Author Note: Chapter 53 is the last chapter I’ve written until I can get my life stable. I think it is a good place to end it for now. o7 Tell me what you think when it eventually runs down the tiers. I’ll keep releasing them each week until all the chapters are out.
Royal Road’s fanfic new guidelines also makes it hard since they’re making it so you can’t really advertise on fanfics anymore. A hard time for fanfics, I know. I’ll return to Pokesync when I can stabilize my income and life better. It’s just become impossible to justify the time when I need to make more money to actually eat more than one meal a day or even every two days while maintaining all my other responsibilities.
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PoV:
1. Rhea (Our Future Super Villainess!)
2. Nova (Our Superstar Eevee!)
I loosely follow this map as a visual guide; the creator made it in paint?!?! It’s insane! Some errors here and there, but I follow its design for the most part. Areas can be further apart, some cities are in the wrong places or not listed, and the regions aren’t nearly so close. The best map I’ve found, though!
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3:25 p.m. November 3rd, Tuesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 147. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (31 days away). |
Rhea steadied her breath as she left her teammates and passed through the locker room doors, leaving behind the buzzing hum of conversations and trainers’ nervous energy. Blaine had been hyping something up for weeks now that she’d been unaware of, what with everything happening in her life.
The black-themed hallway stretched before her, illuminated by dull-red lights that cast a surreal glow along the walls, occasionally dimming, making her pulse quicken. TVs embedded into the walls showed intense scenes from previous battles, literally reshaping the whole stadium from the explosions of Platinum and Master-tier challengers or the magma plumes caused by Blaine’s Pokémon.
She could hear the faint murmur of the crowd above, an anticipatory thrum that seemed to vibrate through her bones. Rylee’s watching. I need to make this flashy to help uplift her spirit, shouldn’t I? Can we do it? she asked Lulu.
The cosmic cloud on her head floated next to her, shaping her puffy hand like a fan and chuckling in response. “Ni-ni-ni-ni.”
The villainess will rise and destroy the protagonists, huh? I like it. We know a lot of our limits now after Erika and Jason’s battle. So…we should be able to pace ourselves.
Alice sighed, knowing she’d had her own chance to battle recently, and Mya had, as well. Lulu had limited opportunities to show her stuff.
Plus, if Amira chooses to use Mariah today with an upset, then we could totally steal the show. Shae? She paused, feeling her Ralts nudge her spirit with a questioning pulse as her Pokémon rallied around her. Oh. Yeah, you’ll get your chance as you grow. Maybe during the Silver Cup if you train hard with the girls.
Each step echoed in the hall, the sounds of her footsteps bouncing off the black, metallic walls, as if the volcano itself was waking up to their approach. Rumbles lightly shook the ground, making her belly tighten reflexively at the unpleasant sensation.
Blaine always was a showman…
Ahead, the bright light at the end of the tunnel drew closer, and as they neared the exit, the roar of the stadium exploded into life with the explosion of heavy guitars. Rhea squinted as she stepped out into the blinding sunlight from the open ceiling, blinking rapidly to adjust to the sudden shift and tempo.
The sheer size of the volcano-themed stadium hit her like the blast of heat that rushed past her from hidden vents near the door. Jagged rock formations jutted out along the edges, and large magma pools bubbled, fenced off but close enough to radiate warmth. The sharp scent of smoke filled the air, rising from unseen vents below the rocky field, giving the entire arena a foreboding, primal feel.
Her gaze lifted toward the massive, curved rock formations, where lava flows streamed down artificial crags toward the battle platform, creating an almost ritualistic ambiance. Flames periodically shot up from the sides with the cry of the singer, their roar of riding through the fire and thunder storm meeting the crowd as they sang along to the Gym’s theme, introducing the next tier of challengers.
Above it all, a giant scoreboard flashed images of previous battles with the famous rock band playing live earlier that week, alongside her last battle against Erika, replaying in a quick montage. As she entered the platform and it started to rise, the music faded, and the announcer’s voice boomed over the stadium speakers.
“And through the fire and the flames we carry on, ladies and gentlemen! Here we have the rising star, Rhea Everhart, flying through Bronze to shatter expectations, fresh from her battle against Celadon’s Gym Leader, Grandmaster Erika! A battle that will not soon be forgotten with that Legendary finisher! Now our Kantoian, golden-haired rising star faces the infamous Fire Master: Gym Leader Blaine!”
The platform she stood on jolted beneath her, extending outward with a rumble as she approached the center stage. Fire exploded overhead in a brilliant arch, the heat making her squint as the lava below churned violently, and Rhea couldn’t help a smile as a flash of rainbow light brought the bald old Grandmaster to the center of the stage, a massive Arcanine letting loose a colossal Fire Blast that rose into the sky to erupt in a fountain of flames.
“The Mad Scientist! The Showman! The man who walks through the fire and flames, carrying on a legacy that will last generations! Will she be able to withstand the heat?”
“Whew,” Rhea muttered, wiping her brow as sweat began to gather. “They really went all out with this one, didn’t they?”
The crowd cheered louder as a plume of smoke rose from the other end of the field, and the rock underneath Blaine began to glow in a jagged circle. Fire seethed out from within the fiery depths, slowly ascending the Gym Leader and his hound to Rhea’s eye level.
Blaine was dressed in a sleek black and red suit that almost seemed to shimmer like hot coals, his bushy mustache fluttering under the rising air pressure. His bald head glistened under the sunlight, and a pair of mirrored sunglasses caught the glowing orb overhead as his grin shone from every TV.
Rhea could feel the intense heat from here, reminding her that Grandmasters had Aura control that allowed them to do superhuman things in their own niche.
Suddenly, the ground beneath Blaine trembled, and Rhea’s breath caught as the stone below the Gym Leader began to fissure and glow. With a deep rumble, the pillar of fire his platform lifted on began to melt. The crowd roared in approval, the theatrical display a signature of Blaine’s flamboyant style. At the peak of the rise, a microphone dropped from above, and with practiced ease, Blaine caught it mid-air, flashing a cocky grin for a man of his age.
“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the Fire Gym Island!” His voice echoed through the stadium, amplified by the hidden speakers. He turned, addressing both Rhea and the crowd. “Today, we have a special guest—Rhea Everhart, the rising star who has earned the respect of many with her victories so far. But! Will she be able to handle the heat here on my island…or the opponents our special guest has brought me?”
The stone beneath him began to crack, lava spilling through the fissures. Before Rhea could react, the entire platform Blaine stood on exploded in a burst of flames, sending molten rocks flying toward the stadium’s protective force field. The crowd gasped in excitement, a few stray pieces of debris clattering harmlessly against the invisible barrier. Smoke billowed around Blaine, but as it cleared, he was gone.
Rhea’s heart raced. Where did he—
A flash of smoke from his platform snapped every eye to the rising box, and in an instant, Blaine reappeared, gracefully standing atop his Arcanine. The crowd erupted into applause, clapping at the spectacle, and Rhea couldn’t help but grin despite the Butterfree fluttering in her stomach.
He’s a showman, that’s for sure…but I didn’t come here for a show. I came to win. What special guest is he talking about?
As Blaine jumped down to his elevated platform, the smoke swirling around him like the embers of an ancient fire, he raised the microphone to his lips, his grin widening as he locked eyes with Rhea from the hologram that showed him standing in the air before her.
“Rhea,” his voice boomed, echoing across the stadium, “you’ve fought bravely to get here, but this is where the real test begins. You’ve fought through the fate of destiny in Saffron, danced in the shadows with ninjas in Fuchsia, stumbled your way through the grassy terrain in the fields of Celadon, but now…now you face the fire.”
The crowd fell into a hushed silence as Blaine’s voice took on a more dramatic tone. He pointed toward the molten lava flowing in the background, its fiery glow casting a harsh light on the battlefield.
“Out there, across this field, through the flames of this volcano, the path is perilous. But,” he smirked, “if you’ve got the courage to carry on, if you can weather the storm of heat and fury, then maybe—just maybe—you’ll earn the right to stand victorious.”
He paused for effect, the stadium’s ruby lights dimming slightly as the tension thickened and black clouds expanded over them, blotting out the sun and drowning them in darkness. Meteors rained down from the darkness, peppering the shield that surrounded them in a scene right now of an apocalypse movie.
“Though the blackest flames burn around you, the fire’s wrath will rise, and the burning pain will test your resolve. We rise through the fire, Rhea. We press on, even when the night is long and the heart grows weary. Will you stand tall and carry on, or will the flames consume you? Only the heat and pressure will tell if you’ve got the strength to stand as one with your Pokémon, as we face the challenges ahead. Will you melt or be tempered in the blaze?”
Blaine’s Arcanine howled, his eyes burning with intensity as a sharp gust exploded around the stage. The Gym Leader lowered the microphone, the corners of his mouth twitching upward in a final taunt.
“Through the fire and the flames…can you carry on, Rhea?”
The crowd hushed with the firestorm raging around them, all eyes on her as goosebumps cascaded down her arms. She could feel her Pokémon bristling with the intensity of the introduction. Focus remaining unshaken, she pulled the microphone to her mouth and said one word.
“Yes.”
A sharp gale parted the dark heavens, bathing them in sunlight and calming the turbulent scene. Blaine lifted the microphone high as the Gym theme rang out.
The music finally faded, leaving only the pulsing thrum of the crowd’s excitement. Rhea adjusted her stance, trying to keep her heart steady, but the anticipation was palpable, thick in the air as Blaine stood before the packed stadium. He took a deep breath, his head turning to scan the audience, his chest rising as if he were drawing in their energy.
A hush fell over the throng as he lowered his microphone, breaking the moment with a warm but controlled smile. “I’d love to take this inferno and blaze straight into the battle,” he started, his voice booming and confident, “but today marks a special occasion.” He paused, letting the words sink in, the murmuring curiosity following.
Rhea swallowed a lump that formed in her throat, a tiny flicker of doubt creeping in. She placed her Poke Balls into the slots in anticipation of the kick-off battle; this felt more like the Silver Cup than your typical Gym Battle, but that was the Fire Gym Leader.
Special? What’s Blaine up to? He knows I can use Lulu. And she’s sitting on the scanner to be added to the team lineup.
She caught the flicker of a knowing smile on his face through the hologram, and instantly, she understood—he was doing this for a reason. This wasn’t just about the battle. The League had a hand in this.
Is Aunt Cynthia involved? She was here two weeks ago for some big thing… Or…Ambrosia?
Her fingers tightened on the edge of the platform, the thought making her pulse quicken. Blaine lifted a hand, pointing toward the sky, where the dark clouds were slowly beginning to part, as though something otherworldly was about to descend.
A blue light shone from above, a subtle gleam at first, then growing stronger, painting the stadium with a soft sheen. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized what was happening.
No way…not here…not before my battle. Why?
In the center of the sky, a massive blue flower descended from the parting clouds, its petals shimmering like crystal. A Pokémon she’d never seen before—huge and bloomed in full splendor. The glowing petals spiraled gently downward, their metallic gleam reflecting the sunlight, casting ethereal light across the stadium.
And at its center—Rhea’s breath caught.
She knew the figure instantly, even from a distance. The poised, statuesque woman standing tall, her flowing black hair streaked with violet and gold, fluttering gently in the wind. The crowd gasped in awe as Blaine’s rich voice rose again.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great honor to introduce our very special guest to Kanto, someone who needs no introduction… Not just some Top Champion but the Champion of Paldea—Champion Geeta.”
Rhea felt her heart slam in her chest.
Champion Geeta. What’s she doing here? What does this have to do with my battle with Blaine because it has to deal with some kind of United League initiative…but she hasn’t battled Lyra yet. It’s set for the Silver Cup, so…why here? Has Paldea already initiated some partnership with Kanto? Why announce it here when the Silver Cup is nearly thirty days away?!
The unknown, giant Pokémon descended gracefully, lowering Geeta to the bubbling, magma-filled stage. Her figure was bathed in light, her violet eyes shimmering with a golden intensity. She moved with elegance, walking forward across the flower’s sparkling petals. Rhea could feel the power radiating from her—calm, measured, and absolute.
It feels…as strong as Lyra. Her Aura is massive but her presence is so…refined. It’s like Amira’s Aura mixed with her mother’s.
Geeta raised her hand in greeting, her voice as smooth as the finest glass. “Citizens of Kanto, esteemed Trainers, and visitors from all corners of the world,” she began, her words deliberate and clear, “I am honored to stand before you today, a guest in your land and representative of my beloved Paldea, welcomed by your League.”
She paused, her gaze sweeping the stadium. The people, the lights, the excitement and uncertainty; it was electrifying. “Paldea has long admired the strength and tenacity of Kanto… You hold some of the strongest Trainers in history… Red, Ash, Green, and Blue to name only a few of the profound pillars your region boasts.
“Today, I have the privilege of addressing you all, not only as the Champion of Paldea but as a representative of our deep-rooted connection to this shared passion we all hold for Pokémon. It is my hope and dream as someone who loves her region dearly to share it with the world…starting here, in Cinnabar City-State.”
Rhea’s grip tightened as Geeta’s words washed over her, calm but powerful. She’s here to solidify the League’s cooperation. It makes sense now why Aunt Cynthia was here. Essentially, the battle between Lyra and her is only for hype. Paldea is already a part of the United League, and she’s going to make the rounds to promote her region.
The mysterious petals shimmered in the Pokémon’s slow spin, Geeta stepping across it with sure grace, the flower’s surface sparkling under the sunlight. “Our regions share much in common…a terrible war two thousand years ago. But it is a new age. Much has changed. Our love for Pokémon, our determination to grow stronger. We have both faced unique challenges. And yet, we rise. Today, I stand here not to overshadow your event but to celebrate this collaboration between us as sister regions.”
Rhea couldn’t take her eyes off the woman. Every movement was deliberate, graceful, but beneath that elegance was an undeniable power—one that could only come from a Champion who had fought through countless battles and shaped an entire region to stand at its helm.
Geeta paused before presenting the Pokémon she stood upon. “Paldea has many secrets and unique Pokémon you will not find anywhere else. It is for this reason that I stand before you today. I have convinced many Pokémon around Paldea to journey to other regions to test their might and learn from your cultures. Today, Cinnabar Gym has adopted Paldean Pokémon, ready to showcase the strength of their homeland.”
Rhea’s hands balled into fists as her Pokémon stirred, sensing the tension building in her spirit. Lulu’s soft chuckle echoed in her mind, a knowing nudge as she hopped up to fan her face, saying she was ready for the challenge. “Ni-ni-ni.”
We’re going up against Paldean Pokémon… No wonder Blaine did such a fancy introduction to kick off the Silver Challengers. This is where the bar starts.
Geeta’s violet gaze briefly flicked to Rhea, and for a heartbeat, their eyes locked. A shiver ran down her spine from the pulses of Aura the Champion radiated, as if Geeta knew exactly what was going through Rhea’s mind. There was a subtle nod from the Champion.
Then, Geeta turned back to the crowd, her voice as composed as ever. “Kanto’s trainers are known for their strength, their resilience in the face of adversity. It is my hope that we will continue to learn from one another. It is my hope that we push the boundaries of what it means to be a Pokémon Trainer… And it is my hope to nurture the precious bonds we all share.”
She smiled, a genuine expression that softened the stern lines of her refined face. “Together, we can elevate our skills, our bond with our Pokémon, and ultimately…reach new heights. Thank you. I leave you in the capable hands of your Gym Leader.”
The applause that followed shook the stadium as she retreated to the center of the flower, its pedals wrapping in before rising into the heavens. In a swirling sandstorm that sparkled like diamonds, the Pokémon vanished, leaving a twinkling light in its wake that Rhea recognized from Contests—Dazzling Gleam.
Rhea could barely hear the chants, though. Her focus was razor-sharp, locked on the spot the Champion of Paldea had been. This wasn’t just some speech but a call to action. This was a challenge to test the might of Paldea—something her brother had been called to—even if it wasn’t stated outright. Geeta was asking if she’d test her region next.
Blaine reclaimed the stage with his usual flamboyance, raising his arms high, fire erupting around the stage. “Well, I think that sets the tone for today, wouldn’t you say, Kanto? Let’s see if the fire in the hearts of these Paldean Pokémon can match the flames of Cinnabar!”
His words reignited the crowd, the energy surging again, but Rhea was already deep in her own thoughts. Her battle against Blaine was no longer just about earning an Encrusted Badge. It was about setting a tone for Paldea itself, and choosing her to start wasn’t by accident.
She plucked out Nova’s Poke Ball, clenching it in her hand, feeling the familiar energy of Nova bristling within.
Geeta’s watching, she thought, catching a glimpse of the VIP section far above. She’ll be looking to see how Kanto reacts to Paldean Pokémon, won’t she?
The weight of Paldea’s Champion observing the battle added a layer of pressure, but it also sparked something inside Rhea. This is our chance to show Paldea what we’ve got since they’re likely watching this across their whole region. Let’s set the tone for the rest of the Gyms getting Paldean Pokémon.
“Ni-ni-ni!”
Blaine’s platform lifted higher, towering above hers, giving him a vantage point that fit the role of a seasoned showman. The Gym Leader grinned down at her, sunglasses gleaming with his fiery Aura.
The referee stepped forward, his voice booming over the stadium speakers. “Silver-tier Encrusted Battle! Single Format, Two Pokémon each! Rhea Everhart versus Gym Leader Blaine!”
The red light on her side blinked to life. Rhea took a breath, the clamor dying down as the atmosphere thickened with anticipation.
You ready, girl? Rhea asked, feeling her bond with the Eevee vibrate with electricity as she responded with a surge of confidence.
The red light turned yellow, signaling the start of the countdown.
“Three, two, one…”
The light flashed green.
Flicking her wrist, Rhea launched Nova into the air, soaring to the midpoint of the molten-themed field. It hit the ground, and the brilliant, silver flash of light formed into her Eevee, who stood confidently at the center of the rocky terrain.
From across the field, Blaine tossed his own, his smile never fading. “I hope you’re ready, Rhea! This one’s a scorcher!”
A flash of light hit the opposite side of the field, and a strange figure emerged. Rhea blinked, momentarily confused by what she saw. The Pokémon had a dark-green body, with what looked like two heads—one red, one light green. Both heads snarled and snapped, and as it moved, it seemed to sway with a fiery energy.
“What the…?” Rhea’s breath caught as her gaze locked on the strange, monstrous Pokémon. I’ve never seen that before, Nova. This is unknown—huh.
Pokedex flashed on the display beside her, pulling up information, but instead of an answer, she was met with crossed wrenches flashing on the screen. “Pokémon data currently being compiled. Please try again later.”
Rhea’s jaw clenched. It’s not on Pokedex?! Later? I need it now! Oh, no—Nova!
Blaine’s voice cut through her frustration, answering her. “This here is Scovillain! Welcome to the firestorm.”
* — * — *
Nova bounded into the sweltering heat of the arena, the sharp scent of molten rock and charred air creasing her nose. Rivers of lava gurgled in the distance, their fiery tongues licking the edges of the rocky battlefield. Smoke drifted lazily above, mixing with the swirling tension in the air.
Wow. This reminds me of the place my mom took me to help me evolve into a Flareon. Fire everywhere…perfect.
Her fur bristled as her keen eyes locked on the Scovillain, Perception giving her warning as the strange dual-headed Pokémon emitted an orange, noxious fluid that sprayed through the air.
She had just a split second to react as the wide arc of the liquid surged toward her. Instinctively, she crouched, eyes narrowing, yet Rhea’s confusion about the Pokedex locked her in place, momentarily unsure what to do.
It’s too wide… Rhea? Shoot. I can’t dodge it!
Its scent burnt her nose. Wincing as the liquid splashed against her fur, Nova felt a surge of energy—her Attack sharply boosted—but at the cost of her Defense. Her own protective barrier peeled away, leaving her more vulnerable to whatever the Scovillain had planned next.
Muscles tensing, Detect activated, the world sharpened, and time seemed to slow as she saw the outline of leaves flying out of the Scovillain’s body to swarm her.
Nova, he looks like he’s Fire/Grass, but he’ll probably go for a Fire Move first. Go Vaporeon.
Mind racing ahead of her movements, Nova’s breath hitched. I can’t! Not yet. I’ve got this, Rhea. Trust me.
Disobeying Rhea for the first time, light surrounded her, flames igniting as leaves swirled around her silent opponent, locked in and ready to take her out early. Heat surged through her body, burning and swelling in her chest as she made her choice.
Her form shimmered, her fur rippling in waves of molten energy. In an instant, her body erupted into flames, and the warmth wrapped around her like an old friend. Nova’s eyes flashed pink as her transformation completed, her fur shifting into the fluffy fur of her fiery transformation. She opened her mouth, fire igniting within her throat.
Flareon? Razor Leaf?!
Guilt flooded Nova’s chest but abruptly, she sensed her Trainer’s confusion turn to pride as the leaves whirled toward her, sharp and deadly. However, Nova was ready.
Her maw opened, and fireballs burst from her mouth, each one colliding with the leaves in mid-air. The burning leaves scattered, the flames consuming the attack and pushing the Scovillain back with such force that the Pokémon was knocked off balance, tumbling backward with a surprised snarl.
“Woah! Woah… How in the Blaze did you evolve?!”
Rhea’s soft words soothed the uncertainty rolling around Nova’s core. “Don’t be sorry. You did the right thing, Nova. I’m glad you trusted your instincts. You’ve got this!”
The tension in Nova’s chest eased, and she puffed up slightly, a quiet satisfaction spreading through her as her confidence returned.
“We’re in unknown territory. I need you to keep doing what you’re doing—trust yourself. I’ve got your back. Don’t let up. Give it everything you’ve got! If he’s Fire and Grass, we at least know his weakness…which doesn’t help us much. Flying, Poison, and Rock… Nice! Flareon was the right choice. We’re in for a fight, girls! I trust you.”
Nova breathed in deeply and released a noxious cloud of black smog at the mention of Poison, obscuring her as the Scovillain used its own head to right himself, its red bulb snapping at the green.
“Idiot! Get your head in the game.”
“Don’t snap at me! Snap at her!”
“I will…”
Nova grinned as the darkness overshadowed him. “Bring it on!”
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