#''How things look in the shadows when you're scared of the dark vs how they truly are in the light of day''

[miss-bvnny]

I can distinctly remember a time in my early childhood when I was expecting this twist tbh.

[evasive-anon]

Jason Attacking Tim at Titans Tower

Fanon vs Canon

We've all seen the versions in fanfiction but I'm not so sure everyone's seen the original so if you're one of those batfam fans who doesn't want to read the comics (regardless of reasons) but you are curious about how it actually went this is for you.

What I'm addressing:

What does Jason actually say to Tim during the attack?

Did Jason drug all the other Titans?

Did Jason really wear a Robin costume?

Did Jason slit Tim's throat or call him replacement?

Did Jason actually break Tim's bo staff?

Was Tim crying or scared?

Did Jason write a message on the wall in Tim's blood?

Did Jason's eyes glow green?/Did he follow pit rage mechanics?

Panels and details below. This is a LONG one.

What did Jason actually say to Tim during the attack?

Dialogue in fanfiction during the Titans Tower attack varies based on what kind of fic you're reading but usually its either 'time to clip Replacement's wings' if its staying a beatdown whump 'or oh no precious lil bby why is no one watching you' if its an accidental child acquisition. Not judging either option, but this ain't about them its about the real shit.

Look at these opening lines:

Hey, Tim. I was here first.You're the Red Hood. You've been cleaning up Gotham the easy way. Easy? What do you know about easy, Tim? You had a father that looked after you. You went to a private school, right? You slept in a bed. I slept on the streets, I lived in the alleyways in Gotham. Trying to survive. Until Bruce took me in. I trained as hard as I could. I did whatever he asked. . . at least at first. But it didn't matter. They said I wasn't tough enough to be robin. But today, they say you are. Show me, Tim. Show me what you have that I didn't.

Jason really puts himself out there in all of his dialogue in this encounter, the struggle of having to fight for anything and everything he got in life, even the things that came to everyone else for free, and then being told he wasn't even good enough for the things he fought for.

There's a trope in fanfics that if Jason knew Tim stalked Batman and forced his way into being Robin that it would change how Jason felt about the situation but that's even addressed in this comic:

You were a kid, worried about how Batman was spiraling down into darkness. You spent weeks tracking the dark knight. Solving a mystery no one else could. You discovered who he was behind that mask. Millionaire Bruce Wayne. You were so pleased with yourself, I'm sure that you forgot who you were really dealing with. I know Bruce Wayne. And let me tell you, Tim if someone was trying to find out who Batman really was. If someone was stalking him for weeks. He'd know about it. You can't be that good. I am. He let you find him. And I bet he said the same thing to you as he did to me, didn't he? That you had a talent to make a difference in Gotham. That he needed someone he could trust in war on crime. That you were one of a kind. The light to his darkness. Robin, the Boy Wonder.

Tim saying 'I am' is really such a moment that doesn't come through in text because he is right that he really did do that but I also completely understand why Jason wouldn't believe it.

TBH my favorite part is how done Tim honestly sounds with Jason thoughout all his trauma dumping. Like imagine a grown man who used to work the same part time job as you breaking into your house, dressing up in your work uniform, ranting about how much the job ruined his life while he beats your ass??? God, and he probably had to write a fucking report about it after. RIP Timmy.

What do you want? Do you want to be Robin again? Is that it? You... want to take it away from me? Why in the hell would I ever want that? Don't you get it? When I died no one cared! No one remembered me. Are you completely insane? No one could forget you. I've spent my entire career wearing this mask under your shadow. I had to convince Batman to let me try this. All because he'll never stop blaming himself for what happened to you. You ask me, that's the only reason he hasn't taken you down. He's holding back. But me? No freakin' way. That's the Robin I wanted to see. Still. You do realize the whole idea of training a teenager to fight against something he'll never eradicate is a mistake. It didn't even surprise anyone when I died. When I failed. I failed-- but I'm still beating you. Do you think you're that good now?! Do you really, Tim? Yes.

Tim bashing Jason across the face as he says 'no freakin' way'? *chefs kiss*

Jason drugging the other Titans to knock them out?

Little bit true, Kory was actually just already away from the tower and BB and Cyborg were about to bounce because of the drama going on with Donna's return but Jason like super tazes them and then drugs Raven who he thought already went through enough shit without him knocking her out violently.

Note: Jason says in the text here that he never rolled with Cyborg or BB but like he actually did in some comics so?? The continuity is lie I guess idk.

Did he show up in Red Hood gear or a Robin costume?

Both tbh but he spent most of the time in the Robin costume but bro actually made a stripper rip away version of his Red Hood gear so he could dramatically reveal the Robin costume underneath. I can't believe no one ever includes that in their fics its so fucking funny.

Does he call Tim 'replacement' or slit his throat?

No, this came from a Batman comic with Hush not Teen Titans. That incident takes place in a graveyard not Titans Tower and he calls Tim pretender not replacement.

Does Jason break Tim's staff?

Tragically, no. The bo staff snap would have been iconic. Instead he just takes Tim's staff and beats Tim up with it and breaks stuff. BUT!! He uses it to bust a statue in the TITANS MEMORIAL ROOM which is a place in Titans Tower just for having statues of dead previous titans and Jason is rightfully pissed he didn't get one. Like Tim is correct in saying no one forgot him still but like I would be hurt too if all my friends made cool statues of friends that died and then just left my zombie ass out, like wtf.

Note: I am seriously losing my shit that I have never seen someone bring up the memorial room in a fanfic. That is so much angst material. 😭

Tim crying/ being scared?

Hell no. He's a fucking Robin you know he's being a sassy boy the whole time, even towards the end when he's about done he's still saying he's her and I love Tim for that.

Note: There are a few different times where Tim does a flippy Robin move and then Jason just fucking copies it like flexing that he can do it too, and its just so petty and stupid he's trying so hard to be better than an actual child. 💀I get why in the context of the situation but its still so ridiculous.

Message on the wall in Tim's blood?

TBH I really don't know for sure on this one?? Like its implied that he did but Tim isn't bleeding all that much throughout this beatdown and like we don't see Jason do it just the Titans reacting to seeing it after. It could be Tim's blood, it could be red paint, and it could even be that Jason packed an actual bucket of blood to bring with him to write a message with after he finished. TBH the world is your oyster on this one.

Note: If anyone can find another comic where this event was brought up where they actually clarify it was Tim's blood hmu and I'll update this but I couldn't find any.

Pit rage/ glowing green eyes?

Fanon only at this point in the comics. Jason is seems to be himself and even thinks Tim and his friends are pretty cool at the end, and he's just like reflecting on if he had good friends if he would have turned out better as he leaves.

[mushroom-madness]

🍄 Preliminaries: Plants VS Zombies 🍄

Puff-Shroom received more votes than the other submissions and so passes on, not only past the IP elimination, but the preliminaries in general! Winner of this poll will be in the preliminaries!

Sun-Shroom

“Sun-shroom hates sun. He hates it so much that when it builds up in his system, he spits it out as fast as he can. He just won't abide it. To him, sun is crass.”

“Oh sure, Sun-shroom is known for his ever-present grin and sunny disposition. But truth be told, even he has his dark days. It ain't easy keeping things light when you live in the shadows.” - Submission 172

Doom-Shroom

“"You're lucky I'm on your side," says Doom-shroom. "I could destroy everything you hold dear. It wouldn't be hard."” - Submission 173

Fume-Shroom

“"I was in a dead-end job producing yeast spores for a bakery," says Fume-shroom. "Then Puff-shroom, bless 'im, told me about this great opportunity blasting zombies. Now I really feel like I'm making a difference."”

“"I think of myself as a pretty confident shroom and an all-around fungi," says Fume-shroom. "But sometimes, when I'm eating Plant Food, I hear them chuckling. I hear them calling me "Balloon-shroom'. I don't think they know how much that hurts."” - Submission 174

Gloom-Shroom

“"I've always enjoyed releasing heavy fumes," says Gloom Shroom. "I know a lot of people aren't cool with that. They say it's rude or that it smells bad. All I can say is, would you rather have your brain eaten by zombies?"”

“Gloom-Shroom may look a little down, but they also look up, left, right, and diagonally. No matter what direction life goes, Gloom-Shroom always keeps the same expression.” - Submission 175

Hypno-Shroom

“"Zombies are our friends," asserts Hypno-shroom. “Theyre badly misunderstood creatures who play a valuable role in our ecology. We can and should do more to bring them round to our way of thinking.””

“Hypno-shroom has no trouble persuading zombies to fight on behalf of the plants. But he has yet to convince one to cluck like a chicken. "One day." he says. "One day."” - Submission 176

Ice-Shroom

“Ice-shroom frowns, not because he's unhappy or because he disapproves, but because of a childhood injury that left his facial nerves paralyzed.” - Submission 177

Sea-Shroom

“Sea-shroom has never seen the sea. It's in his name, he's heard loads about it, but he's just never found the time. One day, though, it'll go down.” - Submission 180

Scaredy-Shroom

“"Who's there?" whispers Scaredy-shroom, voice barely audible. "Go away. I don't want to see anybody. Unless it's the man from the circus."” - Submission 179

Magnet-Shroom

“Magnetism is a powerful force. Very powerful. Sometimes it scares Magnet-shroom a little. He's not sure if he can handle that kind of responsibility.”

“Despite his unusual appearance, Magnet-shroom doesn't have a problem attracting girlfriends. But he does have a problem keeping them. It's the same thing every time. In the end, they always find him too clingy.” - Submission 218

[spicybylerpolls]

Can anyone give an idea of why sexual thoughts about these two are objectively bad? 

Ok, first think of the kind of creepy perv who it would scare you to know they are thinking sexually about you. Is it because they look or seem dirty and gross? What does that actually mean? 

Secondly, are they a predator because of it? Are they acting like a predator? Or are they simply thinking private thoughts and you have no idea they’re even doing it other than a hunch? 

And lastly, is the idea of deviant sexuality something that grosses you out, period? 

These three are sounding suspiciously like the subtext of stranger things’ plot. Monsters and prejudice vs an apparently deviant predator. 

The main issue against this blog and the practises it endorses seems to be that people don’t want to KNOW. You can keep your deviancy to yourself. Which is an entirely different branch of the issue than whether it is actually ok to be ‘deviant’ or not. 

If you’re not hurting anyone, what makes sexual fantasy objectively bad? Ok, so maybe it’s the very idea of byler fans being a bit lewd about these two teens. Perhaps it seems like these fans are bad people at heart because they give in to those desires of enjoying byler in a sexual context. Although again that screams to me of the id and the shadow self and the dark psyche - what Vecna represents in s4. Considering that healthy sex/fantasy is enjoyable, pleasurable, fun, why is this considered more perverted than other taboo topics like violence? 

Is it because taking pleasure from someone (without their knowledge, as when fantasising about someone) is considered worse than doing something unenjoyable / painful / bad / violent? Of course sex can be used as violence, but no one here is doing that. Yet still, some bylers think that fantasy is a violation of something akin to committing physical violence. 

I don’t know the answers, I’m just spitballing. It’s just interesting to me, perhaps because I have a background in visual art and in theatre. I’ve got experience discussing and considering works that examine pretty much any taboo you can imagine. For example, there’s a play from the POV of a convicted paedophile in prison. There’s also a play called Sylvia and Sheep or something (can’t remember) but it’s about bestiality. It basically asks why our society considers bestiality to be morally wrong, when only fifty years ago, homosexuality was considered to be just as heinous. The answer seems obvious: animals can't speak and so can't give consent. But the play makes interesting and surprising counter-arguments.

These plays are both controversial works. Not to say I agree with the ideas in practise, but as an artist, I cannot disagree with the examination of those ideas. 

So perhaps people here think that byler can't give consent, because they're too young to know better, or because you're thinking about them without their consent. But you can see how both of these arguments don't hold up considering they are fictional characters, and we are imagining them together, not self-inserting into the narrative. Also, you don't consent to think something lol.

Also to bring this around to the performers in case anyone was still claiming that Finn or noah themselves might be uncomfortable with sexual content for byler, Finn has said his favourite genre of literature is transgressive fiction, which includes authors like Charles Bukowski, who are rather dark and twisted. He said to the audience at the con (who were mainly minors) that these books are not suitable for them lol. 

Also, I COULD use this last as more vague evidence that Finn may indeed be queer but I’m not going to go there 

very interesting points! much to think about.

[danwhobrowses]

AEW: Booking Hangman's Title Win

Hangman Page seems all but destined to be the man who takes the belt from Kenny Omega. Two different stories have unraveled since their break as a tag team with Kenny the heel world champion and Hangman the babyface man of the people. But it does feel like this long story still has plenty of chapters to go, and while we wonder how this story will continue to unfold, this is how I would do it.

Kenny unravels as Hangman Rises Omega's road to All Out is a turbulent one, and since chances are he won't go to NJPW, NWA or ROH to continue his belt collection, I think the Belt Collector's time is about to come to an end.

July 17th will mark the end of his Impact reign, losing to Sami Callihan at Slammiversary. Don has already been 'fired' from Impact so he will have little leverage to save him this time around, I don't think even TK can give him any special treatments either. Then in August 14th, he will lose the Mega Championship at Triplemania XXIX to Andrade El Idolo. Not only does this give Andrade gold to carry around on AEW but also will cement the fact that he can beat Omega - which will come into play much later.

This leaves the illustrious belt collector with one: the AEW World Championship. Because Omega's character has been super cartoonish, I expect him to grow very self-conscious about the fact that people want to take his title, think Gollum crossed with that coach in The Waterboy. Unhinged Kenny will juxtapose a much more mentally together Hangman, who keeps on winning clean. This all leading to the third destination

Kenny Omega vs Hangman Page at All Out.

Elite Mind Games Although he is the top of the ranks, Hangman has often dodged the question regarding the world title. Deep down Hangman is still has mixed feelings regarding the Elite, and whether he is worthy or able to defeat Hangman; he's fallen short multiple times after all. This is Kenny's in to get the mental edge over Hangman.

Because their split didn't have a full stop, Kenny will pretend to his adversary that they are still friends, he will lure Hangman to doubt himself by giving him what he desperately wanted last year: forgiveness from the Elite. Feigning the olive branch with the Bucks, the Elite will poison Hangman's mind to be unprepared for shenanigans, they will draw him away from the Dark Order and at All Out, Hangman will go to face Omega alone.

All Out - Kenny Retains...just It could start as a clean contest, but the moment Hangman starts looking like he will succeed, the madness of Omega will once again show itself. Without anyone to help him, Hangman will be forced to push his babyface fire to the limits, he will fight through the entire Elite: the Good Brothers, Nick and then Matt. He'll hit the Buckshot, the Deadeye, 1, 2, Don stops it. Hangman will dismantle Don but then it's Kenny's turn, V-Trigger, One Winged Angel, 1, 2, 3.

On the second battle, Kenny wins once more, but it took every trick in the book he had to bring him down, the opponent he felt was a sure thing after his mind games, and it shows on his face. But it also shows on Hangman, because he fell for all of it and now he's alone again.

The Madness of Kenny / The Isolation of Hangman Becoming so close to losing will put Kenny at his most possessive, his most desperate. Kenny will grow erratic and hostile with each title defense, cheating all the more blatantly and willfully, a collection of OC, PAC, Andrade, Archer and Kazarian all knock on his door for specials like Grand Slam, Full Gear and the 2nd Anniversary but Kenny survives through his madness until he is a full shadow of himself.

Hangman though descends beyond rock bottom, not even feeling like he deserves forgiveness for pushing away the Dark Order. Hangman too will completely lose himself, losing his motivation to even wrestle let alone associate with anything relative to the Elite. We'll only see him at rare times, hiding in dark corners trying to avoid Marvez or completely drunk out of his mind in a pile of bags or coats, a sad sight to behold.

"If you all sit there and ignore it, you're all cowards!" Along the list of opponents waiting to face Kenny, Eddie Kingston must be near the end. Kingston, Moxley, Penta, PAC, Christian and Kazarian all at different times found common ground to try and defeat the Elite, but the distractions have proven too much.

Kingston will unsuccessfully challenge Kenny, but after his defeat he'll run into Hangman and dress him down, a scolding never before seen because Hangman is the one that he is disappointed with the most. Hangman overcame the numbers, he had Kenny scared but he has simply sat there and let the Elite continue this reign of terror while he throws a pity party for himself. Refusing to let Hangman regress either, Kingston will push Hangman into fighting him, so he can let out his frustrations and fears, but the Elite will be wise to this too.

Before Kingston and Hangman can have their rubber match, the Elite will attack Kingston and kayfabe injure him, preventing Kingston from making any more progress with Hangman. They'll feign their reasoning to not involve Hangman and feel like the deal is done, because Hangman - despite being in the top 5 - has disappeared once more.

Evening the Numbers At this point of booking I would see Kenny being the sole titleholder in the Elite. The Bucks already lost their tag titles a while ago and they fell short in a Trios tournament, so now they're mainly dedicated to keeping Kenny as world champion.

We'll have one more special where Kenny successfully defends his title again, let's say it's Winter is Coming. As the Elite celebrate a full year of Kenny's title reign in the ring, the music changes. Out comes Hangman, next in line due to the rankings, the Elite look concerned but confident that they can take him, but then around the ring they realise they have company: the Dark Order surround the apron and that leads to a brawl. The Dark Order have the advantage but Kenny is using the belt as an equalizer, taking out anyone that moves, but as he turns he eats a Buckshot Lariat and the show closes on Hangman standing tall, his eyes driven and focused on the prize.

Revolution: The Win Personally I would've liked to have done this for Full Gear or All Out, because there'd be the narrative there of either the beginning of Page's self-doubt (Full Gear when the Bucks kept mocking his physique in comparison to PAC) or his first failure to capture the title (All Out vs Jericho), but I don't think we can wait another full year for this, so it happens at Revolution. And Revolution is still sensible too, it was the tease of divide between the Elite and Hangman during their tag battle and it's the PPV after Kenny's anniversary as champion.

When Revolution's main event goes down Kenny is uncaged and will look to put Hangman away early, and every time Hangman fights back he becomes more and more scared. Every attempt at shenaniganry by the Elite will also be blocked off, either by the Dark Order or returning enemies like Mox, Eddie, Death Triangle, Daniels and Kazarian, not in Lumberjack style but in a way where we see that the narrative is AEW vs The Elite. This is the time where Hangman kicks out of the One Winged Angel, we'll tease it in the match but have him reach the ropes so the fans think he can't possibly kick out of a second or third one. When the lid blows off and Kenny is all out of options, he'll try begging, low blows, belt shots, chairs, anything he can muster to keep Hangman down, even mocking Hangman with a Buckshot variant of his V-Trigger for that extra spice of scumbaggery. But it comes to a final clash, both men on either side of the ring, wounded, exhausted, barely able to stand, but not looking away. One Last Move. Hangman's Buckshot, Kenny's V-Trigger, both collide but the Buckshot breaks through the V-Trigger, 1, 2, 3.

The majority of the locker room (I mean I don't expect the likes of IC, Andrade, Miro and Pinnacle to be all happy days about it) and maybe even the crowd can then invade the ring to celebrate with Hangman to close the night, completing the story while bringing up several other talents and keeping story opportunities for Hangman and the Elite to venture off on their separate ways.

Personally I feel like this - if done how I imagine it of course - would be a perfect closing of the Hangman saga, but others may not think so, and maybe AEW has thought of something I haven't which makes it even better, only time will tell. But I felt like getting that off my chest.

[thebladeblaster]

Pokémon: the Vanguard Descends

Chapter 31 Sanctuary Town In Peril! Aichi Returns Home! Part 3

Aichi’s current team

Level 65 Ahmes (Gallade) psychic/fighting

Moves:

Close combat

Solar blade

Swords dance

Future Sight

Level 65 Wingal (Lycanroc (dusk)) rock

Moves:

Stealth rock

Crunch

Stone edge

Play rough

Level 63 Llew (Golisopod) water/bug

Moves:

Sucker punch

Blizzard

Liquidation

First impression

Level 64 Gancelot (Lucario) fighting/steel

Moves:

Focus blast

Stone edge

Meteor mash

Dragon pulse

Level 70 Soul Saver (Haxorus) dragon

Moves:

Outrage

Iron tail

Dragon dance

Scale shot

Level 100 Alfred (Aegislash) ghost/steel

Moves:

Sacred sword

King’s shield

Iron head

Shadow claw

A teen with a brown bowl cut, red eyes, wearing glasses, and a black uniform gazed upon Aichi in awe as he held his little brother close to him. His eyes practically sparked gazing at him. His little brother peeked out, also amazed. They didn’t know why especially after Ren’s display of power, but when they gazed upon Aichi they suddenly felt reassured. Like everything would be alright. He seemed almost mythical to them with air he gave off. The light of the sun seemed to shine directly on him, making him appear to be glowing. To them and to the rest of the crowd watching, Aichi felt like the incarnation of hope.

Ren scowled as all the fear he had instilled in the people seemed to instantly vanish upon Aichi’s entrance. Tetsu and Asuka were also taken aback by Aichi’s resolute gaze. His gaze seemed to have the intensity of the whole sun. The crowd walked back a bit as the auras from the two were intense. Ren’s oppressive and dark aura vs Aichi’s hopeful and bright aura. Kai, Misaki, and Kamui quickly rushed over to Aichi’s side standing with him even though they couldn’t battle anymore. The crowd saw things and one by one came up to back up Aichi.

“How?! How?! Could you stomp out my despair so easily?!”, Ren questioned, angrily.

“All it takes is for one person to stand up for what’s right. Then, the rest will follow.”, Kai replied.

“Thanks, Kai.”, Aichi thanked, with a bright smile.

Kai smiled back, shocking Misaki and Kamui.

“No, thank you Aichi.”, Misaki replied.

“Yeah, we would have been toast if you hadn’t come bro.”, Kamui added.

“Your not out of the clear yet!”, Ren growled.

“You're going down Ren one way or another! You may be strong, but everyone has a limit!”, Aichi replied.

“Oh, really? I’ll show you your limit when I crush you like the little Caterpie you are!”, Ren replied.

Ren suddenly flinched in surprise when Solgaleo appeared going behind Aichi and giving Ren a threatening roar.

“Looks like another nuisance has joined you. Fine, I’ll battle you 003v, but how about we do it properly? I’ll see you after you go through victory road at the league.”, Ren said as his eye twitched with annoyance.

“Alright then. I’ll see you there, but you have to promise me one thing.”, Aichi replied.

“What is it?”, Ren asked.

“Team Asteroid won’t attack anyone while I go through victory road and fight the elite four and you.”, Aichi replied.

“Fine, however you only have two days then. I don’t like waiting and I wouldn’t want you to stall on me. And return you have to promise me something.”, Ren replied.

“What is it?”, Aichi asked as he sweated nervously.

“If you lose whether it’s against the elite four or me. You will return to your father’s side in Galar without a fuss.”, Ren replied, smirking.

“There’s no way bro can accept that?!”, Kamui replied, angrily.

“Aichi you can’t agree. Please!”, Shizuka pleaded to her son.

Aichi looked back to her to see her face full of concern. He looked over to Emi who was worried and scared as well. He looked over to the crowd and his friends. Aichi closed his eyes thinking about it. He had a faint blue aura around him. He remembered the absolute devastation Team Asteroid has caused across the region and for the people he cared for. He knew the second he set off the whole region would be attacked and subjugated.

“So, will you accept those terms 003v?”, Ren asked.

“Only if Team Asteroid leaves this region and never comes back if I beat you.”, Aichi replied.

“Aichi!”, his friends and family called out in disbelief.

“You drive a hard bargain, 003v. Fine.”, Ren accepted.

“I’ll accept.”, Aichi replied as they looked at him like he was insane.

“Aichi please don’t do this.”, Shizuka begged in tears.

“Are you crazy you can’t beat him alone?!?! You’ll have to fight the elite four before that too and you can’t even heal!”, Misaki replied, in disbelief, worry, and anger.

“Yeah, let’s just fight him right now! Not when he has the advantage!”, Kamui added.

“Guys...if I don’t do this the fighting will never end. There will never be peace and everyone will continue to suffer. I know it’s a risk...but I have to do this.”, Aichi replied.

“It’s more than a risk that is practically suicidal! Just battle him with the others!”, Emi replied.

“I won’t accept your terms if the others interfere.”, Ren said.

“I’ll battle you, Ren. At the league.”, Aichi replied.

“No you won’t! You're crazy!”, Misaki replied.

“Yeah, he can’t take all of us!”, someone in the crowd said.

“I most certainly can.”, Ren said as he had rainbow spirals in his eyes and a red aura lifting up the crowd.

“Ren stop! I’ll battle you! And no one else has to get involved!”, Aichi replied.

Ren put the people down.

“Then it’s a date. Tootles!”, Ren replied as he flew away with his psychic powers along with the others.

“What is going through your head?!”, Shizuka questioned angrily as Aichi jumped in fear.

“Oh...yes...hi mom. I’m sorry that we had to meet like this, but I have to go again.”, Aichi replied, shakily.

“But, I don’t want you to go! I don’t want to lose you!”, Shizuka replied.

“I’ll come back. I promise.”, Aichi replied.

“And if you lose?!”, Shizuka questioned.

“I won’t lose. I’m going to protect you, Emi, and everyone else.”, Aichi replied with a determined look.

“But, who’s going to protect you?”, Shizuka questioned.

“You can rely on us madam.”, Alfred replied, floating out of Aichi’s hand and over to his side as Aichi’s other Pokémon went to his side as well.

“A talking Pokémon?”, Emi questioned.

“I am Alfred Pendragon, the once and future king of Galar. As Aichi’s Pokémon I have vowed to protect him with everything I have. The others agree as well though you can’t understand them.”, Alfred said.

“I promise I’ll come back, mom. Remember you promised to tell me everything when you got the chance.”, Aichi said as he got off of Soul Saver and walked up to Shizuka.

Shizuka instantly hugged him tightly and protectively. Aichi felt so small in her arms. It was so hard to believe such a small boy was the only one who could defeat a monster like Ren. She could tell that he was more toned since they had last seen each other. He felt a bit heavier in her arms.

“Why does it have to be you though?”, Shizuka questioned, her voice cracking a bit as Aichi returned the hug.

“I am the only one who can defeat Ren. With his powers he can easily manipulate and beat down anyone without the same power. As much as I don’t like this power inside me. I’m glad it has some use to protect all of you.”, Aichi replied.

He saw Emi walk up to him.

“You better come back Aichi. Or I’ll come drag you home myself!”, Emi said, trying to sound confident, but it was clear she was worried and scared.

“I’d never make you do that. Don’t worry I’ll win. It will be alright mom.”, Aichi replied as he looked over to Shizuka.

She finally let go of Aichi looking at him with tear stained eyes.

“There’s really nothing I can do to convince you to stay is there?”, Shizuka questioned.

“No. But, I’ll make it up to you mom. After this is all over I’ll stay home and go back to school.”, Aichi replied with a bright smile.

“You better!”, Shizuka replied angrily as Aichi jumped back again nodding in agreement.

“Haxorus. Haxorus. (Mommy’s mommy is scary.)”, Soul Saver commented, shaking not unlike Aichi.

“Gallade. Gallade. (You have no idea.)”, Ahmes replied, sweat dropping.

“So, your leaving again?”, Mark said, stumbling over to them.

“Are you alright Mr.Mark? What happened?”, Aichi asked.

“Hehe. I tried to stop Ren, but it looks like I failed.”, Mark replied.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t have gotten here earlier.”, Aichi replied.

“It’s fine. But victory road is far from here; it would be much faster by air. I’m just lending it so I expect you to be back.”, Mark said as he handed Aichi his riding pager.

“Yeah, I’ll see you in class.”, Aichi replied.

“You are the most stubborn guy in the universe.”, Misaki sighed.

“Hehe. Sorry.” Aichi apologized as he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

“We’ll make sure everything is safe here while you're gone.”, Kamui said.

“Thanks guys. All of you. I’ll see you all later.”, Aichi replied.

With that Aichi recalled his Pokémon and set off on the riding Charizard to Victory road. Solgaleo followed after Aichi as he flew off. They looked on only able to pray for his victory.

Aichi passed over the towns and cities he had gone to over his adventure. It took everything in him to not look back. He ended up at the entrance to Victory road. He dismounted the Charizard and it flew off. Aichi stood before the massive cavern. There weren’t any normal trainers instead it was full of Team Asteroid grunts. Aichi threw out all of his Pokémon and they stood ready to fight. They fought through all the grunts making their way through the cave. It took awhile due to how big it was. It had been several hours before they made it out. At the end Aichi gave his Pokémon some potions and they took a rest. Aichi could see the league off in the distance. He walked forward, but Kenji stood in his way and Aichi looked confused.

“Hi there, I am Kenji Mitsusada though you can call me Koutei. I am the real steel gym leader before you can go on you have to beat me.”, Koutei said.

“Alright.”, Aichi agreed, recalling back his Pokémon.

“Go, Daikaser!”, Koutei called out.

“Go, Gancelot!”, Aichi called out.

“Daikaiser use fire blast!”, Koutei ordered.

“Gancelot use focus blast!”, Aichi ordered.

Gancelot rolled out of the way of the fiery blast. Gancelot brought his hands together shooting a beam from his hands. Daikaiser stumbled back when hit by the blast. Gancelot sent another blast pushing it back and falling over. Daikaiser fainted after trying to get back up before it did; it sent another fire blast and Gancelot narrowly escaped. Aichi was surprised when Koutei patted Daikaiser before recalling it. Aichi smiled a bit when he saw it.

“Go, Grander!”, Koutei called out.

“Gancelot use focus blast!”, Aichi ordered.

Gancelot shot another blast, but Grander dodged it running up to Gancelot.

“Grander use x scissor!”, Koutei ordered.

Grander slashed at Gancelot with both of its claws in a x motion. Gancelot held its arms up blocking the blow.

“Gancelot use meteor mash!”, Aichi ordered.

Gancelot quickly launched a steely punch at Grander while it was close.

“Now use focus blast!”, Aichi ordered.

Gancelot sent out another blast enveloping Grander. They were surprised to see Grander wasn’t fully hit moving out of the way a bit.

“Grander use flash cannon!”, Koutei ordered.

“Gancelot use focus blast!”, Aichi ordered.

The two blasts clashed against each other struggling for ground. Despite the fact that the focus blast was super effective against the flash cannon it was rather close. Aichi then activated his mega bracelet evolving Gancelot into mega Lucario. The focus blast finally overwhelmed the flash cannon and Grander was enveloped by the blast fainting.

“You alright bud. Don’t worry I’ll heal you soon.”, Koutei said as he recalled Grander.

“Hehe. Your pretty strong, but I still have one Pokémon left for the gym battle.”, Koutei said as raised a Poké ball.

“Alright let’s see it.”, Aichi replied with a smile.

“Go, Daiyusha!”, Koutei called out.

He then activated his own mega bracelet evolving Daiyusha. The two mega Lucarios stood up against each other.

“Lucario. Lucario. Lucario. Lucario. Lucario. Lucario. Lucario. (You definitely have conviction, but only one of us can win it will be me.)”, Daiyusha said.

“Lucario. Lucario. Lucario . Lucario. Lucario. Lucario. Lucario. (I don’t intend on losing. I will fight to the end.)”, Gancelot replied.

“Gancelot use dragon pulse!”, Aichi ordered.