Though the implication behind their typical "high-end" attire and their generally authoritative demeanour paints them as mobsters in the eyes of the public, the police know for certain that the Reginalds are every bit as legitimate as their history of championships implies- which is to say they are indeed legitimate. Their family line dates back to the origins of Kanto, when a small family in Fuschia City's son, orphaned at the age of ten, set out to make his fortune... At least, that's the common legend. No one really knows the true origins, but they do know it relates to the old, unassuming city. With the old Patriarch gone, the family line now consists of brothers Marcus and Tarma . Tarma was married once, but his wife only bore twin daughters before her sudden illness. Marcus, however, bore a son and a daughter with Celadon.
THE COAT OF ARMS - Currently with Radegast.
An Aegislash called "Reginald", an ageless blade of indestructible metal said to house the spirits of all Reginalds who came before. After many generations, it is doubtlessly an immensely powerful creature. The shield bears the Reginald coat of arms, a circle of shining silver, surrounded by three black crescent moons, all on a sea of deep sage. The circle represents the Shield of Light, the green represents the origins of the family- the deep greens of Fuschia. No one remembers what the crescent moons mean, however. Many have their theories.
The Coat of Arms is incredibly wise, but very dim. It almost never picks up on lingo and nuance in language beyond the literal definition of words. Despite the dimwittedness, it has lived as long as the entire family line. As a result, it is highly knowledgeable in history, and especially battle strategy.
It acts less like a pokemon, and more like an extension of the user's own mind, very much like a Stand. It would act automatically, with, without, or even against the user's orders. This is because the Aegislash is an immensely powerful, independent creature with an extremely powerful, and extremely specific sense of duty. It will put it's own life before those of the ones it is sworn to protect... though good luck killing it.
Abilities: Stance Change
Moveset:
-King's Shield
-Sacred Sword
-Aerial Ace
-Flash Cannon
-Fury Cutter
-Shadow Ball
The Aegislash can "fuse" with a living blood Reginald to bolster its abilities as well as the human's abilities by a significant margin. Along with this transformation comes the addition of the following attacks at full-power.
-Hyper Beam
-Giga Impact
-Fissure
-Ice Beam
Fusion also negates all type weaknesses inherent to the Aegislash, and in fact renders all type attacks at least half as effective. The cost of such an incredible power is severe... and only a living Reginald can perform this particularly powerful brand of Spirit Bonding.
Moves discovered whilst fused with Radegast:
Slash - Simply any attack with the blade or the shield would register as this.
Icy Wind - A vastly inferior version of the Ice Beam, but still chills enemies all the same.
TARMA REGINALD - DECEASED
As the older brother, he is the standing Patriarch of the family. Though he was quite healthy at the age of 60, his health has rapidly deteriorated, to the point where he requires Soundwave, or at least a cane, to move around. The reason for this is a past fusion with Reginald the Aegislash. Most recently, due to fusion, Tarma has lost the strength in his legs to walk again. As the living Patriarch, he is the one who currently commands the Coat of Arms. Compared to Marcus, Tarma is a far wiser, more informed man. With the exception of the Coat of Arms, his closest friends are approximately level 70. All have been absorbed by Reginald the Aegislash
Soundwave the Noivern - A Noivern almost as old as Tarma. Larger than the average Noivern. Tarma's starter. Knows Fly, but the speakers on his head have seen better days.
Exploud
Chatot
Bronzong
MARCUS REGINALD
The younger brother, whose initial dislike of being the younger brother turned into a deeply passionate desire to hold to tradition. This is mainly because Tarma had no sons. Though very cold and blunt, impatient, and eager to conquer his foes in the field of battle, he is a loving father. He is aware of Radegast's intentions, and is surprisingly cool with his son's group's slow, yet steady development. However, he does plan to crush his son on his terms, to show his son the way the world works. When the time comes, Marcus will show his son what it means to be a Ruulan. All of his pokemon are approximately level 80.
Is now the standing Patriarch.
Palkia - Holds a grudge against Radegast. Marcus captured him in order to keep him away from an evil force that's still out there.
Rotom - His most treasured inheritance from his father. Acts very much like a butler.
Golurk - Marcus' personal bouncer, basically.
Swampert
Yanmega - Marcus' starter. Knows Fly, but his bug-like eyes are graying, and relies on Marcus' touch to know where and how to fly.
CELADON REGINALD
Marcus' wife, a terrifying trainer in her own right. She and Marcus teamed up to conquer the Team Doubles tournaments. She and Marcus were two peas in a pod when they first met. Even so late in their marriage, they still finish each others' sentences in a cute way. A natural at the arts of Pokemon breeding. While stories tell of her unparalleled warmth towards others and especially her husband, her son running away had triggered something dark and terrible within. This borderline hatred makes her the most dangerous and unpredictable of all the Reginalds. All of her pokemon are approximately level 80, matching Marcus' team.
Flygon - Knows Fly
Venusaur
Shedinja - Celadon's starter, a tireless bodyguard who protects her from the shadows at all times. The Ninjask who had produced it has long passed away, and was buried in the gardens for unending service and friendship.
Gallade - Often teams up with Marcus' Golurk as personal bouncers.
MARGRIET REGINALD
An incredibly attractive Champion-tier trainer with Hall of Fame entries in both the Kanto and Hoenn leagues. She is a model and aspiring actress, but is easily flustered by the ridiculous name "Marge". She hones her skills in private events, where she was offered many a deal for products. She is her parents' daughter, and sort of resents her brother for rejecting the family business, as well as causing irreparable damage to the family she loves. All of her pokemon are approximately level 60.
Crobat
Delphox
Poliwrath - Her starter.
Golem
Weavile
Raikou - A gift from Marcus, and Mergriet's closest friend next to Poliwrath, her starter.
TARMA'S TWINS
Nadine and Cori Reginald. They're rarely without their respective starters- An Abomasnow and a Ludicolo respectively.
Few ever talk about them, except for Tarma, who always raves about how wonderful his daughters are, and how much they make him proud.
Incidentally, the Twins run a gardening shop, and have not even attempted a Pokemon challenge. Now in their mid-late twenties, they have a chain running, and have recently expanded to Unova, opening a shop in Driftveil City.
RADEGAST REGINALD
The only son. He nicknamed the Coat of Arms "Reggie", which brought laughter from Tarma, but a lecture on "respect" from Marcus. Their relationship is... complicated... Especially now that they know he is alive and well in Unova- up until Radegast disappeared again.
Small note: Radegast is the only member of the family with muscle definition.
LUCY REGINALD
Disowned.
THE GUARD / FAMILY FRIENDS
As a powerful family, the Reginalds have many a contact either under their employ or under the value of friendship. It is the Guard that makes them appear to be mobsters, but many of them are profoundly grateful for the opportunities they were so lucky to have. The Reginalds have many a contact they can call for many a favour, but the core of their influence is maintained at the hands of three individuals.
LOGAN DE JONG
At seventeen years of age, Logan is pretty much the son Marcus wanted to have. However, due to the strict code the Reginalds hold, Logan would only be a legible heir if he married Margriet, and Radegast was dead. Though he's a better man than to ever consider murder, he does have a huge crush on Margriet.
Peregrine - A Pidgeot - Level 39
Magmatron - A Heatran, a reward from Marcus for great service, and also Logan's "badge' as Marcus' Right Hand. - Level 50
Marth - An Absol, a fiercely loyal friend, and Logan's original starter. - Level 40
PERCY FLETCHER
At twenty-nine, he's earned a prestigious position as the Left Hand. Taken in at a young age, he sees Marcus like the father he never had.
Wolverine - A Typhlosion, and Percy's starter - Level 31
Spotlight - A Lanturn - Level 30
GREGORY FLETCHER
Percy's younger brother. Twenty-eight years-old. He also sees Marcus as a father. While he's not as good a fighter as Percy or Logan, Gregory found his calling as an operator. He can drive and pilot many vehicles in Ruula, from cars to planes to boats.
Pin - A Cacturne - Level 29
Spearhead - A Fearow - Level 27
THE ESTATE - DESTROYED
The Reginald Estate was bordered by a ten-foot wall at key positions. Within the walls is an immense garden that spans from front to back, with only the two-story mansion itself to interrupt it. At the far back, a huge, ancient tree still blooms pink leaves every spring, overlooking the entrance to the Catacombs like an undying protector.
THE CATACOMBS - DESTROYED
A spiralling tunnel leading deeper and deeper, splitting off into rooms full of coffins, empty or occupied. Most of the coffins are empty, due to the owners' bodies and souls being absorbed by the Aegislash to bolster its power. The following is an incomplete list of Reginalds of the past.
-Mario Reginald - The First Reginald. His name is kept secret only by the Coat of Arms, but the gist of his legend is still known. A nobody who set out to make his fortune in an ordinary Pokemon journey, who later discovered the Spirit Bond and used it to give Reginald the Aegislash his soul, so the Aegislash could protect the family beyond death. The Spirit Bond knowledge was lost with him, until rediscovered centuries later. Some argue that the First didn't discover the Spirit Bond first, but others counter-argue the existence of Reginald is undeniable proof that the First did, in fact, discover the Spirit Bond centuries before the official discovery.
-The Second through Ninth - All names also lost, but their stories remain on faded plaques.
-The Tenth Reginald. A rebellious Reginald who defaced the Catacombs in order to try to rewrite history, slain by his son and Reginald, and cursed to be known only as "The Vandal". His coffin has since been removed by Lucy Reginald.
-Illya Reginald - The Tenth Reginald's son, heralded as "Holder of the Bloodline"
-"The Scorpion" - A warrior whose real name was lost to terrible conflict. Lived during some of the bloodiest battles between three other families. The Reginalds were the last family standing by the end of it. The ultimate symbol of the Reginald supremacy.
-Fargo Reginald, the first of his name
-Fargo Reginald II
-Fargo Reginald III
-Fargo Reginald IV, Saviour of Lavaridge.
-Orson Reginald, the first of his name, the "Peacemaker of Johto.” Long, long, very long ago, Kanto and Johto were at war. The actions of Orson from Kanto and his future wife from Johto had formed a peace agreement. Next to Orson’s tomb was a more intricately designed tomb, labeled “The love of my life, Barbara Reginald.”What was not written was that Orson was actually the Supreme Commander of the Kanto armies, and he had claimed Barbara (among other political and resource gains) in exchange for peace between the two regions. As they say, history was written by the victor, and much of that truth was lost in the generations that passed, especially in the fires four hundred years ago.
-Shin Reginald, the Great Ninja. Founder of the Old Fuscia Martial College, where he experimented and discovered leaps and bounds in the studies of poisons and antidotes, and also founder of the style that changed and evolved into what Kanto’s current Gym Leaders now practice. His wife’s tomb was labeled “Keeper of the Great Antidote.” Shin’s school itself was long gone, but many styles of martial arts that incorporate traditional methods use the same methods first applied there, especially those designed to hone one’s resistance to toxins.
-Horace Reginald, "The Kraken.” Long ago, he and Kyogre did battle on the sea. The reasons have been lost, but the two fought to a stalemate, and the Kyogre granted Horace “The Boon of the Sea”, where he and his kin would find a friend in the seas for generations to come.
-“The Jaguar” Reginald II - The master thief, who dedicated his life to helping folk improve on their security. The name is worn-out on his coffin. However, given that he was the son of The Kraken, some theorize his name was also Horace.
-Florence Reginald, "The Family Man” - Had twenty children, never did battle in his time.
-Gregorovich Reginald, The Lion. Father of Tarma and Marcus Reginald, grandfather to Radegast, Margriet, and Tarma's twin daughters Nadine and Cori. Named "The Lion" due to his impressive beard and flowing hair, as well as his ferocity and strength. Wrestled bear Pokemon in his time. Sacrificed himself in the Shadow Dimension to stop a great evil.
-Patricia Reginald, the great evil Gregorovich sacrificed himself to destroy. The mother of Lucy Reginald, had attempted to take the power of Giratina as her own.
-
RPG
-
About RPG »
-
RPG is a community of over 100,000 roleplayers from all around the world.
We build virtual worlds.
-
- Our Rules
- Writing Tool
- 👥 Authors
- 🥇 Achievements
-
₿ Contribute
- Official Patreon »
-
Donate Now with Internet Money
Clicking the code below will launch your Bitcoin wallet, or you can simply scan it with your mobile wallet. Don't have one? Install Copay »
3BZssGaw5HJEeZPhQDR3ExSqfSn1sFWb46
- 👻 Etherpad
- 🏦 Market
- 🎙️ News
-
About RPG »
- ☰ Scenes
- 🏛️ Forum
- 📣 Chat
- 🌐 Universes
- ⛩️ Places
Announcements: Cutting Costs (2024) » January 2024 Copyfraud Attack » Finding Universes to Join (and making yours more visible!) » Guide To Universes On RPG » Member Shoutout Thread » Starter Locations & Prompts for Newcomers » RPG Chat — the official app » Frequently Asked Questions » Suggestions & Requests: THE MASTER THREAD »
Latest Discussions: Adapa Adapa's for adapa » To the Rich Men North of Richmond » Shake Senora » Good Morning RPG! » Ramblings of a Madman: American History Unkempt » Site Revitalization » Map Making Resources » Lost Poetry » Wishes » Ring of Invisibility » Seeking Roleplayer for Rumple/Mr. Gold from Once Upon a Time » Some political parody for these trying times » What dinosaur are you? » So, I have an Etsy » Train Poetry I » Joker » D&D Alignment Chart: How To Get A Theorem Named After You » Dungeon23 : Creative Challenge » Returning User - Is it dead? » Twelve Days of Christmas »
Players Wanted: Long-term fantasy roleplay partners wanted » Serious Anime Crossover Roleplay (semi-literate) » Looking for a long term partner! » JoJo or Mha roleplay » Seeking long-term rp partners for MxM » [MxF] Ruining Beauty / Beauty x Bastard » Minecraft Rp Help Wanted » CALL FOR WITNESSES: The Public v Zosimos » Social Immortal: A Vampire Only Soiree [The Multiverse] » XENOMORPH EDM TOUR Feat. Synthe Gridd: Get Your Tickets! » Aishna: Tower of Desire » Looking for fellow RPGers/Characters » looking for a RP partner (ABO/BL) » Looking for a long term roleplay partner » Explore the World of Boruto with Our Roleplaying Group on FB » More Jedi, Sith, and Imperials needed! » Role-player's Wanted » OSR Armchair Warrior looking for Kin » Friday the 13th Fun, Anyone? » Writers Wanted! »
The Reginald Family
The Shield of Light
0 · 2,074 views · located in 
Fuchsia City
a character in “The Multiverse”, as played by HolyJunkie
Description
So begins...
The Reginald Family's Story
“Thank you,” Radegast replied as he held the badge up to watch the light catch the intricate marble-like details within the make of the badge. From the corner of his eye, Radegast watched as Margriet kept in-character as she and the other models left the stage. He thought about how he might have been too hard on her, especially in front of a huge crowd like this. Six years now, the boy had forgotten about things like self-consciousness, or how it was immensely important for someone like his sister. He couldn’t help but wonder if he had been a bully in that instance, making jokes at her expense for his own amusement, as well as Uncle Tarma’s.
The crowd began to mill about, ready to head out to one of the many other attractions that helped give Nimbasa the reputation the city was known for. Radegast pocketed the badge and the money, as well as the disc. (reluctantly) He turned to leave briskly, for his friends were in the second-worst shape he had ever seen. Thanks to the engagement after Burgh’s gym, Radegast felt a little anxious to reach the Pokemon Centre. Preferably before-
“Radegast,” a neutral-sounding woman's voice greeted Radegast as he stepped off from the stage. Marcus stood in front of his son. At his side, a woman of unparalleled beauty, wearing a ring that matched Marcus’ own. Her evening dress was red, old-fashioned, chic, and bold. Only a woman like her could pull off such a striking look to rival the latest in fashion trends. Her eyes were ice like Radegast's, and her hair- black as Margriet's, with veins of silver- cascaded down to her lower back with a fullness that rivalled Radegast's thick dreadlocks.
Celadon Reginald.
“Mom,” Radegast greeted casually, with only a hint of caution.
“Congratulations,” she stated, though she spoke unnervingly flatly while her eyes ran down the bridge of her nose. She was taller than Marcus by a significant, but not absurd margin. At least half of the height was due to high-heels that matched the simple, yet elegant dress.
Radegast felt his throat tighten. His mother was never like this before. She had never been so cold.
“An acceptable show,” Marcus tapped a finger to his glasses, “I do hope you know exactly what you’ve done wrong, and how your pokemon have suffered because of it.”
Despite how unsure he felt, Radegast automatically puffed his chest out defiantly. He and Marcus were the same height now, but he imagined he would reach his mother’s height by the time he stopped growing. “I’m going to visit the pokemon centre,” he simply replied as Celadon continued to look down on her son. Deep-down, his mind was racing in confusion. Celadon Reginald was not herself.
“Marcus! Celadon!” Tarma descended the stairs with Soundwave and the Aegislash flanking either side. He wore a smile as big as the S.S. Anne, betrayed only by a single forming bead of sweat. “So glad you made it. Did you see that fight? The mind-games at-play, using every aspect of a battle-”
“Yes, it was a fine show… but it was a pathetic display,” Celadon bluntly criticized, loud enough for the entire audience to hear. They were intent on leaving, but this chilling outburst caused everyone to fall deathly silent and watch as this public execution took place. “If it were a real fight, you would have lost. You would have been crushed under the power she held. Do you understand?”
Radegast did not respond. His mind had calmed somewhat when he realised that his mother still thought that he was the one conducting the fights. “And that’s somehow your problem?” He asked through gritted teeth. He tried not to return the outburst in full. There was an audience! What was she thinking?
“Radegast, don’t talk to your mother that way,” Marcus’ eyes darkened slightly, just like Crystal’s.
The whole audience could feel a brick wall of tension. Doubtless the closest observer, Tarma, felt the worst of it. The Aegislash sensed the dark aura between them, and had materialized between the parents and the child. “Tarma, get out of our way,” Marcus glowered at the older man.
“No,” Tarma wagged a finger as he said that with a sudden sternness, “He’s only sixteen, little bro.”
“He is our son, not yours, Tarma. I do not trust your parenting skills since neither of your daughters even took on a single Gym! By Arceus, even you took on the Elite Four when you were twelve, Tarma,” Marcus hissed, “I thought my son’s rate of growth only began a month ago, but now I know that he’s sorely underprepared. This was a travesty to the Reginald name!”
“The crowd loved it, they were on his side,” Tarma stepped forward, and slightly stumbled. Soundwave quickly slipped under one arm.
“The crowd was the only reason he won!” Celadon’s word cut Tarma like a deadly throwing dagger, “A Reginald relies only on themselves in the heat of battle.”
“Yeah, solid advice there, mom,” Radegast barked in annoyance from behind the Aegislash’s shield, “Why don’t you follow your own advice and climb out of my ass? First time we see each other in six years and this is how you act? Arceus alive! Aren’t I your son?”
“If you were not the only heir,” Celadon’s eyes narrowed, “I would have disowned you the moment Percy and Greg came back without you. You should be thankful you still have a family to speak of.” She then turned to Marcus, where her expression warmed up completely, as if her coldness towards her son never happened. “Let us go.”
“Yes, let’s…” With a harrumph, Marcus and Celadon left the gym together. They left behind a terrifying air, one that Radegast had to admit was bone-chilling. He was thankful that none of his friends were out to see it, especially not Elder. Everything the parents had criticized was a blow against Elder, really.
Tarma limped over to Radegast. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Radegast asked.
Tarma was silent for a moment, where he took a deep breath and sighed. “You had a battle to focus on… Your mother was utterly heartbroken when she first noticed you were gone. She was the one who found the note in that guitar I gave you… I was there when Greg and Perc came with their report…”
Radegast recalled the time when he was between ferns, hidden under a layer of mud, completely avoiding contact with the servant brothers. He remembered the salt of the tears, and his mental chanting, “A Reginald never goes back in their word,”
“Six years is a lot of time to let something terrible fester,” Tarma continued.
“The anonymous tip you guys got,”
“I know it was Agent X,” Tarma replied in a hushed tone as he limped closer, beyond the prying ears of the masses, “I may be a family black sheep, but I do earn my place as the Carrier. He only told us your location, nothing more.”
“Do mom and dad know who it was?”
Tarma shook his head, “Champions make a lot of contacts, but they don’t make a lot of friends. I’m glad you went on your own journey, where you had that control.“
I’m going to fight Dad… no, Mom and Dad… probably at once, Radegast’s face drained from colour at the inevitable prospect. “Uncle, am I a disappointment?”
“Yes,” Tarma replied bluntly, “And you’re a shitty trainer to boot,” The old man laughed. “But so am I, and so are my daughters, and I couldn’t be more proud of my daughters. You know, you really should take Reggie with you.”
“Thanks, uncle…” Radegast sighed, “But you know I won’t take a slave.”
“I would rather you than Logan,” Tarma added. “He’s a good kid, but he’s loyal to my brother, to a fault. The difference between Reggie and any other pokemon is that he’s more like an extension of your hand, rather than a friend.”
Margriet appeared from one of the side doors. She was out of the belly-dancer’s outfit and was back in the basic, yet fashionable skinny blue jeans, black blouse, and blue lightweight scarf she had been wearing during the shopping trip. It was an outfit more fit for travelling. “What happened?” she asked, clearly noticing Radegast’s pale complexion.
“Father came by, and Mother,” Tarma replied for Radegast.
“Ohh…” Margriet shrank, “Yeah…”
“You knew as well?” Radegast asked.
“Duh. They’re the reason I haven’t been in Kanto for a long time,” Margriet meekly replied, “Well… Daddy’s still himself when he’s out on his own, but… It’s been hard, bro.”
“You thought if I lost to Elesa, I’d have given up and returned home…” Radegast sighed as he thought about what he’d have needed to do to get back in Celadon’s good books if that happened. It wouldn’t have worked, though. His friends would have formed a grudge and worked through hell and fire in order to resolve it. Still… “I’m sorry I busted your balls, Margriet,” Radegast found himself saying, “I didn’t know how much damage I’ve caused.”
Margriet stood with a nervous air, but she nodded with a hum as her accepting the apology. Tarma opened his mouth, but no words came. No more words were exchanged for a while. The audience, how aware of the end of the drama, began milling out of the doors in an orderly fashion.
“I think… I think I might take Reggie… when the time comes,” Radegast finally said.
—
Radegast emerged from the relative darkness of the gym entrance to find Skyva talking and playing with the Mew. “Didn’t watch the fight?” Radegast felt he should be relieved. He had no idea how the woman would’ve reacted to… that… “It was okay,” he hastily described with an oddly small voice. “Just a normal battle and all… I’m gonna head to the pokemon centre, get everyone healed up.”
Tarma and Margriet left shortly after, catching up on Margriet’s career and Tarma’s old stories that Radegast already knew. They exchanged a nod in farewell with the sixteen-year-old before departing.
“Yeah, pokemon centre, right,” Radegast stuffed his hands into his pockets and walked. He needed a walk to clear his head, at least. He knew Maxin was probably with him, but his mind was racing too much for him to consider looking back to check.
The crowd began to mill about, ready to head out to one of the many other attractions that helped give Nimbasa the reputation the city was known for. Radegast pocketed the badge and the money, as well as the disc. (reluctantly) He turned to leave briskly, for his friends were in the second-worst shape he had ever seen. Thanks to the engagement after Burgh’s gym, Radegast felt a little anxious to reach the Pokemon Centre. Preferably before-
“Radegast,” a neutral-sounding woman's voice greeted Radegast as he stepped off from the stage. Marcus stood in front of his son. At his side, a woman of unparalleled beauty, wearing a ring that matched Marcus’ own. Her evening dress was red, old-fashioned, chic, and bold. Only a woman like her could pull off such a striking look to rival the latest in fashion trends. Her eyes were ice like Radegast's, and her hair- black as Margriet's, with veins of silver- cascaded down to her lower back with a fullness that rivalled Radegast's thick dreadlocks.
Celadon Reginald.
“Mom,” Radegast greeted casually, with only a hint of caution.
“Congratulations,” she stated, though she spoke unnervingly flatly while her eyes ran down the bridge of her nose. She was taller than Marcus by a significant, but not absurd margin. At least half of the height was due to high-heels that matched the simple, yet elegant dress.
Radegast felt his throat tighten. His mother was never like this before. She had never been so cold.
“An acceptable show,” Marcus tapped a finger to his glasses, “I do hope you know exactly what you’ve done wrong, and how your pokemon have suffered because of it.”
Despite how unsure he felt, Radegast automatically puffed his chest out defiantly. He and Marcus were the same height now, but he imagined he would reach his mother’s height by the time he stopped growing. “I’m going to visit the pokemon centre,” he simply replied as Celadon continued to look down on her son. Deep-down, his mind was racing in confusion. Celadon Reginald was not herself.
“Marcus! Celadon!” Tarma descended the stairs with Soundwave and the Aegislash flanking either side. He wore a smile as big as the S.S. Anne, betrayed only by a single forming bead of sweat. “So glad you made it. Did you see that fight? The mind-games at-play, using every aspect of a battle-”
“Yes, it was a fine show… but it was a pathetic display,” Celadon bluntly criticized, loud enough for the entire audience to hear. They were intent on leaving, but this chilling outburst caused everyone to fall deathly silent and watch as this public execution took place. “If it were a real fight, you would have lost. You would have been crushed under the power she held. Do you understand?”
Radegast did not respond. His mind had calmed somewhat when he realised that his mother still thought that he was the one conducting the fights. “And that’s somehow your problem?” He asked through gritted teeth. He tried not to return the outburst in full. There was an audience! What was she thinking?
“Radegast, don’t talk to your mother that way,” Marcus’ eyes darkened slightly, just like Crystal’s.
The whole audience could feel a brick wall of tension. Doubtless the closest observer, Tarma, felt the worst of it. The Aegislash sensed the dark aura between them, and had materialized between the parents and the child. “Tarma, get out of our way,” Marcus glowered at the older man.
“No,” Tarma wagged a finger as he said that with a sudden sternness, “He’s only sixteen, little bro.”
“He is our son, not yours, Tarma. I do not trust your parenting skills since neither of your daughters even took on a single Gym! By Arceus, even you took on the Elite Four when you were twelve, Tarma,” Marcus hissed, “I thought my son’s rate of growth only began a month ago, but now I know that he’s sorely underprepared. This was a travesty to the Reginald name!”
“The crowd loved it, they were on his side,” Tarma stepped forward, and slightly stumbled. Soundwave quickly slipped under one arm.
“The crowd was the only reason he won!” Celadon’s word cut Tarma like a deadly throwing dagger, “A Reginald relies only on themselves in the heat of battle.”
“Yeah, solid advice there, mom,” Radegast barked in annoyance from behind the Aegislash’s shield, “Why don’t you follow your own advice and climb out of my ass? First time we see each other in six years and this is how you act? Arceus alive! Aren’t I your son?”
“If you were not the only heir,” Celadon’s eyes narrowed, “I would have disowned you the moment Percy and Greg came back without you. You should be thankful you still have a family to speak of.” She then turned to Marcus, where her expression warmed up completely, as if her coldness towards her son never happened. “Let us go.”
“Yes, let’s…” With a harrumph, Marcus and Celadon left the gym together. They left behind a terrifying air, one that Radegast had to admit was bone-chilling. He was thankful that none of his friends were out to see it, especially not Elder. Everything the parents had criticized was a blow against Elder, really.
Tarma limped over to Radegast. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Radegast asked.
Tarma was silent for a moment, where he took a deep breath and sighed. “You had a battle to focus on… Your mother was utterly heartbroken when she first noticed you were gone. She was the one who found the note in that guitar I gave you… I was there when Greg and Perc came with their report…”
Radegast recalled the time when he was between ferns, hidden under a layer of mud, completely avoiding contact with the servant brothers. He remembered the salt of the tears, and his mental chanting, “A Reginald never goes back in their word,”
“Six years is a lot of time to let something terrible fester,” Tarma continued.
“The anonymous tip you guys got,”
“I know it was Agent X,” Tarma replied in a hushed tone as he limped closer, beyond the prying ears of the masses, “I may be a family black sheep, but I do earn my place as the Carrier. He only told us your location, nothing more.”
“Do mom and dad know who it was?”
Tarma shook his head, “Champions make a lot of contacts, but they don’t make a lot of friends. I’m glad you went on your own journey, where you had that control.“
I’m going to fight Dad… no, Mom and Dad… probably at once, Radegast’s face drained from colour at the inevitable prospect. “Uncle, am I a disappointment?”
“Yes,” Tarma replied bluntly, “And you’re a shitty trainer to boot,” The old man laughed. “But so am I, and so are my daughters, and I couldn’t be more proud of my daughters. You know, you really should take Reggie with you.”
“Thanks, uncle…” Radegast sighed, “But you know I won’t take a slave.”
“I would rather you than Logan,” Tarma added. “He’s a good kid, but he’s loyal to my brother, to a fault. The difference between Reggie and any other pokemon is that he’s more like an extension of your hand, rather than a friend.”
Margriet appeared from one of the side doors. She was out of the belly-dancer’s outfit and was back in the basic, yet fashionable skinny blue jeans, black blouse, and blue lightweight scarf she had been wearing during the shopping trip. It was an outfit more fit for travelling. “What happened?” she asked, clearly noticing Radegast’s pale complexion.
“Father came by, and Mother,” Tarma replied for Radegast.
“Ohh…” Margriet shrank, “Yeah…”
“You knew as well?” Radegast asked.
“Duh. They’re the reason I haven’t been in Kanto for a long time,” Margriet meekly replied, “Well… Daddy’s still himself when he’s out on his own, but… It’s been hard, bro.”
“You thought if I lost to Elesa, I’d have given up and returned home…” Radegast sighed as he thought about what he’d have needed to do to get back in Celadon’s good books if that happened. It wouldn’t have worked, though. His friends would have formed a grudge and worked through hell and fire in order to resolve it. Still… “I’m sorry I busted your balls, Margriet,” Radegast found himself saying, “I didn’t know how much damage I’ve caused.”
Margriet stood with a nervous air, but she nodded with a hum as her accepting the apology. Tarma opened his mouth, but no words came. No more words were exchanged for a while. The audience, how aware of the end of the drama, began milling out of the doors in an orderly fashion.
“I think… I think I might take Reggie… when the time comes,” Radegast finally said.
—
Radegast emerged from the relative darkness of the gym entrance to find Skyva talking and playing with the Mew. “Didn’t watch the fight?” Radegast felt he should be relieved. He had no idea how the woman would’ve reacted to… that… “It was okay,” he hastily described with an oddly small voice. “Just a normal battle and all… I’m gonna head to the pokemon centre, get everyone healed up.”
Tarma and Margriet left shortly after, catching up on Margriet’s career and Tarma’s old stories that Radegast already knew. They exchanged a nod in farewell with the sixteen-year-old before departing.
“Yeah, pokemon centre, right,” Radegast stuffed his hands into his pockets and walked. He needed a walk to clear his head, at least. He knew Maxin was probably with him, but his mind was racing too much for him to consider looking back to check.
"You'll make us proud! I know you will!"
"Dad...," Maxin couldn't help but let a couple tears slip past his face. He was as excited as anyone to be starting out on his adventure, but deep down he knew he was going to be a bit homesick. He loved his family and their undying support for him while he grew up. His father stood in front of him, a short, burly man with the thickest of mustaches and the widest of grins on his face at all times. Today his grin was abnormally wider as he wrapped around his son in what appeared to be a bear hug.
"You know I'm going to miss you," the gruffness and tenderness in his voice sent another tear rolling down Maxin's cheek.
"I know," Maxin replied, his face buried in his father's chest. When he lifted his head, there was a slight wet spot from where he had cried on his shoulder, "You...you've got a little something..."
His father laughed and patted his son on the back, "Don't worry about me, kiddo. You've got a Gym Challenge that awaits you. No need to focus on stains in my shirt. You've packed everything right?"
Maxin nodded, wiping his eyes and he went through his mental check list, "Uh-huh, I've got some Oran Berries, some Pecha Berries, some Rawst Berries, a Potion, all the Poke I've been saving up-"
"PokeBalls?"
"Yup, got ten of them."
"Food for Snips?"
"A couple bags full of vegetables. I'll get more when I'm on the road."
"Food for you?"
"Again, I've got two bags full of vegetables."
"And where is Snips?"
"He's right..." Maxin looked behind him to find the Snivy having completely disappeared from view, "Woah, where'd he go?"
His father chortled, "A slippery Snivy, ain't he? Ya might wanna use that PokeBall on your belt-"
"Nah, I'm giving him the option of when he wants to be in his PokeBall," Maxin told him, to which his dad made a slight frown.
"You sure that's a good idea?" he asked.
"I'm sure," Maxin replied, shrugging, "I trust him." Just then, the Snivy appeared from around the left side of the house, carrying a yellow Crystal in his hand. A revive.
"Look what I dug up!" the Snivy presented the object in front of him. Maxin examined the Revive, brushing the bits of dirt off of it before throwing it into his backpack.
"Wonder where that came from," Maxin thought out loud as he turned to Snips, "Where'd you find it?"
"Over here," Snips turned and darted towards the backyard. Maxin and his father followed suit. The Snivy led them to a small hole in the ground, a small pile of freshly dug dirt lying next to it. His father put his hands on his hips as he gave the hole a quizzical look.
"I've been scavenging through this yard for years," he said, "How did I miss such a thing?"
"I dunno," Maxin began refilling the hole, "I guess it's possible you missed a spot or two."
"I guess so," his dad finally sighed, rubbing the back of his head, "You should be off now. Mister Cheren is waiting for you at the school yard. You don't want to be late for your first Gym Leader battle."
"Right," Maxin stood up, putting a determined look on his face as he stared down at Snips, "We're going to do this together. We can beat Cheren. We know everything about his fighting strategy and what Pokemon he uses. We should beat him easily. Especially with you by my side."
Snips winked at him in response.
Meanwhile, about a few hundred yards away, a large Xatu peered down at the yard as the boy gave his father one last goodbye hug before running off to earn the Normal Badge from his former school teacher, Snips in tow. The Xatu waited until the father went inside before taking flight.
Maxin stood stock still as Radegast's mom and dad left the gym, leaving a cold chill behind them. His glance back to Radegast was one of sympathy for the teenager. This was what his family was like? he thought, That's not okay...
The Servine hopped onto the boy's shoulder once more. "Maxin, don't," Snips warned, using his tail to rub across Maxin's chin to get him to look in his direction, "Your questions will only make him feel worse."
Maxin seemed to get what he was saying. "But I want to help him," he told his companion, "Look at how shaken to the core he is." Sure enough, the color was drained from the teenager's face, a haunting shell of Radegast left in his wake. His Uncle was trying to comfort him, but even that seemed to only be proving mildly effective. Even his sister had come over, seemingly putting her snarky nature aside for a moment to really talk with Radegast. Maxin had been suspicious of her when she saw her face among the other models and recognized her from the event in Castelia City, but she wasn't going after him directly...at least not yet. This was proven when the three of them left the building together.
"Maxin..." Snips's voice help apprehension in it as Maxin began running towards the entrance after Radegast. Sighing, the Servine followed right behind his friend, shaking his head as he went.
When Maxin caught up, he recognized the girl he'd met from earlier talking with him and patting his shoulder. He heard the words she spoke and walked up next to the two of them.
"She's right," he spoke genuinely, "If there's one thing I've learned from my dad, it's that endurance is the best attribute a person has. You can move past whatever has you down. If not through will, then through time. And to the borders we have yet to cross, we travel onward, for there is no greater glory than that earned from perseverance."
Snips stared at Maxin, wide-eyed. He had never seen the boy speak so...wisely before. Sure, he was intelligent and naturally curious with a big heart and a good set of morals, but Snips had yet to see anything profound and deep in thought come from his mouth since he'd known him. That is, until today.
"Dad...," Maxin couldn't help but let a couple tears slip past his face. He was as excited as anyone to be starting out on his adventure, but deep down he knew he was going to be a bit homesick. He loved his family and their undying support for him while he grew up. His father stood in front of him, a short, burly man with the thickest of mustaches and the widest of grins on his face at all times. Today his grin was abnormally wider as he wrapped around his son in what appeared to be a bear hug.
"You know I'm going to miss you," the gruffness and tenderness in his voice sent another tear rolling down Maxin's cheek.
"I know," Maxin replied, his face buried in his father's chest. When he lifted his head, there was a slight wet spot from where he had cried on his shoulder, "You...you've got a little something..."
His father laughed and patted his son on the back, "Don't worry about me, kiddo. You've got a Gym Challenge that awaits you. No need to focus on stains in my shirt. You've packed everything right?"
Maxin nodded, wiping his eyes and he went through his mental check list, "Uh-huh, I've got some Oran Berries, some Pecha Berries, some Rawst Berries, a Potion, all the Poke I've been saving up-"
"PokeBalls?"
"Yup, got ten of them."
"Food for Snips?"
"A couple bags full of vegetables. I'll get more when I'm on the road."
"Food for you?"
"Again, I've got two bags full of vegetables."
"And where is Snips?"
"He's right..." Maxin looked behind him to find the Snivy having completely disappeared from view, "Woah, where'd he go?"
His father chortled, "A slippery Snivy, ain't he? Ya might wanna use that PokeBall on your belt-"
"Nah, I'm giving him the option of when he wants to be in his PokeBall," Maxin told him, to which his dad made a slight frown.
"You sure that's a good idea?" he asked.
"I'm sure," Maxin replied, shrugging, "I trust him." Just then, the Snivy appeared from around the left side of the house, carrying a yellow Crystal in his hand. A revive.
"Look what I dug up!" the Snivy presented the object in front of him. Maxin examined the Revive, brushing the bits of dirt off of it before throwing it into his backpack.
"Wonder where that came from," Maxin thought out loud as he turned to Snips, "Where'd you find it?"
"Over here," Snips turned and darted towards the backyard. Maxin and his father followed suit. The Snivy led them to a small hole in the ground, a small pile of freshly dug dirt lying next to it. His father put his hands on his hips as he gave the hole a quizzical look.
"I've been scavenging through this yard for years," he said, "How did I miss such a thing?"
"I dunno," Maxin began refilling the hole, "I guess it's possible you missed a spot or two."
"I guess so," his dad finally sighed, rubbing the back of his head, "You should be off now. Mister Cheren is waiting for you at the school yard. You don't want to be late for your first Gym Leader battle."
"Right," Maxin stood up, putting a determined look on his face as he stared down at Snips, "We're going to do this together. We can beat Cheren. We know everything about his fighting strategy and what Pokemon he uses. We should beat him easily. Especially with you by my side."
Snips winked at him in response.
Meanwhile, about a few hundred yards away, a large Xatu peered down at the yard as the boy gave his father one last goodbye hug before running off to earn the Normal Badge from his former school teacher, Snips in tow. The Xatu waited until the father went inside before taking flight.
Maxin stood stock still as Radegast's mom and dad left the gym, leaving a cold chill behind them. His glance back to Radegast was one of sympathy for the teenager. This was what his family was like? he thought, That's not okay...
The Servine hopped onto the boy's shoulder once more. "Maxin, don't," Snips warned, using his tail to rub across Maxin's chin to get him to look in his direction, "Your questions will only make him feel worse."
Maxin seemed to get what he was saying. "But I want to help him," he told his companion, "Look at how shaken to the core he is." Sure enough, the color was drained from the teenager's face, a haunting shell of Radegast left in his wake. His Uncle was trying to comfort him, but even that seemed to only be proving mildly effective. Even his sister had come over, seemingly putting her snarky nature aside for a moment to really talk with Radegast. Maxin had been suspicious of her when she saw her face among the other models and recognized her from the event in Castelia City, but she wasn't going after him directly...at least not yet. This was proven when the three of them left the building together.
"Maxin..." Snips's voice help apprehension in it as Maxin began running towards the entrance after Radegast. Sighing, the Servine followed right behind his friend, shaking his head as he went.
When Maxin caught up, he recognized the girl he'd met from earlier talking with him and patting his shoulder. He heard the words she spoke and walked up next to the two of them.
"She's right," he spoke genuinely, "If there's one thing I've learned from my dad, it's that endurance is the best attribute a person has. You can move past whatever has you down. If not through will, then through time. And to the borders we have yet to cross, we travel onward, for there is no greater glory than that earned from perseverance."
Snips stared at Maxin, wide-eyed. He had never seen the boy speak so...wisely before. Sure, he was intelligent and naturally curious with a big heart and a good set of morals, but Snips had yet to see anything profound and deep in thought come from his mouth since he'd known him. That is, until today.
“I appreciate the words, really,” Radegast said as his easy smile returned. It did a little to help with the prospect of something he was absolutely terrified about. “It’s just…” He sighed in order to buy time to think, “We go on adventures because we never know what’s going to happen.”
He entered the Pokemon Centre and handed all six balls off to the Nurse. Soon enough, everyone was restored to full strength, and Elder appeared from his pokeball as soon as it touched the countertop. “Lord-Regent, how was the fight?”
Radegast’s face was once more full and vibrant, and his smile as friendly as it’s always been. “You guys won,” he produced the Bolt badge, “Also got that Volt Switch if you guys all want to learn it.”
Elder huffed as he examined the badge, “I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy, dirty fighter or no.”
“Kinda puts into perspective how you feel about a strategy when you’re the victim of it,” Radegast chuckled, “The Operative might like it, though.”
“She loves having a weapon in the arsenal,” Elder admitted.
“I’ll do it later,” Radegast produced the pouch, now containing over seven thousand. “I’m thinking we get some more supplies before we get outta here.”
The next stop was… well, the same shop that Radegast had acquired his new wardrobe. This time around, he passed the clothing store and arrived in the general goods place that Margriet had gone to. He bought ten bottles of lemonade, an escape rope, and three Full Heals. After the purchase, Radegast had 1380 Pokke left.
Across from the aisle, however, was what looked to be a brand-new bicycle shop. Radegast and Elder exchanged a look of utter excitement, and the duo rushed over to the counter.
“Hey! Welcome to the newest chain in our-“ The cashier flinched when Radegast slammed a coupon down on the table.
“I’m so glad to finally be able to use this!” Radegast’s eyes seemed to waver, as if he almost had tears in his eyes.
“I guess this is what we get when we give no expiry date,” the man chuckled, “Alright, pick out the bike you wanna have, sir.”
“Whatcha think, guys?” Radegast asked as he waved his arms and spun around the bicycle store, “Two years I’ve been waiting to use this thing,” he held up the coupon, labeled for one free bike.
He entered the Pokemon Centre and handed all six balls off to the Nurse. Soon enough, everyone was restored to full strength, and Elder appeared from his pokeball as soon as it touched the countertop. “Lord-Regent, how was the fight?”
Radegast’s face was once more full and vibrant, and his smile as friendly as it’s always been. “You guys won,” he produced the Bolt badge, “Also got that Volt Switch if you guys all want to learn it.”
Elder huffed as he examined the badge, “I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy, dirty fighter or no.”
“Kinda puts into perspective how you feel about a strategy when you’re the victim of it,” Radegast chuckled, “The Operative might like it, though.”
“She loves having a weapon in the arsenal,” Elder admitted.
“I’ll do it later,” Radegast produced the pouch, now containing over seven thousand. “I’m thinking we get some more supplies before we get outta here.”
The next stop was… well, the same shop that Radegast had acquired his new wardrobe. This time around, he passed the clothing store and arrived in the general goods place that Margriet had gone to. He bought ten bottles of lemonade, an escape rope, and three Full Heals. After the purchase, Radegast had 1380 Pokke left.
Across from the aisle, however, was what looked to be a brand-new bicycle shop. Radegast and Elder exchanged a look of utter excitement, and the duo rushed over to the counter.
“Hey! Welcome to the newest chain in our-“ The cashier flinched when Radegast slammed a coupon down on the table.
“I’m so glad to finally be able to use this!” Radegast’s eyes seemed to waver, as if he almost had tears in his eyes.
“I guess this is what we get when we give no expiry date,” the man chuckled, “Alright, pick out the bike you wanna have, sir.”
“Whatcha think, guys?” Radegast asked as he waved his arms and spun around the bicycle store, “Two years I’ve been waiting to use this thing,” he held up the coupon, labeled for one free bike.
Skyva nodded towards the boys and smiled. She followed behind them, humming an ole tune her father used to sing. All her pokemon were healed up so there was no need to take them out. She did however take out Spikers, her lillipup, and Tricksi, the spinda, so they could stretch. The two pokemon looked around, obviously confused.
"Where are we?" Tricksi asked.
Skyva bent down and patted the Spinda. "We are with a friend healing his pokemon. The humans are Radegast and Maxin." She said with a smile.
Both pokemon looked up at them and gave a small wave before heading out with the rest of the crew to go get a bike.
Skyva looked around, not needing one since she had her own. Tricksi, Spikers, and MewMew played around as they looked.
"Where are we?" Tricksi asked.
Skyva bent down and patted the Spinda. "We are with a friend healing his pokemon. The humans are Radegast and Maxin." She said with a smile.
Both pokemon looked up at them and gave a small wave before heading out with the rest of the crew to go get a bike.
Skyva looked around, not needing one since she had her own. Tricksi, Spikers, and MewMew played around as they looked.
Maxin watched the color return to Radegast's face as the Haunter popped out of the ball and the two began interacting. It was a relieving sight seeing him full of warmness in his face once again. Perhaps that was all he needed...to see his friends again. He appeared to find as much solace in them as they did in him, Maxin realized.
As they walked around Nimbasa, gathering final supplies before heading to the next town, Maxin looked down at the Spinda and Lillipup and waved back. He turned to Snips, "I suppose we should let our other buddies roam around too."
The Servine was one step ahead of him, already opening two of the PokeBalls on his belt. The familiar face of the Drilbur and the unfamiliar face of a Minccino hopped out and began to stretch their legs. Unfortunately, Smashball had already evolved into a Boldor, so he wouldn't be able to move very fast. But Smashball was fine with it.
"Wow!" the Minccino gaped in awe at all the lights and attractions around them, "So many colors..."
"It's pretty," Drilbur nodded in agreement.
As the trio made their way into the bike store, Maxin began to wonder of he should purchase a bike as well. They were halfway through the Gym Challenge and he had saved more than enough money. Perhaps it was time...
"Alright guys, don't stir up any trouble," Maxin told Snips and his other two Pokemon, "I'm going to look around for a bike."
Snips snorted, "About time you got a bit practical."
"What was that?" Maxin turned around, eyebrow raised.
"Nothing," Snips waved him off, "Just go find your bike."
That didn't stop the boy from giving Snips a lingering stare before looking around once more. Meanwhile, the Drilbur and Minccino decided to make friends immediately striking up a conversation with Skyva's Pokemon.
"So, what's the all mighty powerful being like yourself doing in a bike shop?" asked the Drilbur directly to MewMew.
As they walked around Nimbasa, gathering final supplies before heading to the next town, Maxin looked down at the Spinda and Lillipup and waved back. He turned to Snips, "I suppose we should let our other buddies roam around too."
The Servine was one step ahead of him, already opening two of the PokeBalls on his belt. The familiar face of the Drilbur and the unfamiliar face of a Minccino hopped out and began to stretch their legs. Unfortunately, Smashball had already evolved into a Boldor, so he wouldn't be able to move very fast. But Smashball was fine with it.
"Wow!" the Minccino gaped in awe at all the lights and attractions around them, "So many colors..."
"It's pretty," Drilbur nodded in agreement.
As the trio made their way into the bike store, Maxin began to wonder of he should purchase a bike as well. They were halfway through the Gym Challenge and he had saved more than enough money. Perhaps it was time...
"Alright guys, don't stir up any trouble," Maxin told Snips and his other two Pokemon, "I'm going to look around for a bike."
Snips snorted, "About time you got a bit practical."
"What was that?" Maxin turned around, eyebrow raised.
"Nothing," Snips waved him off, "Just go find your bike."
That didn't stop the boy from giving Snips a lingering stare before looking around once more. Meanwhile, the Drilbur and Minccino decided to make friends immediately striking up a conversation with Skyva's Pokemon.
"So, what's the all mighty powerful being like yourself doing in a bike shop?" asked the Drilbur directly to MewMew.
The setting changes from Nimbasa City to Unova Wilderness
Indeed, the salt of the ocean he had fallen into, combined with the sea foliage that had tangled around him in the first few seconds he was underwater, made him smell quite atrocious after a couple hours’ natural drying.
He was way ahead of his companions, however. The first laundromat he found, he immediately entered and began to use. Once more he stripped down and threw practically everything into the washer. The underwear he was wearing had made little contact with salt due to filtering against the outer shell of clothes, and was actually in very good shape all things considered.
While Radegast waited, Elder and the others were outside. He immediately stepped up to Maxin at the call for more training. “If it’s training, we could certainly use some,” Elder pat a fist into the other hand.
Rage copied the action. “WE WILL MAKE FINE WARRIORS OUT OF EVERYONE! ORA!!!” He pumped a fist into the air.
The group- save for Suros- lined up, dropped to the floor, and began performing push-ups. “THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO GET EVEN STRONGER!” Rage bellowed, “PUTTING IN THE WORK!!!”
Radegast left the laundromat as he waited, and saw his friends moving in unison. The sixteen-year-old dropped to the ground and joined them. “Who’s leading?” Radegast asked.
“You are, sir!” Operative called before Rage or Elder could reply.
“AGREED!!!”
“Man,” Radegast laughed, “Alright, let’s get started, warm up with fifty!”
“ONE! TWO! ONE! TWO!” Just about everyone shouted in unison.
“Radegast?”
“Yeah, what’s-“ The sixteen-year-old looked to the side, where he saw a strangely familiar face. It was a woman he hadn’t seen in eight years. She had the same face as Margriet’s, only with a much stronger jaw. Her musculature was only outmatched by her assets being in all the right places.
“Nadine?” Radegast called. He quickly told the others “first one to 50 gets a red bean bun,” He then stood up.
The twenty-some-year-old woman’s jaw dropped as she recognized the face. “Radegast!” She asked as she approached, “How the hell have you been, cuz?” she wrapped an arm around Radegast’s neck and ground a fist into the top of his head. “Hot damn, it’s been years! Holy shit look at you!”
“Yeah, it’s been what, eight years? Good to see you, Nadine,” Radegast laughed as he pushed his way out of the noogie. “What are you doing here? Last I heard, you and Cori opened a garden shop in Johto!”
“We got a chain going now,” Nadine puffed out her well-endowed chest, “We opened the Unova branch just hours ago! Daddy’s there right now if you want to see him.”
“Uncle Tarma?” Radegast smirked, “Well shit I guess I gotta go say hi. I haven’t seen him since… yesterday, amirite?” They both laughed.
“Yo, I heard about your gym battle,” Nadine pat a hardened hand over Radegast’s shoulder. “Heard about your parents too. You doing okay?” She asked in a very motherly fashion.
“Eh, I’ve been through worse,” Radegast indicated the large scar on his chest.
“I was about to say, Holy shit, how’d that happen?” She bellowed, half-concerned, and half-intrigued.
“That’s for me to know and you to find out, Cuz,” Radegast and Nadine laughed as they continued to roughhouse.
“Ah dude, I gotta get back to the shop. Come with, Rad! And bring your buddies too.” Nadine indicated the group that was collectively doing push-ups in a line. “Paddy and Chill would love to meet them.”
“Where is Chill anyway? I thought you and he never split?”
“We’re all pulling our weight at the store. Hell, we could use an extra pair of hands. I’d say you finally got some real muscle right there,” she pinched Radegast’s arm. The toughness of the boy’s arm did surprise Nadine, but she hid the surprise well.
“But…”
“MEET WITH YOUR FAMILY, FRIEND-RADEGAST!” Rage bellowed as he was clearly outpacing everyone in the push-ups department, “WE WILL CONTINUE OUR TRAINING CLOSE BY!!!”
“But where we go-“
“WE GO TOGETHER! BUT WE AREN’T APART IF WE’RE IN THIS HUMAN CITY!!!”
“Jeez, you’re really killing that rule, aren’t you?” Elder panted, “man I didn’t know I could get muscle fatigue now…”
“I’ll keep an eye on him then,” Suros climbed up Radegast’s leg. The sixteen-year-old winced as the talons dug, but did not cut the skin.
Radegast shrugged, “Alright, I guess I’m coming with, Nadine. See you guys later!”
He was way ahead of his companions, however. The first laundromat he found, he immediately entered and began to use. Once more he stripped down and threw practically everything into the washer. The underwear he was wearing had made little contact with salt due to filtering against the outer shell of clothes, and was actually in very good shape all things considered.
While Radegast waited, Elder and the others were outside. He immediately stepped up to Maxin at the call for more training. “If it’s training, we could certainly use some,” Elder pat a fist into the other hand.
Rage copied the action. “WE WILL MAKE FINE WARRIORS OUT OF EVERYONE! ORA!!!” He pumped a fist into the air.
The group- save for Suros- lined up, dropped to the floor, and began performing push-ups. “THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO GET EVEN STRONGER!” Rage bellowed, “PUTTING IN THE WORK!!!”
Radegast left the laundromat as he waited, and saw his friends moving in unison. The sixteen-year-old dropped to the ground and joined them. “Who’s leading?” Radegast asked.
“You are, sir!” Operative called before Rage or Elder could reply.
“AGREED!!!”
“Man,” Radegast laughed, “Alright, let’s get started, warm up with fifty!”
“ONE! TWO! ONE! TWO!” Just about everyone shouted in unison.
“Radegast?”
“Yeah, what’s-“ The sixteen-year-old looked to the side, where he saw a strangely familiar face. It was a woman he hadn’t seen in eight years. She had the same face as Margriet’s, only with a much stronger jaw. Her musculature was only outmatched by her assets being in all the right places.
“Nadine?” Radegast called. He quickly told the others “first one to 50 gets a red bean bun,” He then stood up.
The twenty-some-year-old woman’s jaw dropped as she recognized the face. “Radegast!” She asked as she approached, “How the hell have you been, cuz?” she wrapped an arm around Radegast’s neck and ground a fist into the top of his head. “Hot damn, it’s been years! Holy shit look at you!”
“Yeah, it’s been what, eight years? Good to see you, Nadine,” Radegast laughed as he pushed his way out of the noogie. “What are you doing here? Last I heard, you and Cori opened a garden shop in Johto!”
“We got a chain going now,” Nadine puffed out her well-endowed chest, “We opened the Unova branch just hours ago! Daddy’s there right now if you want to see him.”
“Uncle Tarma?” Radegast smirked, “Well shit I guess I gotta go say hi. I haven’t seen him since… yesterday, amirite?” They both laughed.
“Yo, I heard about your gym battle,” Nadine pat a hardened hand over Radegast’s shoulder. “Heard about your parents too. You doing okay?” She asked in a very motherly fashion.
“Eh, I’ve been through worse,” Radegast indicated the large scar on his chest.
“I was about to say, Holy shit, how’d that happen?” She bellowed, half-concerned, and half-intrigued.
“That’s for me to know and you to find out, Cuz,” Radegast and Nadine laughed as they continued to roughhouse.
“Ah dude, I gotta get back to the shop. Come with, Rad! And bring your buddies too.” Nadine indicated the group that was collectively doing push-ups in a line. “Paddy and Chill would love to meet them.”
“Where is Chill anyway? I thought you and he never split?”
“We’re all pulling our weight at the store. Hell, we could use an extra pair of hands. I’d say you finally got some real muscle right there,” she pinched Radegast’s arm. The toughness of the boy’s arm did surprise Nadine, but she hid the surprise well.
“But…”
“MEET WITH YOUR FAMILY, FRIEND-RADEGAST!” Rage bellowed as he was clearly outpacing everyone in the push-ups department, “WE WILL CONTINUE OUR TRAINING CLOSE BY!!!”
“But where we go-“
“WE GO TOGETHER! BUT WE AREN’T APART IF WE’RE IN THIS HUMAN CITY!!!”
“Jeez, you’re really killing that rule, aren’t you?” Elder panted, “man I didn’t know I could get muscle fatigue now…”
“I’ll keep an eye on him then,” Suros climbed up Radegast’s leg. The sixteen-year-old winced as the talons dug, but did not cut the skin.
Radegast shrugged, “Alright, I guess I’m coming with, Nadine. See you guys later!”
Skyva watched the group as she ate her bar. It seemed peaceful. Casper and Cassie changed to match the sky. They hadn't been out in sometime or been around other people. They took well with Maxin.
The two Castforms looked at Snips with sad eyes, "I guess even after all these years it is hard for her to talk about. We were created for her and Steve... when Steve died... well it sent her into a dark place and she refused to even acknowledge any of us. If it weren't for here parents I don't know if we would be alive. When she came to, she took us back, but she is just so scared that we get really hurt or taken that she only takes us out in safe places." Casper and Cassie too turns talking.
Deerli jumped when the attention was focused on her. "That's right and it is okay. No harm in these questions. My trainer put me in a pretty rough battle and ditched me when we... I lost. Skyva found me and I am so grateful!." Deerli said smiling.
Skyva let out a happy sigh when Elder stepped up for the training. She had no idea how to help me since she refused to battle with her pokemon. Scooping Deerli up, Skyva huggled her. Deerli flinched a moment before snuggling up to her.
The two Castforms looked at Snips with sad eyes, "I guess even after all these years it is hard for her to talk about. We were created for her and Steve... when Steve died... well it sent her into a dark place and she refused to even acknowledge any of us. If it weren't for here parents I don't know if we would be alive. When she came to, she took us back, but she is just so scared that we get really hurt or taken that she only takes us out in safe places." Casper and Cassie too turns talking.
Deerli jumped when the attention was focused on her. "That's right and it is okay. No harm in these questions. My trainer put me in a pretty rough battle and ditched me when we... I lost. Skyva found me and I am so grateful!." Deerli said smiling.
Skyva let out a happy sigh when Elder stepped up for the training. She had no idea how to help me since she refused to battle with her pokemon. Scooping Deerli up, Skyva huggled her. Deerli flinched a moment before snuggling up to her.
Maxin burst out laughing as Radegast joined his pals in their training exercise. Or course, such an immersion wasn't unheard of. People physically trained with their Pokemon all the time. But Maxin had yet to see it happen before his eyes and seeing the visuals just didn't compete with the stories. It was almost charming to witness. Maxin realized Radegast had to have done this a lot with his friends, considering how buff and resilient he was. He was almost like a Pokemon himself.
It was the smooth drawl of an accent in the front of the laundromat that made him tear his eyes away as did it cause Radegast to halt his fifth push-up. Maxin knew by the look of recognition on his face that she was some kind of family to him. That's all he seemed to run into. But this kind of family wasn't hostile, he thought. The suspicion was confirmed when Radegast went immediately towards the one named Nadine to be embraced. It was clear that they were probably going to spend time together before the gym. Maxin didn't see anything wrong with that.
"Have fun, Radegast!" Maxin waved as the teen left with Nadine and Suros, "Skyva and I will keep an eye on things here."
While Radegast's team continued to do push-ups, Maxin's warmed up in their own way. Snips was performing acrobatics across the stretched out wires where people could air dry their clothes if they wished. He almost seemed to slither from wire to wire in a smooth and agile fashion. Liam and Dalia were stretching, occasionally using the other to do so. Smashball just...waited there, seeming to hum a bit louder than usual. Maxin was piecing together how they were going to train, running the scenario he wished to create in his head. His Pokemon are stronger than mine...and there's an odd number total...hmm...
Meanwhile, the push-up contest had just about ended. Rage had been miles ahead of everyone else. The Operative was second to finish. Crystal came in third. Chrome in fourth. And Elder in dead last as he had to adjust to gravity and actually using ligaments to move about. He'd have to remind Radegast to get Rage a Red Bean Bun later...
"Sir, this is a laundromat! Not a Pokemon playground!"
Maxin was snapped out of his thought zen by the furious look on the owner's face, "Sorry sir! We'll take it outside. Come on, guys! I have an idea!"
Snips leaped off the wires like an acrobat, rolling onto his feet beside Maxin. Liam and Dalia were right behind him. Smashball followed slowly. He assumed the team of five would follow Maxin.
As the boy opened the door, he turned to Skyva, "Radegast's clothes are still in the laundry. Could you keep an eye on them while we train?" And with that, he led everyone to the street just outside the laundromat. There wasn't much activity at this point on the day, given that everyone had shoved off to do their own thing and Driftveil wasn't the most hyperactive city in Unova. Skyva would have a clear view of their activities from the massive window that allowed customers to peer in.
"Okay guys, so I think I'm going to set up a little sparring tournament between you all. The way it's going to work is we're going to determine among you all who the best fighter in the group is. I think a standard single elimination bracket will tell us that quite nicely. Now, because there are nine of you, someone has to sit out the first round. Elder, because you evolved last night, you get to take the early rest and see the other fights. As for the rest of you, I think I'm going to pair you guys up so that we can get four battles going at once..."
Maxin took to one side of the empty street and called two names, "Let's have...Chrome and Dalia here..." Dalia sprang up in her spot as Maxin walked over to the spot next to it, "Liam and Smashball here..."
"Aw, why do I get to fight Smashball?!" Liam whined as he reluctantly took his place, "He's like a tank!"
"Snips and Operative here," Maxin ignored the Minccino's complaints as he walked over to the last designated area for combat, "And Crystal and Rage here!"
It was the smooth drawl of an accent in the front of the laundromat that made him tear his eyes away as did it cause Radegast to halt his fifth push-up. Maxin knew by the look of recognition on his face that she was some kind of family to him. That's all he seemed to run into. But this kind of family wasn't hostile, he thought. The suspicion was confirmed when Radegast went immediately towards the one named Nadine to be embraced. It was clear that they were probably going to spend time together before the gym. Maxin didn't see anything wrong with that.
"Have fun, Radegast!" Maxin waved as the teen left with Nadine and Suros, "Skyva and I will keep an eye on things here."
While Radegast's team continued to do push-ups, Maxin's warmed up in their own way. Snips was performing acrobatics across the stretched out wires where people could air dry their clothes if they wished. He almost seemed to slither from wire to wire in a smooth and agile fashion. Liam and Dalia were stretching, occasionally using the other to do so. Smashball just...waited there, seeming to hum a bit louder than usual. Maxin was piecing together how they were going to train, running the scenario he wished to create in his head. His Pokemon are stronger than mine...and there's an odd number total...hmm...
Meanwhile, the push-up contest had just about ended. Rage had been miles ahead of everyone else. The Operative was second to finish. Crystal came in third. Chrome in fourth. And Elder in dead last as he had to adjust to gravity and actually using ligaments to move about. He'd have to remind Radegast to get Rage a Red Bean Bun later...
"Sir, this is a laundromat! Not a Pokemon playground!"
Maxin was snapped out of his thought zen by the furious look on the owner's face, "Sorry sir! We'll take it outside. Come on, guys! I have an idea!"
Snips leaped off the wires like an acrobat, rolling onto his feet beside Maxin. Liam and Dalia were right behind him. Smashball followed slowly. He assumed the team of five would follow Maxin.
As the boy opened the door, he turned to Skyva, "Radegast's clothes are still in the laundry. Could you keep an eye on them while we train?" And with that, he led everyone to the street just outside the laundromat. There wasn't much activity at this point on the day, given that everyone had shoved off to do their own thing and Driftveil wasn't the most hyperactive city in Unova. Skyva would have a clear view of their activities from the massive window that allowed customers to peer in.
"Okay guys, so I think I'm going to set up a little sparring tournament between you all. The way it's going to work is we're going to determine among you all who the best fighter in the group is. I think a standard single elimination bracket will tell us that quite nicely. Now, because there are nine of you, someone has to sit out the first round. Elder, because you evolved last night, you get to take the early rest and see the other fights. As for the rest of you, I think I'm going to pair you guys up so that we can get four battles going at once..."
Maxin took to one side of the empty street and called two names, "Let's have...Chrome and Dalia here..." Dalia sprang up in her spot as Maxin walked over to the spot next to it, "Liam and Smashball here..."
"Aw, why do I get to fight Smashball?!" Liam whined as he reluctantly took his place, "He's like a tank!"
"Snips and Operative here," Maxin ignored the Minccino's complaints as he walked over to the last designated area for combat, "And Crystal and Rage here!"
“Sitting out… is what I usually do,” Elder replied, his mouth leaked smoke as he wheezed and panted, “Gives me… a chance to… witness the fighting… devise strategies.”
As Maxin announced the brackets, the members of the team eyed their opponents. In the case of Rage and Crystal, they respectively glared daggers in an oddly playful fashion. Lightning seemed to arc between their eyes.
“Time to see who’s the stronger,” Crystal smirked.
“IT IS ME!!!” Rage shouted.
“Actually, Rage does have type advantage, Crystal,” Elder chimed, “Also Chrome, mind the ground-type moves, buddy.”
“Of course,” Chrome hummed as it pounded both fists together.
“Operative?”
“I’ve already figured it out, sir!” The Galvantula readied herself. The grass-type Snips was at a type disadvantage, and the electric bug was keen on taking advantage of that.
—
The gardening store was brand-new, with stainless steel racks carrying countless pots with countless species of plant. Wild Grass-type and Bug-type pokemon shifted between the plants when humans and domesticated pokemon weren’t around. The building itself was incredibly open, with few walls to speak of- save for a full box meant to be the restroom.
The Abomasnow “Chill” and the Ludicolo “Lily” carried most of the heavy equipment, while Cori- a dead ringer for Nadine- managed the counter. At the side of the counter, in a strong wicker chair, sat the Reginald Patriarch Tarma.
When the Patriarch saw Radegast’s nearly-naked, incredibly toned body, he sat up and regarded the boy with slight amusement. “What the hell, did you ruin the clothes Margriet bought you already?” Tarma asked flatly.
“Long story,” Radegast scratched the back of his head. “So this is the place?”
“Just opened today,” Nadine replied, brimming with pride. “The other branches have employees taking care of things, so until we get this place running on it’s own, we’re the only ones working.”
“Man, I’m kinda jealous of you guys,” Radegast approached as he waved to Cori. The younger twin had just finished serving a customer.
“I can imagine, looking at this…” Tarma prodded Radegast’s chest scar with his cane. His eyes widened in shock, coupled with Cori’s horrified gasp. “By Arceus! What’s happened to you the past six years?”
The air in the shop seemed to change in a heartbeat. Nadine may have not thought much about the scars, but the old man and the younger twin certainly did. Most people wouldn’t react well to the full story, but Radegast trusted Tarma, he trusted his family- at least, the family that wasn’t planning to crush him in the future. Plus he had to explain that he was fine.
“Before you say anything, I’m fine, really. Let’s see… this one’s recent, probably the Arcanine that tackled me… These ones were from a Houndour pack, this one’s from Doc… Oh jeez, this, this, and this were from the island… And this one,” He indicated the big one, “I got in a fight with an Ursaring a few months back, it was tortured to madness by this criminal group,” Radegast rubbed his knuckles, “It’s how I got these ones too.”
“Cori, you alright?” Nadine asked. Cori had almost collapsed from shock.
“If your father could see this…” Tarma shuddered, “Perish the thought. I’m more concerned about if your mother could see this. I dunno what would happen. Would somethin’ just break?” Tarma cringed, and eyed Radegast with a serious glare. “Count your blessings boy.”
“Always do,” Radegast rose a hand to stroke Suros’ head. Her tail feathers flapped, showing the mark on his shoulder.
“Jeez, what is that, an acid burn?” Tarma asked as he caught sight of the symbol.
“That’s a mark of friendship I got from a buddy,” Radegast replied.
“I’ve never seen something like this.”
“I don’t think they want me to talk about the exact nature of it, though. They’re a secretive bunch.”
Tarma eyed Radegast with suspicion, then leaned back in his chair. “I can understand that. Friends keep secrets, even Mark and I.”
Everyone had been so focused on the scars and Cori that no one had noticed that the Aegislash was completely shaken and dumbstruck. Though the floating sword and shield didn’t exactly have a face to express itself with. “I have failed immensely as a protector of the family,” The Aegislash hummed furiously as it homed in on Radegast, examining every trace of every wound in detail. “Never has a Reginald ever been harmed so extensively!”
“Never has a human been harmed so extensively,” Tarma echoed the Aegislash, his eyes suddenly wide with utmost concern, “I have half a mind to pass the Coat down now.”
“When the time comes, Uncle,” Radegast stepped back and raised his hands, “No really, I’m fine.”
“How could you keep something like this away from your family?” Tarma asked as he shakily stood up. “By Arceus, you seemed perfectly healthy, but this…”
“I am perfectly healthy,” Radegast replied. Nadine glanced between Tarma and her sister- who had officially passed out from shock.
Suros glared at Tarma. Sensing the killer instinct the Fletchinder held, the Aegislash shifted between them.
“Reggie, what are you…” Tarma hadn’t even commanded the Coat of Arms, but he soon saw the fire in the eyes that stared directly at him. “Reggie, it’s fine.”
“Suros,” Radegast drawled.
The Fletchinder nuzzled her head against the side of Radegast’s neck. The Aegislash backed off.
“Your friend doesn’t like me, it seems” Tarma’s concern was betrayed by a smirk.
“She’s not a fan of most,” Radegast replied after a pause.
The old man chuckled, and then heaved a sigh. “I’m sorry I got cross there…” Tarma stepped forward and put a hand on Radegast’s other shoulder, “You’re our family as much as you are to your friends. We worry when you get hurt. It’s what family does.”
The sixteen-year-old shifted his gaze toward the counter. He was relieved to see that Cori had recovered well enough. Her eyes welled up in tears as she was forced to accept just how battered her little cousin was. Radegast slowly nodded to Tarma. He was the cause to all the damage in the family over six years, but it didn’t mean he needed to feel good about it. That was the cost of being the individual he always wanted to be.
“Tell you what,” Tarma rapped a knuckle on the Aegislash’s shield, “I’m staying in Driftveil for a while, why don’t you and Reggie get to know each other while we’re here?”
The Aegislash moved forward, automatically hovering behind Radegast. “I know Reggie only does what it wants,” Radegast crossed his arms, “I think he’s sticking to me either way.”
Tarma laughed, “Yeah, you’re a bit of a disobedient coat of arms, aren’t you?”
“I will know the details of every wound,” the Aegislash hummed, “I will then bring the wrath of the Reginalds upon the inflictor’s being.”
“I think you and Rage might get along,” Radegast understood the ancient blade and shield, for it had lived long enough to learn many a language, including Common. “But it’s fine. Most of them have been dealt with by the police. For now, I have to pick up my laundry.”
“Alright, you kids go have fun,” Tarma laughed as he slumped back into the wicker chair as Radegast left. “Man, that boy’s gonna be the death of Mark,”
“Speak for yourself,” Nadine jabbed. “You alright, Cori?”
“Fine,” her soft voice contrasted sharply with Nadine’s rough tomboy voice like a boxcutter. “I’ve never seen someone so…”
“I don’t think anyone has,” Nadine replied, “And he’s walking around town like that without a worry in the world?”
Tarma hummed, but the tension was broken entirely when another customer approached, carrying an armfull of supplies she wanted to purchase. Their friendly demeanours immediately returned.
As Maxin announced the brackets, the members of the team eyed their opponents. In the case of Rage and Crystal, they respectively glared daggers in an oddly playful fashion. Lightning seemed to arc between their eyes.
“Time to see who’s the stronger,” Crystal smirked.
“IT IS ME!!!” Rage shouted.
“Actually, Rage does have type advantage, Crystal,” Elder chimed, “Also Chrome, mind the ground-type moves, buddy.”
“Of course,” Chrome hummed as it pounded both fists together.
“Operative?”
“I’ve already figured it out, sir!” The Galvantula readied herself. The grass-type Snips was at a type disadvantage, and the electric bug was keen on taking advantage of that.
—
The gardening store was brand-new, with stainless steel racks carrying countless pots with countless species of plant. Wild Grass-type and Bug-type pokemon shifted between the plants when humans and domesticated pokemon weren’t around. The building itself was incredibly open, with few walls to speak of- save for a full box meant to be the restroom.
The Abomasnow “Chill” and the Ludicolo “Lily” carried most of the heavy equipment, while Cori- a dead ringer for Nadine- managed the counter. At the side of the counter, in a strong wicker chair, sat the Reginald Patriarch Tarma.
When the Patriarch saw Radegast’s nearly-naked, incredibly toned body, he sat up and regarded the boy with slight amusement. “What the hell, did you ruin the clothes Margriet bought you already?” Tarma asked flatly.
“Long story,” Radegast scratched the back of his head. “So this is the place?”
“Just opened today,” Nadine replied, brimming with pride. “The other branches have employees taking care of things, so until we get this place running on it’s own, we’re the only ones working.”
“Man, I’m kinda jealous of you guys,” Radegast approached as he waved to Cori. The younger twin had just finished serving a customer.
“I can imagine, looking at this…” Tarma prodded Radegast’s chest scar with his cane. His eyes widened in shock, coupled with Cori’s horrified gasp. “By Arceus! What’s happened to you the past six years?”
The air in the shop seemed to change in a heartbeat. Nadine may have not thought much about the scars, but the old man and the younger twin certainly did. Most people wouldn’t react well to the full story, but Radegast trusted Tarma, he trusted his family- at least, the family that wasn’t planning to crush him in the future. Plus he had to explain that he was fine.
“Before you say anything, I’m fine, really. Let’s see… this one’s recent, probably the Arcanine that tackled me… These ones were from a Houndour pack, this one’s from Doc… Oh jeez, this, this, and this were from the island… And this one,” He indicated the big one, “I got in a fight with an Ursaring a few months back, it was tortured to madness by this criminal group,” Radegast rubbed his knuckles, “It’s how I got these ones too.”
“Cori, you alright?” Nadine asked. Cori had almost collapsed from shock.
“If your father could see this…” Tarma shuddered, “Perish the thought. I’m more concerned about if your mother could see this. I dunno what would happen. Would somethin’ just break?” Tarma cringed, and eyed Radegast with a serious glare. “Count your blessings boy.”
“Always do,” Radegast rose a hand to stroke Suros’ head. Her tail feathers flapped, showing the mark on his shoulder.
“Jeez, what is that, an acid burn?” Tarma asked as he caught sight of the symbol.
“That’s a mark of friendship I got from a buddy,” Radegast replied.
“I’ve never seen something like this.”
“I don’t think they want me to talk about the exact nature of it, though. They’re a secretive bunch.”
Tarma eyed Radegast with suspicion, then leaned back in his chair. “I can understand that. Friends keep secrets, even Mark and I.”
Everyone had been so focused on the scars and Cori that no one had noticed that the Aegislash was completely shaken and dumbstruck. Though the floating sword and shield didn’t exactly have a face to express itself with. “I have failed immensely as a protector of the family,” The Aegislash hummed furiously as it homed in on Radegast, examining every trace of every wound in detail. “Never has a Reginald ever been harmed so extensively!”
“Never has a human been harmed so extensively,” Tarma echoed the Aegislash, his eyes suddenly wide with utmost concern, “I have half a mind to pass the Coat down now.”
“When the time comes, Uncle,” Radegast stepped back and raised his hands, “No really, I’m fine.”
“How could you keep something like this away from your family?” Tarma asked as he shakily stood up. “By Arceus, you seemed perfectly healthy, but this…”
“I am perfectly healthy,” Radegast replied. Nadine glanced between Tarma and her sister- who had officially passed out from shock.
Suros glared at Tarma. Sensing the killer instinct the Fletchinder held, the Aegislash shifted between them.
“Reggie, what are you…” Tarma hadn’t even commanded the Coat of Arms, but he soon saw the fire in the eyes that stared directly at him. “Reggie, it’s fine.”
“Suros,” Radegast drawled.
The Fletchinder nuzzled her head against the side of Radegast’s neck. The Aegislash backed off.
“Your friend doesn’t like me, it seems” Tarma’s concern was betrayed by a smirk.
“She’s not a fan of most,” Radegast replied after a pause.
The old man chuckled, and then heaved a sigh. “I’m sorry I got cross there…” Tarma stepped forward and put a hand on Radegast’s other shoulder, “You’re our family as much as you are to your friends. We worry when you get hurt. It’s what family does.”
The sixteen-year-old shifted his gaze toward the counter. He was relieved to see that Cori had recovered well enough. Her eyes welled up in tears as she was forced to accept just how battered her little cousin was. Radegast slowly nodded to Tarma. He was the cause to all the damage in the family over six years, but it didn’t mean he needed to feel good about it. That was the cost of being the individual he always wanted to be.
“Tell you what,” Tarma rapped a knuckle on the Aegislash’s shield, “I’m staying in Driftveil for a while, why don’t you and Reggie get to know each other while we’re here?”
The Aegislash moved forward, automatically hovering behind Radegast. “I know Reggie only does what it wants,” Radegast crossed his arms, “I think he’s sticking to me either way.”
Tarma laughed, “Yeah, you’re a bit of a disobedient coat of arms, aren’t you?”
“I will know the details of every wound,” the Aegislash hummed, “I will then bring the wrath of the Reginalds upon the inflictor’s being.”
“I think you and Rage might get along,” Radegast understood the ancient blade and shield, for it had lived long enough to learn many a language, including Common. “But it’s fine. Most of them have been dealt with by the police. For now, I have to pick up my laundry.”
“Alright, you kids go have fun,” Tarma laughed as he slumped back into the wicker chair as Radegast left. “Man, that boy’s gonna be the death of Mark,”
“Speak for yourself,” Nadine jabbed. “You alright, Cori?”
“Fine,” her soft voice contrasted sharply with Nadine’s rough tomboy voice like a boxcutter. “I’ve never seen someone so…”
“I don’t think anyone has,” Nadine replied, “And he’s walking around town like that without a worry in the world?”
Tarma hummed, but the tension was broken entirely when another customer approached, carrying an armfull of supplies she wanted to purchase. Their friendly demeanours immediately returned.
Skyva said goodbye to her friends. Of course she would watch over Radegast's laundry, she didn't want her pokemon to fight or train. They also didn't want to. It was a great workout, she talked to the owner while keeping an eye on Maxin and the pokemon.
"Are the boys your brother, ma'am?" The owner asked, a smile on his face.
For a moment she thought about it, "In a way, I do consider them like little brothers. We have been traveling together and I do worry about them." Skyva responded with a smile, though behind it was worry and anxiety.
"Well you seem to be doing a good job, though I have to say the bigger fella looks like he might have gone through some rough times." The owner looked out of the window where her gaze was at.
"Yeah, both of them have, which makes it all the more reason for me to stay with them. I think if I left the group I would have a panic attack." She said. Her pokemon sat by the window and watched their friends duke it out.
"Your pokemon not going to battle?" He asked.
"Oh no, unless our lives depended on it." She said with a smile.
"Well that is rare." He laughed.
"Yes, sir." She smiled up at him.
"Are the boys your brother, ma'am?" The owner asked, a smile on his face.
For a moment she thought about it, "In a way, I do consider them like little brothers. We have been traveling together and I do worry about them." Skyva responded with a smile, though behind it was worry and anxiety.
"Well you seem to be doing a good job, though I have to say the bigger fella looks like he might have gone through some rough times." The owner looked out of the window where her gaze was at.
"Yeah, both of them have, which makes it all the more reason for me to stay with them. I think if I left the group I would have a panic attack." She said. Her pokemon sat by the window and watched their friends duke it out.
"Your pokemon not going to battle?" He asked.
"Oh no, unless our lives depended on it." She said with a smile.
"Well that is rare." He laughed.
"Yes, sir." She smiled up at him.
Despite the selective memory, Radegast wasn’t an idiot. He didn’t want to do anything that would get him or his friends hurt anymore than they did. He wondered if the Aegislash Reggie would find out about this, what it would do. Agent X prying into his past sent Reggie into such a fit of anger. The sixteen-year-old couldn’t even imagine what untold wrath this ambush would bring.
The souls of all Reginalds who came before him, with cultivated, crystallized power over generations. Radegast never put much thought into it when he first heard the stories from Uncle Tarma. However, witnessing the anger and feeling the unbridled energy rippling through the Driftveil gym made him question once more if he should inherit the coat of arms or not.
If only to keep an eye on such a creature…
—
“No, I will not tell you who Agent X is,” Tarma laughed, “He is a man of principle, as am I.”
The Aegislash’s energy seemed to warp the air around it as it glared at the old man. “You think this transgression should go unpunished? No Reginald before you ever allowed this.”
“Well, I’m allowing it.” Tarma said, “Radegast is allowing it as well. Speaking of whom, why did you leave him?”
“To find this Agent X and-“
“Dude,” Tarma began to rub his temples. Reggie's display was no longer amusing to the old man. “Between Driftveil and Mistralton is particularly dangerous terrain, and Agent X- the one you’ve been hell-bent on punishing- has learned that Radegast has made enemies… a lot of enemies… Most of them by accident. So what the hell are you doing here?”
It was a rare sight to see Tarma disappointed, let alone angry. It was fortunate that the Twins were off on errands, leaving the old man alone to keep an eye on the store, or they would have been terribly unnerved. Even the Aegislash stood down somewhat as it processed the old man’s words.
“Agent X is not a priority,” Tarma continued, “He’s harmless to the Family.”
—
A Skrelp poked it’s head out of the water, keeping watch over a shoreline nearby the Clay Tunnel. It did not take long for it to notice a sudden shift of movement. A bunch of leaves unravelled to reveal a Swadloon waiting around a bush close to the shore.
The Skrelp and the Swadloon checked their surroundings, and inched closer. “What news?” The Skrelp asked.
“As of fifteen minutes ago, the Lord-Regent has been captured,” the Swadloon said in a dull monotone, “By a Meowstic with a collar and a baton, along with a Lucario and multiple Psychic-types.”
“This… doesn’t bode well,” the Skrelp scout said.
“The boy accompanying him,” the Swadloon continued, “The one with the sword. He fell into a pitfall, along with his Servine.”
“Well… we can’t do anything on land, not to mention we’re poison-types…” The Skrelp nodded, “If you’re able to, bring that Servine boy to us.”
“Yes sir,” the Swadloon vanished into the bushes. The Skrelp followed suit into the sea.
The souls of all Reginalds who came before him, with cultivated, crystallized power over generations. Radegast never put much thought into it when he first heard the stories from Uncle Tarma. However, witnessing the anger and feeling the unbridled energy rippling through the Driftveil gym made him question once more if he should inherit the coat of arms or not.
If only to keep an eye on such a creature…
—
“No, I will not tell you who Agent X is,” Tarma laughed, “He is a man of principle, as am I.”
The Aegislash’s energy seemed to warp the air around it as it glared at the old man. “You think this transgression should go unpunished? No Reginald before you ever allowed this.”
“Well, I’m allowing it.” Tarma said, “Radegast is allowing it as well. Speaking of whom, why did you leave him?”
“To find this Agent X and-“
“Dude,” Tarma began to rub his temples. Reggie's display was no longer amusing to the old man. “Between Driftveil and Mistralton is particularly dangerous terrain, and Agent X- the one you’ve been hell-bent on punishing- has learned that Radegast has made enemies… a lot of enemies… Most of them by accident. So what the hell are you doing here?”
It was a rare sight to see Tarma disappointed, let alone angry. It was fortunate that the Twins were off on errands, leaving the old man alone to keep an eye on the store, or they would have been terribly unnerved. Even the Aegislash stood down somewhat as it processed the old man’s words.
“Agent X is not a priority,” Tarma continued, “He’s harmless to the Family.”
—
A Skrelp poked it’s head out of the water, keeping watch over a shoreline nearby the Clay Tunnel. It did not take long for it to notice a sudden shift of movement. A bunch of leaves unravelled to reveal a Swadloon waiting around a bush close to the shore.
The Skrelp and the Swadloon checked their surroundings, and inched closer. “What news?” The Skrelp asked.
“As of fifteen minutes ago, the Lord-Regent has been captured,” the Swadloon said in a dull monotone, “By a Meowstic with a collar and a baton, along with a Lucario and multiple Psychic-types.”
“This… doesn’t bode well,” the Skrelp scout said.
“The boy accompanying him,” the Swadloon continued, “The one with the sword. He fell into a pitfall, along with his Servine.”
“Well… we can’t do anything on land, not to mention we’re poison-types…” The Skrelp nodded, “If you’re able to, bring that Servine boy to us.”
“Yes sir,” the Swadloon vanished into the bushes. The Skrelp followed suit into the sea.
“In that case, this one must refuse,” Chrome firmly stated, “A display of mercy is not a display of weakness.”
The Metang accelerated straight downwards and slammed against the ground. It instigated a devastating Earthquake, one that sundered the ground all around the large laser-like device, no-doubt dealing damage to most everyone around.
The rumbling thunder shook the trees surrounding the meadow, but only the keenest of ears would hear the noise.
—
The Aegislash, whom was flying alongside Tarma and Soundwave, was one such pair of keen ears. “An Earthquake, Patriarch.”
“Hurm… The Primeape knows Earthquake… not many would throw out such a move on a whim…” Tarma turned his head to Reggie. “Where did you hear it?”
“I only barely heard it,” the Aegislash replied, “But I know it was in this general direction.”
“Let us investigate,” Tarma growled, his expression uncharacteristically grim.
The Metang accelerated straight downwards and slammed against the ground. It instigated a devastating Earthquake, one that sundered the ground all around the large laser-like device, no-doubt dealing damage to most everyone around.
The rumbling thunder shook the trees surrounding the meadow, but only the keenest of ears would hear the noise.
—
The Aegislash, whom was flying alongside Tarma and Soundwave, was one such pair of keen ears. “An Earthquake, Patriarch.”
“Hurm… The Primeape knows Earthquake… not many would throw out such a move on a whim…” Tarma turned his head to Reggie. “Where did you hear it?”
“I only barely heard it,” the Aegislash replied, “But I know it was in this general direction.”
“Let us investigate,” Tarma growled, his expression uncharacteristically grim.
For everyone in the outer ring, the damage was minimal. For the ones closer to the Metang's focus point, the damage was heavier. Specifically Zane and Sonya, who took the most damage out of all of them, were nearly thrown off balance. But they had both endured Earthquake before and they both were capable of moving through it. Sonya would save the device, leaping and grabbing it before it sunk into the ground from it's weight on the shattered soil. Zane's eye's narrowed.
"Then you leave me no choice," he muttered as he shot forward, his own speed making him look like a blur. Already he had a Dark Pulse armed and he wasted no time using it, rocketing it towards the Metang's face. There was no question it would knock him out. He took a moment, surveying his surroundings to make sure everyone was okay. Specifically Lucario, who was brought to his knees from the Earthquake. But he still had a clamp on Suros's ball and he thankfully outlasted it. The super effectiveness of it on him did not take figure how weak Chrome was in comparison to everyone else around him.
"You two," he directed his attention towards the Sableye and Weavile, "Bring the girl over to Radegast's side."
As they did, Zane sneered at the teenager in the dreadlocks, turning on the collar device once again, "Tis a shame indeed. Your antics have not only brought you to your knees, but the people you accompany as well. I'm well aware that this girl had done nothing to me and my operation, same to the boy who holds you in such high regard. I don't care though. Before you die, you will get to see just how much blood is on your hands. Sonya, if you would do the honors."
"Gladly," Sonya had a clear grin on her face as she pointed the device's barrel straight towards Skyva. A high-pitched whirring noise began to fill the air, coming from the device on her shoulders. Skyva would see a bright energy collecting in the back of the barrel, it's pulse growing brighter and brighter. Radegast may have had a flashback to the first time he'd seen the Master Blaster being fired and how much space it occupied.
It would surely obliterate Skyva.
"This is what you've done, Radegast!" Zane continued, "This is what happens when you mess with the wrong group of Pokemon! Everyone you touch will turn to dust. Everything you care about will be destroyed. And you'll have no one to blame but yourself."
"Wha-" Sonya suddenly felt the ground give way under her...only this time more forceful. It was enough of an impact to send her falling sideways, the Master Blaster firing just as she was hit. The beam blasted forward with an incredible power, the brightness of the beam felt for half a second. For a moment, it was like the wind was sucked out of the area, the atmosphere was suffocated by the energy emitted from the Master Blaster. Then as the beam quit firing, the air around them returned to normal. The brightness of the beam faded, allowing everyone to see the damage it left behind in it's wake.
Sonya had missed. Wide left. If the sign that Skyva was still there wasn't telling enough, then the complete lack of trees to her immediate left would prove otherwise. If one would look down the Master Blaster's beam trajectory, they would see a perfect circle crashing through the forest, completely disintegrating the trees that were caught within it's blast radius.
But there wasn't enough time to do that as Sonya was sent rocketing towards the center of the massive circle. Zane made a noise as he began scanning the area for whatever had caused her to fall over.
"Then you leave me no choice," he muttered as he shot forward, his own speed making him look like a blur. Already he had a Dark Pulse armed and he wasted no time using it, rocketing it towards the Metang's face. There was no question it would knock him out. He took a moment, surveying his surroundings to make sure everyone was okay. Specifically Lucario, who was brought to his knees from the Earthquake. But he still had a clamp on Suros's ball and he thankfully outlasted it. The super effectiveness of it on him did not take figure how weak Chrome was in comparison to everyone else around him.
"You two," he directed his attention towards the Sableye and Weavile, "Bring the girl over to Radegast's side."
As they did, Zane sneered at the teenager in the dreadlocks, turning on the collar device once again, "Tis a shame indeed. Your antics have not only brought you to your knees, but the people you accompany as well. I'm well aware that this girl had done nothing to me and my operation, same to the boy who holds you in such high regard. I don't care though. Before you die, you will get to see just how much blood is on your hands. Sonya, if you would do the honors."
"Gladly," Sonya had a clear grin on her face as she pointed the device's barrel straight towards Skyva. A high-pitched whirring noise began to fill the air, coming from the device on her shoulders. Skyva would see a bright energy collecting in the back of the barrel, it's pulse growing brighter and brighter. Radegast may have had a flashback to the first time he'd seen the Master Blaster being fired and how much space it occupied.
It would surely obliterate Skyva.
"This is what you've done, Radegast!" Zane continued, "This is what happens when you mess with the wrong group of Pokemon! Everyone you touch will turn to dust. Everything you care about will be destroyed. And you'll have no one to blame but yourself."
"Wha-" Sonya suddenly felt the ground give way under her...only this time more forceful. It was enough of an impact to send her falling sideways, the Master Blaster firing just as she was hit. The beam blasted forward with an incredible power, the brightness of the beam felt for half a second. For a moment, it was like the wind was sucked out of the area, the atmosphere was suffocated by the energy emitted from the Master Blaster. Then as the beam quit firing, the air around them returned to normal. The brightness of the beam faded, allowing everyone to see the damage it left behind in it's wake.
Sonya had missed. Wide left. If the sign that Skyva was still there wasn't telling enough, then the complete lack of trees to her immediate left would prove otherwise. If one would look down the Master Blaster's beam trajectory, they would see a perfect circle crashing through the forest, completely disintegrating the trees that were caught within it's blast radius.
But there wasn't enough time to do that as Sonya was sent rocketing towards the center of the massive circle. Zane made a noise as he began scanning the area for whatever had caused her to fall over.
Radegast could do nothing as Chrome’s own call for mercy was struck down by these creatures. It was then that the sixteen-year-old was suddenly clear on who exactly they were. He saw flashes of his mother’s cold hate in the Zoroark and the Meowstic. He couldn’t bear to fight his own mother… but these things were inadvertently copying her.
“Do not try and push responsibility on me, you dumbass!” Radegast barked, “Your stubbornness is yours and yours alo-”
Then the Master Blaster fired… and missed… Radegast’s calm eye suddenly twitched, and faded rapidly into a tear-filled mourning. He was immeasurably thankful that Skyva was not hit, but… if not her, what did this abomination destroy? He slowly turned his head to see the slice cleaved out of the area that was hit. “In the forest…” he babbled, “There could’ve been hundreds… Holy shit…”
This Zoroark is no Pokemon, it’s a straight-up monster, the kind Grandpa always talked about before he left to fight one. The one that took Grandpa and his pokemon with it… leaving only Reggie to tell the tale. These other creatures, they’re utterly ignorant of the hypocrisy of their existence. Some would say that the boy and the Zoroark were two peas in a pod, but Radegast only rejected a societal standard. The Zoroark was rejecting nature itself, and created an abomination. At this moment, the sixteen-year-old knew, without the mere sliver of a shadow of a doubt, that there was no reasoning with this thing that he beheld, searching for the disturbance that had sent the Meowstic to the ground.
When the air around them changed, and the meadow filled with light with the firing of the Master Blaster, the edges of the pokeball would flash white. Not even the Lucario could have seen it. Soon after the firing sequence died down, the far superior power of Suros forced the ball open. The sheer force of her burst from her pokeball would break the Lucario’s hands if he were stubborn enough to try to hold on despite the incredible heat.
The Fletchinder was now a Talonflame. Majestic as she was as a much larger bird, she was terrible in the sheer aura she projected, one of hate and pain. For a second, she eyed the distraught Radegast, and the device that had cleaved a hole into the forest. The destruction reminded her of when Felwinter…
“I’m done,” she cawed as she savagely enveloped the Lucario with a quick jet of white-hot flame, “I am sick and tired!” With her immense boost in speed, she shot like a cannon and streamed a destructive fire to destroy the Master Blaster, or at least the circuitry, in order to render it a glorified paper weight. She darted around the field at three hundred and ten miles per hour at least, bombarding the Master Blaster and anyone dumb enough to get in her line of fire with more and more jets of hellfire. Her speed and unpredictable movement made it hard for any psychic grips to grasp at her.
This would provide some incredibly good cover for whoever it was that caused the initial disturbance.
---
“Patriarch!” The Aegislash called.
“I see it! Soundwave!” The trio barely dodged the beam of terrible energy that had only slightly arced into the air. It barely missed a mountain far ahead of the beam’s trajectory, and it dissipated aimlessly into space. “Holy hell… that must have been that thing they reported happening on the PTA.”
“I sense psychic energy at the origin point,” Reggie hovered closer to Tarma. “What should we do?”
“If the kid was there last time, he’s likely there this time. We’re going in,” Tarma handed Soundwave his cane. “No rest for the weary.”
“Do not try and push responsibility on me, you dumbass!” Radegast barked, “Your stubbornness is yours and yours alo-”
Then the Master Blaster fired… and missed… Radegast’s calm eye suddenly twitched, and faded rapidly into a tear-filled mourning. He was immeasurably thankful that Skyva was not hit, but… if not her, what did this abomination destroy? He slowly turned his head to see the slice cleaved out of the area that was hit. “In the forest…” he babbled, “There could’ve been hundreds… Holy shit…”
This Zoroark is no Pokemon, it’s a straight-up monster, the kind Grandpa always talked about before he left to fight one. The one that took Grandpa and his pokemon with it… leaving only Reggie to tell the tale. These other creatures, they’re utterly ignorant of the hypocrisy of their existence. Some would say that the boy and the Zoroark were two peas in a pod, but Radegast only rejected a societal standard. The Zoroark was rejecting nature itself, and created an abomination. At this moment, the sixteen-year-old knew, without the mere sliver of a shadow of a doubt, that there was no reasoning with this thing that he beheld, searching for the disturbance that had sent the Meowstic to the ground.
When the air around them changed, and the meadow filled with light with the firing of the Master Blaster, the edges of the pokeball would flash white. Not even the Lucario could have seen it. Soon after the firing sequence died down, the far superior power of Suros forced the ball open. The sheer force of her burst from her pokeball would break the Lucario’s hands if he were stubborn enough to try to hold on despite the incredible heat.
The Fletchinder was now a Talonflame. Majestic as she was as a much larger bird, she was terrible in the sheer aura she projected, one of hate and pain. For a second, she eyed the distraught Radegast, and the device that had cleaved a hole into the forest. The destruction reminded her of when Felwinter…
“I’m done,” she cawed as she savagely enveloped the Lucario with a quick jet of white-hot flame, “I am sick and tired!” With her immense boost in speed, she shot like a cannon and streamed a destructive fire to destroy the Master Blaster, or at least the circuitry, in order to render it a glorified paper weight. She darted around the field at three hundred and ten miles per hour at least, bombarding the Master Blaster and anyone dumb enough to get in her line of fire with more and more jets of hellfire. Her speed and unpredictable movement made it hard for any psychic grips to grasp at her.
This would provide some incredibly good cover for whoever it was that caused the initial disturbance.
---
“Patriarch!” The Aegislash called.
“I see it! Soundwave!” The trio barely dodged the beam of terrible energy that had only slightly arced into the air. It barely missed a mountain far ahead of the beam’s trajectory, and it dissipated aimlessly into space. “Holy hell… that must have been that thing they reported happening on the PTA.”
“I sense psychic energy at the origin point,” Reggie hovered closer to Tarma. “What should we do?”
“If the kid was there last time, he’s likely there this time. We’re going in,” Tarma handed Soundwave his cane. “No rest for the weary.”
Skyva growled at the two pokemon who dragged her over next to Radegast. Her glared at him before glaring at Zane. She was beyond pissed. All the hate and anger from years ago was boiling. It didn't click on to what was happening until she saw the barrel. Zane was going to kill her for something she had nothing to do with. She counted in her head, praying that she would dodge before Zane shooting.
"One... two... three!" she screamed in her head. Skyva threw herself away from Radegast and landed hard on her shoulder. She bit back the pain that shot up her neck. Everyone was in shock, including Zane himself. She took that time to bring her arms under her but and around her legs. The pain was worse than thought and she bit her lip to hide the scream, before popping her arms back into place. This time she screamed and scrambled up.
She cranked her leg back and punted the Sableye and Weavile before running towards her pokemon. "MewMew, barrier against everyone! Get them out of here!" She screamed, looking pained from her shoulders and possibly making her pokemon battle. MewMew instantly shielded them, and trying to usher them away.
She skidded to a stop once they were out of sight and turned back to Zane. "You are the ugliest rat pokemon I have ever seen." She spat.
"One... two... three!" she screamed in her head. Skyva threw herself away from Radegast and landed hard on her shoulder. She bit back the pain that shot up her neck. Everyone was in shock, including Zane himself. She took that time to bring her arms under her but and around her legs. The pain was worse than thought and she bit her lip to hide the scream, before popping her arms back into place. This time she screamed and scrambled up.
She cranked her leg back and punted the Sableye and Weavile before running towards her pokemon. "MewMew, barrier against everyone! Get them out of here!" She screamed, looking pained from her shoulders and possibly making her pokemon battle. MewMew instantly shielded them, and trying to usher them away.
She skidded to a stop once they were out of sight and turned back to Zane. "You are the ugliest rat pokemon I have ever seen." She spat.
The meadow was chaos. The droves of Pokemon that had once surrounded the clearing in the forest now swamped it. Some were trying to strike at and bring down a newly evolved Suros. Others were running away from her in terror...terror instilled within them by the mention of her legend. A few even decided to escape the scenario, bailing out when they felt like they would go unnoticed.
The higher ups were not so intimidated, however. The exception being the KOed Lucario, they began studying her seemingly sporadic flight pattern, her methods of attacking and dodging. Predicting where she was going to be next, even if she was only a blur of motion, would be everything in managing to take her down. The attacks that were flung into the air were calculated and precise. Those that had Swift, Magical Leaf, and other sure hit moves began to use them on the furious Talonflame. Those that didn't provided their best estimate as to where she would be next and fire at them. Most would miss, although a couple would get lucky and land a Psybeam or Confuse Ray. It would be minimal damage, but every bit helped.
Sonya was the one who guarded the Master Blaster and upon the initial impact from the unseen force, went immediately to it's side. Then the fabled Demonslayer proceeded to try and target it, but the Meowstic stepped into the line of fire (literally in this case) and took the flames head-on. Zane had begun to take notice of MewMew's actions, however, and wasn't going to let such an idea play out.
"No you don't," he muttered as he shot off another Dark Pulse, aiming for the Mew. At hearing Skyva's lackluster insult, Zane turned with a snarl on his face and a Night Claw gunning for the redhead.
"And you are the most irritable cu-UMPH!" his slur was cut off by the wave of rocks that began to encroach upon the meadow, hitting him in the process and interrupting his move. The Boldore that stood over at the edge of the clearing seemed to be enjoying itself slightly.
"Good going Smashball!" a young boy with green eyes and a few scrapes and bruises called from behind it, "Now let's press! Snips, whip out that Leaf Tornado of yours! Dalia, see if you can use Horn Drill to your advantage!"
A very familiar looking Servine stepped forward, a gleam of revenge in his eyes, as he unleashed havoc on the clearing. THe Excadrill joined him, surged forward with her own move, trying to one-hit KO as many Pokemon as she could. Meanwhile, Maxin ran over to Skyva, concern on his face for the pain she was in.
"You alright?" Maxin asked as he began pushing her towards Radegast and the others, "We need to go. Now."
The higher ups were not so intimidated, however. The exception being the KOed Lucario, they began studying her seemingly sporadic flight pattern, her methods of attacking and dodging. Predicting where she was going to be next, even if she was only a blur of motion, would be everything in managing to take her down. The attacks that were flung into the air were calculated and precise. Those that had Swift, Magical Leaf, and other sure hit moves began to use them on the furious Talonflame. Those that didn't provided their best estimate as to where she would be next and fire at them. Most would miss, although a couple would get lucky and land a Psybeam or Confuse Ray. It would be minimal damage, but every bit helped.
Sonya was the one who guarded the Master Blaster and upon the initial impact from the unseen force, went immediately to it's side. Then the fabled Demonslayer proceeded to try and target it, but the Meowstic stepped into the line of fire (literally in this case) and took the flames head-on. Zane had begun to take notice of MewMew's actions, however, and wasn't going to let such an idea play out.
"No you don't," he muttered as he shot off another Dark Pulse, aiming for the Mew. At hearing Skyva's lackluster insult, Zane turned with a snarl on his face and a Night Claw gunning for the redhead.
"And you are the most irritable cu-UMPH!" his slur was cut off by the wave of rocks that began to encroach upon the meadow, hitting him in the process and interrupting his move. The Boldore that stood over at the edge of the clearing seemed to be enjoying itself slightly.
"Good going Smashball!" a young boy with green eyes and a few scrapes and bruises called from behind it, "Now let's press! Snips, whip out that Leaf Tornado of yours! Dalia, see if you can use Horn Drill to your advantage!"
A very familiar looking Servine stepped forward, a gleam of revenge in his eyes, as he unleashed havoc on the clearing. THe Excadrill joined him, surged forward with her own move, trying to one-hit KO as many Pokemon as she could. Meanwhile, Maxin ran over to Skyva, concern on his face for the pain she was in.
"You alright?" Maxin asked as he began pushing her towards Radegast and the others, "We need to go. Now."
The Swadloon felt nothing as he dangled the vine lower and lower. “He couldn’t be…” the Swadloon muttered as he kept an eye out. After making sure no predators were around, the Swadloon produced a few more vines and crawled down the hole.
A flash of bright light lit up the bottom of the pit when the Swadloon was half-way down. Startled, the Swadloon’s vines shot ramrod-straight. However, the flash of light filled the Swadloon’s vision with an empty, barren hole.
“Hurm…” the Swadloon hummed as it began to climb back to the surface.
It emerged in a slightly brighter section of forest. The Swadloon’s complexion paled when it saw that a cylindrical slice was scraped out of the forest for as far as the bug’s eyes could see. “By Arceius…” The Swadloon’s eyes widened in terror in the wake of the devastation. “Psychic Rebellion,” the Swadloon spoke aloud, “They’ve just… done something… I need to report this,” he muttered to himself as he quickly hopped into the brush, vanishing into the forest once more.
—
The Dark Pulse made impact, but it did not make impact on the Mew. A moment before the Pulse would hit, a metal disc got in the way, and emitted a heavy clang that echoed throughout the meadow.
"You have made an enemy out of the Reginald Family, when we have been without one for two generations!” Tarma shouted with that trademark Reginald voice, "Today, you will find out why, and despair!"
Tarma Reginald stood between MewMew and the Zoroark. He was wielding Reggie like a human would carry a sword and shield. The combined aura was far greater than the Aegislash alone. The air around them rippled as the old man walked strong, and upright, without the assistance of his cane. The cane was left in the hands of the deafening Soundwave, who eyed the Psychic Rebellion with pity.
Tarma’s eyes flared a deep purple as the arms of the Aegislash wrapped around his arms, around his torso, around his legs. The terrible image beget an awesome scene beheld by all present.
Radegast had heard the stories from Grandpa, but not even he knew the awe-inspiring scene of purple flame-like energy rippling through the air like cracks in space-time. The first thing Radegast noticed was a single swing, and soon afterward, he felt he could move freely again. The two Pokemon that had been holding him were sent careening across the battlefield- now on fire in places thanks to Suros’ enraged bombardment.
Radegast dove under a series of psychic abilities and grabbed the two pokeballs the Hoopa had been carrying. The balls had been dropped when a second swing from Tarma sent another group of Psychics, the Hoopa included, flying across the battlefield. Radegast then began recalling everyone he could spot. He pulled the Operative out of her position, spun around, and managed to recall the knocked-out Metang at the longer range. He then aimed his last empty ball to recall Suros, but not even he could get a straight shot at the bird as she tore across the skies with incredible speed. Even when he got a clear shot, nothing happened. Evidently, the pokeball’s systems had been fried from her immense heat. “Damn…”
He gave up on recalling Suros via the pokeball, and reached a hand toward Skyva. “Come on, we gotta get outta here! Do you have everyone with you?”
Tarma leaped over Radegast and Skyva with alien strength and agility. The old man moved swiftly and fluidly like an immortal warrior. The souls of all Reginalds who came before were being brought forth through the vessel that was Tarma, as Grandpa said, and Radegast couldn’t help but wonder. What was it about that creature that had finished Grandpa? Did it use Destiny Bond or…
His eyes caught Soundwave, the Noivern who was carrying Tarma’s cane while remaining close to the edge of the forest. There were no tears, but the Noivern’s face only expressed sorrow. On closer inspection, it also held what appeared to be a stopwatch, which Soundwave eyed unblinkingly.
“Suros!” Radegast called, “Suros!!”
The bird shot to him. She had taken dozens of hits. “Lord-Regent!” she cawed, utterly relieved as she basically hugged the side of the sixteen-year-old’s head with her wings, “You’re not hurt!?”
“I’m fine,” Radegast said as Maxin appeared from behind them. When the suggestion came for them to leave, Radegast nodded firmly. “I’m with you, buddy!”
A flash of bright light lit up the bottom of the pit when the Swadloon was half-way down. Startled, the Swadloon’s vines shot ramrod-straight. However, the flash of light filled the Swadloon’s vision with an empty, barren hole.
“Hurm…” the Swadloon hummed as it began to climb back to the surface.
It emerged in a slightly brighter section of forest. The Swadloon’s complexion paled when it saw that a cylindrical slice was scraped out of the forest for as far as the bug’s eyes could see. “By Arceius…” The Swadloon’s eyes widened in terror in the wake of the devastation. “Psychic Rebellion,” the Swadloon spoke aloud, “They’ve just… done something… I need to report this,” he muttered to himself as he quickly hopped into the brush, vanishing into the forest once more.
—
The Dark Pulse made impact, but it did not make impact on the Mew. A moment before the Pulse would hit, a metal disc got in the way, and emitted a heavy clang that echoed throughout the meadow.
"You have made an enemy out of the Reginald Family, when we have been without one for two generations!” Tarma shouted with that trademark Reginald voice, "Today, you will find out why, and despair!"
Tarma Reginald stood between MewMew and the Zoroark. He was wielding Reggie like a human would carry a sword and shield. The combined aura was far greater than the Aegislash alone. The air around them rippled as the old man walked strong, and upright, without the assistance of his cane. The cane was left in the hands of the deafening Soundwave, who eyed the Psychic Rebellion with pity.
Tarma’s eyes flared a deep purple as the arms of the Aegislash wrapped around his arms, around his torso, around his legs. The terrible image beget an awesome scene beheld by all present.
Radegast had heard the stories from Grandpa, but not even he knew the awe-inspiring scene of purple flame-like energy rippling through the air like cracks in space-time. The first thing Radegast noticed was a single swing, and soon afterward, he felt he could move freely again. The two Pokemon that had been holding him were sent careening across the battlefield- now on fire in places thanks to Suros’ enraged bombardment.
Radegast dove under a series of psychic abilities and grabbed the two pokeballs the Hoopa had been carrying. The balls had been dropped when a second swing from Tarma sent another group of Psychics, the Hoopa included, flying across the battlefield. Radegast then began recalling everyone he could spot. He pulled the Operative out of her position, spun around, and managed to recall the knocked-out Metang at the longer range. He then aimed his last empty ball to recall Suros, but not even he could get a straight shot at the bird as she tore across the skies with incredible speed. Even when he got a clear shot, nothing happened. Evidently, the pokeball’s systems had been fried from her immense heat. “Damn…”
He gave up on recalling Suros via the pokeball, and reached a hand toward Skyva. “Come on, we gotta get outta here! Do you have everyone with you?”
Tarma leaped over Radegast and Skyva with alien strength and agility. The old man moved swiftly and fluidly like an immortal warrior. The souls of all Reginalds who came before were being brought forth through the vessel that was Tarma, as Grandpa said, and Radegast couldn’t help but wonder. What was it about that creature that had finished Grandpa? Did it use Destiny Bond or…
His eyes caught Soundwave, the Noivern who was carrying Tarma’s cane while remaining close to the edge of the forest. There were no tears, but the Noivern’s face only expressed sorrow. On closer inspection, it also held what appeared to be a stopwatch, which Soundwave eyed unblinkingly.
“Suros!” Radegast called, “Suros!!”
The bird shot to him. She had taken dozens of hits. “Lord-Regent!” she cawed, utterly relieved as she basically hugged the side of the sixteen-year-old’s head with her wings, “You’re not hurt!?”
“I’m fine,” Radegast said as Maxin appeared from behind them. When the suggestion came for them to leave, Radegast nodded firmly. “I’m with you, buddy!”
Skyva blinked in confusion, mostly at where Maxin has been the whole time. It was short lived when she notice something pass her in the direction of her mew. She swiveled around to see something metal before mew. It never hit the barrier, because of it. She was being pushed in the direction of Radegast and motioned her hand at her Mew and other pokemon to follow. Tricksi grabbed her bag and followed her and Maxin. "Yeah...I think that is a smart idea..." She mumbled.
Zane's rage was building. This night was a disaster. Tonight was supposed to be the night he exacted revenge on Radegast while also obtaining the final bit of power he needed to charge up the Master Blaster to it's potential. Once more, he had been so close. And just like the last time the two had met, something was always there to intervene. This time, he didn't anticipate the boy escaping the pitfall so quickly, nor did he expect him to have the gall to strike at them. And then there was the deal with the Aegislash...
This was supposed to be his glory to be casted in, not his shambles to walk upon. His eyes pulsed with energy.
"Sonya, you know what to do," he growled towards the Meowstic, who gave a curt nod with a blazing gaze. Grabbing the Master Blaster, she took off towards the east, the opposite direction from where Radegast, Maxin, Skyva, and all their Pokemon were running. Meanwhile, many of the other Psychic Rebellion members chased after the three, determined to catch them. It would prove to be an interesting footrace.
A good forty members stayed behind, standing behind the Zoroark as he examined Tarma and Reggie in front of him, "Sorry, buddy. This is a private party for invited guests only. I didn't send you an invitation." At the same time, his mind was racing as he tried to sense exactly who these two were. Their combined strength seemed to seep into the air, their aura felt by all nearby inhabitants. He could already tell that he would be severely outclassed should he go head to head against this thing. Against Suros...maybe. But if the Demonslayer carried a legend, these two carried twenty more.
But he wouldn't let that show on his face. He wouldn't dare show weakness. And it wasn't like he hadn't experienced power radiating from an opponent before. There was one other...
He began rubbing the dark opal worn around his neck once more, "There's an incredible amount of willpower within you two," he commented, "Almost ancestral. It seems that your Aegislash has been around far longer than most Pokemon." His gaze shifted slightly, noticing the Noivern on the corner, gazing at a watch and holding his cane under it's wing. Something clicked within his mind, and a slow smile crept over his face as the realization set in. The old man and the Aegislash would weild tremendous power, sure. But he was still an old man. The effects of moving his body in the way that he did would punish him severely. And now he understood why the Noivern was so concerned about the time.
This form was only temporary...
Meanwhile, from the distant trees and completely out of site from any people or Pokemon, someone watched...waiting for the right moment to interject.
The pattering of feet was soft due to the day's storm. The panting of breath between them almost seemed louder to Maxin...in fact, everything seemed louder to him. He couldn't shake the sense that every noise he made could be heard. Every move he made could be seen. It was unnerving.
He knew they had one heck of a head start. If any Pokemon were chasing them, they'd have to be excellent trackers to know where to go, not to mention tracking at night was a daunting task of it's own. It also helped that Radegast was at the top of his game physically and Maxin was a ten year old boy. For Skyva, he couldn't quite tell how she was holding up. Judging from the occasional grimace that would set in on her face and the way she grabbed her shoulder, he would assume not well. But her eyes carried a blazing determination to them as she was reaching within herself to keep up with both of them.
For the most part, she was succeeding.
"I don't see them," Snips reported from his position on Maxin's shoulder, scanning the environment behind them. "We're safe at least for now."
His tail thumped against Maxin's chest, giving him an all clear signal. Maxin began to slow his pace. "Alright, I think we should take a break. A small one."
Maxin knew he didn't need one. He carried a lot of stamina and he had lost his pack in the pitfall, meaning he was traveling extremely light. And he knew very well that Radegast wouldn't need one either, given his six years in the wilderness was all the fitness training one needed sometimes. So if Radegast were to give him an questioning look, he incline his head towards Skyva, the one who sustained the only injury in the whole ordeal. He chose to take a small break for her sake.
It would also give them a chance to talk...and Maxin had a lot to say.
"Sorry about having to abandon your...grampa?" Maxin hesitated on the relation between Radegast and the man who'd stepped in, "Sorry, I don't know who he is. I recognize that Aegislash though, so I assume he's with you. Anyway, he seemed to have enough power to hold his own against those guys. I felt like he would've wanted us out of the way.
He then directed his attention to Skyva. "Your arm...I know you put it back into place, but I don't think it's gonna heal properly unless we secure it a bit more. Perhaps put it into a sling?" He began scanning the forest floor for any kind of material to help with that.
Snips had already produced a vine an handed it to Maxin, who was already ripping off a piece of his shirt to use as fabric. "My dad taught me a lot of things to help me when I would go out on my own," he made small talk as he prepared a makeshift sling, "Minor things like the difference between an Oran and an Oren Berry and some simple medical techniques in case I hurt myself. For once, it's actually become useful." He gave Skyva a reassuring smile as he continued to work. His gaze shifted to Dalia, who was also playing lookout by scanning the area behind them. He gave her a thumbs up.
"Thanks for finding me in the cave back there and for drilling our way to the surface," he said, to which the Excadrill gave a thumbs up in response as she continued to survey the terrain behind them. Maxin turned to Snips, "And you too, buddy. You did great out there against those guys."
"Well, I'd figured you'd stop running from problems at some point," Snips replied in a snarky tone, but the smile that encroached on his face was genuine. "But you did great too."
A few moments later, the sling was done. It definitely looked very rough, as Maxin had to tear holes for the vine to snake through and tie to the fabric. It wouldn't be the most comfortable thing Skyva would wear., but it was functional enough to make it through a day or two...plenty of time to find a real hospital and replace it with a real sling. He just hoped they would find it soon. He didn't know whether Driftveil or Mistralton was closer, so he'd elect to go in the safer direction...the path heading away from the bad guys.
But first...
"Radegast," he turned his green eyes to the dreadlocked teen, a sense of gravity in them, "I need to talk to you. Privately." He began walking towards a cluster of trees and beckoned for Radegast to follow. When Snips proceeded to join him, Maxin held out his hand. "Just me and him. Keep an eye out for any of those creatures. They may still be following us." Snips nodded in understanding and went to Skyva's side. Maxin continued walking and expected Radegast to catch up.
This was supposed to be his glory to be casted in, not his shambles to walk upon. His eyes pulsed with energy.
"Sonya, you know what to do," he growled towards the Meowstic, who gave a curt nod with a blazing gaze. Grabbing the Master Blaster, she took off towards the east, the opposite direction from where Radegast, Maxin, Skyva, and all their Pokemon were running. Meanwhile, many of the other Psychic Rebellion members chased after the three, determined to catch them. It would prove to be an interesting footrace.
A good forty members stayed behind, standing behind the Zoroark as he examined Tarma and Reggie in front of him, "Sorry, buddy. This is a private party for invited guests only. I didn't send you an invitation." At the same time, his mind was racing as he tried to sense exactly who these two were. Their combined strength seemed to seep into the air, their aura felt by all nearby inhabitants. He could already tell that he would be severely outclassed should he go head to head against this thing. Against Suros...maybe. But if the Demonslayer carried a legend, these two carried twenty more.
But he wouldn't let that show on his face. He wouldn't dare show weakness. And it wasn't like he hadn't experienced power radiating from an opponent before. There was one other...
He began rubbing the dark opal worn around his neck once more, "There's an incredible amount of willpower within you two," he commented, "Almost ancestral. It seems that your Aegislash has been around far longer than most Pokemon." His gaze shifted slightly, noticing the Noivern on the corner, gazing at a watch and holding his cane under it's wing. Something clicked within his mind, and a slow smile crept over his face as the realization set in. The old man and the Aegislash would weild tremendous power, sure. But he was still an old man. The effects of moving his body in the way that he did would punish him severely. And now he understood why the Noivern was so concerned about the time.
This form was only temporary...
Meanwhile, from the distant trees and completely out of site from any people or Pokemon, someone watched...waiting for the right moment to interject.
The pattering of feet was soft due to the day's storm. The panting of breath between them almost seemed louder to Maxin...in fact, everything seemed louder to him. He couldn't shake the sense that every noise he made could be heard. Every move he made could be seen. It was unnerving.
He knew they had one heck of a head start. If any Pokemon were chasing them, they'd have to be excellent trackers to know where to go, not to mention tracking at night was a daunting task of it's own. It also helped that Radegast was at the top of his game physically and Maxin was a ten year old boy. For Skyva, he couldn't quite tell how she was holding up. Judging from the occasional grimace that would set in on her face and the way she grabbed her shoulder, he would assume not well. But her eyes carried a blazing determination to them as she was reaching within herself to keep up with both of them.
For the most part, she was succeeding.
"I don't see them," Snips reported from his position on Maxin's shoulder, scanning the environment behind them. "We're safe at least for now."
His tail thumped against Maxin's chest, giving him an all clear signal. Maxin began to slow his pace. "Alright, I think we should take a break. A small one."
Maxin knew he didn't need one. He carried a lot of stamina and he had lost his pack in the pitfall, meaning he was traveling extremely light. And he knew very well that Radegast wouldn't need one either, given his six years in the wilderness was all the fitness training one needed sometimes. So if Radegast were to give him an questioning look, he incline his head towards Skyva, the one who sustained the only injury in the whole ordeal. He chose to take a small break for her sake.
It would also give them a chance to talk...and Maxin had a lot to say.
"Sorry about having to abandon your...grampa?" Maxin hesitated on the relation between Radegast and the man who'd stepped in, "Sorry, I don't know who he is. I recognize that Aegislash though, so I assume he's with you. Anyway, he seemed to have enough power to hold his own against those guys. I felt like he would've wanted us out of the way.
He then directed his attention to Skyva. "Your arm...I know you put it back into place, but I don't think it's gonna heal properly unless we secure it a bit more. Perhaps put it into a sling?" He began scanning the forest floor for any kind of material to help with that.
Snips had already produced a vine an handed it to Maxin, who was already ripping off a piece of his shirt to use as fabric. "My dad taught me a lot of things to help me when I would go out on my own," he made small talk as he prepared a makeshift sling, "Minor things like the difference between an Oran and an Oren Berry and some simple medical techniques in case I hurt myself. For once, it's actually become useful." He gave Skyva a reassuring smile as he continued to work. His gaze shifted to Dalia, who was also playing lookout by scanning the area behind them. He gave her a thumbs up.
"Thanks for finding me in the cave back there and for drilling our way to the surface," he said, to which the Excadrill gave a thumbs up in response as she continued to survey the terrain behind them. Maxin turned to Snips, "And you too, buddy. You did great out there against those guys."
"Well, I'd figured you'd stop running from problems at some point," Snips replied in a snarky tone, but the smile that encroached on his face was genuine. "But you did great too."
A few moments later, the sling was done. It definitely looked very rough, as Maxin had to tear holes for the vine to snake through and tie to the fabric. It wouldn't be the most comfortable thing Skyva would wear., but it was functional enough to make it through a day or two...plenty of time to find a real hospital and replace it with a real sling. He just hoped they would find it soon. He didn't know whether Driftveil or Mistralton was closer, so he'd elect to go in the safer direction...the path heading away from the bad guys.
But first...
"Radegast," he turned his green eyes to the dreadlocked teen, a sense of gravity in them, "I need to talk to you. Privately." He began walking towards a cluster of trees and beckoned for Radegast to follow. When Snips proceeded to join him, Maxin held out his hand. "Just me and him. Keep an eye out for any of those creatures. They may still be following us." Snips nodded in understanding and went to Skyva's side. Maxin continued walking and expected Radegast to catch up.
“Consider it crashed,” Tarma quipped, his voice amplified by the terrible surging power that enveloped him. “Don’t you worry about my friend’s expression,” He indicated Soundwave, “I’ll make this quick and be home for dinner.”
Tarma’s smile resembled Radegast’s; it was full of confidence and friendliness. He held the shield out in front, and an enormous rainbow-coloured beam sliced through the air. He turned the shield slightly to make the Hyper Beam sweep across the field, aiming to blow away as many of the forty combatants at once. Regardless of how successful he was, Tarma would also confirm that the three kids had gotten to safety.
Since they were gone from the meadow, Tarma would turn tail and sprint into the forest. Soundwave saw this coming and slipped into the forest as well. “Be seein’ ya!” Tarma would shout as he vanished into the shadows.
—
Radegast pursed his lips, having a feeling he knew what Maxin wanted to discuss. Suros seemed to figure she wasn’t included in the privately, so she hopped off and kept watch along with Skyva. Her sharp bird vision made her an impeccable scout. Radegast, however, shoved his hands into his pockets and stepped toward the tree.
Tarma’s smile resembled Radegast’s; it was full of confidence and friendliness. He held the shield out in front, and an enormous rainbow-coloured beam sliced through the air. He turned the shield slightly to make the Hyper Beam sweep across the field, aiming to blow away as many of the forty combatants at once. Regardless of how successful he was, Tarma would also confirm that the three kids had gotten to safety.
Since they were gone from the meadow, Tarma would turn tail and sprint into the forest. Soundwave saw this coming and slipped into the forest as well. “Be seein’ ya!” Tarma would shout as he vanished into the shadows.
—
Radegast pursed his lips, having a feeling he knew what Maxin wanted to discuss. Suros seemed to figure she wasn’t included in the privately, so she hopped off and kept watch along with Skyva. Her sharp bird vision made her an impeccable scout. Radegast, however, shoved his hands into his pockets and stepped toward the tree.