Aqua’s rejection hurt her, but Andrea was more concerned about their apparent extremism. Did they truly believe that anyone affiliated with the League deserved death? What would that mean for some of her friends who were official Gym Leaders, like Josh Devlin and DESIREE BLOOMS?

Missy the Kangaskhan shook her head as she watched the teenage grunt sprinting off the Vaneau family’s property. Moving over to her trainer, the large marsupial gave her a comforting pat on the back, as if to tell her that she had done everything she could.

“I know, Missy. I just wish that they’d listen…” The young woman sighed dejectedly. Still, there was a silver lining. “They DID keep the badge, though!” That silver lining, however thin, was enough to give her hope that deep down her words had reached Aqua, even though they would not admit it.

Aqua Kennedy //non-traditional

☉

The blonde man hummed. Was that a good hum or a bad hum? Andrea did not know. What she did know was that the enemy had been left prone to the next series of attacks.

“Once again, Pon, hit it with your Ivy Cudgel!” The strangely-dressed woman ordered.

“POOOOOOON!!!”

Ogerpon’s empowered club combined with the Lucario’s adaptable claws dealt massive damage to the noble phantom, whose golden body dispersed into an outburst of light.

“We beat it…” Muttered Andrea, staring in bewilderment at the lingering light particles that danced in the air before dissipating completely. She turned towards the man, nodding his way. “Thanks for the help! If that thing had gone into the city, it would’ve been bad news!”

gaius marcellus //mission thread

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When asked how she planned to rebuild Ogerpon’s masks, the young PokéManiac replied thusly. “It’s a work in progress, buuuuut…” Her voice trailed off. “The first thing I’m gonna do is collect a whole bunch of Tera Crystals like the one we found back in Granite Cave. There’s tons more in Area Zero. In fact, I think I’m gonna go there right now!”

In her current, tipsy state, Andrea couldn’t even navigate her way to the bathroom, let alone the treacherous depths of Area Zero. Hence, when she got up from her stool, the girl lost her balance and fell… straight into Lulu’s arms.

Lulu Flint

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“I don’t think that’s true. You’re only really a soldier if you take a side.” Andrea mused, mustering a warm smile as she watched her Fuecoco bond with Cassandra’s Azelf. “If you’re just trying to do the right thing and help as many people as possible, that doesn’t make you a soldier.”

That was what she had tried to do in Petalburg, and while it had ended up tragically and she regretted having been there in the first place, she knew that it had ultimately been the right thing to do. If Fallarbor Town had been attacked instead, she would have welcomed any help no matter where it had come from.

“By the way, if you and your friend ever get tired of living in caves, feel free to crash here. We have a spare room upstairs.” The Minor Gym Leader offered. “Plus, it would be kinda nice to have a sleepover with friends.” Her last sleepover had been with Elise Calcifet and that already felt like centuries ago.

Cassandra Kubrick //mission thread

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Howard Slayte’s shrill cry of agony made the girl almost feel bad for kicking him. “S-sorry…”

This was necessary. Not in the same way the League deemed certain atrocities ‘necessary’. No, this went beyond the moral grayness of faction conflict. Destroying those evil effigies was objectively the right thing to do.

No sooner had the Okidogi statue left the admin’s grasp than did Ogerpon smash it to bits with her Ivy Cudgel, reducing the number of active threats in Hoenn by one. It wasn’t much, but it was honest work.

As the ancient bear began to drag its still reeling trainer away, Andrea waved at them. “Bye, Howard! Bye, Doug! Hope we can still be friends after this!” She hollered, holding onto that tiny bit of optimism the war had yet to take away.

howard slayte //GHOST STORY I

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Howard’s final plea fell on deaf ears. Andrea heard that she was right and then a bunch of static. Of course she was! Why wait a thousand years to overcome the Loyal Three when they could do it right then and there?

“Ponyo…” The masked ogress bowed her head to Doug, as if apologizing for what her caretaker was about to do.

“Sorry, can’t wait a thousand years! DRAGON KICK!!” The eccentric girl cried out, closing the distance, and aiming a mighty kick straight at the archaeologist’s priceless family jewels.

howard slayte //GHOST STORY I

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“Don’t worry, you’re not the first one to ask me to keep that a secret.” Andrea reassured the younger girl, not judging her in the slightest for her reticence.

Andrea’s Fuecoco waddled closer to Azelf, giving them a vacant, beady-eyed stare, before smiling. Hello, new friend.

“The League sees avatars and people who bond with legendary Pokémon as soldiers. I disagree with them.” The woman admitted. “Pokémon are not tools of war, especially not ones that are basically gods.”

Cassandra Kubrick //mission thread

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They had once again reached an impasse, with Howard insisting that they needed to preserve those blighted effigies for future generations, while Andrea and her Ogerpon were hellbent on their destruction.

“You’re supposed to give nice things to your children, like lollipops and birthday presents, not evil statues that turn into evil Pokémon!” The young woman shot right back at the delusional Rocket admin, before extending her hand. “Give it to me now, or I’ll… I’ll kick you!”

“Pon pon!” The masked Oni readied its signature mallet in case the man played hardball with them.

howard slayte //GHOST STORY I

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Before Andrea could further inquire about Swift’s condition, her mom suddenly informed her via text message that someone wanted to see her, and it was a familiar face to boot.

Recognizing the young Rocket grunt wearing the same disguise as last time, the dragon-costumed woman let out a surprised gasp. “Oh, it’s you! W-what’s up?” Her head then darted towards Josh, who also seemed to recognize the effeminate youth. “Wait, you two know each other?!”

And more importantly, did Josh know that this person was affiliated with Rocket? Andrea shuddered to think what her former zealot of a friend would do if he found out. He claimed to be a changed man, but as a proper Gym Leader and a Champion, he still answered to the League and carried out their agenda.

Josh Devlin Aqua Kennedy //sygna drip

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Watching the young Rocket grunt nearly break down crying made Andrea feel a pang of pity, yet they also made her feel a little bit offended. “Shut up! I’m the Gym Leader, so I decide who deserves it or not!” She retorted.

The situation called for some aggressive kindness. Stomping her way towards the weeping youth, she forcefully shoved a handcrafted badge into the palm of their hand along with another napkin if they wanted to wipe their tears. “Take this Monster Badge! You’ve earned it!”

Her expression mellowed, as she continued. “You’re not my sworn enemy. Only people who mistreat others are my sworn enemies.” The woman stated. “We don’t have to be friends if you don’t want to, but it hurts me when you say that I’m doing this to mess with you.”

Aqua Kennedy //non-traditional

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