Chapter Text
Wingulls chirped, as they soared through the sky. The once dull Helios City was blooming with productivity- People and pokemon walked around happily as the sun shined down when the cloud overhead disappeared.
What was most noticeable was the new broadcasts- interviewers and people waiting around the large podium in the city's southeast. A rackety stage that has stood the test of time, holding up 2 of the most important leaders in the region.
Well, about to make that 3- as the 3rd Augur was passing around in the back, being looked at by their agents.
“A-Augur Marisa- Are you alright?”
They stopped, inhaling before sighing as she turned around to face their agents.
“Y-Yeah! I’m fine” she smiled, trying to lift the mood. “Just… Nervous- This is the first and final time I’ll talk to the people of Torren-”
“Relax Marisa! You’ll be great!” someone spoke out His white hair flustered in the gust of wind, and 3 tiny pokemon flew out from his arms: Hoopa, Mew, and Shaymin. The small legendaries chirped, floating around her, Mew specifically landing on her shoulder while Hoopa looked around for something.
“Hey Ash!” Marisa smiled, gently petting Mew’s head, the legendary pokemon meowed at the nickname given to it.
“See? They dont want you to be worried!” Damian smiled, petting Shaymin on the head. “You’ll be fine, ok?...”
Marisa took a deep breath, before sighing “Y-Yeah… Yeah! I’ll be fine! I’ve dealt with cults and enemies- I can totally make a presentation… to... All of Torren…”
Well, that didn't exactly ease her nerves, and Damian noticed instantly “H-Hey! Dont think that! Just focus on doing the speech to those who are here!”
“R-Right… Right!” Marisa smiled, as they picked up Ash in her hands. “We can do it, right Mew?”
The tiny pokemon chirped, Marisa, taking it as a yes. “Alright! O-Okay… I think I’m ready…”
“Then go on to the stage, and do your announcement!”
Marisa smiled before running up the stage, immediately getting the attention of everyone. She took a deep breath, before grabbing the microphone, and tapping on it.
“Hello, people of Torren^^ I’m so glad to stand here before you once again.”
Swiftly, the cameras moved to point at her, and the people swarmed underneath her to hear what she has to say.
“A-As you all know… The Cult Epidemic has ravaged our region- taking innocent lives in the process, and deceiving us all with their goals… I am glad to say that no longer may any of these cults endanger us all, for they have all been disbanded and their leader apprehended.”
“The Cult of Darkrai specifically has been known for the disappearance of the 1st Augur, which… Leads me to my next announcement.”
Marisa sighed, before taking a deep breath, looking over at Damian who just gave her a thumbs up.
“As you may know, I was officially crowned the 3rd Augur, and I have never been more honored to be titled this. Especially since I’ve been trying to follow on my father, Adam the 1st Augur, footsteps.”
“But I have good news about his whereabouts… He is in fact not gone, rather the cult of Darkrai trapped him in the Dream Realm using Darkrai’s powers against its will. But I’m glad to say that thanks to Hoopa, I’ve managed to get him out!”
Hoopa’s time- It grabbed one of its rings, stretching it and opening a portal. The Crowd gasped in awe, as a figure walked out of it, brushing his beard as he looked around- Looking… Shocked…
Oh right- Marisa thought. I forgot to tell him the plan-
But he gazed at her, a smile on his face- He knew beforehand. Thanks Arceus for Damian.
“Hello my dear region- It’s so glad to be back!^^” he smiled, as he pats Hoopa’s head. “Yes, what my daughter is saying here is true- While I fell down to the Cultists, I rose back up, and I’m here to help reclaim peace for the region.”
“Which also comes to my other announcement… Adam will still remain as the Title of Augur and will help me keep the peace by my side. After all, I need to catch up with some help.”
Adam smiled, looking at Marisa proudly- Even if her memories were wiped clean, it’s still her. And she hasn't changed more.
“-And that concludes our message. Thank you so much for your time!”
With that, the people clapped and cheered, as the cameras turned away to their newscasters or reporters.
Adam sighed, before hugging Marisa “You did great, champ!”
“I-I did?” Marisa’s eyes lit up as she hugged back.
“Of course! But uh, next time you want to make me do a dramatic entrance, please tell me.”
Oh right- “Oh, uh… Whoops- Sorry!” she chuckled nervously.
“You two did great!!” Damian ran up to the Augurs. “Told ya you wouldn't mess it up”
“Yep, looks like you were right-...” Marisa smiled, before hugging him. “I guess you always manage to cheer people up.”
“Oh uh-” Damian chuckled, scratching his head “Thank you Marisa^^”
“And now- I gotta go back to Professor Pine’s lab” Marisa sighed, taking Mew in her arms. Damian looked shocked “Again? What is it this time?”
“She wants my help in researching the new Holon Region! I heard there are a ton of Delta Pokemon there! If you want, you can come with me to ask if you can join!”
“Oh, you dont mind me going?”
“Of course not! You’re my friend!”
“And what about me? Leaving me with all the responsibilities?”
Adam smirked as Marisa’s face fell. Oh right- Luckily, she made a manual just in case of this situation. She pulled out a large scrapbook from her bag and handed it to her father.
“Well, yeah,- But I had an idea to make you this guidebook on all the changes I recommended and implemented ever since I became an Augur!”
Adam looked at the homemade book before him, a small smile on his lips as he gently grabbed the book in his hand. The small gesture made his heart swell as the almost long-gone memories of the times before the cults attacked swarmed back; how every day he would return home to see what new scrapbooking Marisa did during the day, or what new lessons she would learn from the countless books that adored their house’s bookshelves…
“T-Thanks sweetie… I appreciate it” he side-hugged her “I’ll make sure to give it a good read-through.”
Marisa smiled and nodded. “You better- I’ll be on my way! Damian c’mon! Let’s go via Pika Taxi!”
Marisa hurried up to the other side of the city- Mew floating swiftly behind her. “Hey wait up!!” Damian yelled out, before following behind.
╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ─── ⋅ ⋅ ─ ⋅ ⋅─ ⋅ ⋅─ ⋅──╮
“So, I see that the latest photoshoot was a success! Congrats Nessa!”
The water gym leader smiled as she sat at the lake’s edge, legs crossed as the gazed off to the sunset. “Yeah, thanks. Ever since that Milotic and I did that photo shoot, my agents have insisted to take more pictures over at the city’s lake.”
She could still remember the rush she felt from the experience- It was amazing, she had never seen a Milotic in the wild…
“Also, random question but… By any chance, have you seen any odd pokemon around?”
“Odd pokemon?...” Nessa frowned slightly, gazing at the lake’s water “What do you mean?...”
“Well, some trainers and explorers were reporting odd pokemon appearing and attacking them. The most recent one was a supposed ‘Ghostly snake’ living in ponds and forests”
Ghostly snakes?... Nessa thought, before shaking her head “No no, I haven’t as of yet…”
“Well if you see anything, please report it to me alright? I’ll see ya!”
“See ya, Sonia.” Nessa sighed when her friend hung up the call, standing up on the docks and stretching. Strange pokemon?... Ghostly snake?... I should keep an eye out to see if anything else is out of the ordinary.
The gym leader gazed out to the lake before her, before she noticed something within the water... A slender silhouette swimming through the water…
“Milotic?...” Nessa whispered as she edged closer to the water-
Suddenly a large figure launched out of the water before hovering above the water. Because of the contrasting sunlight, their figure was shadowed, but Nessa could see segmented parts and purple smoke emanating from the strange being; its deep purple eyes shined at her.
“W-What is that??” Nessa backed away before the strange pokemon screeched, gathering a ghostly orb near its mouth.
Shadow Ball- Nessa figured it out immediately, before she ran away, nearly dodging the attack the wild pokemon shot at the dock. People screamed and cried out as they ran away from the dock, Nessa got on firm land before she grabbed one of her pokemon from her purse.
“Golisopod, Shadow Claw!”
The large bug pokemon hopped out of its ball before parrying the upcoming ghostly orb with its attack.
“This must be… One of the odd pokemon Sonia was talking about…” Nessa whispered, looking in awe at the mysterious pokemon before her.
“Charizard! Fire Blast!!”
The slender pokemon suddenly dodged a flaming blast directed at it. Nessa looked behind her, noticing a flowing cape and purple hair in the wind.
“Leon!”
“Hey Nessa! Glad to have come on time-” Leon smirked, before looking at the Pokemon before him, who roared with a ghastly cry. “I’ve never seen this pokemon before… It looks like a Milotic…”
“But it looks different-...” Nessa whispered before shaking her head. “In any case, its a water type, so use Solar Beam!”
“Right! Charizard, Solar Beam!”
The fierce dragon roared before shooting a large green beam at the wild pokemon, however, it did not do anything but flinch it.
“What?-”
“It did almost nothing-” suddenly, the wild pokemon cried out one more time, before sinking back into the lake’s bottom, swimming away.
“!!- Darn, it ran away-” the Champion tch’d before looking around the broken pier and sighing. “Good thing you got out as soon as you did Nessa, it’s completely destroyed…”
“Yeah-” the model sighed, before looking at her co-worker. “Leon, what are you doing here?”
“Well, I was supposed to go over to visit Hop, but I got lost and ended up here”
“Of course…”
“But good thing I did, right?”
Nessa sighed, but ultimately smiled “Yeah, I guess…” she gazed at the lake “What even was that?...”
“It looked like a Milotic… But… ghostly?” Leon scratched his head. He isn't the most knowledgeable about all pokemon, but he was pretty sure Milotic isn’t a ghost type. Or that it emanates a ghostly aura….
“In any case, we should watch out for it, this isn't the first report of an aggressive and mysterious pokemon attacking people.”
“It isn't?-” then Nessa’s phone rang as she hurried to answer- It was Sonia-
“Sonia? Hello??”
“Hey Nessa! Is Leon there with you?”
“Yeah! Hey Sonia! What’s up?”
“Listen, I need you to talk to Chairman rose to make a meeting with all the Gym Leaders, it’s an emergency!”
“Huh? What do you mean-”
“Just call him ok?? I’ll be on my way to Wydon, ok?”
“Uhm, ok- See ya, Sonia, I’ll talk to him right away!- And she hung up”
“I hope she doesn't crash on her way there…” Nessa sighed. “Want me to call him?”
“No no, I’ll talk to him in person.” Leon sighed, before getting on his Charizard’s back. “See ya, Nessa!!” And with that, he flew away on his partner pokemon.
“Hm…. Something is not right, Golisopod…” Nessa frowned.
Rose tapped his finger nervously at the table of the meeting room, looking around the room. The gym leaders were gathered together, Raihan on his phone while Bea and Alister tried to catch up, and Gordie and Melony talked about the recent events. Opal was sitting on a soft couch, sipping on her tea with Milo and Kabu. And somehow, Piers was present! That is a miracle in it itself. He seemed more comfortable sitting next to Raihan, listening to his ramblings.
Suddenly, Oleana walked in, followed by Nessa, Sonia, and Professor Magnolia, the latter of which looked somewhat worried.
“Chairman, they are here.” Oleana said, before looking around “And Leon?”
“He’s coming- He got lost, again” Raihan chuckled before he showed her the images that Leon sent to him. It seemed that Leon was somewhere in Wydon, close to Rose’s tower.
“Well, tell him that he’s missing the meeting. This is very important.” Sonia sighed
“It’s true… I’m afraid that there is a problem that’s spreading around the region.” Magnolia nodded, sitting down.
“And what would this problem be?” Rose raised a brow, the gym leaders looking at the professor and her pupil.
“Well. let me ask you, Chairman. Have you ever heard of Delta pokemon?”
“Delta pokemon?...” this piqued Rose’s interest, as well as the rest of the room’s. “Is that a new type of pokemon?”
Suddenly, Leon ran in, huffing- “Please tell me I’m not late!”
“You came just in time!” Raihan chuckled, while Piers sighed.
“Ah great!^^”
“As I was saying…Delta pokemon is what the problem is. They are genetically altered pokemon, and they’re only found in the nearby Holon and Torren Region-”
Nessa thought- So that Milotic was a delta pokemon?... Could they be lost? Migrated here? Or did they originate from here?... “And why are they here?”
“That’s the thing, we dont know…” Magnolia sighed. “While I mastered and researched the power of Dynamax and Gigantamax, at least the pokemon subject to it are those who have been studied for generations. Delta Pokemons were just recently discovered and implemented into battle- Imagine if one Giganimaxed… We wouldn't know how to deal with it, especially since we dont know anything about the regular form.”
The room fell silent, the tension was so thick that you could cut it with a knife. However, Raihan and Leon shook their heads. “Don’t worry, if any of those pokemon Dynamax, we can deal with them!” Leon said Raihan nodding.
“Leon, I know you’re the Unstoppable Champion- But I think we should be cautious in this case. We dont know what these pokemon can do-”
“And that’s what makes me excited! Maybe we’ll find pokemon stronger than I!”
“Yeah, hope not-” Raihan chirped in. “Only I will get to be stronger than you”
“Unfortunately, you won't be helping us deal with this problem.” Magnolia sighed. “Non of you are, actually.”
Leon and Raihan tilted their heads, looking at the professor. “Then who? Are we just going to let this be??”
Sonia and the professor shook their heads. “The thing is, we may have found someone who can help us with this little problem, and also help us research it.” the redhead said.
“But we do need a small sponsorship in order to bring the help we need to Galar.”
Everyone then looked at the Chairman, who raised a brow. “And who would this person be?”
╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ─── ⋅ ⋅ ─ ⋅ ⋅─ ⋅ ⋅─ ⋅──╮
“Galar?”
Marisa dried off her hair- Her recent trek across the Holon Region guided her to the Grasslands, Jungle, Desert, and Lake- The last thing she needed to explore was the Mountain, but she needed to go back to Professor Pine’s lab to restock on Delta balls.
“Yeah, you know- The Region where the Dynamax and Gigantamax phenomenon is common! A familiar Professor helped research and control this phenomenon.”
Marisa hummed, before taking out her recently caught pokemon- from a flash of light came out a Dratini and Goomy, thought they looked different…The Dratini looked like it had fins and yellow and blue colors, while the Goomy looked like it was covered in mud.
“And so- what does that have to do with me getting a vacation?” she gently pat the Dratini’s head, feeling gentle jolts of electricity.
“Well, it’s not exactly a vacation, but it’s more of like a favor- You see, Professor Magnolia has recently been calling on the sightings of supposed Delta Pokemon in the region, and wants some help dealing with this predicament.”
Marisa froze, before looking at the professor in shock “Delta Pokemon? Outside of Holon and Torren??”
“Yes, it appears so. The most recent sighting has been a Delta Milotic, you know the Ghost Type. But there have also been sightings of pokemon resembling the description of Delta Roselia, Snorunt, Pikachu, Ralts-”
“oWACH!!!”
“What the?- !! Marisa!!”
Professor Pine dropped what she was doing in order to aid the Augur, who was in a curious predicament- The Delta Goomy they recently captured took her entire hand into its mouth, and refused to let go. Marisa squealed, as she tried to shake the pokemon off, to no avail. “Ah!! Hey! Get off!!”
“Marisa calm down, ok??”
The Goomy only grumbled, an amused expression on its face.
“C’moooon Goomy… ;-;” Marisa held Goomy underneath with her other hand. “I know we’re strangers, but I just wanted to make you feel welcomed”
“W-What did you even do??” Pine asked as she grabbed Goomy, pulling out her arm from its mouth. “... Ew…”
“I just wanted to pet it” Marisa sighed, as she grabbed its Pokeball, making it come back into it with a flash of light. “Guess it’s not too Lovey-dovey… Oh right, you were saying Professor?”
Pine sighed and chuckled, shaking her head. This kid… She hasn't changed from the first time we met.
“Well, Ms. Goomy-lover, what I want to get at, I got a call from Professor Magnolia, and she managed to convince the Chairman to sponsor you so you can come to Galar for Free!^^”
“Oh, really?” Marisa chuckled nervously- They weren't exactly ecstatic over it- She finally managed to get things in order, and she has to constantly defend her Champion Title- But… I guess she could spare a couple of weeks. She has been working nonstop for years since she was crowned Augur, so-
“Hm… Okay, I’ll do it- I just have to talk to Dad and Damian to get them caught up.”
“Thank you so much, Marisa! Trust me, you won't be disappointed with Galar- They have a supposed unbeatable champion! Maybe you wanna give them a challenge?”
Marisa’s eyes widened as her interest peaked- The only thing she loved as much as pokemon is fighting alongside her pokemon. Especially against someone who is supposedly strong and fierce-
“Got your attention, huh?” Pine smiled, as Marisa snapped out of her thoughts, and chuckled nervously. “Yea, I guess- Sorry, you know how I am about strong trainers.”
“Ah yes, of course- Anyways, tell me when you’re ready, and I’ll send you the tickets!
Marisa nodded before taking Dratini back to its Pokeball. “I gotta train these two before I leave! See ya Professor!” She waved before running back to the train station, the silent professor sighing as she looked at her partner, delta Beldum. “I hope nothing goes wrong…”