Secondary Objective: Noonlight

How Nova got into this situation, honestly they couldn't rightly state the reasoning behind it - but they were here, they were involved, and like hell, they were going to give up without one hell of a true fight. Nova had people, friends - more like family truly - either way, people that had wormed into his heart and deserved to be protected. They deserved for Nova to do his best to help fix this chaos that was currently hitting this world, even if it WAS just code and programming. It felt real enough that Nova could feel the icy breeze - the skin on his face stinging from the cold - as they scooped up Nerissa into his arms. Holding the Popplio close to his chest, ducking slightly to protect the Pokemon as Nova rushed to where the teleporter stood, it would take them to the Shrine that they needed to go to.

It wasn't only people that Nova was fighting for, it was the Pokemon as well - to some, they were little more than pieces of code - tools to use to fight. But for Nova, it was different, and in a way - looking at the Popplio that was tucked right against him, there was another that Nova was fighting for without a doubt. Nerissa was a sweet thing, like Nova - even if Nova hated to admit it - they both had their heart on their sleeve. Caring deeply for what they believed in, Nova's partner deserved a world that was not at threat like this - this would be for her as well. Even if it meant facing a legendary firebird and talking from his heart was what it was going to take.


It wasn't just Nova after all, right before Nova was another - already speaking when Nova and Nerissa appeared. It did give Nova an extra moment to breathe - listening and rubbing at his Pokemon's head slightly. Trying to work out what the hell he was going to say, it was hard not to feel nervous, oddly enough it was hearing some of what was being said that helped the most. Laguna was passionate but clearly cared, even if her words didn't hit Moltres - didn't speak to the firebird - they spoke to Nova, a small smile forming on their face even as small tears formed in his eyes.


"Couldn't have said that better myself even if I tried.." The words came before they could be stopped, and with that, it was hard to not continue - still offering a small nod and a smile to Laguna and her pokemon as Nova stepped forward. Nerissa quickly moved, climbing Nova's shoulder and leaning on his head to stare up at Moltres. They would face this challenge together, and they wouldn't be alone - before starting Nova's own speel - he noticed a familiar appearance of one of his dearest friends, at least one of those that Nova cared for would be here as well. More reason to do this, to make things right. Comet would have his back without a doubt, of that Nova was certain. It gave them another needed boost to their confidence, turning to face Moltres and bearing his own heart to a creature powerful enough to destroy each of them. Instead, Moltres was willing to hear them out - a chance that Nova was not going to waste.

"Humans are... complicated at best, of that there is no doubt. Some do bad things - some truly horrific - things most can't understand the reason WHY they do those things - some fight every day for what they believe is right, to do GOOD in the world, to make the world a better place. Some don't even live long enough to see the change they helped bring about - but each day they keep going - trying to make things better, because they have people to make the world better for."

His hand moves to his head, meeting the firm yet somehow gentle flipper of Nerissa - clutching lightly as Nova continued, reassured by the presence and connection between them, "Some of it has been said already, but I believe a lot of that too - I know we can do good, with people we care about right there with us, for me it's not just Humans I care about - Nerissa here, she's important to me too - and I'm going to do everything I can to help. In my heart I know, as complicated and oftentimes selfish as some people can be - there is always more to it, with the bad there is always good. It's choices, the choices we make every day - like right now. I'm here and speaking with you - I chose to be here with each of these others - some I don't even know, we haven't even met before this moment right now but I am honored to be here - with their pokemon and my own right here with us. A decision - a choice we made, even if it's terrifying to face someone stronger than ourselves - to try and speak not just for us but more, who are still fighting to protect what they care about. I'm going to keep doing that, even if some don't think I should or can - I'm here and I want to find a way to end this without more fighting - without lives being lost."

There were tears in Nova's eyes by this point, one hand clutched in a fist -twisted around the loose parts of his shirt, the other was still holding onto Nerissa - that hold more gentle but still firm, reassuring, and constantly keeping the comforting connection between them. As Nova paused breathing deeply from speaking so much at once - a rare thing for Nova to do honestly, there was a softer voice that began to speak. The voice came from the small Popplio that until this moment hadn't said a word. Her voice trembled but slowly grew more confident as Nova's hand moved just a little, comforting her and encouraging her to speak.

"M-Moltres! My f-friend - they may be a human, a-and Zapdos seems to think that's a b-bad thing. But it's not! It really isn't some people are good, Nova - my friend - they try to do good, Nova always thinks a lot before making choices and - and they try to make it fair for everyone! So no one gets left out, everyone is important - to my friend and to me too, we want to help people - to.. to make people and Pokemon happy and.. and I think its a good thing." Nerissa blinked quickly - her eyes wide but her words growing more confident, she wanted to help - Nova was trying hard but she could tell talking like this was hard, it was hard for her too but they were a team. As Nova said, they both wanted the same thing here - to not have to keep fighting, for things to be okay - but it was hard, and if they had to fight they would. But only if they had to do so.

"I don't wanna keep fighting, but... if I have to I will! I wanna protect my friends - we want to."

"And we will. No matter what you say - how you respond. With all due respect ... we're not giving up, we know that in our hearts that choice is one already made, we decided it the moment we became partners - we'll stand by each other, and our friends." There is a brief shift, eyes darting to Comet's own figure not far away before settling back on Moltres, suddenly Nova stood just a little taller, determination on his face. "Even if we fall.. if we fail, we'll try again and again - as long as we have even one worth getting back up for, it will only strengthen our resolve. We're a stubborn species us humans," a small chuckle escaped at the gentle tap to his head from Nerissa,"- and it seems some Pokemon have that trait too."

So it was, the two stood as tall as they could - through the fear, the worry, and with both now barely holding their tears back. No matter how this ended, they said what they could. They spoke from their hearts and they would keep going, their decision was made. With people and Pokemon, they cared for, that they loved - worth fighting for, they weren't going to give up - no matter how Moltres responded.

Nova would keep going, for those they cared for wouldn't give up either. So neither would Nova.

The battle was frightening. Silvermoon had hung back, letting the experienced fighters- Like Tuesday , who could win a fight against anyone, or orioncayge , who could endure anything- rush ahead. Silvermoon watched them, seeing what they did, how they all fought, but-

But even after watching and waiting they couldn't move, fear clamping them back, away from the chaos. Lightning flashed and flared, winds grabbing at them- and it was only Kintsugi pressed tight that kept Silvermoon from pitching off the edge. This- this was-

Professor Ash's voice distracted them from their panic, and Silvermoon looked over. Other trainers were retreating, teleporting away- including Saint . Silvermoon caught their breath, and surged forward, stepping one foot onto the pad, and the next onto the leaflitter of Birchwood.

When they arrived, Silvermoon could only stare, watching Moltres as she spoke, and descended from the great tree. She was more brilliant and radiant, now, a light and energy splaying from her like sunlight refractions. But there was a sharpness, a blade's edge that paired with the condition of the sky keep Silvermoon from truly appreciating the legendary as they wanted to-

Things were too dire for a simple visit.

Show me that you know what it means to fight. Show me why your bloodline has survived this long!

Silvermoon's mouth felt dry. They had to convince her? To fight her own brother? Head spinning, Silvermoon glanced over as Laguna began talking- so natural and effortless. And then Nova, and Sarah Lee. They all... knew what to say.

And then Moltres' eyes fell upon Silvermoon, and they tried not to flinch. "I... I understand," They said first, voice quiet. "I don't know what happened, before. I, um, but... I know that it's hard to fight your family. Even when things are terrible, finding the resolve to- to even say something-" Their breath shook. Even now, years later, if they closed their eyes, they were back on their mother's driveway, Christmas Eve. The argument, the shouting. Driving away, and ducking into a Waffle House to cry. "But...

"But you need to stand up against them anyway, sometimes. I... I had to fight my mom. Um. In-" Their eyes flicked to Sarah Lee. "Where I'm from, people- humans- we don't fight the way pokemon do, not always. It's... It's rarely an explosion of fire and claws. It's usually a lot quieter. More emotional than physical. I... understand." They repeated.

"Afterwards, I... I thought a lot about what I had done. Standing up for myself. It was hard. I cried a lot." They said, with a bit of a laugh, wiping their face. "I kept thinking.... my thoughts would cycle between relief and... guilt. I wondered, sometimes, if I should have just kept quiet. If I should have just kept what I had...

"But- but I know that if I went back, I would make the same choice again, no matter how painful it was. Because I needed to protect myself. Because... I needed to believe in myself."

Silvermoon looked up at Moltres, the legendary awash with radiant sunbeam colors. "Everyone up there is fighting for something they believe in. Zapdos... he trusts you, or he wouldn't have asked you for help. He values your word. If anyone can get through to him, it's you. But... no matter what happens..."

They offered the legendary a smile. "A lot of people here like you. I... I come by here every day I can. Your woods are peaceful, and they make me feel safe. I hope... I hope we can make sure everywhere feels this safe. Together."

The battle on the platform only grows dire as the body count ramps up, as Zapdos begins retaliating, his words booming across the thundering skies. When the opportunity to escape presents itself to Saint in the form of teleportation platforms, he doesn’t hesitate to jump on it—and unfortunately, that includes his protective pokemon.

They fall into Birchwild in a pile. Saint wheezes, crushed under the weight of his Gyarados, who takes a second to realize his trainer hadn’t disappeared into thin air and quickly gets off him. Saint mutters his thanks as he gets up on shaky knees, and is greeted by the sight of six other players gathered around the shrine. In the center: Moltres, her flame burning brighter than he’s ever seen in in his many visits to the shrine. Ready for war.

The legendary bird doesn’t hesitate. Her words are as intense as her flames, setting the stakes high. The matter is between humanity and Pokemon-kind. War and peace. Life and death.

The trainers take to it gracefully, one after the other. They rise to the podium bearing their hearts and wills, an avatar of bravery in their own unique right. Saint observes very carefully, because he’s terrified of public speaking, and always has to watch the previous speakers to memorize how to be a person.

And in no time at all, it’s his turn.

His hands are white-knuckling the fabric of his jacket, his heart in his throat as he turns his gaze up at the insurmountable audience that holds him at flame-point. His throat feels like it’s been twisted. He can’t breathe. He can’t talk. There is the entirety of humanity to disappoint.

And then he doesn’t see anything.

<Breathe, little man,> Taiyaki rumbles gently, holding his massive tail in front of his trainer like a shield. <Take your time. You need to get out of your head.>

It is frightening. It might anger Moltres. It is definitely embarrassing.

But Saint breathes.

Gently, he moves Gyarados’ tail from his face as if it were fronds, and he tries to see Moltres as simply the sun from his home. Noonlight Shrine, after all, is the closest thing to home he has here.

Even if words fail him, his fellows have not. Their points are anchors that will keep him from becoming unmoored.

“Humans are tenacious. We live only one life, and it is a long life spent chasing relentlessly, regardless of what we lose,” he says, recalling Laguna’s words, the voice of someone who’s seen far more than he has–a reliable one. His hand in his jacket tightens, recalling what awaits him–has been waiting for him, miles and miles across the sea.

“We are not perfect, but we make our choices and we fight for them, and we’re more than willing to fight for those we hold dear.” His mouth is covered by his collar, smile obscured, save for the crease in the corners of his eyes at the sight of Nova’s bond with Nerissa. His own Popplio is watching, grinning and waving from the spectacular view atop his Gyarados’ head.

“And because of that, we are not opponents to be trifled with. We have outlasted countless tragedies, and will outlast much more.” He admires how Sarah Lee speaks, as if the call to arms is as natural to her as breathing, and he tries to channel that to keep his own voice from wavering.

“But conflict is not the only path we know. To clash swords is not the only outcome.” His gaze softens, recognizing Silvermoon. He didn’t know about the fight, but his friend had displayed remarkable strength despite their fear and pain. The future they’re envisioning–he wants to help bring it to fruition. Whatever he can contribute.

“Under humanity’s banner, you would be the crown, the felling strike. There is no doubting your strength.” Comet’s words ring in his head, forming a picture he’s already seen: a battlefield, a bloodshed. A mess that his small hands can’t fix.

“But it’s not just victory at stake. Think of the lives that would be lost. To the fight, to corruption…” His eyes fall. The grass around their feet has been lit with multicolored flames. It would be so easy. A single ember turned into a wildfire, leaving nothing left. “Zapdos is outraged at how humans have come to these lands and I… can’t blame him. He’s only fighting for his home.”

He meets Moltres' gaze and steels his own. “But humans are not a disruption to the natural order. They are a part of it. We take care of Pokemon and Asper, and are cared for in turn. We need each other. For anything here to have a future, we need to create a cycle of prosperity– an ecosystem that thrives and works as one. Not a cycle of senseless violence.”

Taiyaki hums at the end, grinning proudly as he pats his trainer a little too hard with his tail. <Attaboy. Knew you had it in you.>