//------------------------------// // Your own cruel style // Story: My Little Pokémon // by Amarvax //------------------------------// Kalos. Shalour City. The Pokemon Festival.Afternoon. "Hello, Shalour!" Arriving at Shalour City as a part of their wide long road trip were the sirens. From the Dazzlings to their mother. And of course, tagging along with them was Paul, who got out after everyone else. "We still haven't found any other siren yet." Aria groaned. This was still a trip to find the remaining sirens who were potentially still around since Vivace had been found. "This sucks. How far did they get?" "They did always love to move around," VIvace added. "But I haven't lost faith either. Neither should both of you. Plus, we get to see so many amazing sights here, don't we?" "I'm starting to think they're messing with us." Adagio sighed after leaving the van. "They would try and find us too, wouldn't they? They're smart enough to know those portals weren't harmful." "Chin up." But Vivace was there to give her hope. "They can't hide forever. If they do, I'll eventually find them and give them a good smack on the head." "Forever means never mother but great encouragement." Adagio shrugged, looking to her mother's optimism, which she never lost, as opposed to Adagio who kept losing optimism as things worsened for her. "Did you smell that?" Immediately, something caught Sonata's attention. The scent of food. Brownies. That piping hot chocolate scent was potent to anyone that so happened to be near it. That involved Aria. "That's pretty effective...!" Aria shuddered before smiling, being on the same wavelength as Sonata. "Nice." Attracted to the scent of brownies, the two of them fixated on the nearby food stand. Ran by Team Rocket, of course. As for Paul, he was still set on his goal of practising to become a Gym Leader. A stupendous one. All Gym Leaders, though they can be defeated by upstart trainers, are always holding back their true strength with certain Pokemon on their team. For Paul, holding back wasn't an option. Going all out was what mattered to him the most. At least, the old Paul thought that. While he still doesn't go easy on his opponent, he at least knows how to dial things back thanks to the years that have passed "Shalour City's Gym Leader. Korrina." Paul obviously gathered information about the Gym Leaders he faced and would soon face. For Shalour, it would be Korrina. "She has Mega Evolution on her side and this is the place where Mega Evolution was apparently birthed." "Is battling all you think about?" Adagio came close to him, glancing at Paul's sheet. "You're probably as battle-hungry as Ash." "I just enjoy battling, okay?" Paul replied. "Nothing wrong with that. It's a strong passion just like how you and your sisters love singing." "Hm. Fair enough. But how come we have to stop by certain spots just to have you battle someone? We came on this for a goal, after all. And in a split-second, you showed up and added filler to it." "Blame your sisters, not me. Besides, you're not upset about this at all. You're enjoying moving around this much. Probably the most exciting thing about this, no doubt. "No way!" Adagio protested, pulling back after Paul's statement. "Don't joke like that!" "You can't hide it from me. If you weren't enjoying this, you'd probably go rogue or just scowl the whole way through. And plus, now you've got another goal in mind. And that's having Kricketot evolve into Kricketune. Finally." "Tch. Yeah, you're right." Adagio growled as Paul saw right through her. "That last one is very true too." "Kricketot!" Speaking of Kricketot, popping out of Adagio's large mane, he was too excited to reach his evolution eventually. Then, his music could be elevated to new heights. "Hang on...you're the one who helped Aria with her Pokemon. Well, mainly her Brionne. You're going to do the same for me. Help me evolve Kricketot since you're such an expert." Adagio demanded that Paul helped her evolve Kricketot at once, knowing how much he helped Aria. "Can't do it yourself? I would've thought Princess Celestia's student would've figured it out solo." Just then, Paul decided to joke around, smirking as that instantly made Adagio twitch. "Guess not." "I could do it by myself!" Adagio grabbed an unphased Paul by his shirt, shaking him with fangs baring. Once again, Paul managed to rile her up. "I can do many things on my own! There are complications, okay?!" "Evolution isn't complicated. Not for your Kricketot." Paul replied, further agitating Adagio Dazzle. "But in all honesty, since you're so confident in yourself, you'd do the best to evolve Kricketot with what you have. You should keep that confidence for when you're helping him." "Well...yeah, that's a good idea." Adagio released Paul after he passed on some advice. "And I am confident that I could do it alone. It's just that...you know, compared to everyone else, I'm not heavy into Pokemon." "Even after these 3 years with them? Shocking. But, you wouldn't be the first to be stumped like this. You have a lot of catching up to do or maybe seeing your sisters in action can get you up to speed." "Hm. You might be right." Adagio then turned to her sisters, who she has been watching for a long time now. Aside from how they were waiting in line to get some of those brownies, all of their battles, mainly Aria's, were perfect to learn from. And Adagio could certainly learn. "Come to think of it...didn't your sisters mention how you made it far in that Canterlot Tournament? You have an Ultra Beast and everything. Why not use what you performed there?" "That was a one-time thing and the only time I used a Pokemon in battle. Besides, I'm never using that Pokemon again. Pheromosa's too dangerous, so I left her Poke Ball at Canterlot under royal protection." The older sister replied. "Seems like a missed opportunity. Giving up on Pheromosa because she's dangerous." Paul had to disagree with that choice. "That was the best option you could've had?" "What else was I supposed to do? Ghetsis was the one who lent me that Pokemon and she was just as dangerous as him. You should've seen what she did back at that tournament. Well, that was only because I was in control at that time." "Exactly why it was a mistake," Paul added. "How? Are you telling me you'd try and keep her around?" Adagio chuckled, thinking that Paul was crazy for potentially wanting such a dangerous Pokemon on his side. "Judging from what you said and what your sisters told me, that Pheromosa was just like you. Despite how dangerous she was, you controlled it in battle, didn't you? A bad experience with how she acts is what makes you give her up?" Paul continued, walking up to the brownie stand. "If you ask me, Pheromosa could've been along for the journey this whole time. Giving up on her like that...even if it's a Pokemon from Ghetsis, there was something there." "Are you trying to say there was a bond?" Adagio followed. "Not yet. But if that Pokemon helped you through the tournament..." Paul stopped in his tracks, facing Adagio. "Then you've got someone you can count on. But now, she's not here." "!" It hit Adagio. Her fears of Pheromosa forced her to keep the Ultra Beast confiscated. Thanks to Paul's words, Adagio gained a new realization. All this time, she could've kept Pheromosa around. But instead of fearing her, Adagio could've come to an understanding with her. Indeed, Paul could connect similarities with Pheromosa and Adagio because of this. What was stopping Adagio from continuing her team up with Pheromosa when she was perfectly listening to her? "You're right." Adagio lowered her head. "But...that was because of Ghetsis. He ordered her to team up with me. I doubt even Pheromosa's brave enough to disobey someone like Ghetsis. Who's to say if she was doing it because we were working well together?" She brought along some doubts. "Your sisters described you as their second role model, only behind your mom. Not exactly giving those vibes at all. If you wanna think that, then sure. But is that gonna stop you from making it a reality? If so...then that's pathetic." "Kricketot!" Kricketot was here to encourage Adagio. He believed in her after all. He witnessed each of Adagio's battles with Pheromosa. "Tot!" The Kricket Pokemon knew that Adagio had the passionate skills to battle. He saw it all. "Kricketot?" Adagio looked up before holding her hands out, prompting Kricketot to jump into them. She looked the Kricketot Pokemon dead in the eyes, seeing his passionate and blazing spirit within them. "Duh. You've always believed in me for what I can do. Even taking Pokemon Battling aside..." "Don't let the smaller guy beat you out in determination." Paul taunted while also encouraging her. "That's not like you at all." "Kricketot and I are equals! But I won't lose my determination. I'm already determined to find the other sirens, wherever they may be. So, I'll pour the rest of it into everything else. From Krickett evolving...to getting Pheromosa back." Just what Paul wanted to hear. In the end, he ended up helping her after all. Paul has his own ways of helping others. Whether it was via physical action or verbal action. He had a certain someone from Kanto to thank for this. And it didn't take long for Adagio to realize this. "Hey! You just..." She paused for a moment after pointing at her. "I can't believe I got myself riled up like that because of you. How embarrassing..." "It is what it is. Now, I'm starving." Paul switched the subject before waiting for his turn t grab some brownies. Adagio did feel stumped that Paul beat her out in a clash of words. Wouldn't be the first this has happened to her. Adagio's face turned a bit red afterwards as compared to all the times she's been outplayed, this was somehow the least infuriating one, prompting her to blush with annoyance. But some respect toward Paul had been earned by Adagio. It wasn't there in the beginning but now it truly was after the words he shared and the way he encouraged her. "What took you so long?" Sonata said to Paul and soon Adagio, who walked over. "You could've run out of brownies with how good they are." "You can keep eating them. Kricketot and I are gonna be busy. But save some for me." At this point, Adagio was ready to help Kricketot reach where he wanted to be. A Kricketune. "It's for when he becomes a Kricketune." "Head to that beach them. That looks nice and open for you to use." Aria suggested before seeing a flare of electricity shoot up, grabbing the attention of the others. "Or...maybe not." "Hm. That could be Korrina." Paul's attention was fully grabbed by this. From his research, he knew that Korrina loved to train. And that right there could be the perfect sign of her. Shalour Seaside. 6 minutes ago. Alas, that was not the case. Instead, the only ones here were Nightmare Moon and all of Luna's Pokemon, who were now Nightmare Moon's Pokemon. However, the only way for them to work alongside her is to see if she had the skills to battle alongside them. Luna did but could the same be said for Nightmare Moon who was tragic when it came to cooking as seen by those shortbread biscuits back at the Team Rocket Food Stand. "I-I can most certainly battle!" Nightmare Moon proudly stood up. "What kind of question is that, Darkrai? Honestly, you should just accept what I can already do." "Not that kind of battle. A Pokemon Battle. You don't have Luna's battling skills. I can tell." Darkrai replied, stunning Nightmare Moon. "If we're gonna work together to get Luna back, we'll need a capable trainer. You're the closest we have to Luna so you'll do." "Hmph! Fine. I can adopt her skills no matter what!" Nightmare Moon accepted Darkrai's challenge. "In fact...I'll declare a battle right here, right now. You there! Kangaroo!" "Breloom?" Breloom noticed that Nightmare Moon was pointing at him, referring to him as a kangaroo, which he certainly resembled with his stance. "You shall do battle with..." Nightmare Moon then moved her hoof around, trying to figure out who was perfect for Breloom to go up against. "That lion." "Manectric?" Manectric was Nightmare Moon's second decision as he and Breloom looked at each other. "Yes, yes! This battle will do perfectly! Watch and learn, Darkrai. You'll see that I was always fit to take charge and lead. Especially in battle." The alicorn proudly trotted over to Breloom's side. "You will battle with me, Kangaroo." "Breloom..." Breloom wasn't too sure about this at all. Nightmare Moon may look proud and powerful, but the Grass-Fighting-Type feared the worst when it came to taking charge in a battle. "Fine then." Darkrai and the other Pokemon backed away. "Let's see what you can do. Don't go overboard though." "Manectric!" "This will be simple. Kangaroo. Run along and combat that lion for me." Nightmare Moon ordered, confusing Breloom. He was expecting a command for any of his moves but Nightmare Moon simply told him to just head on and do whatever he wanted. "Loom?" "Go on. Attack already!" "Not how it works," Darkrai added, shaking his head in disapproval. "You do know everything about Luna. So say a command and that will work." "Ah, right! The commands! I knew that. Kangaroo! Use...Eh..." Another roadblock. Nightmare Moon pouted, looking to the ground before failing to make a dramatic command. "Now what?" Darkrai sighed. "I seem to lack the knowledge of this one's moves. What were they again? Just to be sure I am correct!" She tried playing it up like she knew already, pretending to test everyone's knowledge. "G-Gliscor!" Gliscor chuckled while Darkrai facepalmed. While Darkrai was embarrassed by this, Gliscor found this to be hilarious. Meanwhile, Aurorus was in the corner, moping and thinking about Luna. She even drew her face in the sand with her leg. "Use the Pokedex please..." Darkrai groaned, being the one who was guiding Nightmare Moon in all of this. "Ah! That voice machine! Right, right!" Quickly, Nightmare Moon held out Luna's Pokedex, removing it from her saddlebag. This made things easier to figure out what Breloom's moves were. "Breloom. The Mushroom Pokemon. Drain Punch. Seed Bomb. Substitute. Stone Edge." The Pokedex read out. "Many thanks, Voice in the Machine!" Nightmare Moon grinned, knowing how she wanted to start it off. "This looks promising. Kangaroo! I demand that you use Drain Punch at once!" "Loom? Breloom!" Breloom would take it. It was an aggressive tone but it would have to do. By covering his hands in an orange energy, Breloom approached Manectric, expecting his teammate to retaliate in some way. "Mane!" Manectric did. By using Wild Charge of course. He would intercept Breloom's Drain Punch with an aura of electricity. The two of them then clashed with Drain Punch and Wild Charge meeting. An equal encounter as both of them moved back with Manectric receiving recoil damage. Darkrai wasn't too impressed. That was standard battling that anyone could pull off. He was waiting to see if she could show the skills that Luna possessed. "I just have to battle like her. How do I do so?" Nightmare Moon even thought the same thing. "Hmph. I shall figure it out naturally. Use that attack again!" "Bre!" Breloom would go in for another Drain Punch, lunging in. Manectric ended up zipping to the side instead of intercepting the attack. Breloom's Drain Punch missed, causing him to whiff. "Manec!" Manectric then looked over at Darkrai for a bit. He and Darkrai understood each other from this distance, nodding in unison. They knew something. "Hah? Why did you stop?! If it runs, then keep attacking!" Nightmare Moon bellowed. "Drain Punch!" "Breloom!" Breloom would go in for another Drain Punch. However, upon going for a second Drain Punch, Manectric would continue to evade, this time jumping over Breloom. "Loom?" "Slippery little feline...! Again! Do not stop until you land your mark!" "Breloom! Bre!" It would be a continuous swing from Breloom, who tried hitting Manectric. But with each swing, Manectric only managed to further evade. Whether it was zipping to the side, swerving around Breloom or even performing another leap, Manectric would continue to dodge successfully. He would even use Wild Charge to move around faster without hitting Breloom, not suffering any recoil damage in the end. "This is ridiculous!" Nightmare Moon, reasonably aggravated, roared while pulling her mane. "This is not a battle! All that lion is doing is running around! Is it a scaredy-cat?! What is this?!" "That's because Luna's batting style isn't so simple," Darkrai said. "What you're doing...is comparable to a Youngster." "I beg your pardon?! Are you saying that my attacks are that of a child?! How dare you?!" "You should know how Luna does it. She has her own style to it. Sometimes, she'll keep it basic but most of the time, much like the rest of her friends, it's about getting creative. You can be aggressive but only if you know what you're doing. I highly doubt you know what you're doing." "You think I don't know that?! I'm trying to battle like her!" Nightmare Moon groaned, already showing signs of frustration just from failing to overcome this battle. She wasn't making a good impression on all the Pokemon here. "But..." "Then don't battle like her." Suddenly, advice had been passed down to Nightmare Moon. From the top of this seaside, everyone looked over to the source of this voice. It was Paul. "I beg your pardon?" Nightmare Moon said to him. Darkrai wondered if this Trainer had been watching this entire time. He certainly had the right words to respond to Nightmare Moon's outcry. "Don't battle like someone you're not. That's pathetic." Disappointed, Paul shook his head. He expected to encounter Korrina here. But instead, he got something else. Something that brought him down. "P-Pathetic?! Watch your tongue boy! Do you have any idea who I am?!" "Not a great trainer, that's what." Paul snapped back at Nightmare Moon, stunning her. "If you battle like someone you're not...you're never gonna get anywhere. You look like you battled in the past before Pokemon came into your life, didn't you?" "I-I did, obviously!" "Then use that. Battle in the way that fits you. Not a style from someone else. Those who mimic other styles are bound to fall flat and fail in every way. They'll never know how that trainer truly feels and gets in the spirit of things. Unless you use a style that you can work with and become stronger with that." Paul advised. "I don't know who he is, but he's right," Darkrai added, going along with it. "Trying to battle like Luna and thinking about what she does will never work. It's why Manectric's been dodging this whole time." "I...!" Nightmare Moon attempted to find the perfect reply, but there wasn't anything at the moment. "Your Breloom feels the same way. Look at it." Paul then nudged his head in the direction of Breloom who sat down, lowering his head in disappointment. "What's worse is that it's a Fighting-Type. To Breloom, this is one of the worst ways to battle." "Breloom." That much was true. Breloom was not used to this at all. But, the Mushroom Pokemon could cut her some slack. This was Nightmare Moon's first battle after all. "My way of battling." Those words reached Nightmare Moon. She wasn't immune to taking advice from others. It started with Jessie, then Darkrai and now Paul. She had to find her way of battling. There was only one way to do so. And it was only her that could make it possible. Granted, these were still Luna's Pokemon and therefore, they have certain skills they were already accustomed to. "Oh, but what's the point?" Nightmare Moon sighed. "These are Luna's Pokemon. Though we may be the same just separate...they've grown and gained experience of their own. How am I to utilize that experience?" "What's stopping you?" Came Paul's voice once again as he slid down the hill, reaching Nightmare Moon and the others. "It doesn't matter what the Pokemon is...you're gonna learn from them just like how they'll learn from you. Unless you're too afraid to do that." "Me?! Afraid! Ridiculous!" Nightmare Moon stomped her hoof. "I will show there is nothing I cannot succeed at! Watch me closely, boy!" "I'm watching." Smirking, Paul sat down, wanting to see what Nightmare Moon could bring to the table. Riling her up just like how he riled Adagio up was effective. That seemed to be Paul's best mental strategy. "Once more! I command you to use Drain Punch!" "Bre! Breloom!" Yet again, Breloom would use Drain Punch. But this time, he was hoping that Nightmare Moon could make a difference. Another lunge and potentially another evasion for Manectric. And that's exactly what happened. Manectric would move to the side yet again. "I see you!" Nightmare Moon's eyes flashed, locking onto Manectric. She had enough of his dodging antics and wanted to throw him off immediately. There was only one way of doing so. "Strike the sand at once!" "Loom!" Breloom knew what Nightmare Moon was going for. By using Drain Punch, he struck the sand, sending it towards Manectric with the right amount of force. "Mane?!" Manectric gasped before then receiving sand in his eyes. Just as Nightmare Moon planned. "M-Manectric!" With sand in his eyes, Manectric's vision had been obscured. "Hmph! Dodge this! Stone Edge!" "Bre...Loom!" Breloom could finally use a new attack. By stomping his leg, giant crystals emerged from the ground while Manectric was currently trying to get sand out of his eyes. But this would only guarantee a direct hit. "Mane!" Manectric was struck by the crystals, unable to defend himself. Nightmare Moon as growing fast because of this. All that talk abut being a prodigy wasn't an exaggeration. A large part of Luna was within her. Paul wasn't too impressed. He was waiting to see what she could bring to the table. And judging by the sand tactic combined with her aggressive personality, Paul had a good idea as to what Nightmare Moon could do next. "Huzzah! See?! I can do anything when I put my mind to it!" Nightmare Moon cackled. "Now, hit those rocks into its mouth!" "Bre?" Breloom had to take some time to think about what he just heard, facing the alicorn. "Just do it!" "Loom!" Breloom went for it. By using the crystals of Stone Edge, he sent some of the rocks flying in Manectric's direction while he still had sand in his eyes. The moment Manectric got back up, he was met with rocks in his mouth. His eyes widened, dropping some of the sand before feeling something enter his mouth. "T-Tric?!" "So...she likes to play dirty." Just like that, Paul discovered what Nightmare Moon's style was. Playing dirty. From the sand to the eyes and the rubble in the mouth, she was all about messing up her opponent. This type of style mirrored that of a Dark-Type Specialist. But unlike a Dark-Type Specialist, Nightmare Moon used the environment to mess with her opponents rather than the attacks themselves. Not only like Breloom had any attacks for that. This was the style of battling that she adjusted herself to instantly. It was cruel but it was her personal style. "Now! Smack it silly! Drain Punch!" "Breloom! Loom! Loom!" Breloom would take advantage of this. Manectric was coughing and rubbing his eyes at the same time, unable to fight back. Thus, Breloom slugged his friend multiple times with consecutive hits. "Excellent! You won't be evading anymore! You would dare run this entire battle? This is your punishment! Finish it with Seed Bomb!" "Bre...!" Breloom would hold his hands in front of Manectric, who was completely staggered at this point. By gathering the power of nature, Breloom formed a seed. Instantly, that seed combusted. A green explosion went off, launching Manectric who ended up rolling in the sand. Everyone watched in awe once Manectric stopped rolling. He came to an immediate stop, bumping into the nearby hill. That assault ended up doing the trick. Just like that, Nightmare Moon managed to impress Darkrai. Manectric was down and out. He had fainted. "Manectric..." "Spiral eyes...That means...Victory is mine!" Nightmare Moon cackled once noticing Manectric fainted. "See?! Nothing I can't do! I've mastered battling already. Then, I shall master the Art of Cooking! And then the world!" "Not bad." Paul had to pay his respects. That was indeed impressive. He saw what he needed to see. He only came here for Korrina and she wasn't here. Not even the presence of Darkrai was enough to make him stay around. "Well, she did it." Darkrai nodded. "Those aren't Luna's skills but there's something there. I hate to admit but she might be of great help actually." "Ah...That felt good. Hold it there, boy!" The alicorn halted Paul, grabbing his attention. "Ahem. For your assistance...I hereby declare you a part of my group! A Trainer of such experience as yourself would be a valuable asset to my group!" "Pass." "Pass?!" Nightmare Moon lost her balance, dropping to the ground after Paull rejected her offer, walking off. It wasn't even something he thought to ponder about. It was instant. "I already have my own group. I don't need another." Paul was off to reunite with the sirens, who he was tagging along with, much to the chagrin of Nightmare Moon. "Good luck though." "Ooh...But he would've been amazing." Dissappointed, Nightmare Moon twiddled her hooves, visibly upset by this. "You have us though." Darkrai flew over as he was joined by all of Luna's Pokemon. Breloom, being the friend that he was, helped Manectric back up, apologizing for getting sand in his eyes and rubble in his mouth which the Electric-Type ended up coughing out. It was simply just Nightmare Moon's order. "We're coming. Not like we could've left with the Poke Balls around." "S-So then...I hae earned your respect? Is that what I am hearing?" "Anything to find Luna. We just want her back. Consider this our alliance." Deciding to help Nightmare Moon, Darkrai held out his claw. Nightmare Moon looked around, seeing all the Pokemon smile at her. It was somewhat unnerving for Nightmare Moon, having so many smies face her. She was used to the exact opposite as a friendly aura flew her way, making her twitch. "V-Very well. Let this be an amazing group." She returned the favour to Darkrai, shaking with him. The alliance had been formed. Although, not all of Luna's Pokemon gathered around her. Only Aurorus was there, still upset about Luna being away from her. But right now, the mission was to find her. And with the assistance of Luna's Pokemon, Nightmare Moon's group did eventually grow. Not in the way that she expected but it worked perfectly in her favour. It was back to the food stand and back to the mission as the journey continues. Chapter 897 End.