Lovrina's Story

James and company would find someone else standing near the building. Two individuals, actually. Standing before the entrance to the building for the fashion show, that being the Gym, was a teenager. She was wearing a white and light-grey collared mini dress that lacked sleeves, black full tights, and light-grey thigh-high platform boots with a respectable heel. She also had white gloves. Her eyelids had a faint application of a bright neon yellow eyeliner, and her eyes were a greenish yellow color. The standout design feature was her hair, however; bright pink in color, it was styled into twintails that were long enough to reach her shins. Cute green gem hair decs held them in place, and she had what looked like a pair of Safety Goggles on her head, colored light-grey with silverish lenses.

The other individual with her was a middle-aged man of above-average height and average build. He looked quite youthful still with his short black hair and dark purple eyes. He wore pants, a shirt with suspenders, and low-heeled shoes, all in black and grey colors. Each piece looked to be a high-class quality of make, and likely cost major expense. Over this uniform, he donned a lab coat, white like many are. He also sported a pair of glasses that seemed more for mechanical functions than vision correction.

The teenaged girl wore a confident smirk, speaking like a stereotypical teenager.

Please, Doctor Nendal. When will you tell me about your cloning experiments and the results? I do so want to know!

In due time, Lovrina. For now, let's relish in the fact that everything went as planned. Just think of the data we can collect and analyze now that your creation, SP-719, has declared itself a capital entity in this world! How riveting! Of course, it was only made possible because of the multiple clones I had made. To think, in my youth, enormous progress had been made in the field of cloning, with a Pokemon known as Mewtwo being the first successful implementation of such techniques. But while technically feasible with the proper conditions, there was ethical resistance to the idea. I rejected such pretty concerns and decided to move on myself. In fact, I chose to clone myself!

The teen seemed shocked.

Cloning technology? You are so joking! Wait, I've heard of this! Mewtwo was that ultimate Pokemon made of Mew DNA. So that means, oh... You cloned yourself? But why? I so don't get it! Why would you want to create copies of yourself?

Well, you see, it was to further my research and continue arranging for this plan of ours to carry out successfully. After countless failed experiments, I finally realized the solution. I then used my own failed clones to further my research! First, I turned the experiments onto the Carbink that we had. How else did you receive so many Carbink to work with? Menard surely could not obtain so many as we did.

The man in the lab coat grinned maniacally as a shine crossed his glasses.

With the success, I proceeded to turn the experiments onto myself! Lovrina, tell me... Do you know what it is like to watch yourself birth into the world? To grow in a matter of days, and then to die shortly thereafter? ...It is riveting!

Oh, wait! Wait! I so am shocked right now. Doctor Nendal! Does that mea-

Cease your interruptions! These clones were used. I used them to further test DNA splices that could awaken new elemental powers in Ruulans such as ourselves. Learning moves, acquiring abilities, even attuning to types akin to the Pokemon themselves! But then something went wrong... The clones began to obtain a measure of sentience I did not anticipate. Unlike Carbink and other Pokemon, Ruulans have a level of intellect and logic that is rarely paralleled. So it became that the clones resented being used in such ways...and they began to fight back. So I took emergency measures to ensure my plans came to fruition. A test was performed to ensure that each clone would be challenged to their limits, and in the end, only one survived. That survivor is here with you right now. The last of the sentient clones of myself that existed was challenged, meeting his end at the hands of your creation.

What on Ruula? How could you be planning this far ahead? That means that you're...!

Yes. I am a clone, and my plans saw my creator killed! Quite a turn of events, no? This changes little of the true end goals. I merely wish to collect as much observational data on how Ruulans respond to a crisis event of this magnitude. Unova is just the start after all.

Well, that means we didn't need Ahriman after all, then. We just so needed to be serious just a little tiny bit. Like, wow! I'm so amazed because we are such geniuses!

The pair were not aware yet of the approach of James and his company.

Among most of Ruula, the Unova Region wasn't actually a place he explored all that often. So the bright lights of Nimbasa City caught him completely off guard as they approached. He had to blink and get a bearing on the weird contrasting atmosphere. While every sign was as bright and colorful and cheerful as can be, the dark clouds and the shadowy aura that hung in the air made it feel creepy. And that was before factoring in the realization of seemingly no one being here...or at least outside.

It was ominous.

"I reckon you have a point there," Crimson nodded thoughtfully as he hopped off James's shoulder, replying to his thoughtful considerations. While he had this gut feeling that it wasn't going away, it still wasn't a bad idea to put the theory out of mind. It was always better to be safe than sorry.

They walked until they noticed the two individuals chatting away in front of the building they were heading towards. And with an amazing fortune not graced to some deities in some universes, they happened to be the right two individuals to casually hear the words from. And oh, did it explain everything. Crimson's vision grew narrower with each passing word between the two as the scientist said his name and then some more, like his cloning experiment and how it explained his existence at all. How the teenage girl was the actual mastermind behind Queen Melaine's inception. Even how current events came about...where the real Dr. Nendal was slain by the Diancie, leaving behind his only clone to continue his work and progress his experiments. Was all of this just an experiment to him? Did he even care about the inhabitants of this world?

The thoughts enraged him, and with it a powerful aura suddenly engulfed the area, likely grabbing the attention of the doctor and the teenager. The amount of power the Chimchar was letting off was highly unusual and typically reserved for the Legendary Pokemon. The two allies by his side would feel it, including his hot anger, and know instantly that it was coming from him. They would know now, if not before, that this was no ordinary Chimchar

"Well...wasn't that expository?" Crimson turned to James and Shirona, a gleam of determination in his eye, "Shall we-"

But before anyone could do anything, the front door to the fashion show building opened.

There was a click, then a loud BWOOSH!

Dr. Nendal would likely be too distracted by the display of power in front of him to notice a large rifle being pointed at the back of his head and fired. A bullet wasn't the projectile, but in fact a huge bolt of energy originally created to stun and incapacitate foes, then amplified in power by it's previous wielder to do much more than that. And it was fired point blank, travelling at the speed of light itself, directly into the cloned gray matter of the scientist that caused so much grief for the people of Ruula within the span of an hour. Unless Arceus himself intervened, this would be the end of the road for this clone, going out with a classic head explosion akin to one you'd see in the movie Scanners.

The current wielder didn't even smile when she pulled the trigger, her electric blue hair still kept perfectly and fashionably neat despite current affairs. Her attire of choice today wasn't too revealing, but rather slim fitting and tight against her body for a black and yellow jumpsuit, giving the illusion of being revealing. For a supermodel that loved to hide her emotions, her face looked quite fierce, a steely and determined glint in her eyes as she watched the spectacle happen in front of her.

There were several rationales for Elesa's actions. For one, the opportunity was ripe. He was simply explaining (almost humble bragging) everything he knew plainly out in the open like this. Of course she was going to take notice and do something about it. She had the home field advantage after all. And she also had the knowledge that this scientist was too nimble on his feet for an up front confrontation to do any good, having seen and hearing about the results her guards at the Grand Stadium had in apprehending this foe. She knew she had to strike quickly and deliberately in order to take care of this threat.

She was just fortunate enough to have saved a rifle. Two years ago, when the Fireknaught established peaceful relations with the people of Ruula and made their base in Nimbasa City, she had met and made good friends with the local squad leader. Unfortunately, the invasion of the strange aliens in the strange armor and the deliberate actions of the Taiyou invoked a battle in the city...one that the people rose up against. In the aftermath, the Taiyou and the aliens were forced to retreat, but the Fireknaught were instructed to leave as well. She had found that rifle where he had dropped it during the battle and decided to keep it...as the only memento she would have of the brave man.

She was also fortunate that it still worked.

There were several reasons why Elesa would be set on killing the scientist. Their relationship got off to a rocky start and went downhill ever since. This was the scientist who had barged into her stadium, set on wrecking havoc and disrupting the natural order of things...all for his own personal gain and knowledge. Hell, to her this whole Diancie debacle was just one big experiment to Dr. Nendal. He didn't care about the people on this planet or it's creatures. Not one little bit. And he certainly didn't care about structure or human decency or combat. If he wanted to throw out the rules of proper engagement, then so would she.

Fuck Touko's orders to await commands. Fuck Diancie's orders of compliance. And most importantly to her, fuck this man who thought he was so great he could parade his accomplishments in front of her building. This was her victory today.

"I'm not dealing with this shit heel anymore," she spat bitterly before turning the gun towards the punk teenage girl, "Don't even think about trying anything."

And from his standpoint, Crimson's jaw hit the floor as he could do nothing but summarize the current events, his power subsiding.

"D...Did that lady just kill the scientist?"

"That is Elesa. Also, her killing that man is unlikely."

"Or...she did and that was the whole reason for him to be here, taunting her with such perfectly convienent bait. Think about it, if he had the foresight to predict the cloning mishap, he most certainly had enough brains to realize this was a bad idea. He most likely planned this event. As for that girl, she is the creator of that Diance. As the creator, she'd know how to shut it down or weaken it as a back-door is usually created in case the day comes the experiment turns on the creator. But, if she did make counter measures, they may be null as that Scientist probably tampered with them."

Neither of the duo seemed too surprised by the power the Chimchar held. I mean he got an eyebrow raise from James but, Shirona was not terribly surprised.

"No point in hiding ourselves considering you gave us away. Shirona, prepare for battle."

"Yes, sir!"

With that, the pair walked into view of Elesa and the punk as well as the Nendal who is on the floor, again in their presence. That is some habit.

At the rifle being pointed at Lovrina, one of her own Poke Balls responded as a Gardevoir freed itself from the sphere and wasted no time in using Teleport, quickly ferreting Lovrina, as well as Nendal's body, away from the site, leaving only a business card that was the doctor's. The card itself had a name, a location, and referred to Nendal as the Director of the company. The address given was outside of any city and was one of several facilities it seemed, with the company having at least one building in each region.

The area felt more tense somehow, now that the rifle entered the picture, and everyone involved could only feel that big changes would be coming, especially as a tall man standing outside in the weather, protected by a long coat, observed the events occur before he turned away and walked back toward his Alakazam, after which the pair teleported as well.

Crimson was already lowering his fists, sensing the action that Lovrina was going to take before she did it. However, he was too far away to do anything about it. He could only watch as the punk teenager spawned a Gardevoir and teleported away from them, taking the body of the scientist with them. Elesa didn't even have the reaction time to pull the trigger before she left. His shock turned to frustration as he started a swift jog towards the Nimbasa City Gym Leader, the only one outside of the fashion show. One of the fashionistas sprinted outside, having witnessed everything Elesa had just done as Crimson arrived on the scene.

"M-M-Miss..." the fashionista stammered out of fear and awe, "Y...You just-"

"I know what I did," Elesa shot back hotly, lowering the weapon. It looked awkward in her hands, like she was holding it wrong. Despite the iron in her words, her shallow breaths and the rapid blinking of her eyes let it truly be known to everyone who was watching what was really running through her head. What had she done? Was it really worth it? And the question that did haunt her...what was she going to do now?

But none of those were what came out of Crimson's mouth when he spoke, tightening his own fists. The rage was returning, "Why did you do that?! There were many better ways to go about this than to just...kill him like that!"

He gestured over to the bloodstain that was left by Dr Nendal, making sure that while Elesa wouldn't understand what he was saying, she would get the general gist of what he was outraged about.

But all she did was give the Chimchar a once over and raise a brow, "What're you lookin' at?"

---

Superior Automated Machines : Experiment Room A1

---

Inside a lab, four girls stood talking to each other.

The first was a teenager. She was wearing a white and light-grey collared mini dress that lacked sleeves, black full tights, and light-grey thigh-high platform boots with a respectable heel. She also had white gloves. Her eyelids had a faint application of a bright neon yellow eyeliner, and her eyes were a greenish yellow color. The standout design feature was her hair, however; bright pink in color, it was styled into twintails that were long enough to reach her shins. Cute green gem hair decs held them in place, and she had what looked like a pair of Safety Goggles on her head, colored light-grey with silverish lenses.

The second was also a teenager. She was wearing a fanciful white and light-grey sleeveless gothic dress whose skirt fell to her knees, matching detached sleeves with a dark-blue frill around the wrists, dark-blue full tights, and magenta colored stiletto heels that weren't less than 4-5 inches tall. She also bore magenta colored gloves and a dark-blue neck ribbon with a gem on it. Her eyes were too a yellowish color, though with a bit more brown than green. Her hair was styled into twintails as well, though they fell only to her neck. Her hair was light-green, and held by two hair decs; magenta colored ribbons.

The third was a slim teenaged girl with average height. She wore a plain but stylish cream dress with a black trim under a bulky and large grey jacket with a zipper, magenta full tights, and high-quality boots both brown and heeled with respectable heels. Her arms and hands, if she had any, weren't visible inside the clearly oversized sleeves of her jacket. Her eyes were a murky magenta color with a trend toward pink, and her short hair was eye-catching in just how green and pale it was. She wore a deadpan expression across her face that contrasted the others' smiles.

The last girl was clearly the youngest and shortest of the group. She wore a white open-back dress in a lolita fashion with a fishnet frill and pink trim, pink ankle ribbons, and pink Mary Jane platform shoes with a respectable heel and a white rose dec. Her gloves were pink and short, and she had a pink neck ribbon with a white rose on it as well. Her eyes were blue, but were not as standout as her hair. Almost as the first teenager's hair, it was nearly floor-length twintails, though these were also in a bright pink and bright blue two-tone that turned into drills towards the bottom. A strand of hair also formed a heart-shape atop her head.

You are so joking about that, Janice! I'm like, in disbelief that a Gym Leader would so decide that she had any right to attack other Trainers!

Well, that's just how it is! She was scared, as I stated. Weak people are always scared when they encounter something stronger than they are.

Hee hee! This will be fun; seeing what direction we go now! I like it a lot!

The three turned to the girl in the jacket.

Rachel, you are so quiet. You should so give your opinion. We so all want to hear it from you, as the Kalosian Champion.

After thinking a moment without actually showing such, the girl in the jacket looked aside, sporting a slightly smug expression.

I think you're right. In that, you all so want to hear it. My opinion, though, is more complex. I think you should finish what he started, Lovrina. Not actually finish, though, as in ending it. But the kind of finish that only continues the act indefinitely. Two entirely different finishes. I wonder if the act looks better when it's been finished, like the coating you apply to a surface to make it shiny. Minus the coats and the shiny Pokemon.

The girl with the extravagant hair continued.

That sounds great! Father clearly liked you enough to put you in charge of his work, Lovrina. So you should continue it!

Yeah, we're fine with it. Like, you're really capable if you made something able to defeat the Grand Champion.

Well, then I so won't let you all down. I so mean it! I'll see the rest of the experiment through!

---

Driftveil City : Market

---

The market was bustling at the current time of day. With the weather calming down, people were returning to their usual activities and business. The patterns of purple clouds that still rolled through the sky kept everyone wary, however. The lady selling the herbs gave an appreciative nod and word of thanks to James for his purchases before turning to express surprise at a crowd of excited people gathering around someone.

At the center of the crowd, James and Shirona would be able to see a slim teenaged girl with average height. She wore a plain but stylish cream dress with a black trim under a bulky and large grey jacket with a zipper, magenta full tights, and high-quality boots both brown and heeled with respectable heels. Her arms and hands, if she had any, weren't visible inside the clearly oversized sleeves of her jacket. Her eyes were a murky magenta color with a trend toward pink, and her short hair was eye-catching in just how green and pale it was. She wore a deadpan, if vaguely smug, expression across her face that contrasted the excitement of those around her.

Wow! Rachel!

Wait, that's Rachel?

Yeah! Rachel is great! She's the Kalosian Champion! She's said to be very tricky to beat!

Yeah, a legendary battler!

Rachel! Can I get an autograph?

Rachel, I'll be rooting for you in the World Tournament!

Where do I buy the merchandise?

Amid all the questions and comments, the girl spoke.

It's okay. I'm not tricky to beat. Just difficult. You need to win. Winning is what is truly difficult. So that is why I'm difficult to beat.

Seeing the book pushed into her face for an autograph, she gave a deadpan smile and replied.

Can you? I've always wondered if you could. I suppose you're like the other people, who are able to. That means you can then, I guess. I don't know. But I will sign your book for you. I can do that.

As a large bipedal humanoid Daunting Pokemon heard this, it turned to grab a small marker that had a shoot attached to the cap. Uncapping the device for Rachel, it held it out to her, allowing her to bite the marker between her teeth. Holding the marker with her teeth, she signed the book for the fan. After handing the marker back to the Daunting Pokemon, she smiled at the fan.

Now you have my autograph. You can do whatever you want with it. It isn't an auto or a graph, but I am sure it fits what you requested.

The fan seemed pleased.

Thank you, Champion Rachel!