[attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"]

Cass isn't really sure about the whole retrieving shipwrecks business that people entertain right now, but could be found at Lilycove's beach nonetheless. A whole swarm of disturbed pokémon scatter around the sand quickly, and she immediately feels bad.

"Why would they even ..." she murmurs, but shakes her head as she remembers.

War.

Every resource, no matter how rotten, is needed in the ominous lingering shadow that would soon be made manifest. And there's no Exit Sign for it - no escape unless you're willing to simply leave everything behind. But she isn't.

Goddamn, she isn't going to.

Cradling her Trubbish Jon in her arms, she puts a ball into his hands. "Hey, how about you try?" she asks with a confident grin, and Jon nods equally confident. He got this, of course, obviously!

(Cue the weakest and worst thrown ever seen in the history of pokémon catching.)

fGe3KuI6

Once upon a time, in the distant past, there were two samurai, a pair of brothers who sought fame and fortune. The eldest of the two was brave, boundlessly fearless but bottomlessly foolish. The youngest, meanwhile, was a spineless coward, with quick legs but a quicker mind. Together, they ventured far and wide in hopes of finding glory.

One day, while sailing upon the sea, they were caught in a terrible storm that destroyed their ship. However, when they awoke, they found themselves washed up on a strange island. There, the sun shone warmer, the wind blew cooler, and the water was crystal clear. Fruit grew on every tree and berries grew on every bush. It was a veritable paradise, a place with no wars to die in or laws to chafe against, where the brothers could live out the rest of their days in bliss.

However, as they explored this strange land, they came upon a strange sight - A beautiful maiden, clad in shining jewels and fine silks, being attacked by a monstrous octopus.

"What a fine beast!" The eldest thought. "I shall take up my sword and slay it! When I bring its body back home, they will think me a monster slayer and crown me a hero!"

"What fine luxuries!" The youngest thought. "I shall wait until the maiden is distracted and steal them! When I bring them back home, I'm sure they'll sell for a healthy sum!"

And so, they sprung into action. The eldest pulled out their blade and attacked the octopus, slicing tentacle after tentacle. Eventually, the creature panicked, and began to flee. Furious, the eldest chased after it, intent on finishing its battle. As the maiden was caught off-guard, the youngest stole all he could from her. Furious, the maiden tried to catch him, but it was no use. He ran and he ran and he ran until he made his escape.

Later that day, the two brothers met once more. The eldest has successfully slain his quarry, and the youngest had stolen a small fortune. It seemed that both of them had gotten all that they had wanted.

Yet, as the sun set and the moon rose, and as the brothers slept, the maiden would visit them once more, and her true form would be revealed - A goddess of nature, divine and powerful and spiteful beyond any other. Using her powers, she revealed their true nature, and transformed the two into insects as punishment for their misdeeds. Whether their actions were good or evil, their dirty intentions nevertheless damned them. Such was the nature of the Gods, ever fickle yet neverendingly wise...

...Or at least, that's how she remembered the legend. It'd been decades since she last heard it, but it'd always left an impression on her. So much so that even now, watching the Wimpod and the Golisopod gathering on the beach, it came to mind.

"Hm..."

A part of her started to feel uneasy. As though this innocuous gathering of bugs was some kind of bad omen sent from heaven on high. But, well... No, no, it was nothing.

---

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