The pier stretched out into the darkening sea, its wooden boards groaning under the relentless waves. The lull sound of crashing waves washing the docks are accompanied by the strong howl of the wind; that carries the sharp burning smell of salt along with the stray feathers of various birds that have long passed.
The sky overhead filled with bulbous murky clouds, warranting a mighty storm; unlike anything the pier's peeling paint has weathered before. "That's great I was hoping to call tomorrow off anyhow." And Ava hangs up, her pokegear falling to the floor. ana, ava. my friends or someone else's? am i a fraud? am i supposed to exist? who-what am i? Ava creeps closer to the edge of the slippery pier, her wool sweater squeezing her body equally as tight as her jeans.
Each of her steps add to the tranquil melody of the sea's restless lull. The rapid waves seem like a welcoming beckon to the young girl until.
A pinkish force takes hold of her body, stopping all movement. "Little Lurk, Little Lurk." A disappointed voice calls out, both playful and authoritative in equal portions. "Have you forgotten how to fly?" A short woman with fluffy brown hair steps beside Ava, her large green book twirls around her short stature.
who-
The woman gives Ava a mischievous smile, the judgment in her acorn brown eyes fade away to a twinkling glint.. "The name's Karen and I-..." She hums. "Let's keep that a little secret for now." then chuckles. "Just giving out all the info in the beginning is boring and deprives the mystery."
Why-
Her dark magenta battle dress acts like a limb of her body, as if it's unfazed by the strong winds. "Because little Lurk, you have unfinished business.Your answers and desires will come to you in due time; in the meanwhile refrain from making an imbecile choice like the one you were about to commit."
"Do you like my little trick? Magic is a beautiful thing. A beautiful thing humans tend to-"Her book quickly shrinks to the size of a pocket sized booklet, and tucks itself in her gray cargo pants. "I suppose this is my cue to leave. If you really want answers then you should refrain from taking your swim, if not then that's your deleterious choice to make."
Karen releases the young girl and walks away, passing Ren with a friendly wave. He waves back as Deluxe sprints past him and latches onto her trainer. "Look at you, making more friends by the day. I don't see why Deluxe was so restless…" Ren sighs. "Why didn't you tell me Venam is finally walking outside? If it's because she's pretending this didn't happen then-"
Ava keeps her back turned to Ren. "I could've said she was still in the cave and I wouldn't be any less accurate then if I had said she's moving about." Ava scratches Deluxe's head. "She's still in that cave; we all are."
Ren takes a hesitant step forward. "You two seemed to have clicked almost immediately, almost as if you two had known each other for years." The boy lets out a breath of nostalgia, his grey eyes watching the moon become covered again by the storm clouds. "It's ok to be sad, and it's okay to not be. People handle grief differently. That's what my dad told me when I was young."
"It's been several -months- days now. I'm over crying." The two say in unison, Ren's eyes still focused on the sky while Ava fidgets by the edge of the pier.
Just wait huh? Ava pulls Deluxe close to her, tilting her head ever so slightly towards Ren. "Guess we got something in common. The urge to fight Team Xen for the ones they took from us."
"But we can't stay here in Gearen City, we won't get any stronger. Meaning we'd have to leave East Gearen City." Ren looks over to Ava, her face is still not visible but he knows she agrees. His tired voice gains a little energy from knowing he's not alone on this. "Well, I'm going home to finish something else I had started. And once I get strong enough, I'm going to go after team Xen and destroy them."
"Well at least you got a workout plan, but I don't even know where to go for my next gym battle…" The girl playfully pouts.
Ren chuckles. "Well the nearest gym I think you should visit is in Sheridan Village.All you have to do is venture through the cave again." He rubs his chin as his scarf flows in the wind. "I've passed through there a few times. It's a nice and peaceful place."
"Perfect to clear my head then!"
"Not only that but I bet you can find a way to purify the Shadow pokemon you caught there. The place is all about purification, tranquility or whatever."
"Unemoing a pokemon…" Deluxe yelps And here I thought all you'd need is a shotgun. "Ok, I'll head out tomorrow then. Let the world get ready for me." She mumbles the last part.
Ren hums. "I suppose I can leave by myself today…" He takes his leave, shouting back at Ava. "Next time we meet, you better be stronger!"
"will do." I want a hug, but Chasity is probably all tied up… Tesla might still be at the Hotel
"Oh right, here!" Ren tosses a pokeball that Ava almost falls off the pier to catch. "Apologies! The little girl and her friend wanted you to have it!"
Ava logs the pokeball with her pokegear… It dings with the notification of a new pokemon being logged into her pokedex. Avein Feebas… Not bad I suppose. Ava looks up to see Ren had already left "Guess I should go give a milf a hug, right?"
Ava [1]takes a few hesitant steps off of the pier, each step was nothing short of trudging; Deluxe practically pulls her off the pier. "Alright alright you haven't even met her before." The trainer picks up her pace, ever so slightly out pacing the stormy clouds above. Her thoughts pinning the pier in her mind
The walk was uneventful… up until a group of completely random pokemon jump her, a shuppet covered her eyes, a bird dived into her chest, and some type of furry creature rubbed up against her leg; and it takes her a few seconds to realize, these are Her completely random pokemon. "Oh thank Palkia, I thought they were running away! Then both you and Mom would be disappointed." Sasha catches up to them, sweating and incredibly flustered.
Ava goes to grab her Shuppet but it moves right through her hand and off her face, laughing as usual. "No, they were just coming to me for some reason." Ava's heart skips a beat upon seeing Sasha's hair. Women with their hair down… I think I have a new turn on.
Char rubs themselves between Ava's legs. "I wanted to see if you're okay-"
"Yeah it's just getting close to day 34 and all." Ava quickly turns away from Sasha. You were worried about me? And here I was, just going to take a lovely nap in the water… Nearby greenery rustled with the strangely warm breeze.
Sasha almost back peddles at Ava's response. "R-right…" Deluxe jabs Ava in the side. "U-uhm, me and mom were hoping to invite you to movie night a bit later…"
Ava rubs her side. "Yea, sure, seems like Deluxe wants to go anyway. See ya there." And begins to trudge in the direction of Chrisola Hotel, each step shakes the claws of exhaustion deeper into Ava's shoulders adding to the bite of the cold -almost salty- wind. All the while, a sense of regret scratches on Sasha's invite, repeating in Ava's head.
Ava walks through the door wearing a drenched through gray t-shirt, her pink sweater now on Deluxe like an oversized hoodie. "It wasn't supposed to rain until 2:30, you ok Deluxe, Fletch?" Deluxe looks at her waterlogged stick with a low sad howl. "It'll dry. Fletch?" The bird gives two relieving chirps as it decompresses itself from behind Ava's hair. "Good. You all stay here I-"
Loud dance inducing music begins to blare through the tranquil lobby, the still state of the paintings and trolley carts quickly turns to a violent shaking as doors slam shut. "NOT THIS AGAIN! FIRST THE AQUA APARTMENTS NOW 'ERE! DA FUCK IS WRONG WITH YU PEOPL!"
Poor dude, can't appreciate good music… I'll just fix this before someone asks me too.. She picks up her pace.
"Street rat! Will you go to the basement -!" A round man shouts from behind the counter over the music only for Ava to give him a dismissive wave.
"Yea,yeah." Ava, covering Deluxe's ears, walks toward the elevator; where aggressive Ula'ulan (Dominican-ish) music blasts from underground speakers.
The elevator hums, struggling to play its relaxing tunes over the blaring Lanit [2]music (A mix of Merengue, and a little Andean), which makes Ava shuffle her body a little bit; until the elevator dings. Opening to a Navy blue hallway lined with bright L.E.D lights down its center, making the deep underwater wallpaper come to life like the ocean water on a full moon. Ava's path was lined with multiple different colored feathers, some sharp looking, some fluffy, but they all give a jovial vibe.
"¡BAILAAAAAAA!" A middle aged man dances youthfully with the four different Oricorio forms surrounding him like dance partners. The walls seem to stop bouncing as Ava steps further into the room. "Oh..! Just who am I blessed with this visit?"
"Oh, sorry but could you-?" The next song starts playing, making the walls subtly shake.
"Did you come to experience this new music with me?" The man's spin finish swiftly changes to an inviting bow. "Or were you tasked with silencing me?"
"The latter.." Ava's eyes bounce between the birds, often landing on the performer's clothes. His mint green bell bottom pants applauds his white long sleeved shirt hugged by his spandex and polyester vest.
The man snaps his fingers, and the four birds distance themselves from him. "You do not simply stop beautiful music! Especially around the esteemed Rorim B!" He swiftly claps his hands and the birds lower the music. "Not without a little chat at least."
Ava sighs, finally releasing Deluxe's ears. "You are so much nicer than the guy at the front desk." Ava awkwardly bows right as Rorim B stands straight.
"Tell me about it. If I didn't know any better, being rude is part of his nature." He chuckles. "Now, who do I have the pleasure of dancing with?"
Ava shoots back up. "OH,no! Ana-Ava doesn't dance… unless it's a pokemon battle you meant."
Rorim wags his finger. "No te preocupes, Ava." Then starts snapping, his leg itching to continue dancing. "I travel around the region in hopes of spreading joy and music to all who are willing to listen!" He raises his snapping finger above his head, and the music grows. "Now, let me see if your rhythm and charisma is up to par darling!!"
The pom-pom style Oricorio shoots lightning from its pom-poms that bounce around the corners of the room, creating a cage. "Ven y baila, Spinda!" The small guy comes out of his pokeball waddling and twirling.
"This is entrapment!" Fletch hops off of Ava's shoulder chirping as he lands.
"Only if you let it be! Spinda, give us a show!" Rorim's Spinda waddles switching between legs before twirling to let its spiral eyes stare into the Spicy Birb's eyes.
"Fletch, use fla-... W-What are you doing?" Ava looks down to see Fletch hopping back and forth with her feather's fluffed.
"Vamos Vamos! See she gets it." Fletch's feathers combust as they soar around the room before going into a dive narrowly avoiding a stray streak of lightning."Now, deliver a devastating review!"
Spinda twirls as a rainbow aura builds around its fist; until it's raised above the recovering Fletch's head. "Dodg-!" His fist crashes down on the poor bird's head making it tumble, and hop away flapping its wings. "Oooh… Ice isn't going to help that. Try using Aerial Ace!"
Fletch flies too high and gets struck by a stray streak of lightning as she dives. "Give her another, Dizzy Punch!" Rorim's moves hasten, his legs crossing, and hips moving in tune with the spinda's twirling. Fletch's eyes hone on her dance partner before letting her white feathers slice the spinda's cheek and flying off to a corner of the cage before it can get punched.
"Alright! Use roost and recover!" Ava's arms drape over Deluxe's shoulders, as she unknowingly presses the fox against her, giving her some of her heat.
Fletch nestles into the corner, letting her fluffy wings rest. Rorim snaps his fingers in the air, with a delighted smile beaming off his face. "¡Muy inteligente! But not clever enough! You were made to shine, Querido!" Rorim straightens his posture and poses, signalling to the Spinda to spin themself into a small vortex; and stop to shoot pink beams from his spinning spiral eyes.
Fletch tries to dodge but gets clipped in the wing. "Flame charge, do it quick!" Fletch stops hopping and starts pelting her tiny legs as fast as possible, combusting her feathers and sticking her neck out and down; And lands her tackle with excessive force.[3]
"Bueno,Bueno!" Rorim claps his hands in not quite with the music, but it adds to the rythm like it was meant to be. "I hope you and your other pokemon can fight this beautifully! Makes me wish the elements would join this lovely performance!" Spida begins to dance like a child in the rain with its damp rock shining, summoning dark rain clouds in the hotel's basement.
The pom-pom Oricorio stops rubbing its hands together, dropping the cage. "Aerial Ace, double time!" Fletch flattens her feathers and flies around the room before diving towards the spinda.
"One last time! Dizzy punch!" Fletch and Spinda trade blows at the exact moment of Aerial Ace's contact; resulting in both pokemon Fainting. "You certainly have some charisma, but your rhythm could truly use some improvement. Únete a nosotros Ludicolo!"
Char pushes themself off of Ava's chest and stands proud in front of Ludicolo, who dances perfectly in sync to the music urging the Pa'u Oricorio to dance in the middle of the room. "Can you keep your birds under control? At least!"
Rorim continues to subtly gyrate his hips. "Can you simply stop the beat of your heart? If you let the music in then you'd easily understand one can not simply stop what is right!"
Deluxe shuffles against Ava's body. "Not you too~. Char, bite the Ludicolo!"
"Veevee!" Char Shouts over the music followed with two small coughs. The music stops, and so does the dancing; apart from the pumping of Rorim's leg. "..¡Ay ay ay ay!-"And another song starts more festive, with far less animal sounds "Bubble beam!"
Char gallops towards Ludicolo as the Bubble beam trails behind them, no matter how hard they run or how far they leap the stream of bubbles haunt and hunt them. In a moment of panic or desperation the little Eevee charges straight for the Ludicolo in a zigzag pattern only to get hit hard on their side. "Come on, You've hit harder!"
Char looks at Ava with mild annoyance. "I'm not wrong, Leviathan was like throwing you against a stone pillar just somewhere between a hundred and ten times worse."
Rorim stops dancing[4] "¡Discúlpeme! wha?" Char chomps down on Ludicolo. "el tiempo muerto! el tiempo muerto! Are you talking about the big scary Gyrados in Golden wood? The one with an active bounty?"
Char continues biting into Ludicolo. "Levi has a bounty? Good on him… wait, are you people actively hunting him?"
"Not really, its bounty isn't that high and quite frankly it terrifies me."
A Oricorio turns off the music as one turns on the lights. "Then why are you here?"
"As I said, spreading music and joy, along with needing two new back up dancers." Two silhouettes dance in the hallway, not exactly salsa dancing but they have spirit.
"And you couldn't be bothered to look left even once during our fight?" Ava points over to the two, who continue to dance with each other.
The traveling dancer hums in suppressed shock. "Those two will do nicely. But I mainly wanted to make sure to cheer you up, you seemed… down darling."
Well you never hear about a happy suicide attempt. But this fight was definitely a breath of fresh air, no more Tommy's or Claire's who use the same stale ass tactics. Ava looks down to one of the puddles and sees her reflection ever so slightly smiling. "Well the last few weeks were hectic and I originally came here to ask Tesla for a hug."
"Oh… my apologies. But Tesla doesn't leave until tomorrow," Rorim B said with a playful bow, gesturing for his new dancers to gather. "I'll keep my music down for the night so you can enjoy yours."
Deluxe was already dragging Fletch away by the scarf while Char tried to pick a fight with the unconscious Ludicolo. Ava gave a tired nod. "Thanks."
She stepped into the elevator, the last chords of Rorim's world fading behind her. The hum of motion up the shaft felt like being lifted out of a dream—no, a nightmare in sequins. Her thoughts slowed as the doors opened.
Tesla was just stepping through the front doors of the hotel, a carry tote in one hand, coat slung over her shoulders. Her expression lifted when she saw her.
"Oh! Came to see me—"
Ava's arms locked around her waist before she could finish.
Tesla froze.
The weight was slight—Ava wasn't exactly tall—but there was nothing slight about the feeling. The girl melted into her, cheek pressed into her collarbone, words soft and cracked.
"Finally," she murmured, breath catching. "I'm sorry I just… I just kinda needed this."
Tesla's shoulders tensed—but not from unease. From surprise. From how fast her heartbeat kicked. Ava's voice was small and vulnerable, and there was something about how she clung—not childlike, not romantic, but raw. Unfiltered. Unarmored.
Tesla slowly wrapped her arms around the girl's back, instinctive and protective. But there was a flicker in her mind, impossible to ignore.
God, she's beautiful when she's broken open like this.
The thought startled her. It wasn't maternal. Not exactly.
She exhaled carefully, like if she breathed too fast, she might give something away.
"I'm here," she said, barely above a whisper. "Take your time."
[1] Ana
[2] Named this way because of the Ultra Beast you can get on Ula, and Cosmog. Lani is Hawaiian for Celestial
[3] The 50 THE 40 THE 30!
AND ITS GOOD!!
[4] I had an entire scene thought out but Fight scenes take too much caffeine