Allies
“Fall back!” Luna shouted down from the sky. “Everyone, fall back NOW!”
Things weren’t going well. The flock had chased the two members of this “Team Flare” towards a rock formation just north of what appeared to be a sleepy and small human village. But they’d apparently been spotted by some patrol or tripped some alarm system, because before they had been able to get close more humans in what was apparently the Team Flare uniform had come running in from all directions. Flinging more balls into the air – red and white this time, not black – they had called out an array of Pokémon.
These Pokémon didn’t seem to be the dead-eyed, mindlessly aggressive slaves from before. They fought tactically and worked together. Two kinds, one little and green and the other taller with blue and yellow coloration, were able to unleash electrical discharges that apparently hurt her Spearow like dickens. They were already almost on numerical parity with her subordinates, and from on high she could see more humans were on the way.
“There are too many of them!” she called out, blasting one blue-yellow Pokémon with a Dark Pulse. “Fall back at once!”
Few of bird Pokémon needed encouraging. Vengeful they might be, but particularly courageous they were not. Faced with an enemy they could not overwhelm by sheer numbers or aggression, it was most likely only fear of the dark alicorn that prevented them from just bolting in all directions. At her word almost all of them broke contact, leaving only a few hot-headed or stubborn birds to find themselves being rapidly surrounded.
Snarling at their stupidity but unwilling to abandon them, Luna again called on the energies of the moon inside of her. Another white-pink sphere of energy took shape before her chest, then blasted down into the earth amidst a pack of enemy humans and Pokémon. Perhaps a score of them staggered and fell, but more importantly the impact kicked up an enormous cloud of dust and smoke.
“Up!” Luna shouted. “Fly straight up and follow my voice!”
It was a tense few seconds, even her eyes unable to pierce the shrouded battlefield, but the alicorn breathed a sigh of relief to see Fearow and Spearow rising from the dark cloud. Beckoning for them to follow her, the princess turned and began flying back the way they had come. Electrical discharges soon began crackling up after them, but were poorly aimed through the dust and smoke. Few did anything more than give the already battered birds a fright.
They flew in silence, overtaking the remainder of the leaderless flock quickly. It took just a few moments and a bit of screaming for Luna to reassert her leadership, and from there she led them in a direct retreat back the way they had come. They did not stop, nor touch ground again, until they were far out of sight of the human town and any major trail. Luna gave a signal with her wings, and dozens upon dozens of winged Pokémon descended into the massive forest as one.
Luna touched down on the ground itself, though most of her followers chose to roost amongst the trees instead. The princess’ gaze swept over them, and was relieved to see that despite many injuries, they hadn’t actually lost anyone. Apparently Team Flare was not making a habit of using these Dark Balls en masse in the open, or perhaps simply had a limited supply and had not issued them to their base’s defenders. In spite of that, she caught a number of hostile glances from members of the flock.
“What was the point of that?” one of the Fearow worked up the courage to say in between plucking blackened feathers from its chest. “We let them go, and we didn’t get anything except hurt.”
“Yeah, Manetric attacks really pack a punch!” another Pokémon agreed.
“We should have just taken care of the interlopers and gone back to foraging!” a different Fearow said. “Who cares what the rest of them do if they’re not in our territory?”
“Is that a challenge?” Luna asked in a flat voice.
That particular Pokémon seemed to pale a little bit and lowered its head deferentially, but she could still spot the resentment simmering in its eyes. Notably, it did not hasten to deny her accusation.
“Hearken to my words!” Luna raised one hoof, flaring her wings to make herself appear even larger. “Know that we act not just for the sake of justice and morality, but for the good of this flock as well! Or do you suppose that simply ignoring a growing pack of slavers will cause them to cease? No, leaving them be will only allow them to grow stronger as they plunder all those about them, until at last they come for you as well!”
“So we take care of anyone who shows up. Big deal.”
“Fool!” Luna spat. “If it were not for me five of your fellow would languish in miserable captivity yet. And how many more would have been taken, ere you were even aware that there was a threat? And how would you stand against your brethren they had taken alongside those we faced today?”
“Then we ought to fly away and find new foraging grounds,” still another bird piped up.
“Coward and more than coward,” she accused. “If not dealt with, a cancer will only grow until it eats the body alive.”
“What’s cancer?”
“And what does that have to do with anything?”
“Ugh…” Luna rubbed her temple again. “It means that if we do not deal with this problem, now, then it will only grow worse until it finds you and consumes you as well.” In truth she was not sure of how far this could go, but she had her suspicions. “And beyond that, morality demands we cannot let such a nest of evil stand.”
“And what are we supposed to do about it?”
“Yeah, even you couldn’t win us that battle back there!”
“What we are supposed to do is gather allies,” the princess answered. “We will not be the only ones affected nor the only ones under threat. We must find the others, be they Pokémon or humans, and coordinate ourselves. If we have not the numbers to do it our own, we must simply find more.”
There were uneasy looks at that proclamation. Spearow and it evolution were not a species well-inclined towards others, and the feeling was largely mutual. The flock had gained many enemies over the years.
“I think she’s right,” came another voice from the crowd. Luna recognized the same Fearow that had been trapped by a Dark Ball not long ago. “Those things they’re using… they’re not normal human stuff. I don’t… I don’t really remember much about what I did when they got me, but…” it looked down. “I remember it was seeing through my own eyes in some kinda nightmare. I didn’t know what was going on or even who I was, just that I had to obey and destroy. Destroy… everything.” Fearow looked up again. “That isn’t right. That isn’t how it’s supposed to be. We gotta do something.”
There were whispering and muted chattering throughout the flock. Some expressed a vague agreement, some thought the downcast Fearow looked weak and ripe for overthrow.
“As dictator,” Luna declared loudly, “I have already made the final decision, unless one of you wishes to challenge me.”
Despite the lingering ill-will, none spoke up to do so.
“Then it is settled. We seek new alliances. But we will not be the only ones on the move.” Luna pointed to a Fearow that had remained quiet so far. “You. I want you to take a few of our nimbler flyers and return to the area of the humans’ base. Do not approach it closely, give plenty of ground if they approach. I wish you to observe their movements. See what they do, and send a messenger back to me if any major or unusual deployment are in evidence.”
“Shouldn’t we attack them? You know, pick them off one by one if they get too separated? The flock got hurt.”
“No. Strategy before vengeance. Observation only, do you understand?”
“…yes.”
“After working so hard, it feels nice just to take a moment to relax,” James said as reclined on the forest floor.
“I have to agree,” Celestia said, fanning her wings wide to catch as much of the glorious golden sunshine as she possibly could. “Even though it can’t last, a small break always does wonders for morale.”
The sunshine felt more than just pleasant on the alicorn’s fur, it felt invigorating. The star’s energy flowed through her, and at that moment she felt almost as if she could take on Lysandre and the rest of Team Flare simultaneously. Plus, it did wonders for that irritating stiff spot on her neck.
“Say, Meowth,” Celestia’s ears flicked up at the sound of Jessie’s voice from across the forest clearing. “Do you really think she’s telling the truth?”
“About what? Bein’ some fancy princess-type from anudda world?”
“What else?”
“Does it matta? I think she thinks she is, and she wants ta help out. Da boss is countin’ on us, why make a big deal outta it?”
“Because the question of whether your teammate is obscenely rich or just delusional makes a load of difference last time I checked.”
“Really? ‘Cause I can think a’ two delusional idiots on dis team already, but ya don’t hear me complainin’,” Meowth answered. “Dat much.”
A moment passed.
“HEY!”
Celestia stifled a giggle.
“Hey,” Twilight said as she came down from on high. “Pikachu?”
“Did you see anything?” the little electric Pokémon asked from his position atop Ash’s shoulder.
“No,” Twilight shook her head with a glum expression. “And neither has Fletchinder.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Pikachu’s face fell. “But we’re not giving up. Team Rocket couldn’t have gone far on foot, and if they’re in their balloon we’ll spot them!” he clenched his tiny fist. “They won’t get away with your teacher.”
“Not if I have anything to say about it,” the alicorn nodded. “But I had actually had a thought I wanted to run by you.”
“What is it?”
“Is Ash, you know, good at training Pokémon?”
“Of course he is!” Pikachu frowned. “Why would you even have to ask that?”
“Well, I uh… was just thinking of what happens when we actually find Team Rocket,” Twilight answered delicately. “Because it’s obvious they’re extremely skilled and dangerous fighters to begin with.”
“Are you still on about that? They’re idiots who’ve literally been beaten up by children.”
“No idiots could ever hope to force Princess Celestia to serve evil,” Twilight shook her head vehemently. “So it’s obvious that they’re far more cunning and skilled than they led you to believe. But anyway, what I was thinking was they must be extremely dangerous to begin with. And, assuming I can’t break whatever hold they have on the princess before they can force her to attack, we’re going to be in for an extremely tough fight.”
“I admit she packs a punch,” Pikachu said, thinking back to Laverre and rubbing his head.
“So we’ll need every edge we can get, and that includes me. But I really haven’t done much fighting in this form. I’ve read a lot about it, and had myself analyzed by Professor Oak, but I haven’t actually practiced much. So… maybe if we don’t find Team Rocket today, you and Ash could train with me tonight?”
“Sure, we’d be happy to help.”
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Oh, Twilight, honey. You have no idea.
(But seriously, I don't see her meshing well with Ash's *ahem* "unpredictable" style at all. Someone like Sawyer, sure. Or even Trevor. But Ash?)
(Also, Celestia knows five or more moves at once. "Packs a punch" is an understatement; that is Snorlax-levels of "screw the rules, I'm in the anime.")
9004502
Yeah, she's far too by the book to be a good member of Ash's team.
To be fair, they’re just teens as well iirc. 10 year old Ash vs 16 year old Jessie and James.
I can't wait to see more of Luna's royal air force. It's become, hands down, the best part of this fic.
Twilight is a bookworm through and through. I doubt she could handle a Pokémon training regimen. She Just seems too un-athletic. Pokémon training is nothing the the Running of the Leaves, so I don't doubt she'll be exhausted quickly.
Dunno if I like a this boneheaded Twily, but she is the kind that puts an idea in her head and goes with it until it blows up in her face.
Few of bird Pokémon needed encouraging
1. Few of the bird Pokémon.
Yep, expecting a large army of various types of Pokémon to eventually steamroll at a dramatic moment... Oh god, I just realised one implication. A mountain trap of falling boulders becomes falling Rock Pokémon. Maybe even Voltorb or Electrode bombing runs.
just a funny thought to toss out. What if one of Luna's flock runs into team rockets Jessie and James? And what if it relays Luna's call to arms, and what if they decide to check it out, only for Celestia and Luna to reunite. Could you just SEE Twilight's expression at Celestia AND Luna working with team rocket?
9004559
Come to think of it, I don't think Ash has caught and owned a fairy- or a psychic-type before. Would he even know where to begin training her?
9004502
he is a decent trainer but he loses alot and completely ignores the strength and weaknesses of types or that one battle where he lost with a fullhp water type against a half ko charizard
9004630
He hasn't to the best of my knowledge.
Twilight being trained by Ash and co? I'm interested to see how it goes. She is good at learning things.
I hope Twilight, Ash and co will open up their eyes on the situation.
9004704
Not in this story she ain't.
9004710
Oh do give it a rest already.
9004718
As you like. I don't think I'm wrong, but arguing the point doesn't seem wise.
Instead I'll speculate about what moves Twilight might want to re-create from her Equestrian magic repertoire!
Her bubble shield becomes Light Screen. Reasoning: we've already seen Celestia use Protect and I don't expect this will be repeated. As for why Light Screen and not Reflect, Twilight thinks she might have to fight brainwashed Celestia, and would think to protect herself first and foremost against her mentor's nigh-irresistable (in her mind) magic.
Her teleportation becomes Teleport. For obvious reasons.
She already has Psychic for telekinesis. Maybe she would want to swap it out for Psyshock, but I doubt it.
Transfiguration of objects isn't easily replicable by Pokemon moves (at least not the ones I remember) and would not make a terribly useful move for battles. Lasers would, and beam-like attacks abound, but the only one that comes to mind for Twilight to use is Psybeam, and that's an objectively worse move than Psychic/Psyshock in every way. Maybe Dazzling Gleam? It can look like the Elements/Rainow Power effect, and is a STAB move for Twilight's Fairy-type side.
But there is one advantage to Twilight using a more beam-like move: it gives Ash something useful to teach her! Twilight has a bad habit of closing her eyes to aim, and he could help her with that.
There will be another chapter tomorrow?
9004817
Snake Staff's MO these days is to post a 1,000-2,000-word chapter to a particular story every day until after a particularly strong climax and denoument, then to put it on hiatus for a while to do the same for other stories.
Interpreting whether the climax and denoument we just got were "particularly strong" to the point they warrant a hiatus is an exercise I won't be engaging in. We'll find out tomorrow.
Looks like Luna is gathering a large army. Hopefully more than just flying/bird types. Please let it be the Swords of Justice next time along with other Legendaries. Also, I think it'll balances out if Luna doesn't team up with human/trainers while Twi and Celestia already have them.
Seems those three will soon be reunite.
Luna is seeking allies, Twilight, while still boneheaded, as decided to start training and Celestia is lazing off.
9004929
Im hoping since Luna is a dark/shadow? type pokemon darkrai lunala or zoroark become her allies. I guess celestia being a light/fire? type get arceus moltres or entei. For humans it would be interesting if Luna teams up with one of ashes rivals.
Twilight is so grating when she still won't listen to Pikachu. Still, this was a very good chapter. I like how it was easy to spot Electrike and Manectric when both the colors and attack moves came into play.
9004502 She should ask James' Pokémon that same question! The dude can get Pokémon to like him easily!
9005233
Usually in an instant, by giving them food. It's not terribly realistic.
I'm pretty sure he just smells real good.
9005235 Or in the case of his Mareanie, looks good
9005237
I'll take your word for it. I haven't watched the Sun and Moon anime.
9005118
9004929
Why do people think Luna will run into random legendaries who 1) would surely overshadow her and be unlikely to follow her orders and 2) mostly don't live in Kalos? She's already run into AZ's Floette, is that not coincidence enough?
Speaking of Kalos legendaries, though, I get that this story follows the games more than the anime in terms of what Team Flare's plan is, but where is Zygarde in all this? Hanging out in its mineshaft? Yeah, probably that.
I think at this point, Ash and his friends would be a little more irked or uncomfortable by Twilight's words of "evil" to describe the team rocket trio all the time. I think Ash and friends are more likely to think Jessie and James are more misguided than evil (since they have interacted on a personal level before).
9002838
*Naive
This is very good
9005252
When I was originally thinking of allies it was just darkrai and arceus ... for shipping reasons ... but their wasn't a romance tag so I just went with a few to be a dream team kinda.... Plus that kinda team couldn't happen if I remember it's been a long while wasn't entei a not real Pokemon he was made from unknowns? pokemon to be with that girl. Plus zoroarc is actually a raisable Pokemon just gotta find a egg catch a pup then evolve. Lunala and moltres were just random picks to get three each I see Luna as more of a trainer here then being captured and being someone elses pokemon. Darkrai I choose you ... yes my princess.
9005619
Naive is an adjective. Naif is the corresponding noun.
9004609
Not exactly related to your comment, per se, but I like how your comment immediately follows a comment that has the word "boneheaded" in it.
That is an interesting question. How do you define good?
Be cause he have his moments, but he is very inconsistent...
Ahahaha....heck no!
All he does is give them orders until they figure out how to do it on their own. He almost never actually teaches them anything. (No offense to Snake Staff, this story is great.) Ash in the TV show has got to be one of the absolute worst trainers, and he's only made it so far with a lot of favors and supernatural luck.
9012352
If this is true then the theme song definitely still applies.
"I Want to be the very best" definitely implies he's not.
9012352
um that isn't really true, maybe for season 1 yes but later on his victories are more on his quick thinking. Especially in the diamond and pearl generation where he taught his pokemon how to incorporate contest moves into attacking ones.
9012352
Ash literally didn’t know what a Pidgey was before he got his Pokédex.