[attr="class","tooksprites"]

[attr="class","humour"]

olivia, as per usual, was the first to act. FERNANDO SILPH's orders for emergency services were left unheard, as olivia had already summoned the crown and the rangers. as a brawl took place where the portal once stood, olivia found herself dictating rescue operations. the night market itself was a hellscape, landed with smoldering holes of cobble and mud, dismembered and detached bodies littered the ground - ominous reminders of the carnage the clown had left behind.



on top of all of that, olivia received an alert via crown member in her ear piece. "a brawl is breaking out at point zero." the familiar voice of perry buzzed through as olivia instructed the rangers to the injured. she groaned, her throat still sore from the assault and... dahlia goode. where was dahlia? "no one is to enter ground zero unless given authorization by the council." olivia barked, ascending her jellicent.

she looked over the gathering storm that was the media: their flashing lights, torrent of questions, thunderous demand for attention. "a press conference will be held in the next few days to address the situation." olivia began, her voice echoed via the earpiece and to speakers provided by the crown. she held up a hand, silencing the reporters, "and until such time, there will be no questions, comments, or concerns related to the 2020 slateport incident. what is to be said is that thanks to the heroic efforts kyle lopez in particular and myself, the commissioner is safe and in custody but under extreme duress and will not be available for interview for the next few weeks." this only seemed to spur more questions and comments. "consider this an official gag on the media." olivia ordered, her voice chilled and stern; regal even, with the authority of a queen. she didn't have the time to waste; apparently the fools were still fighting.

cameras snapped some shots of the councilwoman heading back to the mess that was the market, but her silhouette would be cast in shadow and smoke as olivia entered the fray, leaving the public with as few answers as she could. olivia floated on in via jellyfish, catching the tail end of the conversation: balder had thrown hands, kyle was mourning mateo, and... that girl, that poor sweet child. she had lost so much, given so much; even now, as life dew rained down upon them the men bickered.



"sacred seas, enough." olivia barked from above the crowd of her peers as they argued. her jellicent came to the ground, allowing olivia to dismount alongside fernando. "while you have been busy bickering like children, the crown and emergency services have began their mission through the devastated market." she said to all around, before continuing, "i have issued a gag on all media until a council press conference may be held -" she paused, sparing a glance at FERNANDO SILPH," - soon, once we have answers. the only public statement that i have made, on behalf of the league and council, are thanking the combined efforts of kyle lopez and myself for capturing the commissioner."

it was then that her unfiltered fury crashed upon them, "Balder Schwartz if you dare to strike your superior, and yes the elite four are your superiors, you will face swift and severe punishments. this is your first and final warning." her voice was icy cold as she moved onto the next, "FERNANDO SILPH and Orion Lykos, expect a meeting in the coming days once we have a better understanding of the situation. get in contact with kim cole-essam if possible." it was then, at last, did her tone warm as she approached kyle and noah faber. "you have performed exemplary work today, kyle lopez. thank you... but your work is not done. we need to see the commissioner and have her under league custody; for her own safety. go home, rest, grieve, but keep dahlia in your sight at all times. let's see if we can get cait alfric to look at her." she turned back to the others, saying, "we all have questions for her, but she needs time to rest and heal." olivia had a question, more of a name, that kept ringing in her ear: blackwell.

olivia took a deep breath in, the rank smell of sulfur and saltwater coating the inside of her nose, and turned to look at the light house. "that girl, the one on the tower." she said before turning on her heel to face them all, "has given more of her heart than any of you. any of us. look to her for an example, in these trying times that we face, as a beacon of hope. and the gods only know we could use some hope." olivia brought a finger to the earpiece that had been turned silent, activating it to issue a final order to the crown, "notify all media outlets, that girl on the lighthouse is hence forth known as the Saint of Slateport and is to be publicly recognized and endorsed by myself for her sacrifice and continued work to keep us all alive." the chatter on the other end confirmed such.

"now," olivia began with a sigh, "we do damage control. the remaining elite four, Bailey Cooper persephone amavi, are to report to the council. gym leaders present, save for Balder Schwartz, are to return to duties as normal. Thomas Benoit and kyle lopez, go to dahlia, secure the area. we don't know who or what may be after her. Balder Schwartz, you will be having a private meeting with the council regarding this... display of abilities, and your actions. the savior complex isn't a good look for you, so knock it off."

it was then she addressed the trainers present, "i thank all of you for your hard work and the sacrifices you have made; yet i must ask for one more: keep the events of today to yourself until the council has given a public announcement." there was one last thing... she pointed out the pokeranger, Kazimir Wynter, "keep up the good work, but please be safe."

[attr="class","tooksprites"]

[attr="class","humour"]

a bright light, a deafening explosion; olivia found herself blinded as she held onto her jellicent for dear life. by the time her senses returned, the city had turned into a battlefield once more. the alien beast was calling to its brethren on the other side of the portal; and that, olivia decided, was not something they could handle. her jelly fish pokemon floated towards the ground where Olivia descended, making calls o emergency services and giving league officials and the crown both permission to enter the fringes of the market.

in between orders, olivia gave a curt nod to her jellicent - ocean eyes darting towards the ultra beast. with glee, the ghostly sea pokemon filled its tentacles with evil energies before launching out at the 'head' of the nihilego. her jellicent was hexing the pokemon as it wringed it out.

[attr="class","tooksprites"]

[attr="class","humour"]

many things happened at once, and olivia watched in relief as dahlia was teleported to safety; yet it was the capture of the clown beast that caught everyone's attention. others acted, their concerned aimed after that unique poke ball, while olivia gave a weak high pitched whistle. chione, his mega evolution dissipated, blasted off with an aqua jet towards his mistress. the shark skipped along the surface of the water like a stone skipped on a peaceful summer afternoon. olivia opened her arms for the shark to jump into, giving whimpering grunts as the poison swept through his bloodstream.

suddenly, it was as if someone had misted olivia's throat with anesthetic clouds. she watched in gratitude as the nearby gardevoir released a life dew for all to revel in. her sharper's injuries began to heal, and wanting to preserve her secret weapon, recalled him into his pokeball. olivia's own injuries healed, she approached Ruby Walker with a warm smile, though her eyes reflected the gravity of the situation in their icy blue pools. "bless you child, and your pokemon. go to where the commissioner is, with kyle lopez of the elite four. heal her as you have done for me, under orders of the council. understood?" olivia asked-ordered, her voice gruff yet able to speak easily due to the healing dew.

she jumped onto the back of her jellicent, and commanded with a manicured finger, "storm splash." manifesting phantasmal energies and a torrent of water, her jellicent combined ominous wind and water spout to blast at the incoming solrock of Remiel Calcifet - aiming to send it catapulting back towards the dragapult.

[attr="class","tooksprites"]

[attr="class","humour"]

the peace of mind wrought by strangulation was ripped away as her name was called, olivia's azure eyes snapping open as she sat up. her throat felt as if barbed wire had been shoved down it and when she turned to the source of the voice, not even able to speak, she remembered where she was. what was going on. the gentlest of nods was what she offered to Orion Lykos to confirm her own safety before she hurried a look at the scene before her: at dahlia goode. a weak whistle, the pitch off given the condition of her throat, was all olivia could manage - but it was enough.

her jellicent had summoned a preemptive ominous wind to shield his mistress from the poisonous rain, and at olivia's whistling orders, dropped down so she could take cover within the safety provided by her fellow council member. relatively safe, olivia pointed at the dahlia fusion and snapped. like a whip, the jellicent's tentacles cracked through the air and enwrapped themselves with the remaining appendages of the ultra beast to wring out the commissioner.



more importantly, however, was that it busied the beast for chione to repeat his previous attack. the mega sharpedo aqua jetted towards the 'head' of the monster and used his psychic fangs to rip an opening through its shell. olivia watched as kyle lopez and an odd gaseous pokemon teleported to the scene. "good, they know it's dahlia", olivia thought. though she saw no sign of the other beast - had they defeated it when she had been rendered unconscious?

she turned to orion and under the safety of his swampert's protection, croaked, "wha... about... the bomb?" she swallowed and turned to look towards the light house, the action straining her bruised neck.

[attr="class","tooksprites"]

[attr="class","humour"]

the crown member gave fernando a bored, if not annoyed, stare as the sparking staryu waddled itself up on its... "feet". its gem glowed as the trio of elemental power came hurtling at the celestial sea pokemon, embracing the attack as there was nothing else to do. finally, it began to analyze the situation.
.
.
.
and the analysis was complete. the gem in its core gave off a bright light, psychic energies manifesting... and it bopped itself on the head with its own pokeball, unceremoniously returning into the red and white sphere. "well... it seems as if its analysis proved fruitful, and it saw no outcome in which it bested your cyber beast. you may proceed to the queen's chambers." the man called, picking up the staryu's pokeball and pocketing it.

he was already moving towards a door that had opened, calling, "follow me, councilman silph." they walked in silence through a winding hall until they come to deteriorating ball room of massive proportions. huge columns crumbled beneath the weight of the colossal dome over head, easily giving enough room for the largest of dragons to fly through the air unhindered - in fact, parts of the ceiling had collapsed and littered the floor, allowing rays of sunshine to peek into the damp ruins. patches of plantlife grew where light managed to shine alongside pools of water with depths as shallow as a puddle, or as deep as a pond scattered through out the floor. debris made impromptu cover and a shield from the elements, and tiny pokemon could be seen scuttling into their shelters as their steps echoed through the vast room.

and standing at the other end, in her gym outfit of a skintight diving suit with her lab coat on was none other than olivia, scanning over some paperwork. she looked up as the pair entered, the crown member saying, "may i present the councilman FERNANDO SILPH, who has seeks the honor of gym battle." he bowed, then left fernando's side and scampered on to olivia, whispering in her ear. she dismissed him with a flick of her wrist, along with the paperwork she had been looking over. "so, councilman, perry tells me you've been acting like a child. literally. do you plan on keeping up this facade? or will you give me a battle worthy of your title?" olivia asked, silver brow arched in amusement.

she held a pokeball in her hand, tossing it in the air, adding, "if you wish to act like a child fresh from little root, i can treat you as such; but i fear you won't care much for the battle. i expect an honest answer before we begin."

[attr="class","tooksprites"]

[attr="class","humour"]

olivia winced as she felt the heat of the explosion graze her back, shrapnel flying everywhere yet she was safe; her kingler's last act or protection catching any stray debris before it fainted unceremoniously. she watched the mystic dragon fell from the sky and her heart sank. her own pokemon, if she were to lose one... a deep scowl graced her face as she recalled her crab pokemon. with that done she stepped over the threshold of the light house, into the unknown.

what awaited her was all too familiar. wet, dank, and terrifying - and in the middle of it all, as olivia took a tentative step forward was none other than dahlia goode . olivia was shocked, the silver tongued sea snake unable to speak a word, unaware she was being watched. even worse was she cacooned in some kind of tentacle slime? absolutely disgusting. then suddenly, the commissioner jolts back to life. "dahlia?" olivia manages to ask before those crystal clear blue eyes of the goode woman meet the abbiati witch's stormy gaze, and a single word is muttered. it had no meaning, now, and olivia sneaked in a "wha-" before the light of consciousness fades from her eyes and her body goes limp.

just as quickly as it was over, the commissioner rose from her trance and a tentacle lashed out and wrapped itself around olivia's throat. her ocean eyes dart from tentacle to tentacle, the heads of men and women decorating each like a twisted yule time tree topper. then the shebeast gave forth a shrill scream and bursted forth form the lighthouse with olivia in towe. "dah- dahlia, stop." she chokes out as the beast flies towards the clown. she croaks, "i can help yo-" before the tentacle tightens, olivia becoming the sole focus of the freak.

her fingers desperately reached for the two pokeballs belted at her waist, eyes downcast as she tried to do the impossible. her own pokeon looked up at her through their spherical prisons and recognized her desperation. she is so close, yet so far. her pokemon both slam into the red and white walls of the container to no avail. miraculously, a single finger flirted by the release button of both; which was all her sharpedo and jellicent needed to burst forth in stark white light.

immediately, her sharpedo blast into action with an aqua jet enhanced by its natural speed boosting abilities and the rain. chione sensed his mistress's plea and with the last of her will and strength, olivia coughed out, "psych." the sharpedo knew what he needed to do, and the chained jewel on his fin began to glow with aquamarine light as the sapphire set ring on olivia's finger mimicked it in a dazzling light that swarmed around the mid air shark. chione the sharpedo mega evolved.



rocketing towards the base of the tentacle which held olivia, chione crunched down on the limb with glowing pink psychic fangs empowered by its strong jaw. this attack was more than a mere bite, however, as it attempted to sever whatever psychic connection existed between the commissioner and the parasite. the last thing olivia saw was the bulbous blue head of her jellicent rise from underneath her.

the jellicent floated eerily, its own tentacles writhing with rage and fury. its giant bubble body would provide a landing surface for olivia as it raised two phantasmal stingers. the ocean water begins to bubble all around the lighthouse before rushing towards the jelly fish pokemon and immediately being spurted out at the dahlia fusion, aiming to hurtle it into the clown pokemon - easily soaking both in its torrential water spout as the rain fell to further empower the attack.

[attr="class","tooksprites"]

[attr="class","humour"]

olivia kept up her pace, racing towards the lighthouse and ignoring the carnage and bombs. she felt the heat of dragon fire at her back, even as far as she was, and could only wish for the best. her kingler was strong, quick, and had a thick shell. surely that was enough?

whether it was enough or not would be hard to tell, as the bomb was launched back with draconic flames at its backside. instinct took over as the kingler held up its claw defensively, and a protective barrier was summoned around the crab. would it hold? the flames masked the bomb and he could not quite tell if the bomb was sent spiraling back or not.

[attr="class","tooksprites"]

[attr="class","humour"]

olivia witnessed balder transform before her eyes into a being of light and power; the avatar of the sun. it was terrifyingly beautiful, the power he now held; and it would appear this power had led to balder becoming bold. he dared to chastise her for the decisions she made, orders she had given. she narrowed her icy blue eyes into a scowl of sorts, before looking past the glowing man and at the market of death and destruction. lips pursed, she flicked her wrist at him and his portal. "go, then, but do not tell any others of this. dahlia goode is under my custody and you are seeking her out with a warrant given by my authority, Balder Schwartz. that is an order from the league. remember that should you find her." olivia muttered before the others could approach, her voice chilled with expected obedience.

with that, she and her super fast kingler went to work evacuating. a quick call was made, and soon crown members and emergency service began to arrive on the outskirts of the market. the others chased after the beast or followed balder through his portal. then she witnesses the worst: self sacrificed. she winces as the explosion fills the air with gore and unease, then as she rides atop her accelerated crab, the area surrounding the lighthouse is doused with bombs. it was a damned minefield.

yet, her kingler was agile having used agility, the pair crab walked through the minefield and were nearly at the lighthouse... when a rainbow of neon lights began to blimp. they had activated one of the mines, and olivia looked at the door which had been so close moments before. it was still close, she knew, and with a kick - propelled herself off her kingler as he did what he knew: smash.



kingler used crabhammer to send the flashing bomb skyward, inadvertently catapulting the disco ball of doom towards Remiel Calcifet and his flygon. with the chaos ensuing around her, olivia wrapped her coat tight as she made her way off towards the light house - back turned to the actions of her kingler.

[attr="class","tooksprites"]

[attr="class","humour"]

unfortunately, it would appear as if a tamed legendary was not as majestic as the myths foretold. olivia rose from her curtsy to catch the eye of Bailey Cooper of the elite four, that brief moment where ocean eyes met those of fiery passion was one filled with contempt. the water witch watched as she not only blatantly ignored the orders given, but summoned forth a beast of pure hatred: a shadow pokemon, who sent the bomb hurtling back towards olivia and balder.

yet, it was a pokemon of the sea who came to her aide. she was grateful for the strayu and its master who reflected the ball off towards another. it was then, however, that she felt balder's unbridled wrath. she allowed him this moment of anger, but just once. she held her chin high, glacial gaze cast upon the mighty islander as she muttered cooly, "do not doubt me, balder. the elite four have one sole duty: and it's to the people. i know for a fact any of them could have handled that bomb expertly, which is why i ordered them to do so; yet, bailey acted out of line only for another to step in."

olivia spared a quick glance at the others chasing the beast before turning back to balder, that icy visage cracking for a split second. her words lost that frosty edge as she whispered, "i did so because of who is trapped there, balder, with that massive time bomb ticking away - and i tell you this in confidence, as someone i can trust..." she gulped, eyes darting back to the lighthouse before they looked up at the man once more. "it's dahlia, the commissioner. she was the one who answered my call. she's stuck, she trapped, and if we don't get to her first, who knows what will be done. we need to find her and figure out how to stop that bomb." olivia said to him in hushed tones, for his ears only.

"we need to move and act now. trust me, and do not doubt my judgement." she said at last, her face now turned towards the trainers who chased after the clown. "i have, and always will, act for the good of the region, of the people; not for glory and fame, or some sick revenge." olivia added that last bit, thinking of the hatred she saw in Bailey Cooper's eyes. gathering her coat about herself, she snapped her fingers, and the crab did a little dance.

it was an orange blur once more as the power of agility and amnesia surged through him. her voice was as strong as a rushing river as olivia said, "and the best thing for the region and the people is to get the commissioner to safety, now let's be off."

[attr="class","tooksprites"]

[attr="class","humour"]

the thundering applause of the explosion was deafened by the voice on the other end of the call. it was dahlia. instinct takes over as she brings a gloved hand to cover her exposed mouth. the look of utter shock in her eyes is undeniable, easily replacing the fear that had been painted in those azure orbs moments before. then just like that, static filled her ear and olivia slipped her phone into her coat pocket. her ocean eyes were as wide as the sea as she watched the scene unfurl before her behind the safety of her kingler's protect.

they had to act. she, had to act - yet could she do this alone? she looked up to balder and then to the mighty lion of legend, beast of the sun in all his holy light. in another time, another place, olivia would have been struck with awe; yet now, as the secondary bomb came hurtling towards them, she acted. "quick shot." she ordered, rising from her crouched position. her kingler acted quick, unnaturally so as the white glow of agility enveloped his body. he zigzagged in an orange blur before launching forward in the air to strike the bomb like a volleyball with a mighty crabhammer. olivia began barking orders, hoping her voice could be heard over whirlwind of destruction, as the bomb was sent flying towards mateo martinez and Bailey Cooper. "elite four, your priority are the civilians! get them away and those bombs as far out as possible! all other league personnel, pursue the beast!"

it was then that she turned to face balder, grabbing him by his forearm and pulling him close. her soft spoken words were like a chill against his cheek, the mistress of the sea outshined by this avatar of the sun, as she whispered, "balder, you must trust me - we need to get to that light house before anyone, anything else. we must. this is our top priority." the silver haired woman pulled away from him then, turning her attention to the legendary before her.

as custom dictated, engraved in her brain from years of study, she offered a deep curtsy to the lion. olivia's voice took on a singsong quality, melodic yet ominous given the circumstances, as she began, "oh he who heralds the sun and brings forth the light of which we must all sustain from - i ask thee to grant us your blessing." olivia dipped her head, braided moonbeams hanging before her, azure eyes downcast as she went on, "the life by which your light guides is in peril, mighty solgaleo, and we must act with haste." she looked up, facing the legendary eye to eye - her own deep blue pleading for aide, as she asked, "you who traveled from beyond the stars to illuminate the emptiness of space, i implore thee, grant us thy speed; lend us thy aide."

to those nearby, this particular scene would look odd if not outright ridiculous: the brash councilwoman curtsying and pleading to a pokemon?

[attr="class","tooksprites"]

[attr="class","humour"]

why. why was she in slateport? olivia grimaced as she rolled the window down of the slick black limousine that was taking her to the new year's festival. the salty scent of sea water reached her as they sped past the glittering lights and cheers of crowds, many waving and cheering as they went by. the sigil of the crown was embellished on the vehicle and the people of slateport had not forgotten how the sea mistress had saved them from the mutant tentacruel.

yet could she save them from their own commissioner? from dahlia? olivia flicked the switch for the automated window, not wanting to see their faces. the same question kept running in her head: could dahlia be saved from herself? at last, they came to a stop and olivia ascended from the leather seats. she was wrapped in faux furs with a sheer midnight blue gown underneath, her silver high heels clicking against the sidewalk as she looked about.

and there they were. her peers, having heard the rumors of dahlia's appearance they appeared en masse. she approached Balder Schwartz who was, unsurprisingly, eating. it had been some time since the two had spoken and olivia wished their meeting were better fated. yet, before she could even say hello, a wormhole ripped through reality. from it a... clown stepped forth, wriggling about freely. her azure eyes widen as it lifts its 'head' and the sphere begins to balloon up whilst children cry.

"no." she whispered, hands reaching for a pokeball and releasing her kingler. it happened in the blink of an eye as that multicolored sphere exploded. instinctively, her crab pokemon created a barrier to halt the blast protecting those behind it: mainly olivia, but any other civilians should be saved so long as they were behind the protect. olivia brought her arms over her face defensively as the blast roared through the market and she fumbled for her phone.

"issue an evacuation for the entire city. i want crown personnel here at once ." olivia barked over the phone before hanging up. this beast appeared on top of the dahlia sighting? what more could go wrong.