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It was the witching hour, too late after midnight to be considered the night but too early to be considered morning; it was finally time Olivia stepped into her family's past. She had been reviewing the walls of the ruins, the inscriptions that dotted the former palace, piecing together what she could of her ancient house. It was a mess. From what she had gathered before coming to Hoenn, most of what was known about her family had been passed down orally with little to nothing written in book or scroll. It was here, in the ruins of what once was her great house, she hoped to find answers.

Answers such as why their Mistress of the Sea slumbered. Why they had, at all, come to worship the god in the first place. Olivia had never doubted her family's faith until she left their secluded home and learned the mythos and lore of other regions. Sinnoh, with their gentle giants and peaceful purifiers. Olivia understood why their people worshipped these powerful and peaceful gods; yet, in Hoenn, the gods tore asunder the land and sea itself, with little to no regard to whom they hurt. It was then, in her early days of university, that the seed of doubt was planted.

Now, she crept through the cyan ribbon she had put up herself to warn others of the perils that lay below. Olivia had a flashlight and her pokemon should she need them, a journal and pen to take notes, and even a pocketbook of the sea - a holy text of her people. Hopefully, Olivia would find some answers as she descended into the unknown of the ruins of Silverspire.

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Olivia lingered in deepest depths of the cave, carefully wrapping her injured ankle in a brace before smoothing the white gown she was to wear to the celebration. Another, so soon, after her coronation. What a spectacular mess that had been. Yet, that was the past and she was moving forward, making moves, no matter how slow. The tide comes in cycles: some waves are calm and quiet, while others are fast and furious, and so she too would take her time to build her strength. One of the first steps in doing so was securing a Gym Trainer.

She rose and her wedged heels - in place of her usual stilettos - clacked against the stone floor as she neared the entrance, a simple mask of thin gold with a faux ruby above the eye line. Olivia would represent Uxie on this night, the guardian of Snowpoint and Bestower of Knowledge. It seemed only appropriate. She dare not idolize the Great Sea Basin by donning a mask of Kyogre, no true believer would do so. It was curious, this masquerade that Balder had insisted on. Perhaps it would give Olivia a second chance to introduce herself and her new trainer to the city. It would be a good thing, plus, she was intrigued by this 'tapu fini' and the celebration they held for it. Alola was an island region, surrounded by the sea; yet, she knew little of it. Perhaps that could be something noted on.

Finally, Olivia reached the entrance of the cave and placed the Uxie mask over her face and a gentle hand on Balder's shoulder. "It's time." She muttered and stepped forth where the festivities had already begun. Her presence on the stage caused a wave of silence to crash upon those gathered as she spoke into the microphone, "Welcome, all, once more - and so soon too!" She added with a light chuckle. "I've gathered those who could make it to welcome the newest Gym Trainer, or Crest as they are called at the gym: Balder Schwartz, Crest of Strength!" She clapped, the crowd peered, and that was the cue for Balder to step forth and introduce himself.

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Oh, yes, she would need allies. People to watch her back with her face out to the public, yes, others to help her when she falters, yes; but friends? Olivia had known those few and far, far between. Growing up solitary left little room for relationships in the sea battered heart of the Abbiati, and she saw no use in friends. No use in trusting those with no commitment other than 'trust'. Others may trust her, but her own trust must be eroded away like waves crashing on the beach.

Subordinates? Yes, those she had in growing numbers as she expanded upon not only the Crown's roster but her Gym trainers as well. Allies? Well, that would imply a mutual understanding of one another's power. That the only thing keeping each other from fighting was a common thread or interest. In this case, it would be her fellow Leaguers. The Gym Leaders. The Council. The Professor. The Champion. He, who stood before her and spoke of the weariness of titles. Indeed, what would happen were his title forgotten?

It would matter not, for he had submitted. It was a small act. Minor, done in relative privacy as none were around, but it had been done. The Champion of Hoenn had taken her own hand in his and pressed his lips to it. From Kanto to Kalos, Hoenn to Sinnoh; no matter where one went the act meant the same thing: respect. Olivia allowed their hands to keep close for a few precious moments as she commented quietly, "Titles are eternal, Champion Stone; even those that are lost are remembered for who they once were, what they accomplished." She pulled her palm from his and took slow steps back towards the stairs of the stage. The pain in her ankle was getting increasingly uncomfortable and she needed to rest.

Olivia paused as she put a hand on the railing of the staircase, and added, "Sootopilis will earn its own titles in the annals of history, I assure you that." Her eyes were and always had been her weakness. Olivia's face may as well be sculpted from the pale stone of the city, but her eyes were ever changing like the tides of fate; and as she looked to Stone, they took on a blue midnight hue - beautiful, but it was like staring into the abyss. Dark, cold, and full of secrets.

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Olivia continued to pet Meara, a soft purr akin to the gentle sounds of a stream flowing. She listened to him speak, nodded hen necessary, and then looked him in the eyes. ”I have been proving myself to men and superiors for years, sir, but to do so here: in the birthplace of my family, I will not prove anything more than my name. I am Olivia of the Ancient Abbiati, Professor of Mythos, Guardian of the Lake and Sea, Queen of the Crown, and Leader of Sootopolis.” She said in a cool calm voice like a morning breeze on the beach.

“I know these people have not heard of my family in ages, but that does not displace our time and effort in keeping the city of safe. In keeping the seas safe. Now, an opportunity has arisen for the Abbiati and myself to show that we are risen once more and will protect my home with the seas and stone.” Olivia monologued, looking at her Vaporeon. “I wish for my people to be safe, the menace of Rocket our to a stop, and the Crown able to help when the League can’t step in.”

She offered him a kind smile, but her eyes were a storm of emotions: pride, doubt, hope. ”I will not let any stop from leading Sootpolis into a prosperous future; whether they are my supposed allies or enemies.” Olivia carefully, yet with the grace of one born into etiquette and wealth, lowered herself to Alexander’s level, eye to eye. She winced as her lame foot met the ground but did her best to fake it.

Olivia extended a gloved hand of silver to the man, in the manner that one would kiss a hand, and said, ”Perhaps another day we can meet, better circumstances, and discuss what we can do to better one another’s relations and goals; for we all are servants of the League.”

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Her lips were pursed as Freya rattled on - until she revealed the identity of the stranger. Olivia puckered her lips and kept silent, not able to say a word while the councilwoman spoke. She left, her laugh still ringing in Olivia’s ears. They had both made a mistake, yet it was Olivia who would deal with the consequences. She sat upright on the edge of the stage as Stone spoke, crossing one leg over another at his congratulations.

Her coronation, that others were not taking well too. Olivia looked down on the man from her spot on the edge of the stage, she dare not risk jumping down and injuring herself further. ”My apologies, had I known you or any of the others were to come I would have had proper preparations made.” Olivia began, placing a hand on her knee.

“Although I could say the preparations would be wasted, as those that attended, like you noted, were not at all appeased by - well, my newfound position.” She added, her other hand repositioning her sea blown hair. Olivia let out a high pitched whistle and her Vaporeon broke the stone wall surrounding Alex with an aurora beam, the white rock crumbling to dust of sparkling ice. ”You are of course, free to leave should you wish.” She said as her Pokémon hopped back onto the stage, rubbing up on Olivia lovingly. The platinum blonde scratched her Vaporeon behind the ear, glancing down to Alex she asked, ”And of yourself, Mr. Stone? Is my appointment as much to your disappointment as well?” Her ocean eyes stared deep into his unhooded visage, like trenches at the bottom of the sea.

THE CROWN[attr="id","townname"]

LED BY OLIVIA VALENTINE ABBIATI[attr="id","towndesc"]

[attr="id","inside"]FROM AGES PAST in an era where pokemon reigned like gods upon humans, it was rare to find one gifted with not only skill in intellect and physical feats, but also the ability to train these terrifying beast. It was these early natives of Hoenn who conquered nature and fended for themselves. As time passed soon humans were fueding with one another, and no longer with the forces of nature. During this age, a family of salt and stone, came to the conclusion that protection was needed. A crown of wrought silver of the men they protected, of salt of the sea they lived by, and of stone of Sootopolis; which they called home. To protect, was the first of five crest - or vows - members of this newly formed entity were sworn to take.


NEXT CAME a deep and oathbound loyalty to the Crown. Members of the Crown are expected to obey their superiors and not undermine them, as they must be cohesive and unified in their goals.

PROTECTION DOES not simply mean protecting the people of the city, but the city itself. The following crest is protection of the hearth. The Crown cannot allow a breach of their own homeland and refuse to see it besieged.

HOWEVER this is not to say the Crown does not respect and pay due to that which provides life. It is of great importance that nature and in particular, the sea, is protected as well. The water pure, the air clean, and lands viridian is the hope of the Crown.

YET AT a cost they do so. To swear oneself to the Crown is until death sets one free from the shackles and chains of all promises and vows they may have had in life, as it does for this one. Always remember and know that the Crown is a new family to its members, and family never forgets their own.

THE COURT

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Olivia kept the soft smile on her face as she listened to the Fortree Leader's questions. Still, they doubted her, and the smug look of the councilwoman did nothing but confirm her suspicions. Were they to be successful, they needed to cooperate. Yet, before she could reply or say much of anything, Morningstar acted. Her security in the crowd discreetly reported a pokemon leaving the woman's person and making its way through the audience. Yelps and startled shouts began to crescendo through the crowd as the pokemon approached its target - and that was beyond what Olivia would tolerate.

From a crevice of jutted stone, a pool of water behind the throne took shape into a Vaporeon as Olivia barked, "With salt and stone." Instantly, a haze began to spill forward from the elevated stage smelling of the salty sea and obscured the area. Latched onto a cliff that extended overhead, Olivia's Omanyte took action at her command. His eyes began to glow as the white stone of the crater city spiked through the crowd and created a short wall between whoever the snake's prey would have been.

She looked to the crowd, her face full of grace, but her voice was stern. "I said no battles, Councilwoman." Olivia said flatly, her eyes a stormy blue of emotions. She continued, with a whistle as her Vaporeon came to her side, "And despite what you or others might think, this is my event and more importantly, my city I was charged to protect." She waved a hand, and obediently, her Vaporeon wagged her tail and the haze began to clear, revealing the impromptu rocky wall between Moxie and the stranger. Olivia's eyes darted to Meara and then the stranger for the briefest of moments before the Vaporeon used quick attack to be at the man's side, circling him. "And while your apparent concern for my well being is appreciated, it was unnecessary." Olivia added, her voice still flat and calm like the eye of a storm.

The tsunami that was Olivia's fury crashed down on Alexei next. "As I said, and as are the words of my house - the motto this city was known for from ages past - we will use salt and stone to bring Sootopolis to its glory once more. Walls of white stone will be erected, not only expanding the job market but preparing for the worst to come from Rocket." A hush fell over the crowd at the mention of Rocket. Olivia had dealt with them first hand, more than once already before her official status as a Gym Leader, and the aching in her ankle reminded her of that. "And the Sea will be, as it always has been, an ally of Sootopolis. The Crown is already at work with expanding the city's naval defenses with ships and water pokemon; of which I have taken care to catch or donate as needed. I will not allow the atrocities that have happened across the shoreline of Hoenn to besiege this great city." Olivia said, her voice cold and formal.

She snapped her fingers, and various trainers of the Crown began to file off the stage or stand up in the crowd - all recognizable by the crown sigil on their chest. "This city will be safe, our people will be sucessful, but I will not tolerate blatant disrespect." The Crown trainers lined the sides of the crowd and gently escorted them towards the exit, where more Crown trainers waited were any surprises to occur. Olivia addressed the crowd as they began to move, "I do wish this could have turned out on a more pleasant note, but the tides of fate had other ideas in mind; so I must bid you all a blessed day." She added, eyes glaring at both Freya and the stranger, "Save for the two of you, I would like a private word."

They had the choice to refuse, of course, but the stranger (ALEXANDER STONE) would have found it difficult with the Vaporeon circling him, the jutted wall of rocks, and of course, Freya's snake on the other side of said wall. The councilwoman could leave as well, Olivia dare not refuse her, but an explanation would be received from her either this day or another. With a final clap of her hands, the remaining Crown members began to gather the extra supplies for Olivia's promised donations. The "Queen" herself unlatched the train of silver silk that was clipped to her shoulders and let it fall to the ground as she strode to the edge of the stage, her gait slow due to her injury, before she sat at the edge, arms crossed and looked down at the man - and Freya too were she to stay - and ordered with a voice as cold as her home of Snowpoint, "Explain yourself before I have you banned from the city or let snake get to you." Olivia sat on the edge of the stage, admittedly, due to her ankle. She could only support her own weight without assistance for so long.

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Flames flashed into existence so quickly, Olivia only saw a blur of blue and red as the woman's iron grip on her face was relinquished as the Rocket woman dealt with Cyndaquil flaring in her face. With the pokemon came a boulder of a man who knocked the Rocket male who had been holding her to the ground off of her; yet, not as gracefully as one would hope. Olivia felt something twist or turn - hopefully not break - as the two tumbled on top of her. The men fighting, Olivia inched towards her pokeballs the Rocket woman had snatched.

She barely had time to register what the hulking figure of a man had to say before they were assaulted, again, from the sea. Rocket's activities were more of a threat than she realized, narrowly avoiding a razor-sharp slice of air that came from a wing attack. They've angered the ocean and its occupants, stealing their resources and polluting the water they breathed. Yet, before she could act herself, a sudden downpour of rain fell upon the entire beach - a sly tympole surfacing from the slushy sand. Reinvigorated by the rain and her scorn of the sea, Olivia found the strength to rise to a knee and release one of her pokemon: Opis, the eldritch one.

"Aim high, old one, and keep," Olivia paused for the briefest of moments before deciding the stranger supposedly had good intentions, "- and keep us safe." She finished, and her orders were carried out to the word. The rain empowered the fossil pokemon and it acted first and quickly, tentacles rose and pointed skyward where shards of rock came hurtling towards the sky-high wingull. It was pelted and forced to the ground, upon which Olivia swiftly tossed a pokeball at the bird pokemon. She would teach it peace once more, one day. Today, however, they still had other hurdles to handle. Surrounded in smoke, a barrier of invisible energy surrounded them as Opis used protect.

Stormy eyes of azure met Balder as she ordered, "We need to get the pokemon away from these clods and then save ourselves, are you up to it?" It wasn't a question. Leaders didn't ask, and Olivia was no different.