Pokémon: X-traordinary

by Speven Dillberg

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

“Gabby, we’re meant to be getting their trust. Not scaring them into letting us out.”

That always surprises me, Daphne noted calmly, watching as Xavier paced around their little house. She’s so sweet and polite and before you know it she’s threatening to knock over buildings.

I am right here, Gabrielle replied, shooting a look at the Delphox. And I didn’t say anything. All I did was inform this ‘Luna’ of some of our accomplishments.

“Oh for the love of…” Xavier put his face in his hands. “You told her about the Creation Trio? Really?”

Gabby, I swear you’re smarter than this, Daphne said, sounding a little perturbed. Isn’t it Luca’s job to be all scary like that?

The Gardevoir looked at the ground in shame. I… I admit that I let my emotions get the better of me. I was still upset about Cadenza accusing Xavier of enslaving us. I wanted to reinforce the idea that he did no such thing, I just went overboard.

Xavier sighed. “Gabby, I appreciate the thought, I really do, but - “

BOOOOM!

“What was that?” he asked as the building shook.

it sounded like one of Luca’s aura spheres.

“That’s what I was worried about…” Xavier opened the door and looked outside. “Oh for the love of Arceus!”

He watched as Luca soared through the air, an arm pulled back as he prepared to throw a punch. He watched on as Amp jumped out of the way and spat a beam of crackling electricity, saturating the area in sparks.

They’re really going at it, Daphne commented as Luca left a crater when he tried to hit Amp with a blast of force.

Xavier just growled and waded into the fight. “Enough!” His voice, and the fact that he had almost walked right into the path of a thunderbolt, were enough to stop the pair. But it didn’t stop Luca from complaining, letting out a huff of irritation. “Look, I get that, I do, but this is not the time or place. We need to show them that we’re not going to destroy a city.” He surveyed the damage they had caused. “And leaving craters in the ground is not helping our case.”

He’s right, y’know, Daphne added. After Gabby scared them with stories, the last thing we need is to give them tangible evidence. She rolled her eyes at Luca when he growled something in response. Breaking down the shield does not help us, you idiot. I don’t even know if we can, she added after a brief pause.

“No, Amp, you can’t find out if you can,” Xavier replied, rolling his eyes. “What did Daphne just say?”

There was a dull roar from behind them, and the sound of running water. They all turned to see Blaster filling the crater with water from his shell cannons, before wading in and letting out a contented sigh. “Well at least someone’s enjoying themselves.” Blaster just let out a happy ‘mrrrghl’ in reply.

Well, at least we can say that Luca made the hole because Blaster wanted a pool, Daphne pointed out. The baths here are nowhere near big enough for him, after all.

“And how’re we gonna explain the explosions and the lightning?” Xavier asked.

Creative remodelling? Gabrielle asked, stepping out of the building. Okay, that was bad, she admitted when Xavier gave her a flat stare.

“I can’t imagine anyone who would buy that excuse.”

Somewhere far away, a pink pony sneezed.

“And aren’t those ponies that brought us here still in here with us?” he added.

The Pokémon blinked. I… I actually forgot about them completely, Daphne mumbled.

They have spent the whole time holed up on the other side of the dome, Gabrielle pointed out.

“I wonder why...” Xavier mused to himself with a frown. “You didn’t go and scare them as well, did you Gabby?”

She let out an aggravated sigh. I didn’t even mean to the first time. If anything, Daphne did that when she came out spitting fire at Princess Cadenza.

When she throws around those kinds of accusations, I’ll start throwing fire in response, the Delphox replied, sticking her nose into the air. At least I have the decency to appear dangerous. I don’t look as fragile as an ice sculpture.

“Girls, now is not the time for this,” Xavier said, interrupting their argument. He pushed them away from each other. “What we should be worried about is - ”

Excuse me?

“Who was that?” he asked, his train of thought violently derailed.

That’s one of the other princesses, Luna, Gabrielle explained. We should go.

I’m coming! Daphne exclaimed. I want to get an apology out of Cadenza.

“We don’t even know if she’ll be there,” Xavier pointed out. “And if you try and burn it out of her, I’ll have Blaster hydro pump you.”

Oh not that, it takes ages to get my fur to dry properly. I’ll look like a walking pom-pom!

---

“Are you sure about this, auntie?”

“Cadance, you apologising is probably the only way we can truly regain their trust,” Luna pointed out.

“I don’t like this,” the pink alicorn muttered.

“It’s not about what you like, Cadance, but what has to be done. I would like to bring down a plague on the noble houses of Canterlot in the hope that the intelligent ones survive, but you don’t hear me complaining about not being able to.”

Twilight stood a little off to the side, deep in thought. She had only seen two of the aliens, the ones named Gabrielle and Xavier. She had only heard vague descriptions of the rest and, while she was eager to see them as well, couldn’t help but worry. If their claims were right, then they were about to let half a dozen beings with destructive capabilities to rival Discord free.

“We need to get them to agree to be peaceful,” she said suddenly. Cadance and Luna looked at her “I don’t know how much good it’ll do,” she admitted, “but it’ll put a lot of minds at ease, and we can use it as grounds to enforce good behaviour.”

Luna smiled. “Quite the politician, Twilight. My sister was wise in choosing you as her personal student.”

Twilight glowed at the praise. “I admit that it’s a start, but it still won’t be enough,” Cadance interjected. “Ponies will either flock to them, trapping and potentially scaring them, or flee, hurting their feelings. Both could be disastrous.”

“True. And like we discussed earlier, a permanent guard presence could be even worse,” Luna said. “Maybe a single guard, a unicorn that could learn the telepathy required to communicate with them effectively?”

“That’s a good idea,” Twilight agreed. “But it’ll be better if we have a volunteer rather than someone ordered to be around them. A volunteer would likely be friendlier and more willing to help.”

“True.” Luna raised a hoof when she saw them approaching. “Shh, here they come.” She glanced at Twilight. “And remember, don’t bombard them with questions until we know they are willing to cooperate.”

Hello, the serene voice of Gabrielle said. It is nice to see you again. Behind her, the fox-like being scowled.

As it is to see you, Luna replied, nodding her head respectfully.

So, why are you here?

Luna couldn’t help but frown a little at her tone. Several reasons. The tests we performed indicate that you aren’t a threat to us, at least in terms of viruses or disease. I’ll have to ask our scientists if we are simply immune or completely incompatible, but you and the ponies in quarantine can now be released. She glanced at Twilight, who nodded. The purple alicorn’s horn glowed briefly as the barrier faded from view.

The alicorns ducked when the giant bird took to the sky and let out a terrifying screech. They watched as it rose up past the clouds before swooping back down, landing next to Xavier. When he started petting it they calmed down.

We’re sorry about Razor, he doesn’t take to captivity well, Gabrielle said as Xavier began to rub Razor’s neck and coo soothingly. You said you were here for several reasons. You’ve already explained one, but what are the others?

The alicorns were quiet for a moment before Luna shot Cadance an annoyed look and nudged her out in front with a hoof.

I... I um... Cadenza stuttered before shaking her head. Gabrielle, I would like to apologize on behalf of both the Crystal Empire and myself for the atrocious slander that I labeled both you and your... master with. She paused for a moment before continuing. It was wrong of me, and... I should not have acted without knowledge of the full situation.

Daphne’s expression changed suddenly. Why, if I may ask, she said, looking at the pink alicorn curiously, were you so adamant that we were slaves?

Until quite recently, the Crystal Empire, where you are now, was under the command of a tyrant who enslaved the populace.

Oh. She turned away and grimaced. Then let me apologise for letting my temper get the best of me. I should have realised you would not have made such accusations without good reason.

Cadance looked around nervously. Yes, well, it doesn’t help that my -

“CADANCE!” They all turned to the source of the voice to see a white stallion galloping at full speed towards them. Xavier and his Pokémon tensed up, but Cadance smiled widely and let him tackle her. Before they even hit the ground they were kissing, deeply.

Oh, Gabrielle said as she watched them move in ways she didn’t know quadrupeds could. I guess her behaviour is excusable…

“Argh!” Twilight screamed, looking away with a disgusted look on her face. “Shiny, Cadance, I’m right here!”

“Please, you two, return to the castle,” Luna said, rolling her eyes. “We can take care of things from here.”

Shining and Cadance looked up from their embrace, and realized that everyone was staring at them.

“Um yes, right, the castle,” Shining said with an awkward nod. “Paperwork, err, laws. Yes, paperwork, sweet sweet paperwork.”

“Yes. Paperwork, sweet sweaty paper-”

“Did they just use ‘paperwork’ as code for ‘sex’?” Twilight asked, putting a hoof to her mouth as the pair disappeared with a flash of light.

Well that happened, Daphne noted.

Err... yes, yes it did, Luna said, shaking her head. Our apologies…

Oh, no, don’t. I’ve seen it before. There was this one time when Gabrielle was separated from Xavier for a week. When they saw each other again she used her telekinesis to -

We agreed to never discuss that! Gabrielle shouted, making everyone wince. Besides, it was no worse then when you and-

I didn’t know you enjoyed third-degree burns, Daphne snarled, her hackles raised as she pulled a stick from up her sleeve.

Xavier sighed. Although he was puzzled by what Gabrielle had been about to say, he ignored it and stepped between them, once again forcing the two apart. He shot Luna an apologetic half-smile and shrugged slightly.

Back to the matter at hoof, the elder alicorn said uneasily, there is one more thing to discuss. She cleared her throat. Before we are comfortable letting you move freely in our lands, we wish to ensure that you will not harm any of our citizens.

Gabrielle turned to look at Xavier, who quickly said something. We will not attack anyone unless it is in self-defense. Even then we will only subdue them and ensure that their injuries are non-life threatening.

Luna and Twilight scowled a little. It wasn’t what they wanted, but they knew it was as close as they were going to get. That will be acceptable. We will also be assigning you with an escort. They will act as a guide and translator, as many of our ponies are unused to the idea of someone talking inside their heads.

That seems acceptable, Gabrielle nodded. It wouldn’t hurt to learn more of this place, until Arceus decides we’ve spent enough time here.

Umm… They all turned to look at the other alicorn, Twilight Sparkle. Could I ask you a few questions? she asked.

Gabrielle noted that her telepathic voice was shaky, as though she was new to this. I suppose it couldn’t hurt, she said calmly, not knowing just what she had agreed to.

Really? Great! I was wondering about...

Author's Note:

Oh Gabby, you poor, poor thing...

Comments

[ed2481]

Man, that must be some good paperwork

[quade]

3 hours later
Gabrielle: "I have made a terrible mistake"
while the others look on in stuned silence at the compleat brain picking Twilight had just preformed.

[FlyingEagle93]

Gabby is going to have a headache

[nothing_to_see_here]

3815445 fuck yeah man! Haven't you ever filled out a spread sheet?
multimedia.journalism.berkeley.edu/media/upload/tutorials/icons/large/spreadsheets-main.jpg
its. so. EXCITING!

[LakieLegion]

Poor poor Gabby... she has unleashed the most powerful attack known to pony kind... Twilight's curiosity

[Princess Cadence]

3815589
i1.ytimg.com/vi/brp-qzD07F4/maxresdefault.jpg

[ZarPaulek]

Now who or what might Gabby have seen Daphne doing something embarrassing with?

I also wonder if Xavier ever tried breeding Daphne, like every other trainer who started with a female Fennekin through luck or cheating.

[HighTreason25]

3815445 Gotta remember, that's Royal paperwork. It's quite above what us rank-and-file chumps get.

[Knightmare Neko]

3815445 The living embodiment of love is excellent with her paperwork, as is her beloved.

[GoldenCyclone4]

Uh, anyone else want Luna to go through with that plauge idea?

[Death2205]

4653921 *raises hand*

[StrigidaeFan]

4653921
*Hand shoots up.*

[Cracked Egg]

"Somewhere far away, a pink pony sneezed."

YES!!!

[The Warmaster]

4653921

*Hand shoots up to the sky. Both of them.*

[DovahLord1233]

4653921
YEET!! —puts hand up—

[AstralFlare42]

Umm… They all turned to look at the other alicorn, Twilight Sparkle. Could I ask you a few questions? she asked.

Gabrielle noted that her telepathic voice was shaky, as though she was new to this. I suppose it couldn’t hurt, she said calmly, not knowing just what she had agreed to.

I feel bad for those 7.