XPGxKingHydro

“Yo, Dude!  Hey, wait up!  Dude!” Dan Fawcett, ready to turn the corner on his walk home from school, paused after hearing his best friend Luke’s call. “Would it kill you to call me by name, even once?”  He asked sarcastically as his friend tried to straighten his breath. “You’re going…huff…the wrong…huff…way, man…” Luke gasped, doubled over in such a position that his glasses seemed only a few seconds away from slipping off his nose. “I’m pretty sure my house is in this direction,” noted Dan dryly as his friend got up and brushed

Two clusters of boats approached each other in the slate-watered bay.  One group, small but outfitted with the latest gadgetry, wore the relatively subdued colors of the New Pokemon League; the other, a large, impressive flotilla, was clad in flashy blues and greens.  This second group flew a flag depicting an ocean wave overlaid with a bony, stylized letter A—once the symbol of the criminal syndicate Team Aqua, now appropriated by Team Aqua’s successor: the marine Guild Azure. They were meeting in the bay that stretched south of the Indigo Plateau, near Tohjo Falls.  Though the area was on New Pokemon League territory, it was al

The pathway sloped into the valley, snaking past trees and stone outcroppings.  Artemis plodded on ahead; Ripple and Nemo held a conversation at the back. The path crested a small hill; the trees parted, revealing the rocky ridge that marked the valley’s far rim.  The knife-edged crags were situated against the cloudy afternoon. Ivan, lost in the stillness, nearly jumped when Emily nudged his arm. “See that?” she said, pointing at the horizon.  “That’s our destination.  The Guild’s cabin is nestled at the bottom.” “Does that mean Ipde’s there too?” “Ipde’s on the oth

The sun, barely risen, was obscured behind the thick greenery of the trees and the completely overcast sky.  Nemo felt grateful for the thin visibility, though he still found himself studying the forest around them with unease.  They’d come some distance from the camp, but he could not shake the dread that Alvovz was someplace near. Please, he thought in desperation, if there is any benevolence in this world, please let us figure out what to do about this crisis before everything goes to hell. Nearby, Artemis also looked for hints of eavesdroppers in the leaves and branches of the forest.  Ivan studied her face. “What’s g

Again, mist. Missy found herself standing on the silvery grey paws of long ago.  Calm down, she reminded herself as the Eevee tail twitched behind her.  Here, my shape reflects my heart…I'm afraid of turning into an Eevee once more.  I'm afraid for Armor, who may have transformed himself for my sake.  I'm afraid for my son, who has lingered in a world unknown to him without my guidance… But I won't give up hope for finding Ivan.  Armor made his decision, and I'll offer my help no matter his situation.  And even if I do somehow become an Eevee again, I'll be with supportive friends.  Dan will know the truth.  I'll be me, as I alway

The forests of north Hoenn were not a safe place to be a lone human.  The infamously temperamental weather was capable of swapping between thunderstorms and scorching heat at a breath's notice; Kecleon disguised themselves and harassed travelers, sometimes forming packs to swarm unfortunates; the vast expanse took days to traverse on foot, and the only major human settlement was Fortree City at the very southern edge.  Hiking to the few isolated villages in the far reaches of the woodlands required taking winding, dirty trails--but who would willingly travel to such places, when so many tales of mystery and horror surround

The sun bounced back and forth between the trees of the forest before making its way over to Missy's house, poking its way through the windows.  The rays of the early dawn made her wince.  The police officer sitting across from her was too busy reading a list to notice.  As the sun continued shining through the rear window, Missy reached up to rub the sleepiness from her eyes. "Well then," said the officer, "We've searched the neighborhood thoroughly and are working through the rest of the town as well.  We've also sent out notifications to the stations of the closest nearby towns." "And the forest?" "You know we've looked there. But you h