Andrea's amethyst eyes lit up when her friend brought up Spear Pillar's unnatural weather conditions. "Oooh, I know that one! It's because the ruins are above the clouds. You can't have snow without clouds! Now that I think about it, it might be kinda hard to breathe up there, but I'm sure we'll be fine." She mused rather casually. Mount Coronet was tall, but definitely not tall enough to have insufficient oxygen, otherwise humans would not have been able to build a temple at its top.

While the duo tried to think of other fun activities they could do, the Mauville Gym Leader listed a few suggestions of his own, including gaming. The eccentric girl clapped her hands excitedly. "Oooh, game night, game night! I'm not one of the boys, but I like video games! I've also done my fair share of Contests! I even won one too!" She took her Rotom Phone out, and showed Josh a selfie of herself posing alongside a shiny Munchlax that held a Cleverness Ribbon in its tiny paws.

As the plane touched down, Andrea was shaken lightly, feeling like she had just gotten off a rollercoaster ride. "Yeah, that sure was something. Nothing compares to riding a real, ferocious Dragon-type, though!" She remarked, unfastening her seatbelt as soon as the corresponding sign flashed. "Ready to go?"

Josh Devlin //mission thread

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Paradox Pokémon were shrouded in mystery. What is a paradox? Why is a paradox? Had Roaring Moon manifested from Andrea's cherished memories of Meatloaf and her desire to see her Mega Salamence again? If that were the case, how could there be more than one running around? Did their creation draw from more than one individual's wishes? Could Hoenn's collective unconscious be causing such aberrations to come to life? What if those beings actually existed in one of the multiverse's infinite timelines? Too many questions...

One thing the dragon expert was almost certain of was that it had something to do with the Tera Crystals that had spread throughout the region almost like an infection. Even in Meteor Falls, if one were to dig deep enough, they would surely find a hidden cluster of those glimmering minerals. Perhaps that was why Savage seemed so excited to be there, flying in circles over the pitched roof of the Draconid shrine.

"Does this place make you happy? Me too~!" Andrea giggled, ringing the bell and wishing that every Pokémon in Hoenn--Paradox or otherwise--could find a trainer that loved it and raised it with care. She liked to think she was that kind of trainer in the eyes of her Roaring Moon, even though the prehistoric dragon could be wild and rambunctious at times. Those poor things were not abominations as many people called them. They were just looking for a home.

//Roaring Moon forgets Dragon Dance and learns Draco Meteor

☉

"We... won?!" Andrea eked out mid-panting. The battle against Koraidon's bully had been intense as heck, despite its brevity. That Collision Course had taken a chunk out of Chomper's health, and even Lanky had been caught in the crossfire, the Zarude's mangy fur singed by the blazing sunlight.

"Agiagias!" With a jovial cry, the big red lizard pounced on the two humans and smothered them with affection as an oversized dog would, licking both of their faces.

"Heheh! You're welcome, Koraidon!" Andrea giggled, while rubbing the top of the scarlet dragon's head. Turning back to check on her own Pokémon, she made sure they had no lasting injuries, before recalling them into their balls. "You did great, guys! You deserve some rest!"

Speaking of lasting injuries, the young woman was suddenly overcome with worry for her fellow Gym Leader. "What about you, Josh? Are you feeling okay?" She asked, running up to the spiky-haired youth.

"AGIAS!"

The prehistoric Cyclizar lookalike growled to get their attention. Crouching on its four legs, it curled up its tire-like tail, while nodding at the two seasoned trainers.

"I think it wants us to ride on it." The draconic cosplayer mused, looking back at her friend. "Shall we ride it together?"

They could be co-riders. Co-ride on Koraidon. Get it?

Josh Devlin

☉

Heroes must return to slay giants. Was Kyurem trying to warn them about one of Hoenn’s future epic battles, or was the colossal dragon itself one of the giants that needed to be slain?

Sweltering heat engulfed the Icelands, thawing out Andrea’s Pokémon, who went back inside their Pokéballs. The small horse that had assisted the Hoennians transformed into a stronger form, cutting the incoming Fusion Flare in half with its great horn. One half headed in the eccentric trainer’s general direction, who was blinded by the light emanating from the shimmering quarry below.

Suddenly, her Salamencite glowed like it hadn’t done in over a year. Crimson wings sliced through the air. The draconic cosplayer was scooped up at the last second by a figure moving at supersonic speed. As she pried her eyes open, she couldn’t believe the thing she saw.

“Meatloaf?!?!”



Her original Salamence, one of the first Pokémon she’d caught in the wild, had miraculously come back from its cryogenic slumber, albeit with some burns covering its scaly frame. Maintaining its Mega Evolution, the azure dragon carried its trainer on its back as if not even a day had passed.

“Meatloaf, you’re back! You’re ba-a-a-a-ack!” The young PokéManiac cried tears of joy, wrapping her arms around the Mega Salamence’s neck. Their heartfelt reunion was cut short by a shower of Tera Crystals being hurled their way. The fight was still on, they couldn’t afford to celebrate right now.

“Sorry to make you do this after you just came back, but I need you to evade those flying chunks!” The dragon rider said, Meatloaf responding with a resolute roar. He was in fact elated that the first moments of his rejuvenation would be spent in glorious combat. With a Dragon Dance, the pseudo-legendary deftly maneuvered past the falling debris.

And yet, their troubles had not yet passed, for Andrea could spot a horde of futuristic Paradox Pokémon emerging from the giant chasm and wreaking havoc on an already chaotic battlefield. “What are those? I’ve never seen these Paradoxes before…” The girl muttered.

//meatloaf (salamence) is back!!! he uses dragon dance while evading the falling chunks of tera crystal (mega duration: 3 turns)

☉

As her friend got mauled before her very eyes, Andrea cried out in horror. “Not again!”

Before they knew it, they had to replay the Koraidon level, except Chomper was exhausted, and Josh was incapable of issuing orders to his Pokémon. Luckily, the draconic trainer had come prepared. One did not challenge a raid boss without bringing a healer.

“Go, Lanky!”

He has no style.

He has no grace.

This ‘mon has a funny face.

Zarude’s vines dug into the ground, absorbing the earth’s nutrients. The mythical monkey was enveloped in a green aura, its Jungle Healing rejuvenating all of their allies.

Feeling good as new, Chomper got Worked Up once again to fight this bully of a Winged King. “Protect Koraidon from the bigger and meaner Koraidon! Use Draco Meteor!” Andrea ordered, thrusting her hand forward.

“Agias!” The weaker Koraidon let out a gargled Dragon Cheer in support of its newfound friends, making the Hydreigon’s deluge of meteorites that much stronger.

Josh Devlin

☉

The PokéManiac was saved from one of Hoopa’s flying fists by none other than Lulu Flint, deciding to return the favor to the Rocket scientist. “Thanks! Donna, help that little ghostie out!” She pointed at the little Marshadow that could.

Her Rhyperior attempted to shield the tiny mythical from the next attack with its large body, only for a second punch to knock out the beefy Ground-type. “Oh no, Donna!”

And yet, Josh Devlin’s Pyroar met an even worse fate at the hands of the evil djinn. The Mauville Gym Leader’s wail of grief was heart-wrenching to hear. “Josh… It’s okay, it’s not your fault…” Andrea muttered under her breath. If only her voice could reach him.

“HAVEN’T YOU DONE ENOUGH, YOU TWO?!” The young woman yelled at the legendary duo, tears cascading her face only to be frozen by the cold. “HOW MANY MORE LIVES WILL YOU HAVE TO TAKE BEFORE YOU’RE HAPPY?!”

Instead of an answer, the White Kyurem gave her another cryptic prophecy.

Heroes must return clay giants. Space will mend while time continues to bend.

Or at least that’s what it sounded like.

//donna (rhyperior) is punched out by hoopa while trying to protect lulu's marshadow, and andrea yells at hoopa & kyurem
//prophecy guess: Heroes must return clay giants. Space will mend while time continues to bend.

☉

The Sygna Suited girl heard a familiar voice calling out to her over the raging blizzard. It was none other than Laurence Anderson, and Elinor Anderson was with him too. It looked like Hoenn's finest had gathered for the big clash against the creator of the Silent Icelands.

"Hi, Mr. Lars! Hi, Eli!" The draconic cosplayer jovially waved back at the two cousins with her sock puppet of an arm. "I'm OK! Donna's got this!" She hollered right as her Rhyperior fired a second wave of Rock Blasts from the holes in its palms.

//donna (rhyperior) uses rock blast on hoopa's hands
//failed rolls: 2/3

☉

Andrea nodded at Yuina. "You're right! Our role in this story is to support the doggos! FOR GALAR!!" The girl and her Nidoking gallantly charged into battle with a united war cry, ready to take on beasts, giants, and even the gods themselves...

And then the scene ended abruptly. Well, that was kinda anticlimactic.

The flamboyant cosplayer gasped at their new surroundings. "The Festival of Masks..." She had simulated this scenario before with Genevieve Cromwell, and while the atmosphere was festive and jovial unlike the prior apocalyptic hellscape, she knew what was to come.

"It's that kid!" The girl pointed at the childlike figure wearing a teal-colored mask. "Except she's not a human child, but a Pokémon in disguise. I've played this level before." She whispered to Yuina in an expository manner. Hopefully the Hisuian researcher wouldn't care about spoilers.

Metagaming time. She knew the Toxic Chain was coming, but how could they stop it? Last time, her colleague had mentioned a possible connection between the Toxic Chain and a certain Ultra Beast. "That's gotta be it! Come out and say hello, Jello!" Andrea sent out her Nihilego.

The alien jellyfish eerily floated towards the masked figure, who was naturally appalled by its appearance. "Don't worry, little one, Jello won't hurt you! She's a friend!" The costumed trainer hollered, while the Nihilego tipped its bulbous head to show that it was indeed not hostile.

That being said, Jello was a mischievous little invertebrate. As soon as the 'child' lowered their guard and drew closer, those grabby tentacles reached for the Teal Mask. It was sparkly, and Jello liked sparkly things.

"Jello, don't--" Andrea cried out, but it was too late. The ogre was unceremoniously unmasked.

Yuina Higashi

☉

As it became increasingly clear that Rocket was winning the numbers game, Josh suggested the only logical option. "We can't leave! If we do, those people will die!" Andrea objected with tears in her eyes. Only after the words had left her mouth did she come to a horrid realization...

Those people had already died. The Slateport invasion had happened over five years ago. This was merely a simulation of the past. And that past was set in stone.

The young woman bit her lip. "Fine... Let's go to Mauville." She relented, holding back bitter tears.

Retreating was easier said than done. The two Gym Leaders were surrounded by Rockets from all sides including the air, men riding on Fearow and Honchkrow blocking one of their last escape routes.

Suddenly, the entire city was plunged into darkness. SILAS BLACKWELL himself accosted the duo, his Luxray ready to pounce on its cornered prey.

"Surrender now or prepare to fight!" One of Silas' henchmen taunted them.

"We will fight!" Andrea retorted, defiant till the very end.

Silas whistled.

And Chomper and Luxray clashed.

Josh Devlin

☉

The unhinged Vaporeon fought tooth and nail to escape capture, but in the end, Yakuza's persistence saved the day. One shake. Two shake. Three shake. Click. "Congratulations! You caught Vaporeon!" Andrea gleefully exclaimed.

Of course, what Madd did with her new catch was her own decision to make. Would she release it into the wild as planned, or keep it for nefarious purposes that her fellow trainer was blissfully unaware of? Either way, that was a story for another day.

The Tera Crown atop Jalapeño's head shattered, the tiny Fuecoco running back into the arms of its human mother. "You did great, my son! You too, Gigi!" The young PokéManiac said. Her Gengar giggled, all the while playfully floating around the duo.

"Looks like our job here is done. I'll let you take care of the rest." Andrea told the other woman, before flashing a thumbs up at the Obstagoon beside her. "And congrats on overcoming your fears, Yakky!"

Madeline McKenna //mission

☉

As far as unconventional Dragon-types went, Hydrapple stretched not only the definition of a dragon, but also the definition of a Pokémon. This species that had recently gained popularity in Hoenn was actually seven wyrms burrowed into the same giant, candy-coated apple.

It was the Dugtrio conundrum, except worse. Did the seven of them count as one Pokémon? Did having Hydrapple in one's team violate the six party members rule? How did the apple fit into the equation? Was it the reason for their partial Grass typing?

And the most important question of all: Could those wacky syrpents channel the power of the draconic spirit? Only one way to find out.

"C'mon, Wormy, we're almost there!" Andrea visited the old shrine yet again. Her newly evolved Hydrapple followed close behind, dragging its large ball of candy along. Upon hearing the sound of the bell ringing, all seven syrpents popped their heads out and roared in unison, their Dragon Cheer echoing against the walls of the cave.

"That settles it!" The dragon enthusiast enthusiastically nodded to herself. "You're a real dragon, Wormy, no matter what anyone else says!" Was there anyone who even refuted that? She liked to think that there were some Hydrapple deniers out there. And now she had proven them wrong.

//Hydrapple forgets Double Hit and learns Draco Meteor

☉