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PokéSync: B4 — 49. Mythical Force
🕑 Added 2024-10-16 22:58:27 +0000 UTCPoV:
1. Amira (Our Ruby Star!)
Pokemon Map I Loosely Use For Visual Aid: The distance between areas might be different; some cities are somewhat incorrect, a few routes have been mislabeled, and some cities aren't listed, but it's the best I've found.
Google Document (In-line Comments)
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4:02 p.m. November 3rd, Tuesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 147.
Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (31 days away).
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Proceeding down the hallway, Amira glanced down at Mariah, held in her arms, determination radiating from her typically shy Mythical girl. She smiled as she caught her sleek blue skirt fluttering around her legs, plucking her circular sunglasses off her blouse front to hide behind. The cool metal rested comfortably on her nose as she took a steadying breath.
I can do this.
The noise of the arena roared above her as she entered the platform and it lifted her toward the stage. Bright lights flashed overhead, momentarily blinding her, but she kept her focus forward, determined to keep her composure.
This is just another battle I’ll win… I have to win. Yet her stomach churned, the weight of her mother’s legacy and the expectations she placed on herself regarding Rhea pressing against her chest. I’m not second-guessing myself… I’m not.
Mariah, already at the evaluation center, gave a low hum, a frown on her mouth as she pointed at the screen high above them. Amira’s gut somehow cramped further upon seeing the text, her eyes momentarily defocusing…Silver 6.
Silver Six… Rhea was Silver 8+.
She glanced down at her concerned Meloetta as the crowd began to whisper to one another, the noise of the molten field erupting with the music that greeted her. Mariah’s Victini Core was in a cooling stage…she was at her weakest.
Amira blinked, a jolt of panic shooting through her veins. Mariah’s energy had never been this low before, and right before she had her first real battle? She was supposed to follow up that ridiculous performance. How?
I should be higher by now…like Rhea. The comparison tightened in her belly, but she shoved the thought aside, willing herself to focus. No, don’t worry. We just need to perform.
Mariah grabbed one of her fingers, bringing it up to her chest and giving an encouraging smile, surprising Amira. Am I…trembling? No. Stop it! Focus. Thanks, girls.
Serenity, Holly, Mariah, and Amber gathered around her spirit, projecting their confidence and strength into her. She wasn’t alone.
Blaine’s booming voice cut through the noise, drawing all attention to him as he stepped onto his platform with a theatrical flair. His grin was playful but edged with a taunt. “Amira Rocket! Your mother is a proud woman who brought a Grass-type to a Fire Gym. She’s bold…but your grandfather says you are just as stubborn. Let’s see if you can leave with a badge like she did, defying the odds. Think you’ve got the fire?”
Amira set her jaw, giving him a tight-lipped smile. “Guess we’ll find out soon enough, Professor. The crowd can be the judge of that.”
Blaine’s grin widened, the stage behind him erupting in fire to cast him in light and shadows, clearly enjoying the show. He reached down as the floor opened beneath him, revealing his selection of Poké Balls. He plucked one from the lineup, spinning the Ultra Ball into the air with a flourish. It balanced effortlessly on his fingertip before he snatched it back with a wink.
“Feed the flames then, Fire Stone of Viridian! Burn my soul!”
The crowd erupted in cheers, but Amira’s heart pounded in her chest as she reached for her own Poké Ball, selecting Amber. A pillar of fire exploded from the molten field between them as the announcer’s voice boomed across the stadium.
“A Single’s Battle! Two Pokémon! Fifteen minutes on the clock!”
The molten heat of the battlefield was already pressing against her skin, but Amira kept her focus on Blaine, refusing to let her nervousness show. Closing her eyes, she searched for a lifeline that came in the form of a grinning dark-blue-haired woman sitting on a rock, one knee pulled up to her chin, the other dangling on the shelf she sat on. The memory of her time training her own Aura and Pokémon with Dawn filtered into focus.
* — * — *
The heat of the sun shone down on her on that random day, leaving her skin feeling hot, the sun mercilessly beating down on her like the force of Rhea’s friendship. Sweat dripped into the front of her sports bra as she struggled to expand her Aura, the way Ash and Dawn had taught her.
Her Aura flickered weakly around her as she sat on the hard rock, butt sore, desperate to push herself further. She stared at the woman in front of her, balancing on the rock Dawn had set up for her to balance on. Any amount of displaced weight would send her tumbling down over a hundred meters.
“Can I really keep up with Rhea? She’s…she’s already so far ahead of me, and I’m lagging behind Lori now.” Amira asked, her voice barely more than a whisper.
It felt like she was being buried alive. Rhea had been bouncing balls between her and her Pokemon while blindfolded after Cerulean, and only now did she realize how ridiculous of a feat that was, using her Aura to see her surroundings. She was having a hard enough time just expanding it to any reasonable degree to see a meager meter around herself.
She hated how small she sounded, hated admitting to the fear gnawing at her insides, but it was only the two of them here, her Pokemon off training with Piplup.
Perched on a rock nearby, Dawn hummed, her mouth bunching to the side as she considered the question. Her cobalt hair glistened in the sunlight, and her calm presence had been the only thing keeping Amira grounded after Ash had explained exactly how powerful Rhea could get from her training.
Finally, Dawn spoke, her voice soft yet certain. “Rhea’s power…it’s like a Helping Hand, but it’s more than that, Amira. The more you feel like you need help, her Aura compensates and uplifts you. It’s why the Wooloo Girls have been making so many strides since they first met her. But here’s the thing…it’s not just Rhea’s Aura that’s pushing them—it’s their own determination, their drive not to let her faith in them go to waste.”
Amira clenched her fists against her thighs, the words sinking in, but the frustration still bubbled under the surface. “So…you’re saying I’m not trying hard enough?”
Dawn shook her head. “No, that’s not it. You’re putting in the effort, Amira, but you need to trust in yourself. Trust in Rhea. It’s not about the individual. I know you’re fiercely independent, as I am. Nor is it even just a group thing. You’re a team. You can push each other, grow together. Ash has a similar effect that helped push me. Put your faith in that, and the rest will come.”
* — * — *
The memory of Dawn’s words hit her like a gust of cool air, settling the turmoil inside her. We’re a team. My Pokemon, Rhea, Lori, and their Pokemon… I’m not supposed to be alone in this. Her heart began to steady, and she let out a slow breath, the tension loosening slightly.
Amira’s gaze shifted back to Mariah, standing on the evaluation center as the crowd held their breath, the music and rush of the opening vibes of the match returning her to the present.
Mariah’s energy was lower than ever, her Victini Core cooling down…but the determination in her eyes was unwavering. Amira felt the support of her team wrapping around her, their quiet voices offering reassurance.
I’m not Rhea. I don’t need to be. She’s cheering me on right now. Mom’s cheering me on… So, I should cheer myself on!
She looked back at the scoreboard, the flashing Silver 6 no longer weighing on her. Instead, she smiled softly. It’s hard, isn’t it? she whispered to her Pokémon, feeling the warmth of their connection flood her chest. Feeling inadequate, feeling like I’m not enough. I never thought it’d be this hard… But Rhea’s helped me realize something.
She took a deep breath, her lips curling upward. I’m not as strong as her, and that’s okay. I’ve got friends to help me, and I’m working on it. We’re working on it. And, for now, that’s enough.
The announcer’s voice boomed across the arena, cutting through her thoughts as her bond with her Pokemon strengthened. “Ready your Pokémon!”
The molten heat flared up again, but this time, Amira stood taller, her heart lighter. As the fire pillars dissipated, the tension in the air was palpable. The crowd settled down as the announcer gave the final signal.
“Ready your Pokémon!” the announcer cried.
As the pillar of fire dissipated between Blaine and her, Amira gripped Amber’s Poké Ball tighter before throwing back her arm and hurling it into the arena. Amber! Be ready for whatever Paldean Pokémon Blaine throws at us—it’s going to be a defensive battle at the start.
Capsule sparkling through the air with its custom seals before releasing Amber in a dazzle of lights. The Braixen materialized with a flourish, her flaming wand spinning effortlessly in her hand, her tail flicking in the heat. But as the fire cleared on Blaine’s side, Amira’s breath caught in her throat.
You have to be kidding me! Really?!
Her chest tightened but her confidence rose upon seeing something familiar:
A dark-furred hound stood tall, its crimson eyes gleaming under the arena lights. It lifted its head and released a resounding howl that reverberated through the arena, sending shivers down Amira’s spine.
Houndour? Okay. Good counter, Blaine, but that was what I expected from you before all the Paldea shenanigans. You’re saying you’re going to swap it up between opponents. It’s a perfect counter to Amber. Well played.
Amber raised her wand defensively as the hound shifted into an aggressive stance, its fangs gleaming. Amira was already committing to her plan, though.
Return, Amber. Blaine wants to see how far Mariah can go… Let’s show them, girl!
“Melo!”
Nimbly catching the Poke Ball as it returned, she aimed it at her Braixen and sent the beam. The Houndour jumped into action, racing toward her side of the field, the announcer’s voice ringing out.
“Amira Rocket sends out Amber, her Braixen, while Gym Leader Blaine perfectly counters with Ebony, the Houndour, a Dark/Fire—Amira instantly recalls… Here we go, folks! Mariah enters the spotlight for the first time. What’s this? What am I seeing?!”
Get her!
* — * — *
Mariah stood at the edge of the platform, her slender figure poised like a dancer ready to take the stage. Even if her chest felt tight and she wanted to shrink under the large body of eyes looking down at her, she had to perform: not for them, but for Amira.
The roar of the crowd faded into a dull hum, her focus narrowing to the battlefield below. She glided forward, her movement smooth as a flowing melody.
With a breath, she released a soft, haunting note—a Disarming Voice—that echoed across the arena. The ripples of sound distorted the air, bending space around her as she gracefully descended onto the slow-moving platform she’d created, her body floating as if weightless.
The crowd erupted in awe, the announcer’s voice cracking with excitement. “Ladies and gentlemen, I don’t believe what I’m seeing! Mariah is using Soundproof to manipulate her own voice as a form of transportation! Absolutely incredible! I’ve never seen anything like it!”
A faint smile touched Mariah’s lips, her fingers delicately adjusting the flow of her melody as she prepared to land. The heat from the molten earth beneath her kissed her feet as she touched the hot soil, but her expression remained serene, as if untouched by the chaotic energy swirling around her.
Ebony was already in motion. The dark-furred Pokémon leaped into the air, her crimson eyes gleaming with predatory intent. Flames formed in her mouth, glowing with fierce intensity before shooting toward her in rapid succession, larger than an Ember.
Mariah’s eyes flicked up to the attack, unbothered by the rush of heat closing in. With a calm, almost playful tone, she tilted her head and whispered, “It’s rude to attack without an introduction.”
The air around her shimmered with her commanding voice as she manipulated space with a note. Round rippled out from her, narrow, fast, and focused, warping the trajectory of the fireballs when colliding. The molten projectiles flickered, striking the ground around her or fizzling out after they met the distortion field, dissipating into harmless wisps of flame.
Her simple counter didn’t stop there; the move tore through the earth, a shockwave rushing toward Ebony. The Houndour reacted with impressive agility, pivoting to the side at the last second, her muscles coiling with precision as she evaded the attack.
Not bad. Not nearly as graceful or swift as Alice, though.
The smoking ground trembled where the shockwave struck, but Ebony’s grin remained intact, a confident gleam in her eyes. She barked out a laugh, taunting, “Is that all a Mythical Pokémon has to offer? I thought you were special.”
Mariah’s gaze followed Ebony, her expression unphased by the jab that hit deep within her core. Blocking Status Moves… Gym Pokemon are smart. She anticipated my follow-up.
A slow smile spread across her lips as she sent out a few focused soundwaves, each move deliberate, each note perfectly in tune. The slow-moving waves twisted through the air, curving to track Ebony’s path and forcing her to retreat in a wide arc.
“Vocal control is essential to a songstress, don’t you know? I’m merely warming up. This is my first actual battle, after all.”
Ebony sneered, firing off a few smaller fireballs in quick succession, the flames cutting through the air toward her. But Mariah was already in motion, sidestepping with the grace of a seasoned performer, her body flowing as if in time with an unheard rhythm. The flames flickered past her, and Ebony growled in frustration, clearly annoyed by her effortless dodges. Yet, she hadn’t even begun to show her many talents.
“Momentum, that’s all that matters in a battle!” Ebony proclaimed, launching into her next move without missing a beat. A thick Smog poured from her mouth, filling the battlefield with a toxic cloud. The noxious fumes hissed as they ignited, the heat spreading fast, but Mariah remained unfazed, her serene smile deepening.
The smog closed in, swirling with the threat of poison and flames, but Mariah could feel the steady pulse of Amira’s spirit wrapping around her, lending her strength. She wore her pride for her Trainer on her sleeve.
Confidence was something she lacked, but Amira was her rock, and if she had to perform to show her how phenomenal she was, then it was as simple as singing a few notes.
I’m here to show you how good you are, Amira. Trust in yourself…like I do.
Amira’s voice echoed softly in her mind, urging her forward, her self-esteem growing with each move Mariah made. I feel your love, Mariah… So, test your limits. I want to see you shine, even at your dimmest moment.
Mariah’s body began to hum with energy, a soft yellow glow pulsing around her slender frame. Electricity sparked at her fingertips, the power growing as she pulled it inward, amplifying. The air grew heavy as Mariah closed her eyes.
Whispering softly under her breath, Mariah let the words resonate within her soul. “Fire in the wind, turning day to night, lightning in clouds, the storm takes flight. Night turns to day.”
The smog surged toward her, its toxic heat pressing in, but the battlefield fell eerily silent as Mariah’s eyes snapped open. In an instant, a blinding surge of white electricity erupted from her body, a nova of light that pulsed out in every direction. The shockwave ripped through the arena, tearing the earth beneath her feet, scattering molten rock like debris in a storm.
The ground trembled as the battlefield transformed, a quarter of the field stripped bare to the bedrock, cracks spidering out from where Mariah stood. Lava bubbled in the distance, pooling into the newly formed crevices, but where Mariah walked, the earth sparked with the energy—the Electric Terrain—she’d created.
Each step she took sent a ripple of electricity across the ground, crackling beneath her delicate feet: something she hadn’t even intended to do.
“How profound,” she softly said, gazing across the devastation as molten rock fell out of the sky around them, Mariah moving in a slow zig-zag pattern to evade the debris. “You are swift to make split-second decisions. Well done,” she encouraged with a smile, clapping her hands.
As the light faded, Ebony reappeared in front of her, a shimmering honeycomb barrier surrounding her—Protect—the field flickering around her. The shell was cracked, the strain of defending against the electrical storm she’d generated evident, but Ebony’s eyes were gleaming with dark amusement.
Her fur stood on end, the static electricity making her look even more feral as she chuckled lowly. “That’s more like it, girly,” she growled, the barrier fading as she shook off the remnants of the attack. “You’ve got some bite after all.”
Mariah’s expression remained calm, her smile unfaltering as the electricity continued to dance across the battlefield. “I was merely getting started,” she gently replied, her voice carrying the quiet confidence of someone in control for her Trainer’s sake. “How about I speed things up?”
Ebony prowled to the side, lips pulled back in a feral grin, a dark aura licking the air around her. The tension hung between them, thick and taut, like the prelude to a song’s climax.
Mariah’s slender fingers flexed, preparing herself to get more physical. She wasn’t intimidated by the Dark-type Pokemon’s sneer; no, she felt something new as the electricity arched across the battlefield—this was what she was born for—a stage, an audience, and the rhythm of battle coursing through her veins.
I…like this.
The moment stretched, silent except for the crackling of fire, electricity, and the molten liquid closing in around them. Mariah’s body tensed as she made the first move, her lithe form dashing forward in a graceful arc. Her foot swung out, a dancer’s precision guiding the blow as she aimed for Ebony’s legs.
“Woah!”
Ebony’s fur ruffled further, Mariah’s leg connecting to a blue light that surrounded her again; heavy cracks ran across it, the ground where she’d attacked cracking under the force she’d levied against it, yet the second Protect held.
“Lucky,” she cooed, eyes narrowing as the dog darted forward.
Mariah landed lightly on her feet and didn’t falter as Ebony closed in with a snarl. The Houndour lunged forward, Dark-infused fangs bared, going for her arm. But Mariah was already in motion, her body flowing like water, as Alice had taught her, and she sidestepped the attack with ease, her skirt and hair fluttering behind her. Ebony’s jaws snapped on empty air.
Amira’s guiding voice was a steady presence in Mariah’s soul, urging her on, her confidence growing. “You’re actually killing it, Mariah. Stay focused. It’s doubtful he can stop another big attack, but I’m not as strong as Rhea. I’m already starting to sweat after that Shock Wave.”
Give yourself time. I’m here with you.
Mariah responded with a haunting note, her Disarming Voice echoing through the arena. The melodic sound rippled outward, distorting the space around her as it crashed into Ebony. The Houndour’s eyes flashed open as the waves, instead of passing through her, rippled in a trap-like field. Yet, she managed to jump skyward out of the bowing wave to not get locked inside.
“A Disarming Voice that can act as a trap?!” the announcer shouted. “Take notes, viewers: Mythical and Legendary Pokemon show what many Moves and Abilities can become if trained properly. This is incredible!”
Ebony’s balance faltered as she landed, though Mariah had to admit her idea wasn’t as effective as it could’ve been. She needed more practice to manipulate the waves. At least it kept the Houndour on the defensive. And that’s all Mariah needed.
Her eyes gleamed with determination as the dog stumbled. With a swift pivot, she launched herself forward, using the opportunity Alice always said to look for and, following her instructions to a T, her leg bathed in a focused orange aura.
This time, her foot connected with Ebony’s side, feeling the woman’s bones pressed against her feet.
“What was…ack—” The Houndour’s eyes blanked, the stone cracking under Mariah’s grounded leg as she carried her in a half-circle to launch the dog toward a magma stream pooling into the large hole she’d created with her Shock Wave.
The Houndour half-yelped, her body a blur, tumbling across the bedrock before slamming into the molten rock. It didn’t stop there, the woman breaking through the liquid in a spray of glowing stone before stopping against an already half-broken boulder. She fell into a crumpled heap as the Fighting-type energy chucked her matrix.
Mariah didn’t stop moving, her momentum carrying her back into a defensive stance, ready for the next blow—likely a Sucker Punch—only, Ebony didn’t rise.
“What?”
“Ebony is unable to battle; Mariah is the victor!”
Mariah blinked as the crowd erupted into a mix of cheers and gasps.
“One decisive blow! Did you see the form and power?! And this girl isn’t even in her Pirouette forme, and she’s kicking like that! I think poor Ebony’s going to feel that when she wakes up; Mythical Energy can bypass the defensive matrix if channeled properly, and that…that looked like a small part of it made it past!”
Mariah’s chest rose and fell with controlled breaths, her face serene, but her eyes glinted with the satisfaction of victory. Yet, the announcer’s words soon sank in, causing doubt to creep in. Wait, I can bypass a Pokemon’s defensive matrix? That’s dangerous!
She looked up at Blaine, yet he was looking at her with a thoughtful grin while recalling the motionless Houndour. I just…followed what Alice taught me to do, focusing the energy within my core into my feet…
A wave of fatigue suddenly struck her, causing her to stumble to the side. Bringing her hand to her chest, she looked up at the screen. Her eyes widened upon seeing her last attack.
* — * — *
Amira’s breath caught in her chest as she pressed a hand over her heart. That surge of power she felt resonate within her…it was like nothing she’d ever experienced—pure, uplifting, a song lifting her into space.
Her eyes drifted up to the large display screen, replaying the final moment of Mariah’s strike—an opalescent light encasing her in her fluid, graceful strike: pearlescent whites with iridescent blues and purples, shifting as the energy connected to Ebony. It was unmistakable.
Mythical Energy.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she clenched them. She didn’t even know what she was doing…
Amira’s mind raced as she recalled Ash and Dawn’s words during her training. Mariah wasn’t supposed to be capable of tapping into that level of energy—not until she’d grown out of her child-like mindset. And yet, there it was, shimmering proof that her Meloetta had reached a new stage of maturity.
Mariah, she spiritually whispered, catching her partner’s confused and slightly scared eyes. The Mythical Pokémon turned, her normally shy demeanor fading under the weight of what she’d just done. You used your own energy.
Mariah blinked, surprise flickering across her face as if she herself didn’t quite understand what she’d accomplished. Her internal questions were tentative and concerned, and Amira could hear them clearer than before.
I did know about it, Amira softly confirmed, trying to catch up to what they’d done just now herself. But it should’ve taken you a year to access that power… The Victini Core, it must have sped up the process.
A sudden tremor ran through Mariah’s body, her graceful stance faltering as she clutched her chest, her eyes wide with shock.
Amira’s throat went dry, panic rising in her gut. Mariah? She winced, her voice shaky as the Mythical girl stumbled. Fatigue hit Amira like a wave, making her wince and her shoulders sag, but it wasn’t unbearable. No, I know you’re worried. I’m worried, too.
“Is Ebony alright?” Amira called out. “Should…should we be disqualified for that kind of attack? I understand this was a test to see if we could control our power and you…”
Before she could react further, Blaine’s booming voice cut through the tension, snapping her focus away. His grin hadn’t faltered, if anything, it had widened with his chuckles, waving a hand dismissively.
“I what? I anticipated it, of course, Ms. Rocket. Don’t sweat it, girl.” He crossed his arms, clearly enjoying the spectacle. “Ebony’s got fully invested IVs and EVs into her Defense. She’s tougher than she looks. Yes, I am testing your control because of what we’ve heard from, ahem, reliable sources,” he winked, making Amira’s concern melt away.
Dawn must have told Cynthia or Ash gave them an update on our progress… Of course, he would.
Blaine pointed to the sky, fire erupting around them. “That’s why I volunteered my Gym for this… And for your information, girly, you passed my test.”
Amira swallowed, relief mixing with a gnawing uncertainty. She glanced back at Mariah, who was regaining her composure, the weight of the Mythical Energy subsiding.
“We passed? The Gym Challenge? No… Your personal test for us?”
“Observe!” Blaine’s voice echoed with a resounding boom again, drawing the crowd’s excitement to the screens to a close-up of Mariah’s last attack, played in slow motion. “Your Meloetta reduced her output instinctually—you see that flair that erupted from her like a raging fire?! The second she felt her power bypass Ebony’s matrix, it snuffs out.”
He clapped his hands together, the rest of the crowd rising to their feet and clapping in unison, shocking Amira as she brushed back a stray lock behind her ear and looked out across the entertained throng.
“Impressive control, given her age,” Blaine complimented. “Her first time accessing that kind of strength, and that response illustrates a control Rhea wishes she had! I can see why Christie chose to give you the Mythical Pokemon… Your grandfather was right.”
A shiver ran down Amira’s spine at those words. Grandpa…
“And just so you know,” he mused, stroking his bushy mustache, “the raw multiplier for Mythical Pokémon might not be as high as the Legendaries of your teammates, but trust me…they’ve got their own unique quirks.”
He reached down, pulling a new Poké Ball from the console selection and holding it high in the air. Fire once again erupted around the stadium with a volcanic surge beneath the stage, the heat washing over Amira in a sudden wave as heavy metal music blared from the speakers, shaking the entire arena. The crowd roared in anticipation.
“Now,” Blaine’s eyes gleamed with excitement as he spun the ball in his hand, “let’s see how you handle the Fire of Cinnabar!” He hurled the Poké Ball into the air with a flourish, and his Arcanine leaped into the sky, shrouded in light, igniting the field in radiant rays. “From this point on, Sunny Day will be a permanent event on the field… Can you handle the heat?!”
In an explosion of flames, the Arcanine smacked the ball with his fluffy tail, propelling it into the center of the field. A massive, blazing figure emerged from a rush of searing flames—a Tauros, but one Amira had never seen.
The Tauros descended, twisting in mid-air, its tail flicking with three splits at its end. He landed with a thud in the molten flows, steam rising from the cracks as the beast’s hooves ignited on contact with the ground.
Amira’s breath caught again as the crowd erupted in awe. “What kind of Tauros is that?!”
The bull stood tall, its crimson coat shimmering in the firelight, muscles rippling beneath its sleek, black fur. Its eyes were sharp and filled with primal fury, the flame igniting along its horns with fierce intensity.
“Blitz!” Blaine roared, cutting through the chaos of the crowd, who were jumping on their feet and screaming with the metal music. “Paldean Blazing Tauros faces you, Ruby of Viridian! Enter the volcano and across the sun! The Flaming Wild Bull has you in his eye!”
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Comments
Opala
🎶💃
KazukiNero
Thanks for the chapter.
