SERGEI IS LUCKY THAT HE'S ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FIELD, behind the cameras and the screens for his sole objective for the day is to make Shalin Nariya shine. This is actually an agreement that he has made with the sygna suited lass when they first met at Sky Pillar. The only thing that made Sergei uneasy, however, is the fact that this was made a public event rather than a laboratory-set experimentation.

Although the redhead tries to convince Shalin Nariya otherwise, showing bias for a more neutral, isolated, and unbothered setting, he eventually realizes the importance of having people around when using a delicate yet dangerous instrument such as this.

"Ready when you are!" He speaks over the comms, waiting for the other to make a move.

---

SOCIAL
Shalin Nariya

SERGEI CAN SEE THE AERODACTYL STRUGGLING FOR POWER, its repeated attempt to use ICE FANG amidst Enigma's scorching glare leaves room for the Roaring Moon to overwhelm it with its might.

"I hope you like the heat cause this one is gotta be fire!"

Thanks to the boost of the DRAGON DANCE and PROTOSYNTHESIS, the power of the HARSH SUNLIGHT boosts the dragon's HEAT WAVE to exponential levels. As soon as the Aerodactyl's fangs connected with it, albeit wincing, the dragon sends the close-range fire-type attack in its direction.

---

TL;DR
- GARCHOMP is hit by ICE FANG
- GARCHOMP uses HEAT WAVE will Aerodactyl is connected (powered by HARSH SUNLIGHT, PROTOSYNTHESIS, and DRAGON DANCE)

GYM: QUICK BADGE
Josh Devlin

A TROGLO-WHAT? Sergei has no time dissecting the words of his opponents because his two dragons has been immediately overwhelmed by the pair of the two kidnappers. "Hey, that is not fair! I only have two Pokemons out."

Figuring the two would not listen anyway, he begins making a calculated strategy to get past this and to buy some more time before the police arrives.

He watches the Luxray attempt to tackle Enigma with a VOLT SWITCH, immediately disappearing into a shadowy smog that engulfs the man. The electric attack hits, but it is not enough to bring down his Pokemon even when the white Zorua uses BITTER MALICE against the Roaring Moon. Fortunately, the attack only manages to get its tail in FROSTBITE; enough for the dragon to still perform a trick that can match the glitz of the two thieves' Pokemons.

Enigma lifts its wings in a moon pattern, a ritual for an ancient move he is about to do: the CROWN OF ECLIPSE sends a rippling wave of fire towards the enemy lines, the scorching heat triggering the HARSH SUNLIGHT in their vicinity. The sun eventually cures the frostbite, solar power triggering the PROTOSYNTHESIS of the ancient dragon.

"Don't think for a second I would not put up a fight!"

It is eventually Volante's turn: Sergei leaps off the speedy dragon as it attempts to RAPID SPIN its way into the Shadow Miasma, attempting to remove the dark cloak in the atmosphere.

---

MISSION: PEARLS BEFORE SWINES
Cillian Quinn Mirabella Fontaine

THE YEARS THAT FOLLOW shines a glimmer of hope that is brighter than any of the constellations he has ever read.

While he lets Colton Boothroyd do his own thing in the laboratory, entrusting the fellow scientist with the creation of the PROTO-DYNAMAX BANDS, he chooses to focus on the developments of their findings in the constellations. He knows Jack Napier will love to hear his findings, fueling his imagination as the lorekeeper that he is. But time flies so fast that even the kids he used to love his stories are now warriors and in their own accord, vowing to beloved Hammerlocke their promise of protection, emboldened by the stories his boyfriend has inspired them to.

Sergei's routine has been even more routinary in the next ten years that follow. Weekdays and weeknights kept Sergei in his laboratory and in the Night's Watch. Weekends will have him visit one city to another, hoping to collaborate what they have found as much of the poison has receded and travel is now made possible. The discoveries that all the best and the brightest of Hoenn and Galar's astronomists are all nothing but unbelievable and stunning.

The writings on the wall are true. There is no hiding to the heralding of the end of it all.

Looking at his notes, the writings on the wall, and the face of his beau who ages beautifuly, Sergei only wishes stories can actually change the world, just like how CALYREX told them.

🐉

"IF CALYREX SAYS THERE IS, THEN THERE IS NO DOUBT THERE IS," Sergei responds to Jack Napier as he inquires about their fate. Unlike him, the redhead's attention has been tied with his work and his eagerness to be helpful. The thriving reign that kyle lopez and Zev Harcourt has inspired him to be so. But it also means as time flies by so fast, so does his memories of the old world.

Sergei can only remember his name and his life mission in Galar. He would probably have forgotten that he has also a family waiting for him in Unova.

"I think the clue to what CALYREX told us is that what we believe is what we make happen."

Cupping Jack Napier's face, reassuring that everything will fall right into place.

And so they will be too.

🐉

EVENTUALLY Colton Boothroyd AND HIS LABOTATORY WILL BE AN ACADEMY, for the work that is required into studying everything can only be so much for the two of them. "A protege or two will help us," he convinces the other. The redhead promises the other he will try to oversee the learnings of the students so as to not interfere with their work.

His NIGHT'S WATCH group will expanded in numbers, eventually filling all of Hammerlocke's battlements with armed guards like him. He will eventually be promoted to a captain, leading his own troops with his reliable strength.

There is only so much he can do when time is chasing them. His recent findings only tell him that what is about to come is about to come.

WINTER IS COMING

---

sRXcREQu

TL;DR
- SERGEI is FOOD WAR'S JOUICHIRO SAIBA (Valerio Dachev's first FC dsksk)
- SERGEI establishes an academy in the laboratory with Colton Boothroyd, promising to take care of aspiring scientists to carry on and help them with their task as researchers
- SERGEI is somehow promoted to captain in the Night's Watch
- SERGEI is in a long-term relationship by now with Jack Napier
- SERGEI forgets much of his old life as he is focused with his work in Galar (workaholic era yass!)

RAID: GOODBYE GALAR, RUSTED SHIELD
Jack Napier Colton Boothroyd

Remiel Calcifet PROVES TO BE AN EFFECTIVE LEADER that is why the redhead joins his second expedition into the Lesser Megalopolis. The presence of Saki Shitachi, however, is not something he would expect the second time around.

"You're not gonna take flight midbattle again, are you?" He teases her as he leads the way for the group, the dim glow from his portable light illuminates the pathway. After their first scuffle at the alien city, he has learned to use a subtler glitter to not attract any attention from roaming Megalopolans.

Thank Arceus that he does not, for them, for they might not be prepared for what they are about to see.

"Fucking Arceus."

The Megalopolans in this part of town are now rancid-smelling corpses, carcasses decorating the lifeless streets as their bodies are overwhelmed with BLACK CRYSTALLINE material. A closer inspection reveals the nature of which are almost similar, if not the same, to the ones he thought he remembered... from somewhere, he tries to recall.

"Can you see this?" Sergei calls Remiel Calcifet and Saki Shitachi, urging them closer to one of the bodies whose face is now unrecognizable being dominated by crystals.

"They were more 'lively' before." The redhead jokes as he tries to grab a sample of the metal for his future study. "What do you think happened here?"

---

TL;DR
- 19 encounter the haunting corpses of megalopolans that have been completely overtaken by black crystal or metal. it seems like the megalopolan's flesh has been completely overtaken by the material.
- SERGEI tries to collect a sample of the metal for future study

EXPEDITION: LESSER MEGALOPOLIS ii
Remiel Calcifet Saki Shitachi

GARCHOMP'S VULNERABILIY FROM THE AERODACTYL'S ICE FANGS is a price that Sergei is willing to pay in order to one up Jackie and the Zeraora. When the electric file is finally out of commission, Sergei sighs a relief as he moves on the next phase of his attacks.

The weary Garchomp tries to block the chilling fangs, calling upon the earth for STONE EDGE as it attempts to shield itself. However, the previous injuries from its scuffle with the Zeraora made it slow to materialize, with the Aerodactyl taking advantage of its previous agility to hit first with its super effective move and eliminate the Garchomp.

That is just the moment Enigma is waiting for; a moment for it to shine. Up in the air above everything else, the Roaring Moon spreads its wings like a crescent moon but its body glowing a fiery color: the CROWN OF ECLIPSE, a z-move Sergei discovers with just a limited amount of time studying the creature, sends a HEAT WAVE towards the two as it triggers the HARSH SUNLIGHT in the battle field.

On top of the Dragon Dance, Enigma's PROTOSYNTHESIS is now in works. Let Jackie and Meteos be damned in the scorching heat of its power.

---

TL;DR
- GARCHOMP uses STONE EDGE; misses
- GARCHOMP is hit by ICE FANG
- GARCHOMP faints
- ROARING MOON uses Z-MOVE: CROWN OF ECLIPSE
- THE SUNLIGHT TURNED HARSH

GYM: QUICK BADGE
Josh Devlin

APPARENTLY, COMMANDER WISE'S COMMANDER DOES NOT WORK and the dragon is left with her own constitution to survive the HURRICANE of the ARTICUNO. Fortunately for the Tatsugiri, the damage is not too critical as it paves the way for Josh Devlin 's ZERAORA, a Pokemon that the redhead has already fought with, during his battle for the Quick Badge.

WIth the eventual defeat of the legendary bird and the decimation of its army, the people starts blowing the horn telling the end of the fight. The First Battle of Hammerlocke is won. But it seems like there will be more of it.

They have not found their way out yet.

🐉

THE FIRST MONTH

"DON'T LET ME SPEAK PARSELTONGUE WITH YOU,"

Sergei humors Jack Napier as he checks his own copies as well. Jack may have written the entire verses in his notebook, but Sergei has no time with that, having copies of the magenta wall markings in his tablet. But at least he is not disagreeing with him. "I think however that it will eventually unravel itself in time."

The High King is not there to guide them anymore, but his words remain etched in his mind as he believes it to be their only way out. How quick does time flies and yet no one has contacted him among his family? Is his father worried? Is his mother afraid? The uncertainty is definitely more unnerving than the writings on the wall.

If they will have to find a path to escape, then they must find it as soon as possible.

🐉

THE YEARS THAT FOLLOW

SERGEI PREPARES FOR THE THE NIGHT WATCH, the broadsword forged from the NECROZMA sheathed behind him. The attack is not too long ago, but it leaves the spirits broken and frightful of the days to come. The coming of the Necrozma, the Black Knight from Jack Napier 's sketches and tales must herald the coming of the Skeleton... the one that must have been weaved in the tapestries.

In the ten years that have come, Sergei has kept himself busy.

In days, he will be with Colton Boothroyd in the laboratory studying everything that he could. While his expertise focuses on dragons, Sergei is well aware that he needs to widen his depth of knowledge if he is to help in finding what they are looking for. From time to time, he will seek guidance with Jack Napier , hoping his knowledge of the lores can help him with his research. Perhaps which is why when he decides to profess his affection and desire to be official, Sergei cannot help but say no. Days and weeks pass by and the redhead does not want the uncertainty to make him feel trapped in a fate he cannot control.

At nights, he joins the troops that watch over the city, waiting for potential enemies that will strike. Training with a broadsword has proven useful: he gained muscles and waives the heavy steel in defense of the Hammerlocke people. While Jack proves himself useful in the rear side, Sergei knows they needed someone on the frontlines. If situation calls for a strategy, he knows he need to be Jack Napier 's shield as he supports from behind.

The first ten years have been like this, passing through like a chilling blow of wind from the Crown Tundra. It hits in haste but with certain heaviness. At least their study in the laboratory has made some progress. A star chart full of notes; some even are scribed on the walls.

The cryptic message in poison says the stars will hold the tales and the secrets which will ultimately lead to the battle.

At least Sergei knows he is already prepared.

---

LS42Uwix

TL;DR
- SERGEI joins Colton Boothroyd in the laboratory during the day and participates in the watch of the Hammerlocke troops at night
- SERGEI accepts Jack Napier to be his boyfriend
- SERGEI trains with a broadsword to fight
- SERGEI forges a METAL BROADSWORD that gives him a boost of power (CLANGEROUS SOUL)

RAID: GOODBYE GALAR, RUSTED SHIELD
Jack Napier Colton Boothroyd

THE DIP INTO THE GROUND IS CRUCIAL because it is the foundation of Valiant's strategy to win. Despite the overwhelming speed of both the dragon and the Zeraora, its cobalt eyes will eventually notice the vortex of sand swirling around the Garchomp, his SAND VEIL from the DIG cushioning itself from the power of the other Pokemon's attack.

Garchomp withstands the strike: the speed of the creature doing most of the work than the electricity charged. The Garchomp losses his momentum to strike but the situation turns into an unexpected opportunity to make it advantageous. Mimicking the Roaring Moon's attempt to lock down Zeraora, Garchomp grasps the creature by the torso with its fins as he dives head first in an attempt to BULLDOZE through the ground.

On the other side of the field, Enigma sneers. It may not be as fast its opponent, but it has all the power it needed to tank the game. Sergei is confident with his Pokemon's skills, and so he doesn't mind Jackie teasing his dragon's agility. "It doesn't matter, it's still a strike!"

But truth be told, the dragon can still boost its power. It lifts from the ground and twirls into a DRAGON DANCE, the moon-shaped creature flapping its wings like a moth, hovering around and above the Aerodactyl. Catching a decent altitude, the dragon attempts to tower over the battle field, waiting for its turn to unleash its secret weapon.

---

TL;DR
- GARCHOMP activates ability SAND VEIL (the intent is that the sand veil is just there, the sand from when the Garchomp digs covers around its body as it bullets through the Zeraora)
- GARCHOMP is hit by HYPERSONIC PLASMA CHARGE
- GARCHOMP misses DIG
- GARCHOMP wraps its finned limbs around ZERAORA; dives headfirst with the ZERAORA using BULLDOZE
- ROARING MOON uses DRAGON DANCE

GYM: QUICK BADGE
Josh Devlin

REDEEMING

welcome to the poké mart!

1X free dragon-type evolution (from here)
» FRIGIBAX evolves to ARCTIBAX

TOTAL

do come again!

0 PD

VALIANT WILL EVENTUALLY FIND THE PORTAL, a kaleidoscopic wormhole sticking out against the debris of the fallen structures in the city. But the dragon's memory betrays him as the portal seems to be different to where they have come from. Could it be possible that there are other exits?

He wastes no time informing his trainer, but Saki Shitachi eventually returns to tell them of their way back. If she decides to come back to them, then this must be her way of being honest, Sergei thinks.

Sergei mimics Remiel Calcifet's action and rides his Garchomp as well. "Let's follow Saki Shitachi."

---

VpUUXIQh

TL;DR
- 03 encounter hostile zombie-like MEGALOPOLANS that have been driven mad by the darkness. you may encounter any amount from a single one to a large swarm.
- 04 discover permanently defunct and dull Z-CRYSTALS scattered about the city.
- 07 discover barely working vending machines that dispense odd-tasting energy drinks in exchange for defunct Z-CRYSTALS.
- 🗺️ SERGEI DACHEV's expertise with dragon-type pokemon must be advantageous in some way.

EXPEDITION: LESSER MEGALOPOLIS I
Remiel Calcifet Saki Shitachi

SERGEI RETURNS THE GRATITUDE to the people he has worked with cleaning the tapestries, and the result of their hard work at least salvages the two remaining tapestries that drape the brick walls of the Hammerlocke Vault.

He watches Jack Napier take out his sketchbook—in a true geeky fashion—and chuckles as he brings out his roto-tablet to do the same thing. "An artist through and through. I'll still be checking this out too. I think this gives us a clue or something."

His eyes are drawn by the artwork weaved into the garments: a skeletal serpent-looking creature traverses the two clothing, a terrifying force of nature which mere illustration sends shiver down his spine. There is a rugged terrain. And there manifests power.

Sergei grabs the souvenir he retrieves from the Calyrex and wonders. Is it this creature? Is this the one that poisoned the High King CALYREX?

His musings is disrupted when calls about an army of Galarian Pokemons rushes to the fort built by the peasants. And the most curious of all: the Galarian Articuno!

Sergei wastes no time with Jack Napier . "I’ll help out as well! Let's go!"

As the locals and the Hoennian forces send their barrage of attacks against the Galarian Articuno, Sergei has a different idea.

Commander Wise uses TAUNT, allowing the strange bird to focus on the Tatsugiri as the others attempt to overwhelm it with attacks. Whenever and if ever the commander catches its attention, both will run away as the tiny dragon prepares to maneuver and take control of its flight (COMMANDER).

---

UNsZHzkh
+15

TL;DR
- SERGEI thanks Lucette Castellane as well, probably towards Amor Rose too
- SERGEI takes a photo of the tapestries and tries to study thoroughly and attempts to do a perception check; asks himself: Is it this creature? Is this the one that poisoned the High King CALYREX?
- SERGEI goes with Jack Napier and helps in the barricades
- TATSUGIRI uses TAUNT to catch the GALARIAN ARTICUNO’s attention
- TATSUGIRI attempts to use COMMANDER (ability) to try and take control of the GALARIAN ARTICUNO

RAID: GOODBYE GALAR, RUSTED SHIELD
Jack Napier Lucette Castellane

"YOU MEAN THAT SORT OF HOENNIAN RITE OF PASSAGE? You bet I am!" Sergei giggly walks towards Josh Devlin's direction while his hands reach for something inside his satchel. The other will see that it is some sort of jerky, the soy-marinated breast meat dried out perfectly.

"Most hunting dragons have one fundamental similarity: they love meat!" His assumption works with Enigma as Sergei's Roaring Moon matches by far the observations he has written down on Salamences when he was still a sophomore. Approaching the other Roaring Moon is a gamble he is willing to take, but in Sergei's defense almost no Pokemon backed down on his cooking.

"I don't think it's a fossil Pokemon though. Most fossils in their full form have a trademark typing which is being Rock." At least the full fossil ones. others like the Dracozolt of Galar is a different mystery of its own.

"And this one. It is unusually shaped like a Salamence. But doesn't the law of evolution apply to these things if it is really from prehistoric time?"

---

MISSION: A PARADOX PROBLEM
Josh Devlin