#lovear

Recommended Music: We’ve Made it a Paradise (Choices)

It is Autumn season and a new day begins in La Huerta. The children step out of the Centaurus Resort in their new Autumn clothing.

They are accompanied by the Endless Summer Gang.

Taari: Autumn is here!

Kaitlyn: I can’t wait for our next badge!

Reginald: And for new challenges ahead.

Quinn: You guys are on your way to Quarr’tel Town, right? Guess you’re up against Zahra.

Zahra: Dope. I’m down to fight these runts. Craig, Raj and I are gonna go ahead. I’ll see ya kids at Quarr’tel Town.

Craig: See ya’ll next time!

Raj: I’m off to the gym, my dudes!

The kids and the rest of the Gang wave goodbye to Zahra, Craig and Raj as they walk away. The rest of the Gang say their goodbyes to the kids.

Estela: Come on. We still have our own jobs to do.

Sean: Right. See you soon, guys. Take care.

Quinn: Good luck on the League!

Taylor and Jake give Kaitlyn a warm embrace. 

Taylor: Good luck, Kaitlyn, and take care. We love you.

Jake: We support you all the way, li’l Marshmallow.

Kaitlyn: I love you too, Mom and Dad.

Grace and Aleister do the same to Reginald. 

Grace: I’ll see you back in Mansingh Town, dear. We love you.

Aleister: Best of luck to you, my son.

Reginald: Thank you, Mother, Father. I love you too.

And lastly,  Diego does the same to Taari while Varyyn pats his head.

Diego: We’re proud of what you’ve done for the past few days, Taari.

Varyyn: May Vaanu guide you in your journey.

Taari: Thank you so much, Varyyn and Mister Diego. I love you guys.

After a moment of goodbyes, the kids and the gang separate. On their way to the outskirts of Orderve City, the kids come across a familiar man. The redhead woman that Taari and Reginald sat next to during the second contest, seems to be holding hands with him.

Kaitlyn: Hey, don’t you think that guy looks familiar?

Taari: Yeah... And that woman too.

Reginald: That’s THE Blight!

The kids stare at Blight in surprise.

Taari: Blight?! The inventor of the Blightdex? And Master of the Foundry in Aryndelle?!

Kaitlyn: You’re right! He IS Blight!

Blight and the woman spot the kids and recognize them.

Blight: Oh, hey! It’s you guys!

The kids are startled.

Taari: He knows us?!

Reginald: Of course, he knows us. He was one of the announcers of the Pokélympics.

Taari: ...Oh yeah.

Blight and the woman approach the kids.

Blight: I guess we aren’t formally introduced yet. My name is Blight and this is my girlfriend, Katherine.

Katherine: Nice to meet all of you.

The kids and the couple shake each other’s hands.

Taari: Glad to meet such a legend!

Reginald: It is an honor, once again, Mister Blight.

Kaitlyn: Nice to meet you.

Blight grins at the kids.

Blight: You guys were amazing during the Pokélympics. I guess I should reward you for that.

Taari: Really?!

Kaitlyn: What kind of reward?

Blight reaches for his coat pocket and pulls out different stones.

Taari: Woah... Are these...?

Reginald: Evolutionary stones!

Blight: That’s correct. These could be useful for your Pokémon who are in need of it.

Kaitlyn: Oh yeah!

Kaitlyn quickly grabs one of her pokéballs and calls out her Pikachu. Katherine squeals at the sight of her.

Katherine: Aww cute!

Taari and Reginald look at her in curiosity. 

Taari: What are you planning, Kaitlyn?

Reginald: I see. You’re trying to get your Pikachu to evolve!

Kaitlyn: Mhm.

Blight then grabs a Thunder Stone and is about to tap it on Pikachu’s forehead, but the Pokémon hisses at the stone and rushes behind Kaitlyn.

Kaitlyn: Huh? What’s wrong, girl?

Blight becomes confused but quickly realizes the situation.

Blight: Ah, I see. You got your Pikachu from her Highness.

Kaitlyn: Her Highness..?

Blight quickly covers his mouth while Katherine does a facepalm. Kaitlyn immediately puts together the puzzle pieces.

Kaitlyn: WAIT A MINUTE! YOU’RE KARL?!

Blight sighs and confesses.

Blight: Yeah... Her Highness, or as you may know her as Vishakha, made me join contests.

Kaitlyn: How did she do that?

Katherine: It’s actually a pretty funny story.

Blight: That we’ll talk about later. For now, we have to evolve Kaitlyn’s Pokémon.

Reginald: Not just her Pokémon.

The group turns to Reginald who quickly calls out his Nidorino. Taari gets the idea and calls out his Kirlia.

Reginald: We want our Pokémon to evolve too.

Taari: Since we still have a long way to go in the League.

Blight smiles and grabs a Moon Stone and a Dawn Stone. Meanwhile, Kaitlyn looks at Pikachu, who is still hissing at the Thunder Stone.

Kaitlyn: So, what’s wrong with Pikachu?

Blight: It’s actually hilarious. You see, her Highness trained her Pikachus to despise Thunder Stones.

Kaitlyn: Seriously?!

Blight: Yeah. It goes to show how much she really loves the Pokémon.

Blight laughs while Kaitlyn calms her Pikachu and convinces her to evolve.

Kaitlyn: It’s okay, Pikachu. Evolution is not bad, you know.

Pikachu: Chu?

Kaitlyn: Trust me.

Pikachu: Pi~ka!

Pikachu smiles and agrees to evolve. She, along with Nidorino and Kirlia, steps forward towards Blight. He then taps each of the stones to their respective Pokémon and soon after the kids’ Pokémon start to evolve. Kaitlyn’s Pikachu evolves into a Raichu. Reginald’s Nidorino evolves into a Nidoking. And Taari’s Kirlia evolves into a Gallade.

Taari: Woah! Gallade, you look so awesome!

Reginald: It’s time for you to shine in the battlefield, Nidoking.

Kaitlyn: Oh my god, Raichu! You look so cute!

The kids marvel at the sight of their newly evolved Pokémon. Meanwhile, Blight smirks while Katherine giggles. The kids take notice of this.

Taari: What is it, Mister Blight?

Blight: Now that you guys have your Pokémon evolved... why not we have a battle?

Reginald: Are you serious?!

Katherine: Oh, he is.

Kaitlyn: It could be practice for us three.

The kids nod at each other and turn to Blight.

Taari: We accept.

Reginald: Should we do three matches then?

Blight: How about I fight you guys all at once?

Kaitlyn: What?!

Blight: Don’t worry. I won’t be too harsh.

The kids begin to hesitate but their determination fades their hesitation away.

Taari: Let’s do this!

Blight: Great!

A few minutes later, the group gather on a grass field within the city.

Blight: Ready?

Taari: Yeah!

Reginald: Absolutely.

Kaitlyn: Ready when you are!

Blight smirks and calls out his partner.

Blight: Let’s do this, Greninja!

Blight throws his pokéball upwards and Greninja comes out of it. He then lands on the ground with one foot and crouches like a ninja.

Reginald’s Mind: If I remember correctly, Blight is an aggressive combination expert.

The boy then warns his friends.

Reginald: Watch yourself, guys. I’ve seen him battle and he’s really tough.

Taari: Alright.

Kaitlyn: You lead us to victory then.

Katherine, as the referee, raises her arm.

Katherine: Let the match... BEGIN!

Recommended Music: Rival Theme (Pokémon Sun and Moon)

At the start of the match, Blight and Greninja mimic ninja hand motions.

Blight: Alright, Greninja. Ninja Art: Ice Shuriken!

Kaitlyn: Ninja Art...?

Taari: Ice Shuriken...?

Reginald: I knew it.

While Taari and Kaitlyn wonder in confusion at Blight’s command, Greninja clench his fists and cold air begins to surround them. Greninja then conjures multiple Water Shuriken with his hands. With the cold air surrounding his hands, the Shurikens begin to freeze, turning them into ice shurikens.

Reginald: Watch out! Here it comes!

Greninja then throws them towards his opponents.

Reginald: Quick! Tell your Pokémon to get behind Nidoking.

Taari: Gallade, do what Reginald said!

Kaitlyn: You do the same, Raichu!

Reginald: Now, use Fire Punch, Nidoking!

Gallade and Raichu get behind Nidoking as the Drill Pokémon’s fist start to engulf in flames. He then punches the ground and a wall of fire rises between him and the ice shurikens. Upon reaching the fire wall, the shurkens melt. Blight is impressed.

Blight: Oh? Good thinking.

Reginald: Now!

The fire wall dissipates and soon after, Taari and Kaitlyn give their command.

Taari: Use Psycho Cut, Gallade!

Kaitlyn: Raichu, use Iron Tail!

Gallade’s bladed elbows extend and glow pink. He then runs around Nidoking and charges towards Greninja. Meanwhile, Raichu’s tail glows white and charges towards Greninja as well.

Blight: Not so fast. Greninja, use Ninja Art: Shuriken Barrage!

Greninja mimics ninja hand signs and creates multiple clones of himself using Double Team. He and the clones then conjure Water Shurikens and throw them at Gallade and Raichu. The two were able to cut through some of the shurikens with their moves but were still hit by the rest.

Taari: Damn!

Kaitlyn: He’s good.

Reginald: Tch!

Gallade and Raichu regroup back at Nidoking. Blight smirks as he delivers his final command.

Blight: Let’s go! Ultimate Ninja Art: Dark Spiraling Shuriken!

Greninja does another set of ninja hand signs and uses Dark Pulse. He conjures a sphere filled with dark energy and start to conjure a large Water Shuriken around it. He then throws the attack towards his opponents. Due to its very fast speed, the kids and their Pokémon are unable to do anything against it. The attack eventually hits and a large puff of black smoke appears. As the smoke clears, Nidoking, Gallade and Raichu lay down on the ground, fainted.

Taari: WHAT?!

Kaitlyn: They’re down already?

Reginald: He’s... he’s that strong?

Katherine raises her arm to end the match.

Katherine: With all of their Pokémon fainted at once, Taari, Kaitlyn and Reginald loses the match. Blight and his Greninja wins!

The kids rush towards their Pokémon and comfort them.

Taari: You were awesome out their, Gallade.

Gallade: Ga...

Kaitlyn: You did your best, Raichu.

Raichu: Chu~

Reginald: You were just as amazing as you were before, Nidoking.

Nidoking: Grr...

Blight approaches Greninja and the two high-fived.

Blight: You were great out there, Greninja. Nice job.

Greninja: Kero!

Recommended Music: Whatchoo Lookin' At?! (Choices)

Suddenly, a slow clap is heard behind Blight as he hears a very familiar voice.

Voice: Well done... JESTER!!

Blight trembles and turns to see his niece, Vishakha, in a new Autumn outfit.

Blight: Y-your Highness?!

Vishakha: I found you!!

Blight quickly runs away but was stopped short by Mika, also wearing her new Autumn outfit.

Mika: You’re not going anywhere, “Karl”!

Vishakha catches up to him and grabs his collar. Blight reaches for a smoke bomb in his pocket but it’s empty.

Blight: OH NO! I forgot to stock up last night!

Vishakha smirks.

Vishakha: What’s wrong, Jester? Ran out of smoke bombs?!

Katherine giggles and approaches the two.

Katherine: You know, dear, when you said your niece is a great person, I didn’t realize you were only talking about her sweet side.

Vishakha looks at Katherine.

Vishakha: Who are you?

Blight: She’s my girlfriend.

Vishakha scoffs. She lets Blight go and crosses her arms.

Vishakha: Pfft. Yeah right. If you had a girlfriend, you’d tell me soon.

Blight: No, really!

Vishakha: Stop lying, Jester.

Katherine smiles and cups Blights face before kissing his lips softly. The kids cover their eyes while Vishakha stands there, startled and frozen. Meanwhile, behind her, her sisters and Aryn approach the group.

Aryn: Hey, guys. What’s u--

Aryn, Rachel and Meg freeze at the sight of Blight and Katherine kissing.

Rachel: What...

Meg: ...the?!

Rachel spots Vishakha, still frozen and shakes her.

Rachel: Sis! Get a hold of yourself!

Meg: When did you guys meet?!

Blight and Katherine pull away from their kiss and turn to the group.

Katherine: We met a week ago when I visited Orderve City to try out the great foods they serve here. Then I saw him battling Raj in the Orderve Gym and approached him after the battle. We had a great time and we explored the city. We then took a balloon ride, where we confessed to each other and shared our first kiss.

Blight: Yeah... that’s pretty much it.

Katherine smiles and kisses Blight’s cheek as he rubs the back of his head shyly. The group looks at them speechless until Vishakha composes herself and speaks up.

Vishakha: Well, what do you know? Uncle Blight has found love.

She grins and pats Blight’s back. 

Recommended Music: We’ve Made it a Paradise (Choices)

After a few minutes of catching up, the group walks around the pier. Mika approaches Blight and asks him a question.

Mika: Say, Mister Blight...

Blight: Hmm?

Mika: Why do you want to join contests?

Kaitlyn: Oh yeah! I asked him the same question earlier.

Vishakha smirks at Blight after hearing the question while he laughs.

Blight: Alright, fine. I’ll tell the story. It was a year ago and her Highness was celebrating her birthday. On the castle balcony, I was stargazing and she approached me...

[FLASHBACK]

A year ago, in the Aryndelle castle balcony, Blight was stargazing. He was approached by the birthday girl, Vishakha.

Vishakha: Jester?

Blight: Oh. Hey, your Highness. What’s up?

Vishakha: Well, Izzy Mommy wants me to go to La Huerta to practice my skills in Pokémon Contests.

Blight laughs.

Blight: Pfft. Skills? Yeah right.

Vishakha smirks at his sarcasm.

Vishakha: You wanna bet on that?

Blight: Sure!

Vishakha: What are the stakes?

Blight: How about... when you don’t become the Contest Queen of La Huerta, I’ll temporarily take your place as Elite Four of Aryndelle.

Vishakha: Deal!

Blight: Wow. No hesitation.

Vishakha: Because I know I’ll win.

Blight: We’ll see. So what’s yours?

Vishakha: If I do become the Contest Queen of La Huerta, you get to join the contests next year.

Blight: Are you serious?

Vishakha: Yep!

Blight shrugs.

Blight: Alright, deal.

The two shake hands as they smirk at each other.

[END OF FLASHBACK]

Blight: Aaand you guys know the rest.

The group laughs at the story.

Kaitlyn: Haha! You’re right that is pretty fu--

Recommended Music: The Hunted (Choices)

Before Kaitlyn could finish, a lightning strikes the sea, startling everyone in the pier.

Reginald: What’s going on?!

Everyone looks to the sky as storm clouds start to appear out of nowhere. Strong winds start to blow from the sea as waves strike the edge of the pier. The group then looks to the sea and notices a large silhouette.

Rachel: Hey, what’s that?

The silhouette gets closer and slowly reveals itself. The silhouette seems to be  a red serpentine Chinese dragon-like Pokémon with a yellow underbelly and yellow spots along its body. 

Everyone immediately recognizes it.

Meg: Is that a Gyarados?

Katherine: It’s bigger than most Gyarados I’ve seen.

Aryn, Vishaka, Rachel and the kids immediately realizes the situation as the approaching Gyarados is surrounded by a dark aura.

Aryn: It can’t be...

Vishakha: Don’t tell me...

Reginald: That Pokémon is said to be the most powerful among the Four Guardians of La Huerta.

Kaitlyn: So, why...?

Taari: WHY IS THE SEA GUARDIAN CORRUPTED?!

Blight grits his teeth and turns to everyone.

Blight: EVACUATE THE AREA! NOW!!

The Sea Guardian appears before Orderve City and is corrupted! Will the group be able to stop it before it wreaks havoc? FIND OUT IN THE FIRST CHAPTER OF POKÉMON AUTUMN VERSION!