She remembered her name! Andrea’s eyes sparkled like Dragon Tera Crystals. Their friendship (that only existed in her head) was blooming into something beautiful.

The young PokéManiac reciprocated the tiny Ultra Beast’s wave, while the pink blubber sitting next to her followed suit with a delayed “Sloooooooow.”

“This station? I know nothing about it. I’ve never been here before.” Andrea casually replied to the Rocket scientist’s inquiry. “Is there something special about it? Maybe we could bring the power back with an Electric-type move.” She proposed, always thinking outside the box.

Lulu Flint

☉

Lost in her own thoughts, Andrea scooped her beloved Fuecoco up in her arms and hugged him tightly. She hardly paid attention to the back-and-forth between the Paldean immigrant and his blocky elephant, only mentally there to hear the tail end of it.

“Oh… Yeah, it counts as one ingredient.” The Minor Gym Leader replied, while leaning over the table in order to inspect their handiwork. “I like your choice of vegetables. Very nicely done! Let’s consider the tomato a bonus!” She ruled.

Eduardo Hisakawa

☉

She envied how undaunted he sounded about going through the same infernal ordeal as she had. Did he truly not feel anything?

“I wish I was as strong as you…” The words left her mouth without Andrea even realizing it.

At the mention of the creature, she perked up somewhat. “She’s doing pretty good, actually. She’s even made friends with some of the Pokémon in the ranch!”

Once again, her mood became melancholy. “Mr. Theo, is it true that the League and Rocket are about to go to war again?” She finally asked the poignant question.

THEO BECKETT //mission thread

☉

Blanche using her fiery fangs to toast the bread elicited a clap from the weirdly-dressed Gym Leader. “Ooooh, very nice! I’ve gotta teach Chomper how to do that too!” Meanwhile, Eddie needed to teach himself that hot things were hot.

As an explanation was given for her déjà vu, Andrea became dejected. “Oh that… I don’t actually remember much of what happened.” She lied. She remembered everything down to the last detail, but wished she didn’t.

The young woman tucked a lock of orange hair behind her ear, nervously. “A-anyway, let’s continue!” She strained her face into a smiling expression. “I’m gonna count the toasted bread as an ingredient, so that leaves you with four more ingredients!”

Eduardo Hisakawa

☉

The blush went largely unnoticed by the eccentric trainer. “A gift, huh? That’s very sweet of you. They must be someone really special to give them such a nice gift.” She mused.

Anyone could buy some fancy gift from a store, but going to one of the most dangerous places in Hoenn to get it yourself? That took guts!

Ogerpon weaved a makeshift basket of vines, using it to gather the remaining Tera shards. Andrea’s dragons seemed worn out from the excavation, sweat clinging to their scaly forms.

“Alright, time for a break!” The dragon enthusiast clapped her hands. “Let’s find someplace to sit down. I brought sandwiches for everyone!”

And so, there would be a moment of respite before their work continued. Unbeknownst to everyone, a pink mist was starting to leak out of the gouges made on the rock…

Johanna Joy //mission thread

☉

A fellow girlie had just been promoted from a Minor Gym Leader into the major league? You bet Andrea was gonna show her support by being one of her friend’s first challengers!

Entering a false forest teeming with woodland critters, the young cosplayer was amazed that such a lush biome could exist this close to an active volcano. Ogerpon seemed especially fond of it, stopping to smell the flowers.

“Pon~!”

“I agree.” The Oni’s caretaker nodded. “This place looks really nice. Maybe after the battle we could have a picnic here!” The dragon-costumed woman mused aloud.

DESIREE BLOOMS //augmented traditional 1v1

☉

The Grimmsnarl and the Hatterene got into all sorts of adventures together, escaping an evil Dragonite and even fighting off a cunning Decidueye and its band of forest bandits. With such all-star action, no wonder this movie had gripped both legendaries’ attention.

“They seem to really like it.” Andrea observed, smiling warmly. “I didn’t take Charles for a… what’s the word… cinephile?” She added, rubbing her chin in deep thought.

The PokéManiac’s attention shifted away from the screen and towards the Galarian ambassador. “So, what are you up to these days other than embassy work?” She asked.

Elise Calcifet //mission thread

☉

Although good-intentioned, Johanna’s suggestion triggered the orange-faced Oni, who yapped at her angrily. “Grrrr! Pon, pon! Po-no!”

“They have to look exactly the same, okay?” Said Andrea, having to physically restrain the livid ogress. “I don’t really know why, but those masks are incredibly important to her. The Lousy Three used them for evil, but maybe they could be used for good.”

Once Ogerpon had calmed down, the draconic cosplayer showed the other woman a fully-rendered 3D model of the Teal Mask she had saved on her phone. “I got this from the RKS Simulation last year. It’s not much, but it’s a lead at least.”

Her gaze was naturally drawn to the Tera shard in the former Gym Leader’s hand. “What are you gonna do with yours?” She asked, showing genuine interest.

Johanna Joy //mission thread

☉

Soon, Eddie was greeted by a young woman wearing a Fuecoco Sygna Suit that looked more like cozy pajamas. “Hi, I’m Andrea, the Gym Leader! Are you ready to prove that you’re worthy of the Monster Badge?” She beamed, leading him to the testing grounds.

A picnic table with a wide assortment of ingredients had been set up in advance. An actual Fuecoco sitting on top of the table waved its tiny hand at the approaching challenger. “Your task is simple: Make a sandwich with five ingredients of your choice.” Andrea explained. “You can use anything here. I’ve already cut the bread for you. Your Pokémon can help too!”

Following the breakdown of this challenge, the onesie-clad girl stared at Eddie with a curious look, tilting her head to the side. “By the way, have we met before? You look kinda familiar, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.”

Eduardo Hisakawa

☉

That rock did not break easily. It was made from the same material as Meteno’s core, after all. However, every slash to its hard, lustrous surface sent tiny Tera shards falling off like crystalline tears.

“Thank you, Ruby! Teamwork makes the dream work!” Andrea leaned down to collect the spoils, accidentally cutting herself on one of the shards in the process. “Ow!”

The sight of her own, bleeding palm caused those repressed memories from their detainment to flood back in; the endless torment, the slave labor, the cruel and unusual punishments, the growing despair, the sadistic guffaws of their wardens.

She began to hyperventilate, saved from a panic attack at the last second by Ogerpon wrapping a vine around her hand and comforting her.

“Pon…”

“It’s okay… I’m fine, I’m fine…” Andrea took deep breaths. “I’m planning to recreate those masks we saw back there… in the prison.” She addressed Johanna’s question, while standing back up.

Johanna Joy //mission thread

☉

It was time to get comfy, no more sleeping on cots inside musty prison cells! The girlygang was overdue for a slumber party!

Conveniently, Andrea’s dragon onesie doubled as pajamas. Elise’s mansion in Lilycove was selected as the venue due to its size. Sadly, the other girlies were unable to attend, but the princess and her leporine partner were good enough company.

Andrea sipped a cup of hot cocoa, while huddling close to the pillows. A movie about a Grimmsnarl falling in love with a Hatterene played on the TV. “I’ve never watched this movie before. I like the songs in it.” The girl mused.

“Pon~!” Ogerpon was seemingly a big fan of the green troll, since she watched his exploits with vested interest, her eyes practically glued to the screen.

Elise Calcifet //mission thread

☉