ancient and mysterious. With so many holes riddling the floors, it was a miracle this place still stood. It made traversal difficult, but reaching the top all the more rewarding. They found no sign of Rayquaza, though. The sky god must have been off somewhere else.

Taking a seat on top of the tower’s battlements, Andrea gleefully watched the young man’s attempt to capture a wild Noivern. “By the way, you’re from Kanto, huh? How’re your people holding up, what with the Rocket occupation and all?” The girl asked with a slight frown.

beckett carlson //skipping

☉

[attr="class","header"]THAT’S HOW SUPERHEROS LEARN TO FLY

[attr="class","setting"]

“Th-Th-Thank you,” he mumbled, his face heating up in embarrassment. He still had his doubts, but if she thought he was turning into a competent trainer, he would try to believe her. “St-still, do you have an-any tips in regards to be-being a trainer?” He inquired, having seemed a bit uncertain about asking, mostly due to not liking to ask stuff of people.
[break][break]
With that said, rather or not, he got a response to his question: he would battle a nymph and catch it. He had just picked up the pokeball containing his new Pokémon when she spoke.
[break][break]
Not expecting the question, he was a bit caught off guard. “My people?” he said a bit confused before what she was asking seemed to click. “O-Oh you mean my fa-family? I wouldn't kn-know; I actually haven’t seen m-my parents since I w-was six,” he admitted.
[break][break]
“I’m actually l-looking for them. Their st-struggles with m-money kept them from being able to raise me. I hope th-they made it; I want them to know I d-don’t hold anything against th-them.”[break] Andrea Vaneau

[attr="class","oocnotes"] + skipping

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Ah, how the times had changed. Andrea used to be a rookie herself, but now she had enough experience to give pointers to beginner trainers.

“The best tip I can give you is to try and take on the Gym Challenge.” She replied. “There’s no better way to hone your skills and learn all kinds of stuff. You could even start from the minor league if you find the major leagues too difficult. I run a minor Gym in Fallarbor. Feel free to visit anytime you want!” A little plug never hurt anyone, right?

Through the corner of her eye, the PokéManiac spotted a Sableye polishing its ruby before putting it back on its chest. She figured it would be best to leave that little goblin alone.

“I hope that you find your parents, Beck. Family is very important.” The young woman soberly remarked. “Jalapeño here is my adopted son!” She added in a chipper tone, hugging her Fuecoco affectionately.

beckett carlson //skipping

☉

[attr="class","header"]THAT’S HOW SUPERHEROS LEARN TO FLY

[attr="class","setting"]

The gym challenge. He supposed that made sense. However, he still struggled with the whole idea of battling. Just the thought of hurting anything made his heart clench. On the other hand, he knew all his Pokémon would definitely enjoy themselves if they could let loose, at least for a bit.
[break][break]
When it came to his own Pokémon, his own personal feelings didn’t matter. At least that’s what he told himself. His friend would claim otherwise before telling him he really should open up about how he was feeling about stuff. Something about not holding it in because, in the end, doing so helped no one.
[break][break]
“Th-That’s not a bad i-idea; I’m sure my Pokémon wo-would enjoy themselves. I-I’ve never really battled wi-with them be-before,” he admitted. “Even still, I think I’ll t-take you up that off-offer,” he told her as he thought about when that would. Until recently, he would’ve just been able to try for a gym challenge whenever, but that was no longer the case.
[break][break]
Before he could think too much about Sesi, he would draw his attention to a nearby Drifblim. Eying the partial ghost type with curiosity, he would gesture for the partial ice type to do her thing. The Driftblim luckily didn’t seem interested in attacking though did seem intrigued by Sesi.
[break][break]
Taking advantage of the Sesi keeping Driftblims attention fixed on herself, he would cautiously move closer. Seeing that his partner was still keeping the Driftblims attention on herself, he would throw a pokeball at the unsuspecting Drifblim.
[break][break]
Without making sure he had caught the Drifblim he would turn his attention back to the young woman. “Thanks, of c-course it would be easier if I kn-knew where to st-start looking. I’m not gi-giving up though,” he commented. “In the meantime m-my Pokémon are my o-own family,” he said showing he clearly related to her on sentiment of Pokémon being family.[break] Andrea Vaneau

[attr="class","oocnotes"] + catch attempt on Drifblim

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

The eccentric cosplayer nodded agreeably at Beckett’s words. “Mhm, Pokémon make for a great family! I’ve practically grown up with Chomper! That makes him my brother and Jalapeño’s uncle!” She jovially remarked.

While the sheepish youth tried to sneak up on a wild Drifblim, the dragon enjoyer set her sights on a majestic Salamence flying high above the clouds. “Chomper, you know what to do!” She exclaimed, pointing up at the sky.

Her Shiny Hydreigon nodded with a guttural growl, before flying up to his fellow Dragon-type, and striking them with a surprise Outrage. As the Salamence was startled and started plummeting towards the ground, Andrea threw a Pokéball at it.

“Guess I’ll see you at my Gym then!” The dragon-costumed girl flashed a toothy grin at Beckett afterwards. “Don’t keep me waiting!” She said with a wink.

beckett carlson //attempting to catch salamence

☉