The Crystal Empire. Outskirts.
Out in the outskirts, the older Flurry Heart from another universe along with her assigned guard Flash Sentry could be found. Flurry Heart's quest to know more about Pokemon continues. Right now, she was holding some binoculars with her magic, spying on a group of Snorunt moving about in the snow.
"Nice." She nodded while spectating the Snow Hat Pokemon. She then started approaching them with her hooves pressing on the snow. Flurry Heart decided to get close while Flash would make sure nothing too wild happens.
As she got close to them, the first Snorut had noticed her arrival. "Sno?" Contact had been made. Both of them were gazing into the eyes of each other now. This went on for a few seconds as they essentially entered a staring contest.
"Hmmm..." Flurry Heart had uttered.
"Uh. What are you doing exactly, princess?"
"Trying to be one with the Pokemon. Like everyone else and you. This is how they do it, right?" She turned to the pegasus before gazing back at Snorunt.
"Um, I suppose so," Flash replied in a confused tone.
"So. Am I getting something now?" Flurry Heart wondered as she leaned forward. Unfortunately, as she got closer, she was only met with a bite to the nose from Snorunt. An Ice Fang to be exact.
"Sno...runt!"
"Mmm...! Cold!" She shuddered before falling on her back. Her nose had also been frozen with some mild frostbite as the Snorunt giggled as Flash went to pick the young princess up. He then gave the Snorut a serious stare as he could not allow any harm to be done to royalty.
"R-Runt!" The Snorunt backed away. running off after being given a steely look from Flash Sentry.
"Please, princess. Don't try and mess around too much with the Pokemon."
"Okay." Flurry Heart pouted as the ice had melted. "So! What next?" She then sat up, looking around to see what else could catch her eye.
"Well, your parents recommended one thing the other day. How does visiting the Pokemon World sound?"
"Yes please!" Flury Heart flew into the air immediately with high octane excitement. "I've always wanted to check it out! Ehehehe! Thank you, mom and dad! So where are we going? Which region?!"
"Anywhere. Kanto, Sinnoh, Hoenn, it doesn't matter. As long as you're safe as they said. Plus, only five hours in whatever region you choose. As they said."
"Aw...I wanted it to be the whole day." She puffed her cheeks. Her parents still gave her limitations despite them not being her world's parents. But they are still her parents in a sense. "It's okay. We'll make the most of it. Let's go to...Alola. I'm feeling in the summer mood, ya know."
"Uh, princess. Summer ended days ago." Flash shrugged as Flurry Heart then put on a poker face before shifting her eyes around. "Bah, whatever. It's tropical enough to practically be summer there forever. Let's go to Alola!" She raised her hoof into the sky while flapping her wings.
"Alola it is."
Po Town.
A town barricaded with tall walls that seem to reach the sky. It is occupied by a certain team in Alola. Compared to everywhere else, this was the least tropical part of Alola, much to the dismay of Flurry Heart and the shock of Flash Sentry. It was also raining with little sunshine as the sun was blocked by grey clouds with only a slight glow being seen.
"This is not what I was expecting." She stood there with her mouth agape. "Where's the super bright sun? The nice beaches and drinks?"
"I guess we found the wrong gateway, didn't we?" Flash Sentry said. "Maybe another town or city is up ahead if we move past this one. It'll take too long to find another gateway to Alola, so it's best to work up from here."
"I guess so." Flurry Heart sighed. "Might find something neat here maybe."
"Yo, yo!" However, this town had some residents despite how run-down and barren it may have seen. Coming into view for Flash and Flurry Heart were the residents. The team that was full of delinquents that failed the Alola Island Challenges.
Team Skull.
"Hm?" Flurry and Flash looked over, seeing them walk towards them with a funny pose. As they always do.
"Oh, this looks like trouble just waiting to happen." Flash grimaced before turning around. "Perhaps we should take another direction, princess."
"Hold on." Flurry Heart promptly stopped him. "Can't back out now since we're this deep in."
"Wh-" Flash froze for a moment. "Yes, we can. The gateway's only 20 feet away!" He pointed his hoof to the south.
"Sup, my little ponies." The first grunt by the name of Tupp spoke. Joining him were his friends Rapp and Zipp. "What are you doing here in Po Town, huh?"
"Yeah, you looking for sum'thn?" Rapp asked as she sat on a nearby destroyed car.
"If it's trouble then ya came to the right place." Zipp nodded.
"Pfft." Flurry Heart then had the urge to laugh as she bloated her cheeks with her mouth scrunched. "Why are you guys talking like that? Hehe."
"Think it's funny, huh? This is the Team Skull way, ya know." Tupp leaned forward.
"Sure." She nodded while trying to contain her laughter. "Like I know who Team Skull is?"
"Oh, ya don't. Well, you're new here so we'd better tell you what Team Skulls is all about." Tupp stood up tall with Rapp and Zipp standing next to him. "We're all being the toughest and most unbreakable team there is. Tough as a Machamp. We've got numbers big enough to back it up and Pokemon to spice it up. Giving up ain't our beat but going on is what we can rock with, ya dig? But we don't hold a candle to our big sis Plumeria and the big boss, Guzma, ya hear. Represent!"
"Uh..." Flash squinted before processing all of those words. "I hear ya..."
"Yeah. But do they all talk like you?" Flurry Heart couldn't help herself as she found amusement with their voices.
"Don't diss the style, yo!" Tupp exclaimed with his eyes bulging out as he roared the young alicorn. Flurry Heart snickered before pulling back and having a massive grin on her face. "Grr! Fine! How 'bout this then! A Pokemon Battle! Right here, right now!" Tupp exclaimed.
"Ooh!" Flurry Heart's attention and interest were now piqued as Team Skull held their Poke Balls out. "Count me in! I've been itching for one for a while!"
"Go, Salandit!" Tupp sent out three Salandit.
"Out ya come, Zubat!" Rapp sent out three Zubat.
"Yungoos!" And Zipp had sent out three Yungoos. They were all matching in numbers.
"Hope you don't mind the numbers. Team Skull gang up for all. Don't nobody get easy way outs when battling us, ya hear?" Tupp spoke.
"Nine on one, huh? Oh. I've got the perfect Pokemon to deal with this." A menacing tone came from Flurry Heart as she had held out Giratina's Poke Ball. She let out a devious chuckle with her eyes glowing red.
Flash soon realized that if Flurry Heart were to unleash Giratina here, it could cause major problems. He quickly looked at both sides before stepping forward.
"I'll battle you instead!" Flash declared.
"Huh?" said Team Skull.
"Ah. Flaaaash!" Flurry Heart cried out. "But I wanted to battle. My Pokemon can totally deal with these ones, no problem."
"Yes, but your parents did say not to draw too much attention with him." Flash tried reasoning with the young alicorn. "And this could definitely do it. Just let me handle this. Plus, I have more Pokemon with me."
"What gives buddy?" Tupp intervened. "Ya trying to get in the way?"
"Not at all. But before we start, how about this? If I beat you three, will you all do us the honour of showing Princess Flurry Heart around Alola? She came here for a beautiful view after all."
"Hm. Betting eh? I like that style. Fine. But if we win, you're gonna uh..." Tupp pointed at Flash before freezing. He wasn't sure what he could add to this bet. "Aha! You hand over that crown and gold armour you two got on!"
"Ooh, not bad!" Rapp agreed. "Think that crown would look good on me?"
"It can't even fit you," Zipp replied.
"Fine." Flash agreed to it. "Might regret this but we have spares for a reason. Come out! Pidgeot! Golurk!" Emerging out of the Poke Balls were Pidgeot and Golurk. Golurk was to be expected since every guard owns one. Pidgeot was Flash's ace so that was to be expected.
Flurry Heart sat back, spectating this battle as she would cheer Flash on. "Woohoo! Go, Flash!" But it wasn't just her. The rest of the Team Skull members watched from afar, cheering their fellow members on.
"Show 'em your strength with Venoshock, Salandit!" Tupp and his team went first.
"Yungoos, Crunch!"
"Leech Life, Zubat!"
"Salandit!" All nine of them used the same moves in unison. The Salandit jumped into the air, spitting out poisonous purple and pink projectiles from their mouths.
"Pidgeot, use Quick Attack! Golurk, Focus Punch!"
"Pidgeo!" Pidgeot flew at blinding speeds, evading the incoming poison as they had hit the ground instead. With the superior speed, Pidgeot had slashed past the three Salandit, hitting them at the same time. The three of them were then knocked down from a speedy wind pressure.
"Golurk...!" As for Golurk, it was tightening its focus, making sure that Focus Punch would hit its mark. Approaching him were the Zubat and Yungoos with their fangs being bared. Each of their fangs were covered in green and dark-red colours as they swarmed the Automaton Pokemon.
"Zu!"
"Yun!"
"Golurk...!" In an immediate response, Golurk returned the favour. It did not lose its focus even when being bitten into. Its great defence practically ignored the impact of the moves even though Crunch was super-effective. The Automaton Pokemon then swung its fist with Focus Punch, hitting all six of them at the same time. "Lurk!"
The Pokemon were sent flying back as they crashed into the ground where the Salandit were. As if they had never left the same spot they were on.
"Woohoo! Some strength!" Flurry Heart clapped her hooves together.
"Salandit, Flame Burst!"
"Landit!" The Salandit swings their tails, causing red liquids to come flying out from the red patterns of their bodies.
"Counter with Heat Wave, Pidgeot!"
"Geot!" Pidgeot flapped his wings quickly, generating heat. Like a heatwave in the summer sun, a wind of flames had coated the atmosphere, making everything distorted and wavy. The waves had also cancelled out the red liquids.
"Now, use Twister, Pidgeot! And Golurk, Gyro Ball!"
"Pidge! Pidgeot!" Pidgeot then flew higher into the air, spinning around. He had summoned a twister out of draconic energy, sending it through the air.
"Go...Lurk!"Speaking of spinning, Golurk used its slow speed to its advantage. It started spinning around, heading straight for the trio of Yungoos and Zubat.
"Get rid of it with Dragon Pulse, Salandit!"
"Air Slash, Zubat!"
"Go use Crunch again, Yungoos!"
"Salan...dit!" The Salandit all sent dragon-shaped shockwaves towards Twister to try and cancel it out. As for Zubat and Yungoos, they went for Golurk again. Cutting waves were sent from above while the Yungoos lunged.
"Get a load of this! Golurk, enter the Twister!"
"Go...Lurk!" Golurk suddenly changed its direction, spinning towards the Twister instead. By merging Gyro Ball and Twister, the Automaton Pokemon now had a shield around it.
And with the combined efforts of Gyro Ball and Twister, nothing could stop Golurk. Dragon Pulse had been obliterated with ease as the grunts had gasped. Soon, Salandit, Zubat and the Yungoos had been struck by the spiralling Golurk. They had taken double heavy hits from two powerful moves merged into one.
Afterwards, they tumbled on the ground. But they weren't going to recover from this. As they had fainted.
"Oh!" Team Skull gasped after seeing their Pokemon fall. The winner of this battle was Flash Sentry and his Pokemon.
"Done and done," Flash said while Flurry Heart cheered. "Guess we're getting that tu after all, hm?"
"Woohoo! Good stuff, Flash! Way better than what I would've done!" Flurry bellowed as the grunts sighed, returning their Pokemon.
"Now then. Since I won fair and square, I believe you three know what to do, right?"
"Yeah, yeah we hear ya. No need to rub it in already." Tupp crossed his arms while Rapp and Zipp lowered their heads. "Man, even after we trained with the boss. Got beat by some pony from another world. If the boss were here, he would've wiped the floor with you's."
"Yeah! Let's go again!" Zipp held his Poke Ball. "My Garbodor hasn't had a turn yet!"
"Nuh-uh. I already won." Flash waved his feather as if he was waving a finger in denial.
"Flash isn't just somepony." Flurry Heart went up to the pegasus. "He's also a royal guard and helped stop an invasion. If you didn't know. So he's strong for sure."
"Pssh. Bet he ain't stronger than the boss." Rapp scoffed with her arms crossed.
"What's going on here?" Just then, an important voice rang through the atmosphere, grabbing the attention of not just Tupp, Rapp and Zipp.
The big sis of Team Skull. Plumeria.
"Big sis!" The trio stood firmly together as if they were being intimidated. And in all fairness, Plumeria did have an intimidating look to her. "You didn't see that whole battle, did you?!" Tupp asked.
"No. But I'm guessing you three lost." She said to them as they lowered their heads. "Because of course, you did." Plumeria then faced the duo of ponies. "And who are these two?"
"Princess Flurry Heart here." Flurry Heart waved before putting her hoof around Flash. "And my guard for the day or I guess weeks, Flash Sentry. AKA, the one who beat your team." She gave a smug smile. "Now they gotta tour us around."
"Uh, don't worry about that. The princess tends to speak a lot on her mind." Flash laughed nervously, not wanting any further trouble. "And you are?"
"I'm Plumeria. The Team Skull Admin here. I'm the big sis to these skull heads over here." She nudged her head over to the trio and all of Team Skull. "You're in ou turf, but that's cool. As long as you don't start anything."
"Nice to meet ya, bis sis." Flurry Heart winked as Flash's nervousness was rising with how she was being in front of fairly intimidating and troublesome looking individuals. "Are you gonna tour us around?"
"Oh hey!" Tupp exclaimed. "Now that you're big sis, you can wipe the floor with 'em with a Pokemon Battle! How does that sound?"
"Yeah!" Rapp and Zipp were up for that. "Floor 'em big sis!"
"Shut up!" She roared at them, causing the trio to pull back. "I ain't doing that. And I'll pass on touring you two. Since you beat them, it's only fair that they take you along."
"Aw, are you for real, big sis?!" Tupp groaned as Plumeria looked back at him. Plumeria didn't say a word as she walked off, minding her own business later on. She left everything up to the three of them now.
"Ugh." Tupp groaned. "Alright, alright. We'll tour you around. But not for long, ya hear? we'll make it quick and skedaddle. Team Skull ain't tourists. At least for today."
"Sure, sure." Flurry Heart shrugged. "Lead the way, guys."
Heahea City. Afternoon.
A coastal city situated on Akala Island. This city was founded by Trainers from Kanto and Johto. Considered the front door to Akala Island, this town's residents treasure visitors and welcome them most warmly. Well, most but Team Skull.
When showing up, Team Skull started walking in their usual manner with Flash and Flurry behind them. "We ain't just gonna tour you around. We're gonna show you how Team Skulls moves around Alola." Tupp said.
"Cool, cool." Flurry Heart nodded as she tried mimicking their movements. With her hooves mimicking Team Skull's manner of walking, Flurry Heart looked ridiculous as she could barely balance herself.
"Um, not sure that's what he meant, princess," Flash whispered.
"So if you guys are like a team, what do you do? And what's up with your team base? It's all messy." Flurry Heart asked.
"We Team SKull members are failed Island Challengers, so we all came together at the one place that makes us feel the same, ya know. The boss chose that place since it's got a run-down mansion. Whoever owned that place should've left it fancy for us." Tupp explained.
"Failed Island Challengers? That's the thing for Z-Crystals, right? Everyone there failed? Even that scary-looking lady back there?"
"Right on. But we don't care about that." Rapp shrugged.
"Check it out. They're selling one of those charms and caps over there." Tupp pointed ahead at a store that was selling Oval Charms and Gold Bottle caps. "Couldn't get one last time. Let's try again and snag 'em."
"Snag 'em? You don't mean...steal do you?" Flash questioned.
"Pssh, what else? We do it the Team Skull way, yo."
"Hold on!" Flash flew in front of Tupp. "Are you telling me we're being toured around by criminals?!"
"What's your deal, huh? Ain't nun of ya business." Zipp said.
"It is. For somepony of my status, I can't allow something like this to happen. I don't even need to be a guard for this."
"Man, scram. You ain't even the law of this world. Probably the guard of some pretty place. Where ya even from? Ponyplace?" Tupp dismissed them.
"We're from Equestria!" Flash bellowed in Tupp's face.
"The heck's an Equestria?" Tupp moved back, surprisingly not knowing of Equestria despite how many months have gone by.
"Hold on, you two! Let's not get too crazy here!" FLurry Heart got in between the two of them. "We're all allies here, aren't we? Here to have a good time."
"I refuse to spend time with a criminal." Flash scoffed.
"Delinquents are what we're used to. Get it rid, pal." Tupp retorted.
"Come on." Flurry then used her magic to pull them both in. "We're only here for 5 hours so let's make the most of it. After this, we'll be out of your hair!" She then gave an innocent grin.
And after seeing that grin and observing Flurry Heart for a few moments, something clicked in Rapp's head. She loves cute things and it only took her until now to realize that Flurry Heart and potentially everypony on the other side was cute.
"OMG!" She suddenly grabbed Flurry Heart, causing the young alicorn's eyes to bulge. "You're sooooo cute!"
"Ooof!"
"Princess!" Flash gasped.
"I don't know why I didn't see it before! Your so adorable with that hair and magic you use!" Her tone changed. Her usual tough girl attitude had fizzled out just like that. She started nuzzling Flurry Heart, not giving her the chance to break free.
"Guh...!" Flurry Heart stuck her hoof out, trying to free herself. "T-Thanks...!"
"I so totally want a pony of my own!" Rapp squeed.
"The princess is not a pet!" Flash quickly snatched Flurry Heart away from Rapp's clutches.
"They're the enemies right now so stop talking sense!" Tupp bellowed Rapp, causing her to snap out of it. He then pointed at Flash Sentry with some more to say. He then poked Flash in the stomach a few times. "Listen here, pal. You ain't the law in our world, so you can't do anything. Hah!"
"Oh yeah?! I may not have much power here, but I can still use other ways to deal with you!" Flash returned the favour by poking Tupp's stomach with his hoof. "An officer Jenny lives, here, doesn't she?"
"Heh. Officer Jenny doesn't care about us." Zipp said.
"Okay, okay. Let's try this again." Flurry Heart caused all of them to sit down with some magic. With her alicorn magic, she had absolute power here. "I know we have our differences right now, but it's gonna be okay. Flash. Don't worry about this?"
"How can I not worry about it, princess?"
"Don't be toooo nosy." She poked him on the nose, giggling. "Besides, we can get those charms and bottle caps without needing to steal them."
"Heh. Yeah right. Like we're ever gonna get sum'thn for free." Tupp let out a slight scoff.
"You don't need to do it. I'll do it." Flurry Heart stood up, showing Pokedollars in her saddlebag. "Mom and dad gave me a bunch. Just in case."
"You'll seriously get it for us?" Rapp asked.
"Mhm. And I'll get you all something you might like. Be right back!" Flurry Heart flapped her wings, soaring over as she left Flash Sentry and the Team Skull Trio on their own.
Flash and the trio looked at each other with less than pleasing eyes. Clearly, there was some animosity around them. One was identical to a police officer or a sheriff of some sort while the others were troublemakers, delinquents but not quite villains. Team Skull certainly isn't the most dangerous team out there compared to Rocket and Plasma.
Although, there is one team out there less dangerous than them.
"That pony princess of yours ain't too bad to be around," Tupp spoke. "With some working around, she could go well with Team Skull. Maybe."
"There's no chance Princess Flurry Heart will be a member of your team. If she comes back as a delinquent to the empire then..." Flash began thinking of what Shining Armor and Cadence would think of this in his head.
He imagined Flurry Heart wearing a pony styled Team Skull outfit while sitting around other members. He even imagined what she would say. "This town is ours, ya hear?!"
Flash also thought of the reaction of her parents. How it would rebound onto Flurry Heart and himself. Especially with his position as a soldier.
"My daughter's a delinquent now! Where did we go wrong?!" Cadence started weeping, using Sylveon's ribbons as tissues while Shining Armor shook his head.
"Flash Sentry. You're demoted. Fired. Get lost." Shining Armor said as Flash had his armour taken away in a flash. In his head, he started screaming before snapping back to reality.
"No way! It won't happen!" Flash shook his head.
"That's why I said maybe, duh. She's way too successful to be a part of Team Skull. But if she messed up a bunch, then she'd fit right in." said Tupp.
"Hah! Well, good luck with that." Flash crossed his hooves while leaning back on a rock. "If you must know, Princess Flurry Heart was born with latent magical potential. And also as Equestria's first baby alicorn. She's too powerful and important to fail. If anything, she'd make you all look bad and herself better."
"Oh yeah? Bet you ain't hot stuff either!" Tupp stood up as Flash ascended with both of their heads clashing. "You compensating for something with that gold armour, big shot?!"
"The gold armour was an accident. But at least it looks better than that tacky getup you have on!" Flash snapped back.
"How about we have round two right now? This time, we'll win! No one disses our style and gets away with it!" Tupp growled as Rapp and Zipp stood up.
"Any time!" Flash held out his Poke Ball. "I was going easy on you two away!"
"I'm back!" But interrupting the potential scuffle was the princess herself as she showed up with teleportation. "And I got goodies!"
With her, not only did she buy the charms and bottle caps, hoards of them, she also brought something for everyone, holding these items with her magic. She gave the charms and caps to the trio first. "Here. With how much money I had, these were pretty cheap."
"Yo is she for real?!" Tupp gasped after looking at the charm and caps. "I can actually get my Salandit to be better than ever with this...I can even get a new and better partner too!"
"Same here!" Rapp gawked.
"Oh, there's also this for you, Rapp. I know how much you like cute things. I can't be your pet but..." Flurry Heart then brought out one of the many plushies of the Mane 6. She had given her a Fluttershy plush to keep.
"Oh!" Rapp immediately grabbed the plush hugging it. "I don't know what pony this one is but it's so cute!"
"Zipp. I wasn't sure what to get you, so have a go at these. Some of these are for your Garbodor." Flurry Heart gave Zipp some Ultra Balls and a bag full of Poison Barbs and Black Sludges. Items that can benefit Poison-Types.
"No way!" Zipp gaze at the items. "Garbodor's gonna be indestructible with these! Oh, thanks, princess!"
"You ain't too bad, my little pony." Tupp held the charm up. "Guess being all goody-two-shoes has its perks."
"You got that right, bro." Rapp nodded.
"Wait. What about me?" Flash felt left out. "Don't I get something, princess?"
"Well, you didn't ask for anything, Flash. But don't worry. I thought about it either way. Plus, this is for everyone. Tadah!" Flurry Heart had then revealed the most famous food in all of Alola.
The Malasada.
"Malasadas for everyone! I got to have a fee sample and they were gooood! I had to buy a bunch for everyone!" She then showed multiple bags of malasada. "Eat up!"
"Geez, she's stacked with cash ain't she?" Zipp uttered.
"Benefits us, so I ain't complaining." Tupp took the malasada before removing his mask. So did Rapp and Zipp.
"Sorry if it's not too important, Flash. I didn't have time to think of something neat that you would want." Flurry apologized before eating the malasada. "If it makes you feel better, I can make or get you something back home."
"It's fine, princess." Flash shook his head. "I'm just surprised that you decided to help these grunts out. Guess you have your mother's kindness, don't you?"
"Well, it wasn't easy." She chuckled. "I mean, I didn't have my parents arund for years when they were turned to stone. I had to learn some stuff on my own when I was a teenager and all that. Even if I'm not that big of a ruler back in my original universe, I'm still the Princess of Love either way. That much won't change. And I won't change it for my parents' sake. My real ones. I can't wait until one day, we can free them."
"And we'll help you on that, day princess," said Flash. "I promise that we'll find your parents and revert them out of their stone status."
"Thanks, Flash. Say. The Grand Galloping Gala's coming up in just two weeks. How's that dancing going?"
"Uh, decent. I'm still not great at it. Maye I wasn't fit to be a dancer." Flash grumbled while FLurry Heart chuckled.
"You ain't a dancer? This I gotta see. Come on, get to dancing already." Tupp asked.
"No way. I can't let anyone see me in that form." Flash hid his face behind the malasada. "Can we leave soon, princess before that happens?"
"Only 4 more hours to go!" She whistled while devouring the malasada whole. "We'll come back here tomorrow! O the day after that. Either works. Next time. Can I meet your boss, Guzma?"
"Ey, ey, ey. Ya can't just casually meet the boss. He's a busy guy, training us and all that. But we'll see if we can do something." Tupp shrugged.
"Works for me! Come on, Flash! Let's finish up here!"
A sort of mutual yet growing relationship had been made with the members of Team Skull. While they may be delinquents, they are certainly fun to be around at times. Especially with Flurry Heart only amplifying that. Flash, not so much. This won't be the last time they meet each other. Whether tomorrow or the day after that. New unexpected friendships will be formed always as the journey continues.
Chapter 556 End.