Team Nova - Episode 13: Rebirth

"Alright, let me check with Riley to see what he's up to. Give me a second."

Meridia shuffled around in the bag she was carrying, trying to find her communicator which was buried under many other items. When she found it and pulled it out she stoped for a moment and just stared at it.

It's been a while since I used this thing.

After a moment of debate, she decided to send a message rather than try to contact Riley by other means. The message was short, and it read "I have a few questions I'd like to ask you about it person when you have time. Let me know what works for you."

Intermission

Hugh, still in a bothersome Slaking suit, held his head in boredom as he sat inside a gorilla enclosure onstage. If there was one thing he was grateful for at the very least, it was how the bulk of the suit absorbed a lot of impacts from the Mankeys aimed toward him, ironically rendering the Fighting types to be ineffective. He could've gone without being shoved in a cage, but he's content with taking victories when he can get them.

A banana poked through the bars of the cage.

"Want a snack?" Emma asked.

"Very funny," Hugh said dryly. "Don't you think you're a bit too comfortable over there?"

Hugh glanced at Emma, and Mimi by her foot. Emma was taken backstage to slip into a French maid outfit, with a scandalously short skirt with easy upskirt opportunities, white thigh-high stockings, and a large area of chest exposed. The Kalosian twirled. "I don't mind this at all, actually. Maybe you're just too much of a stick-in-the-mud."

"You just like attention too much," Hugh said. "Is that the reason behind your fake-breast obsession?"

"No, that one's because I find it funny how most passerby in Lumiose tried to pretend I didn't exist when I was dirty and starving and begging for help, but now all it takes to be acknowledged is to show some fake curves. Just shows were people's priorities lie."

A long pause between them followed.

"...By any chance, did they give you something to drink?" Hugh asked. "Blue and glowing?"

"Yeah," Emma replied. "Why?"

Hugh grunted. "Figures."

A few seconds later, the show hostess bounced onstage. "Alright, we're about to start! You're not too uncomfortable there, simian-boy?"

"Peachy," Hugh grunted. "Why am I in this, again?"

"Bad luck," Anna replied. "Story of your life, ain't it?"

Even Emma and Mimi gave a disapproving look at that one. Anna cleared her throat nervously. "Anyway, two minutes."

---

The curtains parted as Anna gave her usual welcoming bows.

"Welcome back to the Team Nova Mailbag! Let's hear you bring our hands together for our Team Zygarde guests: Hugh, Emma, and Mimi!"

The spotlight fell upon the three of them. Hugh raised a half-hearted hand within the cage as he laid on his side. Emma stood up and bowed like a Japanese maid (maybe she got the wrong instructions, or she got confused regarding what she was dressed up as, no one knows) before sitting down on a small stool and crossing her legs. Mimi sat on another stool, swinging it's little legs as it drank from a small cup of fruit juice holding a straw. Uncharacteristically, it didn't seem surprised at the crowd's presence, nor did it look or run toward Emma for security and encouragement. Maybe there is something in the juice after all.

"First up, let's have Slaking-boy take the lead role!" Anna announced.

"Joy," Hugh stated flatly.

What's new since the last time you were abducted for this show?

Hugh: "I evaded execution, met some new friends by accident, learned about a weapon Galactic has, helped found a team under the newly hatched Zygarde, learned that Zygarde is literally a tree-hugging hippie, and now we're looking for a way to assemble it's complete form, beat up Yveltal, and kill Galactic to the last man. Nothing important."

MFK: Rosa, Yancy, a wild Qwilfish

As Anna looked from her cue card back to Hugh's cage, she saw him playing with a Gameboy that he had mysteriously acquired. The game's audio came from Tetris. "H-Hey!" Anna stammered. "What are you doing?!"

Hugh shrugged. "I'm loafing around."

"You can't do that!" Anna protested. "You got questions to answer! We got ways to make you answer!"

"The production and presentation of this show isn't as grand as the last time I was here, and the audience isn't nearly as packed, so I'm assuming you're in dire straights in terms of budget. Even if you try to make me answer, it would cut into your run time and get your dwindling ratings even lower as a result."

Anna stomped on the floor. "I can prove you wrong, but you know what? Fine. These folks are waaaay more interested in your sidekick than they are about you anyway! See what I care!"

"Who're you calling a sidekick?!" Emma protested in the background.

Hugh put the Gameboy away. "Fine by me."

Do you trust Xerosic's vision for the future?

Hugh: "He's probably the best bet for stopping Galactic."

Have you ever considered giving into your rage, dying your hair golden, and calling yourself a Z-warrior?

Hugh is loafing around.

If Emma said she wanted a bottle of Sycamore brand perfume, would you set aside your hatred of Team Mewtwo to buy her some?

Hugh: "I would sit her down and try to convince her to reconsider. It's not even because of a grudge with Mewtwo, I think they smell putrid."

Somewhere in a Hugh fanpage, a Sycamore fans have declared war. A flame war.

Does your hair morph into an afro on humid days?

Hugh is loafing around.

Seriously, why not just buy a new Purrloin?

Hugh: "Most Purrloin on the market are Starbursted, first of all. Second of all, NO! That Liepard was all I had to remember by sister by, and now Galactic has it, and may not even be alive anymore. Just thinking about it makes me want to command Zygarde to swallow their remaining bases whole, but I won't because we still need to learn how Galactic is accessing the weapon on the moon."

Why male models?

Hugh is loafing around.

What is your opinion regarding Jupiter's demise.

Hugh: "One less scumbag in the world to deal with. Only complaint was that I wasn't there to see it."

You're in the middle of a fight to the death when suddenly you get the worst case of the runs you've ever had in your life. How do you change tactics to survive?

Hugh is loafing around.

Scale of Edible to 3 Kalos stars how good is Emma''s cooking?

Hugh: "Seven out of ten. Don't know how they translate into 'Kalos stars'. I've had better, but it's still pretty good."

Emma: "Thanks!"

How's your rage holding up?

Hugh is loafing around.

Any favourite new Xerosic toys?

Hugh: "The armor's pretty great for a supposed prototype. The laser gun would be up there if it didn't destroy itself after one shot."

How Can Mirrors Be Real If Our Eyes Aren't Real?

Hugh is loafing around.

Anna: "Stop it!"

Hugh: "Fine!"

Hugh flung the gameboy to the side.

Kill, Kill, Spare: Duncan Maurice, Celena

Hugh: "Celena's the only one I don't have a personal vendetta against, so I suppose she's allowed to live."

Is Guzma your boy?

Hugh: "...Who?"

How can there be peace while multiple factions stand?

Hugh: "Survival of the fittest, I guess."

Do you consider check yourself before you wreck yourself good advice?

Hugh: "Sure."

Would you still follow Xerosic if it turned out he was a former member of a terrorist organization?

Hugh: "I'd be willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. I learned a long time ago that those that had done wrong in the past should be allowed a second chance if they want to change their ways for the better. There have been times in the past couple of years where I find myself forgetting that, but I try to remember when I can."

Do you feel sorry for Duncan losing his son?

Hugh: "Part of me is sympathetic, another part of me says he deserved it. Countless families have been torn apart by his and Nova's atrocities... I can vouch for that much."

Emma: Surrogate little sister, love interest or both?

Hugh: "Surrogate sister's the closest to how I see her. I'm just not that interested in romance right now."

Emma: "Yeah. No offense, but you're really not my type."

"And that's enough questions for jerkface-head over there. Now, it's time for everyone's favorite poor and unwanted homeless girl, Miss Emma!"

"Did you really have to word it like that?" Emma protested. Hugh merely retrieved his Gameboy and went back to playing.

What's the best meal you've ever eaten?

Emma: "The very first thing I ate after dad took me in. It was a meat stew, and honestly it was kind of bland compared to other foods I've eaten since, but it was the best meal I've had in ages up to that point. It meant a lot to me."

You played with other kids in the alleys, right? How did their parents treat you?

Emma: "Most didn't approve of it, but there were a few that were nice to me; sometimes gave Mimi and I food, a few showers, and let us sleep in their house a few days when the weather was particularly rough. Of course, they didn't have the money to fully adopt or support me that much, but I still appreciated what little they did for us."

Have you ever wanted to bring a boy (or girl) home (that isn't Hugh)?

Emma: "No. I don't get out to socialize much, and no one has really caught my 'fancy'. Even Hugh was an accident."

Can you play games and watch videos on your suit's HUD?

Emma: "I can watch any videos dad sends me. I can't play games, but I think my dad would find a way if he wanted to. I'd rather spend my time focusing on whatever I'm supposed to be doing if I'm wearing my helmet, though."

Xerosic: Surrogate daddy, sugar daddy or both?

Emma: "Technically both... No that I don't-- well, you know what I mean, right?"

Do you think Hugh does anything interesting at night when nobody's watching?

Emma: "I try to mind my own business, but I don't think it would be anything interesting."

Anna: "Any comment, Slaking-boy?"

Hugh was loafing around.

What's the most fun you've ever had out on a job?

Emma: "I once entered a Nova center disguised as a plumber. The guy I was supposed to kidnap for info didn't show up, but I ended causing all kinds of mayhem with their drainage systems, so it was worth it."

Do you trust Xeroisc's vision for the future?

Emma: "Without a doubt."

Which is cuter, Mimi or Zygarde Core?

Emma: "Mimi, of course!"

The feline nya'd happily.

What's the first thing you want to do when the war ends and you can stop fighting?

Emma: "I... actually haven't thought about it. I think I'll just make it up as I go when the time comes. Maybe do some good with my suit, somehow."

How comfortable is the Expansion Suit?

Emma: "It used to chafe at first, but now it fits almost flawlessly."

Anna: "Would you say it feels like you're wearing... nothing at all? Nothing at all? Nothing at all?"

Emma shuffled nervously. "N-No? It's still pretty noticeable."

Disappointed "awww"s filled the auditorium.

If Xerosic wanted you to get him new mad scientist scrubs, how would you afford them?

Emma: "Well, normally he gives me enough cash to cover expenses when he sends me on errands like those."

How can there be peace while multiple factions stand?

Emma: "The rebels are mostly amicable, from what I've heard. The only ones standing in the way are Nova (obviously) and Galactic."

Do you consider check yourself before you wreck yourself good advice?

Emma: "I guess?"

You're in the middle of a fight to the death when suddenly you get the worst case of the runs you've ever had in your life. How do you change tactics to survive?

Emma: "I'd probably ask for an extraction if it's that bad."

Were you born poor, or is there hope for you as a human being?

Emma: "Ignoring that second part, I can't even remember why I was poor. For a long time, it was just the kind of life I was used to. I don't remember any parents, and the closest thing that would come to guardian was a teenage girl who looked over me and taught me how to fend for myself when I was very young until she was caught stealing and arrested. I've wondered what my parents were like and if they're the reason why I was the way I was, but after meeting Xerosic -- my dad as far as I'm concerned -- I've been thinking about it less and less."

Is Guzma your boy?

Emma: "...Who?"

What would you consider your most successful operation?

Emma: "Stealing Zygarde from Realgam Tower. There was less resistance than usual, and it ended up bringing Hugh along, which turned out to be a good thing in the end."

What was your fight with Jay like?

Emma: "Well, I had the drop on him in the mountains, so I was able to snipe his Zoroark before it was able to do anything, since dad told me it was one of the bigger threats. He found me pretty quickly, though, so they started attacking me in anger, which I was able to parry pretty well, when... Huh... I can't seem to remember what happened immediately after that."

Hugh: "You forgot about how you assassinated a freaking Nova admin?"

Emma: "I do remember!... Mostly! I especially remember his Mega-evolved Gardevoir! It's just... My memory is a bit spotty in a few places in that particular fight. I remember that he said some things to me, but I can't remember what. Maybe it happened too fast for me to process it, or my head injury was worse than I thought. Anyway, I eventually got close enough to stab Jay through the chest with my laser sword, but before I could grab Zygarde and run from the Pokemon that were still alive, I heard yelling, gunshots, and cries of other Pokemon rapidly approaching. Before I knew it, a lot of Galactic troops were almost right on top of me, and I was too injured to fight them all off, so I retreated."

Anna: "Well that was a slightly unsatisfying answer. Anyway, let's wrap it up with some cuteness. Mimi, spotlight's on you!"

Have you seen the variations of Pokemon species in other regions? What are your opinions on them?

Mimi: "Nyah. Awah. Nyah-nyah, guwaah."

A long pause followed.

Hugh: "...Budget too low for translators?"

Anna: "Shut up, you!"

Emma: "Damn. I wanted to be able to understand Mimi."

Why are you so cute?

Mimi: "Nyaaah~!"

A collective "D'AAAAAWWWW" erupted from the audience.

If you evolved, would you try to help in battle?

Mimi shuffled frightfully in its seat.

Emma: "She's too terrified of fighting."

What can you tell us about Mimi, Hugh, and Xerosic that they really wouldn't want anyone else to know?

Mimi went into a long, unintelligible rant. A few of the security Mankeys gave shocked gasps at some point.

"...This was a bad idea," Anna grumbled under her breath.

Who is the best dancer you've seen?

Mimi gave a cry.

Emma: "Oh wait, I know that cry. It's the one she usually makes when it involves dad."

Anna: "...I'm sure it was something special, all right."

Hugh: "My thoughts exactly."

Is Guzma your boy?

Mimi: "...?"

"Well, I think that's enough for tonight!" Anna declared. "Any parting words for our audience, guests?"

Mimi: "Nyah!"

Emma: "Thank you for having me!"

Hugh was loafing around.

"Wonderful!" Anna snapped her fingers, the three guests vanishing in a puff of smoke. "Join us next time, as we hopefully scrape by enough budget to get actual translators! Buh-bye, and good night!"

The curtains closed.

Hoenn, just outside Mauville City

Three armoured vehicles surround the corner of a fissure in the earth, where just over an hour ago a series of Earthquakes shook the nearby city and aroused suspicions of rebel activity in the area. Nova grunts had set up some yellow tape and quarantined off the area to question comers and goers and a few had yet to return from spelunking the fresh cracks security. The drivers lean against their vehicles, in a loose sense of the term keeping watch over the enclosure. They were grumbling about all the complaints they had been receiving about the quarantine, dissatisfaction within the civilian population was at the year's peak over the prior two weeks. People were getting brazen, and it seemed that more of the same would be coming their way when a haughty looking woman marched briskly their way.

She's dressed in some strange, form fitting black jumpsuit and draped over her shoulders is some kind of fluffy Ninetails coat that's so pale and white it almost looks translucent. The sort of thing Xerneas activists would throw blood over if it wouldn't get them publically executed.

"Excu~u~use me!" The haughty woman yells out in an exaggerated way at the grunts. "Are you people I can actually TALK TO about this wretched blockade? The last few simpletons in your uniform were NO USE at all!"

"We're sorry, Miss, but this area is off limits until we find the perpetrators of this attack or until we receive orders from HQ to cease investigations. For your own safety, please return to--"

"UGH. Just like all the rest!" The woman interrupts, almost pressing her face right up against the taller man's chin. "I'll have you know that I have to make a flight that leaves from Slateport to Goldenrod in less than an hour!"

"Ma'am, please..."

"Do you even know who I am!? I'm a top executive in the Urban Planning and Commerce Bureau! The board of directors is supposed to be hearing my advice on building a new monorail between the Kanto and Johto regions! You are DIRECTLY IMPEDING progress by wasting my time here!"

"I'm sorry, but we simply can't act on anybody's needs until we receive a call from our superior officers."

The woman relents, taking a step back and making a point of 'humph'ing loudly. "Fine. Then may I at least make a call of my own? You'll be hearing from your officer soon, I'm sure."

The soldiers exchange a nervous glance and shrug.

"Your call. I'll be at the Breeding Wing in a few."

Riley flipped the phone into his coat pocket and walked over to the meeting place, curious whether the questions would be casual or business-related. And if the latter, for what purpose.

"We're going to meet with Riley. It's this way."

One elevator ride, several minutes of walking to reach the correct wing, and two flights of stairs later, they arrived at the breeding wing. Seeing only two others in the large room, both scientists monitoring eggs on the other side of the room, Meridia was confident that there wasn't any real cocern about being overheard. So long as they seemed natural enough being there, the scientists wouldn't be curious enough to bother listening. They had too much work to do for so few people as it was, and not enough time to worry about what other people were doing. Riley was already there, but had his back to them as he watched a few young pokemon in a small habitat. She made her way towards him at a leisurely pace as Molly followed, until they were standing on the other side of the habitat.

"Well then. Riley, this is Molly. Molly, Riley." she said quietly before turning to Molly, "I'm not going to start trying to explain things. Take it away."

Painting and out of breath, Austin and Jacquelyn came to a stop as a door stood in their way. Jacquelyn had no doubt that the room this door concealed contained Diancie.

She turned to Austin, her cheeks tinted red from running.”Be ready. This won't be easy.”

Austin stood at attention, readying his Drive.”I didn't assume it would be.”

Jacquelyn locked her Pistol and aimed it at the door. She covered Austin as he summoned his Galactic blade and drove the energy-projected sword through the door. With a decisive kick, Jacquelyn raised her leg and kicked the weakened door open.

Jacquelyn swiftly and carefully walked into the room, gun raised. Austin followed with his Drive and a pistol at the ready.

Molly looked quickly between Meridia and Riley

Well, I'm already this far in...

"Hi. I'm Molly. Um...right, sorry about Eusine earlier," she added with a small wince, "But I actually have a message for some legendary Pokemon who I've heard are at Realgam. Namely Shaymin, Cobalion, and Keldeo....I was hoping you could help me find them."

---

Location: Goldenrod Underground

Saturn didn't get far at all. The tunnel in front of him experienced a sudden structural malfunction as the Mega-Armoured claws of Genesect crashed through the city above. With a psychic flourish, Harry teleported to stand in front of his mechanized monstrosity. Face-to-face at last.

Saturn's first thought was a mild annoyance that there was something in his way. Harry's first thought was whether or not he should gloat before pulling the trigger on the gun he had pointed at Saturn's face. Seeing as Saturn's second thought was to Skill Swap himself to Bulletproof, Harry's second (and third) thoughts were of immense frustration when Saturn simply charged him. The bullets deflected off of the empowered bio-field still covering Saturn's body, allowing the Galactic Boss to quickly grab Harry's arm, disarm him, switch to Pure Power, elbow him in the stomach, grab him by the throat, and drive him into the ground.

At the "elbow him in the stomach" part, Harry attempted a counter offensive, but that proved little more effective than a slap in the face. At around the "grab him by the throat" part Harry's teleporter pulled him out of Saturn's grip, teeth grinding in irritation behind his metal mask. He was about to order Genesect to roast the place, but some purple frog quickly dashed through a Phantom Force and pulled Saturn out of there.

....GAH!

Harry checked the tracker he had applied to Saturn during that slap in the face, and teleported in its direction. Genesect was quick to follow.

---

Location: Goldenrod, not Underground

Saturn landed on top of the tallest building still standing, Toxicroak quickly warping away to avoid potential StarBurst. This was good. Harry now wanted to fight him personally. He fiddled with a button on his communicator, but a smoke bomb caught him by surprise, a dense purple fog erupting around him.

He Skill Swapped to Compound Eyes but still couldn't see his target. He did feel the crunch of something massive, probably mechanical, land near him though. And he also noticed a StarBurst field encircle his location.

Evaporated Gastro Acid. No more tricks. You die now.

Harry stepped forward. A trigger went click and a bullet whizzed over Saturn's body, that had gone prone with a quarter second to spare.

"Check. Not checkmate!" Saturn called as he lunged at Harry's feet from the ground. Harry was caught by surprise and hit the ground, but not before managing to shoot Saturn in the shoulder. The exclamation of pain was audible, but so was the sound of Saturn's knife cutting through Harry's pistol.

Saturn flipped around, kicking Harry in the face and kneeing Harry in the stomach a few times as he got up and injected himself with a syringe of Audino serum, to numb the pain and help stop the bleeding. 

"Don't make the classic villain mistake Mercury!" Saturn called back, "Be efficient! Have your machine evaporate me before I outsmart you."

Whatever Harry did, it was too late for that. Saturn had one more trick. He pushed another button.

Yveltal shot in through a Phantom Force portal just above Saturn, Dragon Rush knocking Genesect through a building. The distraction let Saturn jump off the side of his building, bio-field reactivating with Levitate as he left the Gastro Acid mist behind.

WHAT THE HELL?!

"KA-KAW! HOW THE HELL AM I HERE?"

"A message...from another pokemon," Molly said plainly, "And they'd rather I not let other in on it. It's important to see them quickly...and unless it's absolutely necessary to say more, I shouldn't."

"Um...well, there's a lot of things going on...I'd rather not explain everything..." Molly said, visibly fidgeting, "But if I was up to no good, wouldn't Mewtwo be able to tell? I haven't exactly been discreet keeping with Eusine in the med bay. And your allies trust me...Meridia's helping me, and I'm very grateful for that. I'm only trusting you because she trusts you too."