The young woman stifled a laugh at Josh’s comment regarding his… less than stellar performance. “Come now, you didn’t do THAT bad! I really liked your rodeo number!” Alas, even though she was the hostess, she did not decide who won those events. The RNG people did.

They might have arrived at the Super Contest Hall too late to register themselves, but they were just in time to spectate the competition that was already in progress, which lived up to the ‘Super’ name. Flashy costumes, flashy makeup, and flashy moves made for quite the flashy spectacle.

Even so, Andrea had some constructive criticisms. “It’s different alright, but everything looks kinda… samey? It’s like every one of their contests is a Beauty or Cuteness contest. Where’s the variety? And how can you be sure that none of those Pokémon were dressed up against their will?”

Sure, some Pokémon enjoyed having accessories put on them, but not all of them did. Trying to put a bow on Chomper sounded like a good way to get both of your hands bitten off.

Josh Devlin //sygna drip

☉

“It’s gotta be down here, I’m sure of it!” Andrea said resolutely, intent on continuing her search for the scarlet dragon for as long as it took. Any Pokémon capable of making Josh Devlin question his loyalty to Raikou was one worth searching for.

Regirock was seemingly on a search of its own, walking off without so much as a glance at the humans. Not that it had eyes to glance at them in the first place. Unless those dots were its eyes?

“I’m OK!” The dragon maiden confirmed, returning Chomper and Huggles into their respective balls. “Thanks for the help, Mr. Theo. And thank you, Lulu!”

Their first time working together without being forced into it and without being at each other’s throats the whole time… This warranted a celebratory hug, but Andrea remembered that the former head scientist was averse to physical contact.

In light of that, the young PokéManiac offered a cordial fist bump instead. “Next time, we’re gonna get those DRK Triad guys for sure!” She asserted with a toothy grin.

THEO BECKETT, Lulu Flint

☉

Once again, Andrea explored the simulated jungle. Along with her Cyclizar that served as her mount, she had brought a little friend. Literally little, for Eris Halla was much shorter than the average fourteen-year-old. Whether the younger girl would ride her own mount, or double-ride on Gia’s back, it was her own decision.

As per usual, things progressed according to the script, a volcano exploding and sending a lethal wave of heat and ash their way. “Stay close to me, Eris! If we go into that cave, we’re gonna be fine!” The PokéManiac shouted amidst the chaos.

However, things deviated from the script a little when a huge, falling chunk of volcanic rock blocked the entrance to the cave, forcing the Cyclizar rider to change course. “Change of plans! Keep moving forward, Gia!”

They were going to die. They were absolutely going to die, and it wouldn’t be because of the volcano…

Eris Halla

☉

A putrid smell wafted in the air. Overnight, the crystal clear lake near Petalburg Woods had turned into a poisonous mire filled with sludge and pollution. Such Ruination went beyond the usual Toxic Chain-related shenanigans.

Upon landing in the area, Andrea pinched her nose. “Eww, this place stinks!” Where land met murky water, Crystablooms had sprouted, applying the Illumina phenomenon to the many Grimer and Muk that populated the swamp. However, the light they gave off was a corrupt purple. “Weird… Are these flowers poisoned?”

Even more vexing, all flora had wilted, but only on a specific section of the ground and nowhere else, leaving a marked trail of rot and decay for them to follow. Andrea’s Hydreigon hissed, feeling a deep-seated grudge that grew stronger with each passing second…

Elisabeth Fiorelli //mission thread

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The Rockets seemed confused by the nickname chosen for the Winged King, so naturally Andrea tried to clear the confusion. “Oh, I meant Koraidon. You know, the legendary Pokémon from the RKS Simulation that looks like a red Cyclizar?” She nonchalantly replied as if it was supposed to be common knowledge.

Exhibit A of why she was not allowed to join the AQUA Initiative. The League’s secrets were never safe with her.

⠥⠝ ⠥⠝ ⠥⠝

A series of low-pitched computer noises heralded the arrival of a certain titan.

“Oh hi, Regirock. Long time no see!” Andrea’s jovial greeting went completely ignored by the rock automaton, which lumbered past her, before picking the crumpled piece of metal off the ground and tossing it to the side.

THEO BECKETT, Lulu Flint

☉

Chomper snorted like a bull, letting the man off the hook... for now. As the group ventured deeper into the cavern, they got to marvel at just how massive Meteor Falls truly was. Everyone knew about its namesake waterfalls, but beyond that there was so, so much more.

"If I remember correctly, it was somewhere around here that I found a Salamencite..." Andrea mused, her trip down memory lane rudely interrupted by the reappearance of a certain dolphin that did not know when to quit. "N-no way that's the same Pokémon as before!" The young woman exclaimed, finally putting two and two together.

As Helios teamed up with a wild Salamence in order to gang up on the poor cetacean, Draco's comment elicited a laugh from the girl. "Can't you see what's going on? He's trying to prove to you that he's strong enough to join your team! Go, Dolphin-Man, go! RAWR~!" The draconic cosplayer roared like a true dragon, her voice amplified by the power of her Sygna Suit.

Unlike the unified roar of Helios and the Salamence, Andrea's Dragon Cheer was directed at the Palafin itself, attempting to boost the Water type's morale so that the brave hero could slay the big bad dragons.

Draco Prowler //skipping

☉