Some people were obsessed with Pokémon sizes. Andrea was some people. She liked them big! The Pumpkaboo before her was not the big chonker of her dreams, but she still partook in the All Hallows’ Eve tradition of guessing its size.

The young PokéManiac scribbled her guess on a piece of paper, which she presented to Ogerpon. “Does this seem right to you, Pon?”

“Pon! Pon!”

After getting the Oni’s stamp of approval, the eccentric trainer locked in.

//guessing 710

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Andrea hugged Cassandra back, enveloping the girl in the comfiness of her Sygna Suit, as they both cried their eyes out. Even Jalapeño started bawling, thinking that this was some sort of game.

After their strangely therapeutic boohooing session had concluded, the onesie-clad woman broke the hug. “Yeah… All three of them are back…” She confirmed, sniffling. “I saw them… Pon saw them too…”

Cassandra Kubrick //mission thread

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“Bat Pokémon, huh?” Andrea pondered Lulu’s answer for a few moments, finishing the rest of her drink and ordering a refill. “Yeah, they’re pretty cute. Golbat with its big ol’ mouth, Noivern with its big ol’ ears, and Swoobat with its big ol’ nose!”

The eccentric girl turned her nose up, giving herself the impression of a pig snout. She snorted, then giggled uncontrollably. Yep, she was definitely drunk.

Lulu Flint

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“Wait!” Andrea shouted, but the man was already gone. For all his glaring character flaws, he had a singular strength: When push came to shove, he apparently could run faster than some of Josh Devlin’s Pokémon.

How could a mere human become a retainer of the never-rot? Why had the Toxic Chain not ceased to exist with Pecharunt’s defeat? How many more of those abominations were out there?

For the time being, those questions would remain unanswered. All that mattered was that they had won.

“You did great, Jalapeño! Mwah~!” The young trainer picked up her victorious Fuecoco and gave him a loving kiss. “Let’s go to Rustboro before we have to fight anyone else.”

She needed to get Pon to the nearest Pokémon Center. This was the first time Pon had ever fainted in a battle. Even under the command of a middling trainer, Toxic Chained Pokémon were not to be trifled with.

Andrew Fisher //skirmishes

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“No need to call me Miss. I’m only 21.” Andrea said with an awkward smile, slightly unnerved by Eris’ borderline robotic answers. Her amethyst eyes were drawn to Reiner’s bandages, causing her to frown. “Oh, poor thing. I hope he didn’t get hurt too bad.”

Then again, an injured partner was infinitely preferable to no partner. Andrea knew that all too well… It was mainly thanks to Navy’s inspiring words echoing in her head that she managed to somewhat come to terms with her loss. Somewhat.

“Pon and I have been searching for the Lousy Three’s current whereabouts. We haven’t had any luck, though…” She answered the younger girl’s query, reaching down to pet Ogerpon between her horns. “Anyway, what are you up to?”

Eris Halla //skirmishes

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The reptilian cosplayer didn’t even dignify her opponent’s salt-induced rant with a response. She knew that their victory was no fluke. Jalapeño had really come a long way. From getting one-shotted by Isaac Merlo’s Totodile to holding his own in a high-stakes battle.

Now that the Toxic Chain was no longer within her field of view, the young PokéManiac was significantly calmer, though her bitterness remained. “Someone who sold his soul to the never-rot has no right to complain.” She bluntly stated, willfully deactivating her Sygna Suit.

Nidoking’s attack had left her Fuecoco poisoned, but that was about to change imminently. A glowing Tera Orb was hurled into the air, and soon, a turtle-shaped hat manifested atop the crocodile’s head, orbited by floating, hexagonal crystals representing each of the 18 types.

“Jalapeño, no matter what happens, I’m proud of you! I love you!” Andrea proclaimed, smiling as any mother proud of her son would. Their bond was one that transcended blood and even species. “Now show them your Stellar power!”

And show them he did! Cured of any previous status ailments, the Stellar-Type Fuecoco fired a boosted Tera Blast that contained the power of every single type at once.

Andrew Fisher //skirmishes

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Thankfully, Xuying’s rambling and Jalapeño’s desperation were enough to make Andrea snap out of it, stopping just a few inches short of falling off the cliff. Yet, despite being saved from certain death, the woman seemed pensive.

“I was so stupid… How could he be back? He’ll never be back…” The grieving girl mumbled imperceptibly once the simulation was over, hastily picking her Fuecoco up, before making her way out. “Thanks for the help.”

Needless to say, she was not in the right headspace to thank the man properly, let alone stick around and explain what the heck that was all about.

Xuying Zhou

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At Freya’s raised brow, the younger woman nodded. “Yeah, my senpai! Like, a mentor, or a big sister!”

Suddenly, the scaled hide of a Gyarados became visible. Jumping at the opportunity to catch another dragon-adjacent Pokémon, the draconic cosplayer pointed at the water. “Meatloaf, Outrage!”

The Gyarados did not appreciate being attacked in the middle of its swim, biting into the Salamence in retaliation. The azure dragon roared in pain, but a loud Dragon Cheer courtesy of Sora gave him the boost necessary to overpower the sea serpent.

“Nice work, you two!” Andrea exclaimed, hurling another ball towards the defeated leviathan.

freya morningstar //attempting to catch gyarados

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Even without an added effect, Metagross’ Psychic was quite strong, forcing the poisoned ogress to her knees. The last of her vitality was drained by the Toxic Chain’s lingering, pestiferous influence, causing the Oni to collapse.

“Pon, return!” Andrea withdrew the fainted Ogerpon, pursing her lips. She had not expected a second Toxic Chained abomination to show up. That pale, haggard zombie of a man was likely a bigger threat than his scrawny physique and pitiful throw might suggest.

She would show him a proper throw. Jalapeño’s Pokéball was shaking with RAGE. The Fuecoco was eager to fight and make his human mommy proud. The costumed woman threw the ball with the skill of a professional pitcher, letting the small crocodile out.

“Let them hear you sing, Jalapeño! Sing the song of angry men!”

“FUE-CO-COOOOO ♪”

Empowered by its trainer’s Sygna Suit, the red reptile belted out an operatic Torch Song, spewing raging hot flames from its mouth in an attempt to super-effectively scorch the opposing Steel-type.

Andrew Fisher //skirmishes

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