The day is still young. The ponies are still on their visit to the Pokemon World. And so far, things have been going well for the most part. Adagio was still lurking around, looking for trouble. She had recently caused mostly everyone in Lilypad Town to become bitter, caused the Pokemon to become disobedient and even had the dreams of a young filly by the name of Velvetwind shattered during her first-ever contest just to fuel her power even more. Fortunately, Nurse Joy ended up solving this problem by having her Blissey work its magic via its calming egg that soothed all their rage. The issue of the disobedient Pokemon, however, was something that had yet to be solved. Unfortunately, Blissey's eggs aren't exactly made for disobedience and loafing Pokemon. That is a situation that Lilypad Town's trainers will have to figure out on their own.
But moving away from Lilypad, Pinkie Pie and Jade had arrived at Hoenn, Slateport City. The port where people and Pokemon cross paths with nature and the ninth-largest city in the Pokemon World. People from many different regions often gather and mingle in this bustling city port.
"Here we are! Slateport City!" Pinkie exclaimed. "I can already feel the sunlight of Hoenn!" Pinkie took in the feeling of Hoenn and its lush land and flowing water in the ocean. Lots of water. "Can you feel it too, Jade?"
"...Feels nice actually." Jade was indeed feeling the atmosphere of Hoenn but her face remained unchanged.
"But I bet it's not going to be as good as what we're going to do here! Let's go take a look!" Pinkie bounced further towards Slateport whilst Jade casually followed. When heading into Slateport, the first thing that'll always greet you will be Slateport Market. Where they sell Pokemon dolls, energy drinks, incense and decorations for secret bases. Speaking of secret bases, that's what grabbed Pinkie Pies attention. A stand that said 'Decorations for Secret Bases' is what got her. "Oooh! What's this about a secret base?!" She went up to the man selling the decorations.
"Oh. So you're interested in Secret Bases, huh my little pony? Want a decoration to go with it?" He held up a flag.
"Definitely! But where are these bases? Oh, right! They're secret that's why."
"Well, if you want to know where the secret bases are, you gotta have one of your own. Interested?"
"Of course I am! Having a secret base is one of my million dreams! Right behind a vanilla custard pool! Where can I get these..." She leaned in close to whisper. "Secret Bases?"
"To have one, you gotta create one."
"Create one?" Pinkie pulled back.
"Oh, yeah. Secret Bases are formed by the ones who created them in the first place. In order to do so, your Pokemon will need the move Secret Power. Using that move will allow you to create a base by converting small areas across Hoenn into Secret Bases with small indents in walls being able to be carved out into a cave, tall trees being able to drop down vines, and clumps of grass being able to be moved via Secret Power. All you have to is find any of those areas and use em. Simple."
"That's great! Oh but...My Slurpuff doesn't know Secret Power though. None of them do. Bummer." Pinkie sighed.
"No problem my pink pony. You can just let your Pokemon learn the move automatically."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I mean...every Pokemon has a Secret Power laying within them. They just gotta really let it out with all they've got. Think your Slurpuff can do that?"
"No doubt about it! I'll let one do it!" Pinkie took out one of her many Pokeballs, sending out her Slurpuff. "Alright, Slurpuff! Work your magic! Learn Secret Power!"
"...Slur?" The Meringue Pokemon tilted its head in confusion.
"Uh. Sorry, little pony, but telling them to use a move they don't know doesn't really work."
"Then what does?"
"Hmm...Well, there is one other option I can give you. You can catch a Pokemon with the move Secret Power."
"Ooh. Which Pokemon are those?" Pinkie leaned in.
"Let's see. A lot actually. In fact, I believe that every Pokemon can use Secret Power from what I can recall. The ones around here that you can find are Spinda, Zigzagoon, Gulpin, Volbeat...actually it's all of them that are near here. You just gotta find the one that has the move."
"Then it's settled!" Pinkie stomped her hoof, standing straight. "Before we continue exploring the rest of Slateport, we're gonna get ourselves a Pokemon with Secret Power and we're gonna create that base all the way back home! Right, Slurpuff, Jade?"
"Slurpuff!" Her partner agreed with her.
"Sounds fun." Jade nodded.
"Nice. Then before you get going, take these." The man handed Pinkie a blue box. "In here are tons of Secret Base decorations that you can use. Once you finally find that base of yours, go crazy with them."
"Got it!" Pinkie paid the man back with some pretty hefty amount of Pokedollars that she surprisingly had for who knows how long. Thanks, mister!" Pinkie ran off as her friend and Pokemon followed her, heading towards the area where she can catch some wild Pokemon. Route 110.
A nice and calm route like many other routes in the Pokemon world. Route 110. The Pokemon here compliment the Route as some trainers could actually be seen here. Some of them on their own journey's. Whether they want to become the champion of Hoenn or planning to rank up in the Pokemon World Coronation Series.
"Let's see...any Pokemon here can use Secret Power. We just have to find the one that already has it." Pinkie commented.
"So, are we going to like, battle the first Pokemon we see?" Jade asked.
"Even better. We're gonna lure them. Alright, Slurpuff. Use Sweet Scent. Let's reel all the Pokemon here."
"Slur." The Meringue Pokemon created a scent that was potent enough to allure any Pokemon that was located here on this Route. It proved to be effective as always as many Pokemon were heading towards the direction of Sweet Scent. Every single one of them had the ability to use Secret Power. But the question is...which one already has it on them.
"Perfect! The whole gang's here. Now to find out which one of you already has Secret Power on them. So?" Pinkie went up to the selection of Pokemon that were here. "What about you?" She went up close and personal to a Sentret who backed away, hiding behind a tree. "Hm. Guess not. Maybe this little guy!" Pinkie then dashed over to A Nuzleaf. "You look like a Pokemon that has a Secret Power in them!"
"Nuz..." Nuzleaf and some other Pokemon were too busy taking in the aroma of Sweet Scent which was still present in the air.
"I think they're only here because they thought they were getting some food from the scent, Pinkie." Jade said to her.
"Food...Food!" What Jade said to Pinkie gave her an idea. She believes that If she gives the Pokemon some food, they'd be honoured to show off Secret Power to her. "Luckily, I come with emergency food and backup food all the time!" Pinkie took some paper bags that had food in them out of her mane and her saddlebag. The selection of food was something that even a Pokemon couldn't resist. She placed down various pieces of food that would be to each Pokemon's liking. A little something for everyone. "Eat up, everyone! And show me that Secret Power later on." The Pokemon began gobbling down the food like it was no tomorrow. Pinkie watched as it was all being devoured by these Pocket Monsters. "Soon...I'll have my first ever Secret Base! I wonder where in Ponyville I'm gonna put it? Ooh! What am I gonna call it?!" Pinkie rubbed her hooves together, anticipating her Secret Base.
Jade watched the Pokemon eat as well, but over at the corner of her eyes, she noticed a small Spinda spinning around. Spinda are Pokemon that stagger and totter about with the mistaken impression that they're walking straight. And each Spinda has a spot pattern that is slightly different which is favourite for collectors. So this Spinda right now is walking aimlessly, unsure of its true destination. That's when Jade saw something that would benefit Pinkie Pie. Spinda had gone for some food, but not the food that Pinkie laid out for the Pokemon. Instead, it was going for a berry on top of a tree. It could sniff it out despite its erratic and derpy movements. It didn't have the strength to knock the berry out of the tree or even climb it. But, it did have a move in particular that could give it the strength. The move that Pinkie needed the most.
Secret Power.
"Spin...Da!" The Spot Panda Pokemon was engulfed in a pink aura, the usual colour for Secret Power as its latent power was being unleashed. It struck its tiny little arms on the tree, making it shake, almost toppling it even. The Oran Berry from the tree that it wanted fell down right near its feet. It was finally about to chow down on its food. Jade saw this and realized that Spinda might've just used Secret Power. She wasn't too sure since she's never seen the move once.
"Pinkie. I think I may have found the Pokemon with Secret Power." Jade pointed her hoof at the Spot Panda Pokemon.
"Hm? That Spinda over there?"
"Mhm. It managed to knock that shake that entire tree by using some pink aura thing to get a berry."
"Aha! Then that has to be Secret Power! I mean...look at it! It's so small! There's no way it'd be able to do it normally. We've got our Pokemon!" Pinkie bounced over to Spinda who was spinning about. "Hey, there little fella. You got Secret Power?"
"Spin?"
"Is that a yes?" Pinkie leaned forward to Spinda. This was going nowhere. Pinkie can't understand Pokemon like Fluttershy so she can't tell if Spinda is saying yes or no. What doesn't help is that it's a generally unpredictable Pokemon that has no idea where it's going. That's when Jade actually managed to gain some understanding. Due to her being a Rift Pony, the cosmic energy inside of her can be used as a valuable asset of various forms of communication. Each of the Rift Ponies all had a special ability that they could use after all. Whether it be mind control or causing disaster. Or possibly even bringing something to life and making it sentient. Even if she wasn't a unicorn, like Emerald Aura, Obsidian and Cold Colt. However, Jade had no idea that she had this form of communication nor does she know that she is a Rift Pony. This newfound power came to her by an instinct to help the pony she sees as a friend. The deadpan pony walked up to Spinda, now having the ability to communicate with Pokemon on a somewhat spiritual level. Almost similar to Fluttershy but without the words. A small spark of cosmic dust could be seen flowing through her mane until it vanished.
"You." Jade spoke to Spinda. The two then stared at each other silently with Spinda seeing double thanks to its eyes. Pinkie watched as they were both silent, locking eyes together.
"Uhh..you two having a staring contest? Are you winning, Jade?"
"...It said that it has Secret Power. For sure." Jade replied.
"Woah! You understood it?! Can you talk to creatures like Fluttershy? How'd you do it?"
"I don't know. I heard it speak in my head."
"Oh! Like some sort of psychic?!" Pinkie perked up.
"Maybe. I don't know what it was. I didn't even know I could do that." Jade was surprised but her voice and tone didn't sound like she was.
"Well, however, you did it, it gave us a clear answer! This Pokemon's the one we need! What do ya say, Spinda? Wanna come with us?" Pinkie took out a Pokeball. "Eh? Eh?"
"Spin?" Spinda wasn't sure if it wanted to come along. Then again, it wasn't sure where it is ever going.
"If you come along, I can give you all the Pokemon food you need." That's what got Spinda. Food. It took Pinkie's offer, touching the Pokeball. The ball absorbed the Pokemon, shaking once as it was a guaranteed capture. "Gotcha! Spinda and Secret Power are all mine! Secret Base, here I come! Come on Jade!" Pinkie was ecstatic as she was bouncing away, back to Slateport. Jade was about to follow until she was halted by a call from a certain individual.
"You there." Adagio was here. She had decided to target Pinkie Pie next since she believed she was the easiest to get to. But after seeing what Jade did, her curiosity has heightened to her. Jade turned around to see Adagio as Pinkie Pie was long gone. "I saw that. That was cosmic energy, wasn't it? Flowing through your mane."
"It was?" Jade never noticed it.
"But of course. That can only mean one thing. You're a Rift pony, aren't you?" Adagio smirked. She was aiming for the higher-ups. And in this case, cosmic energy was just that.
"I'm not sure what I am. I'm just a pony who's a pegasus."
"Playing dumb with me, are you? Oh, well. Won't matter once you head to your best friend feeling all bitter." Adagio set the next phase of her plan in motion by singing a single melody to Jade. The green sound waves looked like they were about to make contact, but they were vaporized into nothing but ash. Due to Jade being a Rift Pony, the cosmic energy that dwells within her eradicated the magic. And it wasn't even by command. "What?!" Adagio had no idea what just happened.
"I don't quite get it but...I know you're the same pony who threatened my friends from what I remember."
"Pssh. Yeah, so? What's an emotionless soul like you going to do about it?"
"Nothing. But...You make me feel something unusual." Jade looked at her hooves. This newfound emotion that she had found was opposite to the tiny bit of happiness she had with her friends. Instead, she had finally understood the emotion of anger and it was all directed towards Adagio. But it was minuscule so she wasn't as vocal about it. "I think I hate you. Is that the word for it?"
"That the best you can do? Just say you hate me? You're more of an unenthusiastic wreck than Aria, you know that? Can't believe I wasted time on you. I'll just have to continue going for the ones full of emotion." Adagio made her leave, obviously aiming for more of Twilight's friends. She left Jade out of the selection since there was nothing she could against her and Jade didn't seem like the type to try and fight back at all. She actually originally planned to affect all of Slateport, but unfortunately, she came to a sudden realization that every city town has a Pokemon Center and she wasn't about to risk her plan being stopped by a Blissey again. It was about time to get even more creative.
Back at Slateport, Pinkie went back to the man at the decoration stand.
"Oh! You got a Pokemon that has Secret Power, finally?" The man asked.
"Mhm! My best friend Jade managed to help out on that! Right, Jade?" Pinkie turned around to see that Jade wasn't here. She had been left behind due to her sudden meeting with Adagio not too long ago. "Jade? Hm. Guess she must've found something neat. Oh, well! I'll meet up with her again. But can I quickly get some more decorations?"
"Sure thing, my little pony." The man took out more boxes. "That'll be 2000 Pokedollars.
"Done!" Pinkie placed a perfect 2000 down. She really did come equipped with the essential amount of Pokedollars for this visit. Only she knows how much she's carrying with her.
"Pleasure doing business with you." The man took the money, shaking Pinkie's hoof.
"No problem. Now...let me see what that Oceanic Museum is all about?" Pinkie's next stop was the Oceanic Museum. A large two-floored museum located in the eastern district of Slateport. There, Pinkie Pie came across the man who owned built the Oceanic Museum. Captain Stern. One of the many people Ash had met on his journey when he was exploring Hoenn.
"Hm? Oh, hello there. You a pony who's here to see my museum?" Stern asked.
"You bet I am! Is this is all about Water-Type Pokemon or something?"
"Not really. I actually built this museum to teach others about the ocean and ocean floor. But, I have added a special floor specifically for Water-Types not too long ago. So you can go and check that one out if you want."
"WIll do, can do! Thanks, mister!" Pinkie entered the museum, ready to see what it was all about and its exhibits that are waiting to be viewed. Whilst she does that, Adagio makes an attempt to sabotage this as well. She reached Slateport, making sure to avoid the Pokemon Center at all costs. Plus, she didn't want to be seen by other ponies. She recognized some familiar faces from Ponyville here. Her back was currently up against the door of the Pokemon Fan Club. A club for and all about Pokemon and the people who love them. They were spread across the entire world, and this was one of their many headquarters.
"These areas are getting more and more crowded by the minute," Adagio said to herself. "Just have to-" Her sentence was interrupted and put to an end by a hand that grabbed her, dragging the siren inside of the Pokemon Fan Club. "H-Hey!"
"Lookie here! Look what I found!" A young boy said as he had the strength to lift Adagio up.
"Ooh! A newcomer to our club!" An ecstatic young lady said, dressed up in a dress that was similar to the patterns of an Illumise as she was also wearing an Illumise helmet. In fact, everyone in this club was wearing something associated with a Pokemon. Mostly ones in Hoenn. "Welcome, welcome!"
"WELCOME!" The entire club said as their voice echoed throughout the room.
"We're so glad to have a newcomer to the Pokemon Fan Club! And it's a pony from the other world too!"
"Oooh! A pony!" The younger members said as they ran over to Adagio. They were excited to see a pony here as they started placing their hands on Adagio with some of them pulling her face.
"Now, now. Let's not treat our new member children." The woman pulled them back. "Now that you're here, why don't we introduce you to it all?"
"Ugh..." Adagio held her head, recovering from what just happened. "You little-"
"I can start you off by showing you my collection?!" A young teenage girl dashed up to Adagio, interrupting her. "I only go for the cutest Pokemon. Then again we all do. My personal favourite is Electrike! Many don't think it's cute because of its intimidating eyes, but I do. They're so cute when they dash around like in a thunderbolt position! I have a ton of Electrike stuff. Here, look!" The young teenager showed off her Electrike collection. She had electrike keychains, necklaces, gloves, handbags, plushes, pens, all sorts of stuff. Some of them were even Shiny Electrike's. And to top it all off, she was wearing clothing that had the patterns of an Electrike.
Adagio wasn't up for any of this. She could care less about their intense love of cute Pokemon. "I d-"
"If you've got a Pokemon and have a good friendship bond with it, we can give you this Soothe Belle! It's a personal favourite of our club!" Another female member of the club spoke, interrupting Adagio once more. "This is perfect for soothing your Pokemon and it even helps in Pokemon Contests. I mean, then again...this entire club is also about contests, ya know."
"I don't care about some stupid-"
"And it comes equipped with a custom clothing choice." A young boy went up to her. "We've got clothes that match your favourite Pokemon. You'll be a perfect match!"
"ENOUGH!" Adagio raised her voice, silencing everyone inside. She breathed in and out, pent up from all that rage that was building up in her. "I don't care about some stupid Pokemon Fan Club! And I don't care about Pokemon!"
"But what about your Kricketot over there?" The boy pointed at Adagio's Kricketot. This Pokemon had been with her ever since she first caught it a few months back. Adagio never wanted anything to do with it in the first place, but Kricketot grew a liking to her and her passion for music. Adagio thought she had gotten rid of it, but in reality, it was hiding in her hair the entire time. Adagio's hair is pretty busy and big so a Pokemon of Kricketot's size could easily hide in it.
"Wha? You're still here?!" Adagio noticed the Cricket Pokemon resting on top of her mane.
"Kricke!" It jumped off her hair, looking up at her with glee.
"Get lost." The words that she sid made Kricketot's glee stop all of a sudden.
"Kri?"
"You heard me. Get lost. Shoo."
"You can't say that your Pokemon!" A young girl said from the crowd.
"Zip it, brat. I never wanted it to be my Pokemon in the first place. Why this thing is even still here is beyond me. I don't want anything to do with it. So I don't need it. Not with my goal in mind."
"Kricke..." The Cricket Pokemon lowered its head, feeling heartbroken. Its first trainer had just admitted to not wanting it at all. Like it was never meant to be with her. Feeling betrayed, Kricketot let itself out, walking out of the Fan Club. Everyone was shocked that Adagio had just done that so casually. Rejecting a Pokemon that was beside her.
"Finally. Now. I don't want to be in this nightmare house anymore. I've got better things to do." Adagio made her leave, finally leaving the club. Her goal at the moment was to make sure that the Pokemon Center doesn't intervene this time. So what was she going to do? "All I have to do...is get rid of that nurse. I can't have her Pokemon making everyone all buddy-buddy again."
Kricketot was sitting at the port where the boats docked, sulking. Being abandoned and rejected can really deal a number on a Pokemon. Especially on the smaller ones. This sadness that emanated from Kricketot was actually something that Adagio needed. She could feel Kricketot's sadness from all the way over at the port. And it was feeding her as well but at an unnatural rate. She had never felt something like this before. The sadness that Kricketot was exuberating was actually potent, amplifying Adagio's magic even further. This was because Kricketot is close to Adagio and sees her as a friend. And because of that, the sadness had more weight to it.
"Ooh. I guess it's not as useless as I thought it was." Adagio giggled. "I'll keep it with me, just in case." She walked up to Kricketot, planning to use its sadness as a limitless source of energy. "Hey."
"Kricketot?" The Bug-Type turned to her.
"Listen. I was wrong. I do actually want you. We're partners after all. I was just feeling a bit cranky, you know how it is." She was lying through her teeth. She was only doing this to gain the trust of Kricketot back. And unfortunately, due to how young this Pokemon was, it fell for it easily.
"Kricketot!" Kricketot jumped up, giving Adagio a hug on the face out of pure love.
"Urgh..Y-Yeah, whatever. Get back in my hair." She commanded. Kricketot did just that, residing in the siren's busy hair once more. Adagio now had her energy source. And she was planning to utilize Kricketot's sadness by occasionally breaking its heart and just regaining its trust once more. How was she going to do it? Well her plan was simple. Make up an excuse by getting into a situation where she'd end up becoming furious and just tell it to Kricketot. She saw the Pokemon as gullible and easily swayed. And as long as she keeps it up, this doesn't spell good news for Kricketot's fragile heart. Next up was Nurse Joy. Adagio was prepared to take out the biggest threat to her. She busted open the doors of Slateport's Pokemon Center, seeing Nurse Joy and her Blissey right over there.
"Oh, my. Um...can I help you with something?" Nurse Joy asked.
"No. Actually, no one will be needing your help anymore. Especially that." Adagio's eyes targeted Blissey. If she can make Blissey bitter and negative, then that eliminates the possibility of it making everyone else happy again. All Adagio had to do...was sing.
Chapter 146 End!
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