Andrea couldn’t help but laugh at the Pawmo’s antics. “Heh. I’ve got something right here for this hungry little guy!” She shoved a hand into one of her onesie’s pockets, pulling out a plump and juicy berry, which she offered to the orange rodent.

The young cosplayer addressed Sasha’s next query. “The idea is to raise them here until we find someone willing to adopt them. Nidoran make for great partners if you know how to handle them. Once they evolve, that’s when the effort of training them really pays off!”

Nala, the real Nidoqueen, cradled half the eggs in her arms, crooning happily. Even though she had not laid those eggs herself, she would nurture them as if they were her children until they found a permanent home.

Sasha Huang //mission thread

☉

Visibly concerned at the prospect of an impending attack on her hometown, a normally abstaining Andrea changed her tune. “Y-you think they could come here?” She asked in a trembling voice.

Having seen a simulation of the Slateport City invasion, she knew what kind of atrocities Team Rocket was willing to commit in order to extend its reach to the stars above. The thought that the same thing could happen to her people--to her mother and father--was deeply disconcerting.

“I’ll do it! My dragons will keep a watchful eye over this town!” The young PokéManiac said resolutely, followed by an emphatic growl from Chomper. “Although… Wouldn’t it be better if we could maybe, possibly, convince Rocket not to attack us or anyone else?”

Her idealist self had not given up on dreaming about peace, even after witnessing the terrible consequences that entailed when done for the wrong reasons.

Navy //mission thread

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“What do you mean?” Andrea tilted her dragon-hooded head to the side, confused by Elinor’s statement.

Just then, a wild Bagon jumped out of the tall grass. Unfettered by the sight of the much larger Hydreigon, the flightless dragon exhaled a wave of blue fire powered by its envy for all winged creatures.

Annoyed, Chomper retaliated with an Outrage, sending the poor thing flying… straight into Andrea’s arms.

“You shouldn’t be picking fights you can’t win, little one.” The young woman gently said, before using a ball.

Elinor Anderson //attempting to catch bagon

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The girl’s amethyst eyes widened with pure joy. “Oooh, I love PokéParty! I’m gonna play as Rillaboom!” She cheerfully announced. Hopefully, she would have better luck than the last time she had played PokéParty and kept landing in Blastoise Spaces.

Even though that game was notorious for ruining friendships, Andrea was looking forward to playing it with Josh. Plus, it would be a nice opportunity to rest after all that sightseeing in Sinnoh they had done.

Josh Devlin //sygna drip

☉

“Wo-chien?” Funny how giving a Pokémon a name instantly made it feel more relatable. Names were a human trait, and humans liked things that reminded them of themselves. Andrea drew closer to the ruinous beast, tentatively extending a hand towards it.

Chomper’s eyes widened. No way she was actually thinking of fucking petting that thing! In an overprotective gesture, the Hydreigon grabbed his dumbass of a trainer with his jaws, yanking her back.

“OK fine, I won’t pet it!” The eccentric girl said with a pout, crossing her arms in front of her chest. Her eyes were then drawn to the poisoned Crystabloom in the older woman’s hand. “I saw these by the lake earlier. Are you saying they’re the source of the pollution?”

Elisabeth Fiorelli //mission thread

☉

Thoroughly distracted by the fancy footwork on display and his daydreaming of Step Step Revolution, her friend did not address any of her concerns and criticisms.

"Well, the Pokémon look happy, so I guess that's okay..." Andrea muttered to herself, trying to enjoy the rest of the show without fussing about things.

To the surprise of only a few, the contest was won by everyone's favorite dancing Electabuzz, it along with its trainer taking the stage one last time to receive their ribbon.

"I had my doubts at first, but that was fun!" The young PokéManiac declared upon exiting the contest hall, before turning back to Josh. "Wanna head back to the hotel?" She asked.

Josh Devlin //sygna drip

☉