Fizzytopian Park and Gardens

[uhhhhh]

Connor, Gaspard - Zzzzzzz...

It was a beautiful day in the Fizzytopian Park. A few days after it has been reopened to the public, many people and Pokemon have gathered around to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere in the park.

Zzzzzzz...

Various shades of red, orange, and yellow surround the landscape, as many of the autumn foilage surround the park, clearly signifying the current season.

Zzzzzzz...

Many people and pokemon are out and about on this beautiful day, enjoying the peacefulness of the park whether by playing around or having a picnic together or even taking a little nap.

Zzzzzzz...

This was exactly what Connor is doing right now as he is currently lying sideways down on the cover he had lain out for himself next to a large tree. His face was entirely covered by his orange and blue striped beanie. Cradled in his arms was his Aipom, Gaspard, who was sleeping was well just like his trainer while some of his other Pokemon were scattered around the park, having the whole day to themselves to enjoy. Earlier in the day, he had taken photos around the huge park and had also played around with his other Pokemon. Connor got exhausted really fast from playing and taking photos everywhere that he decided to take an hour or so to rest for a while and regain his energy.

Zzzzzzz...

[lilbluecorsola]

Peeves, Jessica, Sewaddle, Minchi, Kanna, Kief, Blueberry, Waffle:

Sewaddle smiled as Peeves placed the hat upon his head, and wiggled back to start sewing clothes for all her comrades to show her appreciation for being taken onto their team. A makeshift apron and chef's hat for Blueberry and Waffle, sweaters and matching booties for Kief and Kanna, and a lovely yellow dress for Minchi to complement her flower hairpiece. Jessica grinned as she lowered her head to allow the caterpillar to slip a red and gold garland over her crown, knowing just how grateful the little insect must feel to finally be part of a family. She poked Sewaddle's belly, tickling beneath her chin to produce giggles. Such a pity the way the beautiful bug had been treated up to now - not that it was anyone's fault, and she certainly wasn't abused by any means. Poor thing had simply been passed around so many hands before, it was a wonder she didn't lose all her self-confidence. ...Perhaps she did have a slightly shattered heart that she tried to hide, as she clung to the girl's fingers and gazed up with wide eyes that still showed worry of abandonment. Jessica softened and picked up the tiny Pokémon, cradling her close to reassure. Yes, Sewaddle's place was here, and it was permanent. She had come home at last.

Setting Sewaddle back down and coaxing her to go play with the other Pokémon, she returned her attention to Peeves, who was furtively reaching for another cookie, having already polished off the brownies. She shook her head in amazement, impressed to find another whose appetite rivaled even Custard's and Gumpy's. Seems her intervention had not been needed after all. Her sight slid past the specter towards the far edge of the lake, where Keith and his Meowth had disappeared following Rotom into a garden where roses (and supposedly romance, she had heard based on tales of teenagers sneaking in by climbing the closed gates at night, despite the now painted-over signs that once marked "private property") grew in abundance. Jessica couldn't explain why, but she felt a sudden chill. Something sinful and wicked, but a little bit sad and beautiful as well, was happening beyond those walls. She was sure of it, and it scared her somewhat.

"Hey, your trainer's been gone a long time... Is he all right? Should we go check on him?" she asked Peeves in a whisper, not altogether certain she wished to actually act on her offer.

[Missingno. Master]

Meowth, Peeves, Jessica, Sewaddle, Minchi, Kief, Kanna, Blueberry, Waffle: Peeves watched as Sewaddle made clothes for the rest of her team, taking note of the little bug's considerable potential skill. As Jessica voiced her concerns about Keith, however, Peeves glanced in the direction Keith had last been seen going. "Hmmm," he murmured. "I think ,maybe it no bad idea to check- wait, here come his Meowth," Peeves added, for indeed, Meowth came walking up the path; once he was fairly certain that Keith wasn't going to miss his presence at the moment, he slyly slipped away. Peeves went floating over to Meowth.

"Hey! Peeves!" Meowth said with a faint air of excitement. "Man, you ain't never gonna guess what's up wit Keith back dere."

"What? What? He OK?" the Duskull asked in concern.

"Oh, he's fine, yes," Meowth nodded. "OK, youse knows how he followed dat Rotom?"

"Yes," said Peeves.

"Well, guess who it belongs ta?"

Peeves shrugged. "I no know. Oh, hey, Meowth, come back here with me, food very good."

"Dat sounds like a plan," Meowth agreed. "'Specially after dat blasted Basculin ate da whole picnic lunch..."

Meowth followed Pisces back to Jessica and her team. "This Meowth," Peeves introduced Meowth. "He belong to Keith, and he start tell me what going on with Keith."

"So like I was sayin'," Meowth continued (in perfect English, matching the exact accent of the Meowth on TV, no less), "He followed da Rotom until he get to where da person takin' care of it is... Or should I say da Banette takin' care of it?"

"Banette?" repeated Peeves. "You no mean Minerva?"

"Da very same," Meowth nodded. "'cept she looks like a human now, probably usin' one of dem ghost kinda powers... Da Rotom's callin' her by da name she seems to have gone by when she were alive-"

"Coselle," nodded Peeves.

"How'd ya know dat?" Meowth asked.

"I learn it when I hang out with her and Liliana, back at bar," Peeves explained.

"Oh," nodded Meowth. "Well, anyway, seems dat dis Rotom belongs to Marion, and Minerva's lookin' after it for her-"

"Wait," interrupted Peeves. "Keith no actually try talk to Minerva?! Didn't she try kill him?!"

"Hey, now settle youse down, now," Meowth said. "She didn't actually try ta kill him, see. It's a long story, but I didn't even tell ya da best part yet..." And he whispered something into Peeves's ear, at which the Duskull's eye went wide.

"He in love with her?!" Peeves exclaimed incredulously.

"Wouldn'a believed it if I ain't seen it myself," Meowth said. "And I can't say fer sure, but I tink she might feel da same way about him. She's pretty hard to read, though, I could be way off fer all I know."

"Wait... Hold on," Peeves said. "I still trying work past part where Keith... in love... with Minerva."

"I know, right?" Meowth said. "Now look here, I don't want no one goin' in dere and spoilin' any potential... moment dey might start havin' OK?"

"...OK..." Peeves said in a distracted tone, his mind still trying to process the fairly large piece of news Meowth just revealed. Meowth, meanwhile, took a brownie off of one of the plates that had been offered to Peeves, and curiously took a bite.

"Mmm," Meowth said appreciatively. "Dis is pretty good! Who made dese?" he asked. It was then that he noticed all the clorophyll-rich clothing everyone was sporting. "Hey, where'd everyone get dese clothes, anyways?" Meowth asked. "Pretty colorful."

[lilbluecorsola]

Meowth, Peeves, Jessica, Sewaddle, Minchi, Kief, Kanna, Blueberry, Waffle:

At the moment Jess spoke words of concern, Keith's Meowth came running up, eyes alight with excitement. She listened curiously as he and Peeves exchanged conversation, the former once again exceeding her expectations by speaking perfect English - his tone and mannerisms in exact equivalence to the Meowth she had heard on television as a child. She shook her head nostalgically, amazed at how fortunate she was to be in the presence of two such talented creatures and be able to follow their discussion. Keith, aside from his first notability of being a Poison-Type specialist, was certainly the collector of several other fine specimens as he was famed to be, if a bit overzealous in his pursuits of them.

Cutting straight to the chase, the pair confirmed for Jess what she had already strongly suspected - that Coselle was Marion's Banette Minerva, and she was here with Rotom. The mention of how Minerva once tried to kill Keith wasn't news either; though Jessica didn't follow happenings in the Bar much these days, people were abuzz about it everywhere. (Apparently it all had something to do with adopting a Stunfisk named Neville, who once belonged to Keith.) It was a result of that unfortunate incident that Marion ended up in the hospital...

What followed next, however, made Jessica spit out her drink (right onto Minchi's lovely yellow dress).

"He WHAT?!"

She instantly covered her mouth, surprised and ashamed at how strongly she had spoken, hoping no one had overheard. But Jessica could hardly contain her shock, barely even believing her ears. So that was the source of the strange feeling she had. A forbidden romance between a boy and a Banette... How depraved and depressing could one be? She clutched the can in her hand, wondering what she should do in this situation. Alert the police? PETA (Pokémon Ethical Treatment Association)? The chairman of the Pokémon Fan Club? Or... Sit and let this strange story play out on its own? As much as she was an advocate of free love and laissez-faire when it came to other people's private lives, this seemed to cross the line somewhat...

Meowth's plea, however, convinced her to stay put for now. Though this knowledge had certainly spoiled her appetite, and she kept stealing glances towards the opposite shore, beyond where Keith and Minerva were doing who knows what... Meowth seemed largely unfazed by his trainer's perversion however, and reached for a brownie that had been left behind (surprisingly one had escaped the vaccuum that was Peeves's stomache) and popped it in his mouth. "Mmm. Dis is pretty good! Who made dese?"

Blueberry perked and piped up instantly, rushing over to torture a new target have him taste some of her other recipes. As he accepted politely, he observed all the leafwear around him. "Hey, where'd everyone get dese clothes, anyways? Pretty colorful."

It was Sewaddle's turn to wave shyly, and quickly set to work making a suit to welcome the newcomer. This reminded Jessica that she had spilled her juice (not soda, she couldn't stand the stuff) on poor Minchi's gown earlier, and glanced around to apologize as well as give her some more napkins. However, the little chinchilla had disappeared. So had Kief and Kanna. Uh oh...

Kief, Kanna, Minchi: (OoC - switching to direct communication now since the Pokémon are by themselves - Kief's speech will remain untranslated for the time being though since I feel uncomfortable letting him speak through anything other than barks and tail wags ^^; )

"Minchi, wait! Meowth told us not to ruin the moment. W- we shouldn't be eavesdropping like this. Let's go back..."

The Minccino stopped short, and the Furret following her bumped into her back. Minchi whipped around, waving a camera with a wink.

"Are you kidding? This is a golden opportunity! Just think how much pictures for this story will sell! 'A Secret Rendezvous: Keith and Minerva in the Rose Garden'. Scandalous~! And we'll be the first to capture it on film!"

Kanna shook her head furiously. "I-I don't think this is a good idea... We'll be spotted, surely. And I'm scared of what that Banette could do. They said she tried to kill someone... Weren't you listening?"

Minchi wasn't listening. "Not to mention these clothes provide perfect camouflage! Don't worry, they won't even know we're there! Just need to make a few adjustments..." She plucked some rose branches from the bushes and tied them to her and Kanna's attire. The latter quivered under her companion's touch, but couldn't protest. In truth, she was slightly enjoying the prospect of playing spies. It was a little thrilling to have her heart pump like this, racing a mile a minute... So long as it was pretend. But it wasn't, she remembered. The risk was real, and that's why she begged Minchi to return, but to no avail.

At that moment, they both heard a loud bark behind them, and Kief suddenly bounded through the bushes, landing on Kanna and licking her face. The Furret squealed in surprise, but secretly enjoyed his endearments. Minchi tried to get the Zigzagoon to stop making so much noise, and he mistook her efforts for wanting to participate too. He tackled her and drenched her face in drool, much to both her and Kanna's dismay.

Eventually she shoved him off and managed to shush his mouth. "Listen, if you're going to come up with us, you have to be quiet. Here, put these on." She grabbed another couple blossoms and stuck them behind the racoon's ears, poking out ridiculously beneath his Team Pocket hat. Kief cocked his head in confusion, not understanding what the girls were up to. It seemed like more than simple dress-up though. Whatever it was, it looked like fun, and he wagged his tail, eager to tag along. Minchi once again made him promise to keep silent, and he nodded vigorously, switching to STEALTH MODE which he used for heists with his two partners in crime.

"Actually, now that you're here, maybe you can help us out. You got a whiff of that Meowth and Duskull earlier, right? Can you trace their scent back to their trainer?"

Kief saluted, and brought his nose close to the ground, beginning to sniff. After a beat, he barked blatantly in triumph, and both Minchi and Kanna covered his mouth (the latter out of even deeper fear of discovery), whispering "Sh...!" He grinned sheepishly, and pointed in the direction of a path that appeared recently mowed. Minchi facepalmed, realizing how oblivious she was for missing the obvious.

"All right, troops," she shouted, not even noticing her own hypocrisy, "Let's move out!"

[Marion Ette]

Meowth, Peeves, Jessica, Sewaddle, Minchi, Kief, Kanna, Blueberry, Waffle, Gadget - After Gadget rockets out of the Rose Garden, he begins mowing all the remotely tall grass that he can possibly find. As he is mid-mow, however, a thought occurs to him that diverts him from his path and sends him flying over to the lakeside once again. The hyperactive Rotom comes zooming toward the picnic site where Jessica and company were enjoying a delicious-smelling lunch. Gadget calls out to them, making no secret of his approach; despite the fact that he speaks in Rotom language, his enthusiasm suggests a delighted greeting.

HI WAFFLE HI JESS How are you doing I hope that you are enjoying your picnic did you see did you see I got a cut card from Coselle and now I'm a LAWNMOWER I can mow lawns and stuff LOOKATTHIS

Gadget stops short of the picnic table and spins around in a circle, displaying his precision turning. He seems exceptionally pleased with himself after completing a few rotations. He turns to Waffle, clearly happy to see his brother.

I miss you and my other siblings too but Coselle is very nice and she lets me mow the park and I can't wait to meet my trainer when she's better have you met my trainer I heard she's very nice but she is in the hospital and I can't visit yet but her other Pokemon are there and I can't wait to meet them too how is life with Jessica is it fun I hope it's fun I like fun happy fun times YAY The Rotom grins widely at his brother, awaiting his static-laden response.

Keith, Coselle - Coselle watches Gadget blast off into the park, and briefly considers going off after him. Certainly, she could risk socializing with the other trainers if it took her away from this... this silence that had grown between them. Had he run out of things to say? What could he possibly expect from her now, after everything she had related to him? He had already stated that he did not expect forgiveness from her, but something was keeping him here, rooted to the garden, a strange flower in his own right. Ah, but the question comes back, double-edged, to Coselle... Indeed, why was she not leaving? Shaking the thought out of her mind with the assurance that she merely wants to show that she is not afraid of this silly man, she brushes that lingering doubt aside. As for Keith, she could taste the strong conflict in his mind, massive and tumultuous emotions that shifted in her mouth between so many disparate, often clashing flavors. When Meowth whispered something to Keith, however, a sudden purity seemed to burst forth from the chaos, and the emotion that overwhelms her sensory capabilities comes on with such a powerful onset that Coselle has to keep herself from vomiting... Yet she cannot deny its sweetness, its richness, the type of flavor one craves in the middle of the night between dream and sleep, stirred from the darkness by its ghost, haunting the eyes, the tongue.

Was that it...? Was she dreaming, now? The garden, the scent of flowers, the astonishing purity that drove her to nausea, that beautiful sickness that churned in her stomach, like too much cotton candy after the most death-defying roller coaster ride in the entire park... The excess of a moment, the indulgence in all that could eventually destroy her, yet in the same motion, fills her, satiates her deepest hunger... the petals around her seem to drip with mirth and poison. When would she wake up? When...

Coselle shakes her head, pinches herself, and winces at the reminder... She has been an insomniac for twenty years. Dreams never came to her anymore. She could no longer blame that world for her happiness.

Keith begins speaking again, his loving words accented with soft traces of hope. Perhaps, he would falter. Perhaps, he would not dare... Perhaps he would not take that leap. As he tumbles over his statements, threading implications between pauses, inside questions, drawing parallels that Coselle cannot refute, she knows that she has to act fast. Her anger had failed in dissuading him... Perhaps he would listen to reason. Her eyes flicker with determination as she takes on a self-assured stance.

"Keith... what you're suggesting is a complete absurdity. Not only is it illegal, but also socially abhorrent. If what you say is true, you will be facing total social rejection, suspicion from others and accusations of sick perversion. If the authorities found out that you... that you cared for a Banette in that way, they could easily justify taking Myrtle away from you, if not more than that! They could throw you in jail!"

Coselle shakes her head and sighs deeply. "I may have been human once, but that time is long over. You see..." Coselle holds out her hands, and displays them to Keith as they gradually turn transparent. "I can pretend to still be human all I like, but I cannot change what I really am. People... they don't understand. They see sharp distinctions between humans and Pokemon. They... they will treat you like a monster." Coselle's face is observably distraught as she finishes her statement. "It would be selfish of me to wish that kind of life for you, wouldn't it? Why would you wish such a life upon yourself? Keith, why are you even DOING this? It isn't fair! I did everything... everything I could to stop this, but you're so... damn... STUBBORN!" Though Coselle takes on her typical, rage-filled expression to make this accusation, it breaks down quickly... She begins to laugh; not a cackle, but gentle, almost sob-like. It takes her a moment or two to recover from the laughter, wiping her eyes as she does. "I should have expected that from you, right? You're always... you're always stubborn. I think... I think the truth is that both of us... both of us are just plain stupid."

Coselle begins to laugh again, and Keith cannot help but notice that her pale cheeks have taken on a bit of color, and her normally cold eyes are strangely alive... it is almost... almost as if she were becoming alive.

[uhhhhh]

Connor, Gaspard, Eleanor, Meowth, Peeves, Jessica, Sewaddle, Blueberry, Waffle - Zzzzzz-wha?!

Connor woke up in a jolt from his position. Lately, the photographer has been frequently having strange dreams these past few weeks ever since Zerase, his shadow Elgyem, had joined Connor's team. He couldn't understand why we was frequently having them lately though it didn't bother him that much so far... Gaspard groggily woke up from Connor's outburst as he was rubbing his eyes. "Man, my dreams keep on getting weirder and weirder lately. Did I seriously just dream about Keith and Minerva being... together? What was that all about?" Connor wondered as he put on his orange and blue striped beanie. Gaspard meanwhile was giving him a confused look at what he just said. "Ai...aipom?" "I... don't get it either buddy," Connor shook his head. "Anywhoo, I think we should look for the others now Gaspard. Come on!" he suggested as he got up and folded the cloth he was using for cover and had placed it in his messy bag. Connor stopped and wondered for a bit as he rummaged through his bag. "That's weird... hey Gaspard, you seen my camera?" the Aipom's eyes widened and shook his head. "Hmmm... where could it be? It could probably be with Sylvester but..." after a few minutes of searching, Connor had given up and placed the bag on his back and wandered off around the park.

Meanwhile, Eleanor the Petilil had aimlessly wandered around the park until she spotted a trainer and a few other Pokemon having a picnic, with the trainer and the Duskull being very familiar to her. She slowly approached the group and gave a curtsy to the group as she greeted everyone with a smile though she doubted Jessica could understand her. A few moments later, Connor and Gaspard had also approached the picnic area calling out to Eleanor. "Ah, found you Eleanor! What are you doing over there? Wait... Jessica? How are you doing? Sorry, are we interrupting something?" he looked around at Jessica's group which consisted of a Drifloon, a Heat Rotom, a Sweaddle, a Mow Rotom, a Meowth, and a Duskull... wait. A Meowth and a Duskull? "You two... aren't you with Keith? So he's here too huh? Where is he? I don't see him around..." he searched around the surroundings to look for a trainer with a cowboy hat but found no such luck, "Nope, no Keith. Um... Jessica? Do you mind if the three of us join in for a while?"

[OkikuMew]

Hermione, Kilo, Rawk, Max, Himiko, Totsuka, Arondight:

"Oh yeah!?" Rawk intimidated the bug Pokémon. "Well I eat the likes of you FOR BREAKFAST!"

Max readied a nasty growl at the bird, but to the dog's relief, he continued or a fairer response.

"Well, yeah, that was true back in the days I was stuck in that cramped adoption centre, but I know better of not eating others that have trainers," he glares at the Poochyena, "I'm not THAT stupid you know!"

"Awwwww, aren't you sweet, Rawk!" Max teasing spoke in a baby voice.

"Why you...!" Rawk launched towards Max.

"That's enough, you two," Himiko sighed, placing herself between them for them to stop from fighting again.

"...Anyhow," the Starly spoke to Hermione again, still a bit fuming from Max's earlier comment, "I'll say it's a CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! So how you want to go down, huh, huh!? Pick your poison!"

"Maybe we should try and ask our respective trainers to prepare one just for it," the Espeon suggested, "I do not know how we can manage to do that, but I might be able to with my psychic powers... even though I have a hard time to just read minds, I'm not quite used to my new skills as I only recently evolved... Or we can simply do it here, although I don't think it's such a great idea..."

"Whatever you guys decide, MY BODY IS READY!" Rawk puffed his feathers.

[Missingno. Master]

Meowth, Minchi, Kanna, Kief: Meowth was quick to notice the trio of Normal-types heading off towards where Keith was. "Wah!" he exclaimed as he scrambled off, passed them, and barred their way. "Now wait just a minute!" he said. "Dat's my trainer's privacy youse is tinkin' of intrudin' on! Now why don't youse..." he added as a glint of Hypnosis flashed in his eyes, "...just turn around, go back over to da picnic, and forget ya heard anyting about dis?"

Keith, Coselle: Keith listened as Coselle started to try and dissuade him from what he was getting at, but with reason, rather than with intimidation. And Keith had to admit, she was making some strong points... The illegality alone was enough to make him realize it could never happen... Or it would've, anyway, had the normal rules applied. Keith sighed, knowing that the secret he had been keeping locked away in his head for the better part of his life would have to make an appearance again. He swore to himself he would never tell anyone, but now, what was there to be gained from keeping it secret? He didn't want to hear the logical reasons Coselle was saying, and he knew he had the power to invalidate the biggest and nastiest one of them... He glanced at Coselle for a second, and decided on the spot it was worth it.

"It's not illegal," Keith said. "Not for us. See, several months ago, after I got an official government warning for helping aspiring trainers with their registration tests- never knew that wasn't allowed- I kinda got freaked out and started reading up on Fizzytopian law, just to be on the safe side. And the laws against human/Pokemon relationships... They allow for an exception, but under very specific circumstances. The Pokemon involved has to have formerly been an adult human, and must retain their human memories... Obviously, that applies to you. And... And the human involved... At least a portion of their DNA... must be Pokemon DNA." Keith sighed before plowing into his story. "I'm sure you must have heard this story before, from Myrtle probably... When I was seven, my family and I went on vacation to Cinnabar Island. I was playing on the beach, but I got a little too close to the water and fell in. I nearly drowned, but Myrtle, back when she was alive, a Missingno., she pushed me back to shore just in time... And every time I tell that story, I leave out one fairly large detail. I didn't nearly drown- I drowned. I was dead for about two or three seconds, and it was, I think, Myrtle bumping into me to push me to safety, the shock of that impact that started my heart up again. But... During those few seconds, my soul had already started to... transform. But when it started up, and nobody's sure why, but while the transformation stopped... the little bit that took place... never undid itself. My best guess involves the strange powers Missingno. are rumored to possess. Watch this," Keith added as he closed his eyes and focused. For several seconds, nothing; then, several wisps of purple gas formed around Keith, billowing larger and larger, slowly but surely. Keith opened his eyes and gasped, taking deep breaths as the gas dissipated. "Oh, Arceus, that's draining," Keith muttered to himself.

He looked Coselle right in the eyes. "I don't know why the process never reversed when I came back to life, but ever since that incident, I was changed. Minor things mostly... And I had a DNA test done to confirm it... 25% of my DNA was altered by the incident, permanently. I'm three quarters human... and one quarter Gastly." As he said this, he dug out his Pokedex and pointed it at himself. Though it took several seconds to load, an image of a purple gaseous orb formed on the screen.

"Gastly, the Gas Pokemon," droned the Pokedex. "Gastly can infiltrate any area, as most of its body is vapor. For obvious reasons, it dislikes the wind."

"Why do you think I've always had such an affinity for the Poison-type?" Keith asked. "Why do you think Myrtle was able to teach me Shuppet language in all of three hours? Why do you think I never once got poisoned in eight years of specializing in Poison-types, including training a Weezing from an infant Koffing? Why... Why do you think that the fact that you're a Banette doesn't matter to me?" he said, tears starting to form in his eyes. "I mean, like I said, the changes have been minor... I can generate that gas by focusing really hard... Managed a full-blown Smog attack when I was eleven, but it totally wiped me out, I slept for sixteen hours after that... I've always been slightly lighter than I look... I can't levitate, but I've always been decent at jumping... I'm still completely solid, but I can't be poisoned... Oh, I was especially worried I'd be found out when Marion first learned that Myrtle had taught me Shuppet language... The way she was examining me, trying to figure out what about me made me susceptible to learning the language, I thought for sure she'd realize what it really was. I never told anybody before this, the only ones who knew aside from me were my parents and a couple of doctors who work at a private hospital in Lavaridge Town... I didn't even want to tell Marion, for fear that she'd start regarding me more as a research subject than a friend..."

Keith wiped his eyes and looked at Coselle again. "I appreciate your concern about what the consequences would be for me," he sighed. "But as I've just proved, there can be no legal repercussions. They wouldn't have any grounds for confiscating Myrtle or any of my Pokemon, much less to throw me in jail. And as for what others would think of me..." At this, a look of determination (or was it stubbornness?) came over his face. "...I don't care. If I were doomed to be an outcast by being with you, then so f***ing be it! It won't be the first time I was an outcast, either. Back in Hoenn, I was known as 'the boy who cried Missingno.'. And I was able to handle that even without someone by my side. I... I love you, Coselle. I... I've made my choice. Maybe I am stupid, maybe I am stubborn, but you know what? I've never been more sure about anything in my life than this, and that's counting back when I adopted Hebenon." Indeed, Keith felt more determination in him than he ever remembered feeling before, mingling with his feelings for Coselle.

Connor, Gaspard, Peeves, Jessica: Peeves could easily sense what Jessica was thinking, and he was quick to speak up to her.

"No think too badly about Keith," Peeves said. "I mean, Minerva did used be human before she die and become Shuppet, after all. He not bad person..."

At that point, Connor came over with Gaspard, asking as to Keith's whereabouts. "Um," Peeves started, "Keith go off to talk to Mi- someone in private. No want be disturbed. Please no look for him." He had been about to say "Minerva" but quickly corrected himself.

Hermione, Rawk, Max, Kilo, Himiko, Totsuka, Arondight: The Espeon suggested that she could alert their respective trainers to the impending battle so they could make it official, using her Psychic powers.

"You can do that for yours," Hermione answered. "My trainer has several Pokemon that speak his language, so I can simply ask one of them to translate for me. I'm ready whenever you are, Rawk," she added to the Starly, showing no outward fear.

[OkikuMew]

Hermione, Rawk, Max, Kilo, Himiko, Totsuka, Arondight:
"Well, that's very convenient," Himiko said with a touch of wonder in her voice, imagining how it would be to be able to literally speak her mind to Okiku, and translate what other Pokémon are saying to her herself. "I guess this settles this."

"YEEEEEEEEEEAAAH, That's what I'M talkin' 'bout!" Rawk added, "One thing's for sure: one of us is walking out of here with a trophy, and the other one's getting RAWKED! I can see it now, in front of a HUGE crowd cheerin' and howlin' fo-"

"Don't get your hopes up man," Max placed his paw on the Starly's beak, "you don't know where we're gonna go exactly, and the outcome of it either!"

The Espeon rolled her eyes, then nervously smiled at Hermione. "I just hope I can brush up my powers fast enough to be able to speak to her..."

"Nah, you'll be fine," the Poochyena reassured her. "At worst I'll try to get the message across, I've always been good at making myself understood to her. Besides, I've been with her for what - 18 years, if I remember right? I'm able to understand her without she peeps a word, I'm pretty sure the way around works too, even more if I try to make her understand me!" he said proudly, until he got distracted by the smell of the food Totsuka and Arondight brought tickling his nose. "Ah man, that smell's killin' me! What's in there guys?" he asked the Zangoose and Hitmontop.

[uhhhhh]

Connor, Gaspard, Eleanor, Peeves, Jessica, Sewaddle, Blueberry, Waffle - Peeves has explained to Connor where his Trainer had gone and it seems he was away talking with someone in private right now. The Duskull did have a bit of a slip-up as to who it was exactly though it seemed that Connor did not notice... "Ah, I see. You know, I did have the strangest dream just now actually... it was about Keith and Minerva. They were, um... in love," there was an awkward silence for a few moments before he continued, "Yeah... I... don't get it either. Don't ask me why I was dreaming of such a thing," he sighed and shook his head. Immediately, he tried to change the topic, "So, um... why are you and Meowth with Jessica? Something going on?" Connor was really unsuspecting on what was actually taking place, however...

~Peeves?~ it was Gaspard who spoke up in his own language. ~Just curious but... who did you mean by 'Mi'? I can tell you're hiding something from Connor here...~ the little Aipom was beginning to suspect something but did not voice it out just yet. Eleanor just looked at the Aipom and the Duskull, unsure of what to say.

[Missingno. Master]

Peeves, Connor, Gaspard: Peeves became somewhat nervous as Connor mentioned his dream about Keith and Minerva in love. Thankfully, he didn't push the matter and changed the subject almost immediately, asking why he and Meowth were with Jessica.

"Well, Keith bring us here for bit of fresh air," Peeves explained. "He bring picnic lunch, except his Basculin eat it all before we even get here. I smelled food and came over here, these guys bring very good food. Sewaddle even made me hat," Peeves added, indicating the arboreal headgear adorning his cranium. "Meowth also come over here to tell- er, to eat food too."

It was at this moment that Gaspard asked Peeves what he was going to say at first. Peeves sighed, then replied in his own native language. "I was going to say 'Minerva', OK? The dream your trainer had must have been psychic somehow, because Keith really is in love with Minerva. Before you judge him too harshly, remember Minerva was human when she was alive. I don't want others thinking badly of Keith, he's not a bad person."

[uhhhhh]

Connor, Gaspard, Eleanor, Peeves, Jessica, Sewaddle, Blueberry, Waffle - Peeves had explained to Connor about their situation and even showed off his own hat that Jessica's Sewaddle had made. Connor couldn't help but chuckle. "Hungry huh? Yeah I can understand that..." the photographer's stomach grumbled which made him blush and scratch his head, "And... that makes two of us. Hehe! By the way, that hat looks good on you! Lemme take a pho-oh wait..." Connor facepalmed after realizing something, "Aw nuts, I forgot! My camera's gone missing. Again. I think it was with Sylveste-wait no it was still with me when he left to explore the park... Why do people and Pokemon like to steal it? Though I guess if it wasn't for that I wouldn't have met Gaspard here, hmm..." Connor grumbled as he spoke.

Eleanor's eyes widened at Peeves's words, ~Keith's in love...~ ~...with Minerva?!~ Gaspard continued her sentence as the two Pokemon looked at each other, both uncertain as to how to accept the news. Something like this after all was a very controversial matter. There was an awkward silence for a few moments between the three of them until Eleanor spoke up, ~Um, well... if he's happy with her and she's happy with him then... I don't really see why they shouldn't,~ she gently said to Peeves. It was apparent that Eleanor was pretty accepting of the fact and now both Pokemon were waiting on Gaspard's reaction, ~Well... seems like his dream was telling something after all. I do admit that Connor can be rather weird at times...~ he chuckled before continuing, ~But anywhoo, I'm with Eleanor here. If they're happy, and they're not really hurting anyone else here, then why should we interfere? And hey, and if you're worried about what Connor will think, don't be. I know him very well and I don't think something like this is going to change his view on him at all. I just don't see him as that type of person and I'm willing to bet my life on that one! I don't think he should know right away though,~ the Aipom grinned back at Peeves while Eleanor likewise nodded at him.

[Missingno. Master]

Peeves, Gaspard, Eleanor: Peeves nodded as Gaspard remarked that Connor shouldn't be made aware of his trainer's feelings just yet. "Yes, I don't think it'd be that good of an idea at the moment," Peeves agreed, still speaking in Duskull language so as to not let Connor in on what they were saying. "But... If I can tell you two a secret... I sometimes suspect that Keith isn't 100% human. I don't know why, exactly... More of a hunch than anything else... I just get the feeling that there's something distinctly... Pokemon-ish about him. At first I thought it was just because he's been a trainer for about eight years now, but... I'm starting to think it's something else..."

[Marion Ette]

Keith, Coselle - At first, Coselle seems fairly confident that her appeal to reason had been successful. After all, how could Keith possibly counter the points that she had presented, when she herself had perseverated on them for so long? She was painfully aware of all the barriers between them, and thus argued quite convincingly. As Coselle breathes in the perfume-laden air and tries to catch the scent of resignation from Keith, her eyes widen as she realizes that somehow the poison-type trainer seems to have renewed his determination in the face of these realities. Has he gone utterly mad? What is this...

Coselle softly smirks as Keith tells her that there would be an exception to the laws for them. The young woman looks highly incredulous, yet her amusement and curiosity as to how Keith could possibly argue this one keeps her silent for the moment. Yes, she had heard Marion mention that a Pokemon like Minerva could technically engage in human-Pokemon relations given her past and her illusion capabilities, but only if... wait, what?

Keith once again relates his story of the encounter with MissingNo. to Minerva, but with one new, important detail... "Almost dying" actually meant that he did die, but something unnatural occurred. Something glitched, essentially, in the fabric between life and death, and now Keith was a being permanently trapped between those two worlds. His DNA was permanently altered, and he himself (or so he claimed) was now part Gastly. Ever the cynical one, Coselle is quick to search the area for Peeves, or Myrtle, or any ghost type that could create an illusion of the smog pouring from Keith's body. No, she appeared to be alone with him, and she did not sense another presence here... How could this possibly be? Was Keith's admission... actually true? The more Coselle thinks about it, the more it makes sense. Coselle remembered that the spaced-out, ever-thoughtful Marion had once asked one morning while she was making breakfast, to no one in particular, how Keith could carry that spiky Qwilfish of his around without getting jabbed. Minerva had always thought he had excellent pain control (which she absent-mindedly thought might be fun to toy with) but never once considered that if he had the ability to partially phase his hands, it would prevent him from getting harmed. She also remembered when Marion had asked Keith about his Shuppet language-learning capabilities, and though he did mention his "near-death" experience as being a potential factor, Connor had not been convinced that "near death" alone would be enough... Yes, there had been something special about Keith's experience, no doubt, as not everyone who tangles with death suddenly finds themselves holding conversations with their Shuppets. It certainly was odd that he was producing full sentences without previous instruction regarding those particular words. Not even Marion had been able to do that... Even with her propensity for the language, it took years to fully train her. His affinity for poison types could easily be explained away by other factors, but the lack of poisoning... Minerva had always thought it was simply immunity after years of dealing with that stuff, but if what Keith said was true, there was no period during which he was constantly poisoned and sick and coughing from putrid smells. Certainly, it would have to be verified by looking at past trainer records, but if that little detail were true... but how could she argue? The Pokedex had confirmed it, and the biggest clincher of all... it explained that odd attraction he had for her.

Coselle opens her mouth to speak, but closes it again. She opens it, lifts a finger as if she is about to make a point, and closes her mouth again, twisting it in deep thought. Truly, Coselle was a very stubborn woman herself, both in life and in death, and it was not like her to admit defeat... Yet Keith was clearly at the advantage in this battle. Her walls had been broken down, and she was exposed. Anger had not dissuaded him. Reason had not dissuaded him. The only wall that remained... the only wall that remained was a thin, yet powerful wrapping of thread around her, a choking, yet cocoon-like entrapment of what could only be described as fear. Fear of rejection, fear of humiliation, fear of losing those that she loved... She was no saint, she had been in love before, but it... it hurt like nothing else could hurt. Even the fatal gunshot wound that had caused her death was not as painful as what love could do to her. If she were to open up... if she were to give in... Keith would become one more person who could hurt her the way that other members of her family had hurt her... the way that Megaera had hurt her. Having little Marion to worry about was already so taxing on her heart... This month had been a complete and utter hell. If she gave in, if she let this happen, anyone could use Keith as a means to get to her, as a means of making her crack, as a method of invoking weakness. If there was one thing that she could not tolerate, it was her own weakness. Her posture begins to mimic her thoughts, as she moves into herself, crossing her arms around her body and bending slightly forward, as if trying to protect herself from some invisible onslaught. Finally, she sighs, hoping that she has found the right words.

"Keith, I am an unstable, violent, borderline-sociopathic embodiment of vengeance. Those are not exactly loveable characteristics. You have seen me... You know what I am like! You know the things of which I am capable... you would know more than nearly anyone! I go after everyone who double-crosses me. I accidentally harmed my trainer... the only person I consider family, my dearest friend... I am dangerous, and I don't know if you heard, but since our fun little needle tango incident, I've been on the run from the authorities." Coselle scowls. "Ever since the incident, people have been looking for a Banette by the name of Minerva. As you know, this was not my first offense. Between the Megaera incident and now, I've given them plenty of reason to put me in involuntary behavioral therapy. Ah, but they're looking for a Banette... not for a woman." Coselle cackles. "Why would you want to date... not only a Banette, but an absolutely out-of-her mind bonkers Banette who is hiding from the law? How is that even remotely reasonable? You'll grow tired of it! You'll leave me! Why would you, as a reasonable person, ever want to stay?"

Coselle shakes her head, her teeth gritted. "Besides... love hurts, you know... It's a poison."

[Missingno. Master]

Keith, Coselle: Coselle had spoken up once again, and now she was reminding Keith of what she was like... her instability, her violence, her proclivity for vengeance... she informed Keith that the authorities were after Minerva... and demanded to know why Keith would, as a reasonable person, ever want to date someone like her. She then said something Keith had heard before, something his newer Shuppet, Helena, had relayed after having been told so by "that nice lady in the Egg House"... that love was poison. Keith was starting to understand- Coselle was afraid. Afraid of falling in love, only to be hurt by the one she fell in love with. And her reminders of all her negative qualities... admittedly a formidable list... Keith found that he wasn't deterred in the slightest.

"Coselle," Keith said, "Years ago, Hebenon, my Qwilfish, he fell in love with another trainer's Shiny Wooper. She rejected him, even slapped him in the face, just because he wanted to get a drink with her... he was in tears after that, for I don't even know how long. And more recently, he fell in love again, this time with a Chinchou. He was afraid, he was worried that she would reject him just as the Wooper did. But he took the chance. And I can't even begin to describe how happy the two are, now that they're together. My point is, just because you've been hurt by those you love before, it doesn't mean everyone you love is going to do that to you. I know what you're like, Coselle... Your vengeance, your instability, your violence... And I don't know if I love you in spite of those qualities, or because of them, or what... But what I do know is, I won't grow tired of it. I won't leave you. In fact, might I remind you that I just now followed Gadget here, very much certain that that Rotom would lead me right to you? With me believing at the time, might I add, that you had every intention of killing me? You realize that I was under the impression that I might not leave this conversation alive, that I fully believed I was actually risking death, just to apologize to you? I considered living with the idea of having hurt you a fate worse than death. If... if that's not love, I don't know what is," Keith stated. "You ask why I, as a reasonable person, would want to stay? You've given me no reason to not. Every negative quality you've just listed about yourself... I already said, I don't know if it's in spite of them, or because of them that I love you, all I know is, they're not deterring me one bit. And I don't care if you're on the run from the law or not..." Keith sighed. "I know full well how dangerous this could be for me. I already accepted the possibility of dying by coming here to apologize to you... That should tell you the lengths I would go to, the risks I would take for you. Love is not poison, Coselle. Betrayal is poison, a poison that derives its strength from love." Keith looked Coselle right in the eyes as he continued. "I would never betray you, Coselle. I would rather die than hurt you. I love you, and nothing- absolutely nothing- is ever going to change that." Keith meant every word he had just said, and he knew that Coselle would know it, too... There was no doubt in his mind, no secret fear of things going horribly wrong, no nagging second thoughts... Only love for Coselle, unwavering determination/stubbornness, and the willingness to accept whatever dangers this relationship would pose to him somehow.

[lilbluecorsola]

Connor, Gaspard, Eleanor, Peeves, Jessica, Sewaddle, Blueberry, Waffle, Gadget:

Jessica was startled out of her trance by a voice calling her name, and she twisted to see a familiar boy holding an Aipom in his arms, as well as his Petilil, who was bowing politely. Despite her preoccupations and qualms, the girl made sure to mind her Ps and Qs, stretching a thin smile.

"Ah... Connor, was it? And Eleanor? Sure, feel free to join us. Have a seat. Who's this little guy?"

She asked as she handed another plate to Aipom after his two comrades. She paused when Connor questioned as to Keith's whereabouts, glancing nervously at Peeves and... Wait, where was Meowth? He had disappeared too without notice – perhaps to go stop her Pokémon from peeking. She shrugged, deciding to leave the bodyguard duty up to him, since she didn't want to accidentally stumble upon the secret meeting and interrupt whatever was going on between Keith and Minerva herself. While she still wasn't sure how to feel about the whole affair, she consented to take Peeves's cue to keep quiet and not fill Connor in on the details. Yet the young man appeared to have an astonishingly apt sixth sense about these things, as he explained the strange dream he just had. Jessica shivered, shifting uncomfortably. For such a beautiful day befitting the park’s grand opening, the surrounding atmosphere had soured so soon. No, that wasn’t right. The sense she was experiencing wasn’t exactly harsh or unpleasant. Bitter, more like. And perhaps, still a little bit sweet.

Peeves could perceive what she was thinking, and was quick to try and reassure her. She softened in understanding, admiring his loyal efforts to defend his trainer. In truth, she personally wasn’t much bothered by the fact he fancied a Banette, who, as Peeves explained to her half-surprise, had once been in a human in life. (Marion had never made mention of that detail to her. But the fact Minerva already acted and could appear as a human, Jessica reasoned, was more than enough evidence to justify the possibility of either of them developing feelings for the other.) Nor did this change her view of Keith as a whole. Rather, she was worried for him. From what she had heard, Minerva abhorred Keith. At least enough so to try and kill him – or so she thought. (She couldn’t have known the attack was meant to fail, that Minerva was simply “teasing”, so to speak.) What possible outcome could he hope for from confessing his love for someone who tried to stab him once with a needle? Jessica held her head, shaking it slowly. She would never understand love.

And she was worried – for both of them – of the ramifications such a successful relationship could have. Even if the two were able to accept and support each other in whatever strange way they could, what would the rest of the world think? Even if they were happy and not hurting anyone… Others would surely want to hurt them. She wasn’t sure she could stand to see people – her friends – persecuted for their decision to pursue their desires (no, maybe it wasn’t a choice), though in effect that meant she was the one being selfish and weak. Did she think she’d be able to help them by denying hope? Or was she only saving herself from despair? She struggled with this internal conflict, hating how she had once again somehow managed to make this all about herself. This was their situation, their sorrow to deal with. Why should she share in it? She wasn’t even closely related to Keith or Minerva, having known the former from only a few battles and merely met the latter due to the extenuating circumstances of her “sister’s” hospitalization. Still, the chill of Miss Coselle’s shake that time in the Cable Club, and her too-wide smile, stitched tight to hide and hold in so much strength and sadness it seemed like she would burst at the seams someday, lingered in Jessica’s memory...

VROOOOOOOM!

Speak of the devil. Abruptly, the Rotom Jess had traded to Miss Coselle came racing up again, zooming in energized circles around the group before finally coming to a stop before his brother. Upon seeing the lawnmower’s return approach, Blueberry had quickly expanded herself to cover the food again, and now glared vigilantly between Gadget and Waffle. Waffle waved his hands nervously as he tried to explain how angry she was about Gadget’s reckless behavior earlier, which nearly ruined her beautiful masterpieces. Besides that, he was doing well. Jessica was going to help him and Blueberry start up a bakery, but they needed to make some more money first. These were their first test samples, which they were considering bringing to the Fizzytopian’s farmers’ market and/or host a small bake sale in order to secure funds. Waffle wanted to invite Gadget to try some, but he needed to apologize before Blueberry would let him…

Meanwhile, Jessica chuckled, glad for the interruption as she put aside her self-contempt for the moment. Though she couldn’t understand the Rotom’s revs and other loud engine noises, she grinned cheerfully at his greeting and looked to Waffle for translation. He quickly spelled out “G A D G E T” in static letters, and she nodded. “Hi there. I hear your name is Gadget now? How’s life with Miss Coselle? I’m sure you must miss not being able to see Marion, but I can assure you she’s a very nice lady. You’ll love traveling with her when she gets better.”

Just then, Sewaddle showed up carrying new clothes for all the arrivals. It was clear her sewing speed and style were steadily improving. To Gaspard, she gave a golden scarf, and Eleanor earned a matching shawl. For Connor, a crown. Finally, she garbed Gadget in a garland similar to Jessica’s, sidling straight up his sides to slip it over his handle without fear of his fangs. Jessica watched nervously, wondering how the Cut Rotom would react to a leafy caterpillar crawling so close to his mouth (which he would probably see as a more tasty course than even the salads laid out), ready to reach out and pluck her away for protection if necessary.

Meowth, Minchi, Kanna, Kief:

“Whoa, hold up, guys! I mean, halt!”

Minchi stretched out her arm to stop Kanna and Kief from moving forward as the bushes before them began to rustle. Kanna panicked and hid behind her, whimpering it must be a hedge monster, while Kief tried to poke his head curiously over Minchi’s paw to see what was happening. They waited with bated breath, as Minchi readied her TAIL to WHIP whatever burst out…

“Wah!”

“Yah!”

WHAP.

Minchi lifted her tail to see Meowth rubbing his bruised forehead. “Aiieee! It’s a cat demon!” she screamed, smacking him again even harder.

"Now wait just a minute!" he exclaimed, but she only continued to slap him silly.

“M-Minchi, I think that’s enough… Look, it’s that Meowth from earlier. Please stop hurting him,” Kanna whispered fretfully, wincing each time Minchi’s tail contacted Meowth’s bones.

“Oh. So it is. Sorry about that.” Minchi ceased her strikes and straightened primly, her saccharine smile not looking very sincere at all.

After many groans and moans, the Meowth managed to wobble to his feet and glowered at the group. "Dat's my trainer's privacy youse is tinkin' of intrudin' on! Now why don't youse..." He shook his head, eyes slowly regaining their gleam. "...Just turn around, go back over to da picnic, and forget ya heard anyting about dis?"

“Hm… How about no?”

“Come on, Minchi, you heard him. It’s not right to intrude on others’ privacy, we should head back…”

Minchi put on her best pouty face with FAKE TEARS, and when she saw that wouldn’t work, was about to switch on the charm when she noticed the cat’s eyes were almost glowing. “Oh no you do~on’t!” she cried as she suddenly swung around and leaped on Kanna’s back. The Furret freaked out, afraid she was being used as a shield. She couldn’t believe her best friend would betray her like this.

“Wah- wah! What are you doing?”

“Relax, just listen to my instructions!” Minchi closed her eyes while leaning down to cover Kanna’s own, which only caused the poor creature more alarm. “Don’t look! He’s trying to use HYPNOSIS! Come on, Kief, get up here too! Hurry! Whatever you do, don’t make eye contact with Meowth!”

Kief was confused, but a piggyback ride sure sounded like fun. He hopped up after Minchi, his weight making Kanna blush and bristle. Minchi giggled. Had her eyes been open, they would have rolled.

“All right, Kanna, we’re getting out of here! Activate your Ability to Run Away!”

“What? No, I can’t do that!”

“You can! Come on, just charge forward! Let’s lose this silly kitty!”

Kanna took a deep breath, and barreled ahead, bumping straight into Meowth and knocking him over due to her blindness. “E-excuse me! I’m sorry!” she squeaked as she rushed by, which she repeated every time she crashed into the roses. Once Minchi was sure Meowth was far behind them, she removed her paws from Kanna’s lids.

“There, that wasn’t so bad was it? I knew you had it in you!”

Kanna sniffled as Minchi and Kief slid off her back. Minchi patted her panting pal, congratulating her earnestly.

“That was seriously so cool! You go, girlfriend! No cat in the world can catch you.”

Kanna smiled weakly, knowing Minchi meant well, and that this had also been an attempt to help bolster her confidence. Kief licked her face in thanks as well, and she flushed deeply.

Just then, the three heard voices – human – coming from nearby.

"It's not illegal. Not for us. See, several months ago, after I got an official government warning for helping aspiring trainers with their registration tests- never knew that wasn't allowed- I kinda got freaked out and started reading up on Fizzytopian law, just to be on the safe side. And the laws against human/Pokémon relationships... They allow for an exception, but under very specific circumstances. The Pokémon involved has to have formerly been an adult human, and must retain their human memories... Obviously, that applies to you. And... And the human involved... At least a portion of their DNA... Must be Pokémon DNA."

The trio froze, falling silent, and tiptoed over to the wall. On Minchi’s motion, Kief parted the vines with his nose, and rather than taking turns they all crowded together to peer through the hole. Even Kanna couldn’t resist her curiosity after hearing all that. Through the opening, they found a young man and woman facing each other. The male had his eyes shut and seemed to be concentrating hard. All of a sudden, smoke began to rise from his limbs. Kanna gasped and clasped her paws over her mouth, while Minchi’s eyes widened with amazement and glee. O. M. G. What a scoop! She hurriedly reached for the camera she had stolen from a sleeping boy’s bag earlier and focused the frame, making sure to get all of the gas within the shot. Click. Ka-ching.

[Missingno. Master]

Meowth, Minchi, Kanna, Kief, Keith, Coselle: Meowth was rather annoyed as his attempts at Hypnosis failed utterly. As they ran him over (with the Furret at least apologizing), Meowth scrambled back to his feet.

"OK, I didn't wanna hafta do dis, but youse leaves me no choice!" Meowth exclaimed as he raised his front right paw, which was enveloped in a glowing orb, preparing to call on the powers of one of his teammates for Assistance. Meowth couldn't help but grin as he recalled that Keith had brought his Qwilfish, which knew an impossibly wide variety of attacks... And then, a blast of Night Shade flew out of his paw, dissipating harmlessly as it made contact with the Normal-type Minccino. It's doubtful she even felt it.

Meowth facepalmed. "He just had to bring da Duskull, didn't he?" he muttered before he started running after them. However, he only caught up to them as they had already reached the clearing where Keith and Coselle were, just as Keith was revealing his most closely guarded secret to her. Meowth's jaw dropped as he realized that his trainer was in fact 1/4th Gastly. He snapped out of it as he heard the camera go off (quietly, thank Arceus; Keith didn't hear it, at any rate) and shot a dirty look at the Minccino. He dropped this look, however, as Keith and Coselle proceeded to talk, and by the time Keith had finished his latest words, Meowth was moved almost to the point of tears. Silently, he excused himself and made his way back to the main area of the park.

Meowth, Peeves: Once Meowth was back, Peeves was the first to notice. He floated over to Meowth and said, "Meowth, where you go? What going on?"

"I don't even know where ta start," Meowth replied, still very much in amazement at what he had overheard. "And dere's one ting you wouldn't believe if I told youse."

"Try me," Peeves stated. Meowth responded by whispering into the Duskull's ear, and his eye went wide once more.

"He part Gastly?!?!" Peeves exclaimed in surprise.

"Ssssshhhhh!" Meowth hissed. "I don't tink he wanted anyone ta know!"

"Oh! Oh, sorry," Peeves whispered apologetically, looking terrified at his mistake. He glanced around, hoping nobody heard him... Yeah right, like he was gonna have that kind of luck, right?

[uhhhhh]

Connor, Gaspard, Eleanor, Peeves, Jessica, Sewaddle, Blueberry, Waffle, Gadget: As Jessica said yes to Connor's request to stay for a while, he promptly thanked her, "Oh, thanks! I probably won't take too long here though, I still have to look for some of my other Pokemon around the park. I let them around to have a little fun themselves you see. And my Aipom? His name's Gaspard. He was with me when I came to Fizzytopia from Sinnoh," he said with a smile. He then sat down along with Gaspard and was handed out paper plates for the three of them. Connor then looked at Jessica and noticed how she seemed to be worried about something and couldn't help but wonder what was bugging the woman, "Um, Not to intrude Jessica, but is something the matter? You seem worried over something..." his train of thought got interrupted as a Mow Rotom had raced up to them, making a very loud noise as he raced around them, cutting whatever grass had remained on their surroundings, "Ooh, you have two Rotoms? Seems like he's a feisty one," the photographer said in amazement. He noticed however as the HeatTom had spelled out the MowTom's name, it being aptly named, "Gadget," and also Jessica mentioning a certain, Coselle and even Marion, "Wait, you mean this Rotom is Marion's? And who's Coselle? Is she taking care of her?" Connor had asked her once more. It was then that Jessica's Sewaddle had given Connor's group some new clothes for them to wear on and Connor couldn't help but smile at how gifted the little bug was in making clothes. It also provided a distraction from the more important stuff, "Wow, is this for me? Thank you so much, um..., hey Jessica what's her name?" he asked as he placed the crown over his orange-and-blue striped beanie, "Well, how do I look?" he grinned.

[Missingno. Master]

Meowth, Peeves, Connor, Gaspard, Eleanor: Meowth and Peeves were very much aware that Connor was still nearby. To their relief, however, neither he nor his Pokemon seemed to have heard Peeves's rather abrupt outburst. Nevertheless, Peeves floated over to the Aipom and the Petilil, keen on sharing the news to them at least. "Alright, you know how I said I had a feeling Keith wasn't 100% human?" Peeves asked them in his native language. "I was right! Meowth just told me what he's seen- my trainer is part Gastly!"

"It's true," Meowth added, in English, though whispering, so Connor wouldn't hear. "He was able to make dat purple smoke just like a Gastly does. Den he held his Pokedex out and pointed it at hisself, and it started goin' on about Gastly!"

"This explains so much," added Peeves. "He's never gotten poisoned, and among his Pokemon are a Weezing, a Vileplume, and a Grimer. He has... I don't even know how many different Poison-types! And Myrtle told me he was astonishingly quick to learn Shuppet language..."

[Marion Ette]

Connor, Gaspard, Eleanor, Peeves, Jessica, Sewaddle, Blueberry, Waffle, Gadget - Waffle expresses Blueberry's anger at what she would term "reckless behavior" on Gadget's part. Though Gadget seems confused, he turns to Blueberry with an earnest expression. I didn't mean to make you mad miss berry-blue-ballooney I'm sorry if I made everything taste like grass though grass is my favorite flavor I eat it all the time cause I'm a lawnmower and that's what I do you see I mow lawns and stuff I think I said it before but it is the truth and the truth bears repeating at least that's what Coselle said once I think maybe I LIKE SWEETS Gadget eyes the treats hungrily before turning back to Waffle, who explains that he and Blueberry would like to start a bakery, but lack the necessary funds to do so. Hopefully, by selling their wares, they would be able to afford such a luxury.

I hope you get a bakery 'cause bakery means sweets I can mow the lawn for you for free I'm good at that you know so I can do that and I can HELP yaaaaaaaaaaaay~ Gadget seems quite set on the fact that he will be helping Waffle with his bakery lawn, and giggles with joy at the thought.

Jessica seems happy that Gadget has come to visit, and Gadget notices that Waffle is translating for him. He makes an attempt to speak more slowly, but given his usually fast-paced dialog, the effort does little to help.

Yes, my name is Gadget and I am very happy with Miss Coselle she takes me to the park all the time and lets me mow and play games but I really miss Marion it's weird not being with my trainer but I know I'll meet her soon and go on lots of adventures I can't wait to go on adventures do you go on adventures?

Keith, Coselle - It had not truly occurred to Coselle just how much Keith had already risked on her behalf until he painfully, purely, adamantly reminded her of the fact that just moments before this conversation, he was convinced that she could... and possibly would... kill him. Even that perception, untrue though it was, did not scare Keith away. His very death was not enough to deter him... That information alone made Coselle's protestations look silly and baseless. No matter what she did, no matter how many threats, reasons or excuses she doled out, he would not be the one to back down. Stalwart in his convictions, Coselle could not deny that his love, though dangerous and foolish, came with it an odd sort of strength. He could deflect, defend, endure anything... and she was powerless against it.

"There's... there's no talking you out of this, is there?" More a statement than a question, Coselle meets Keith's gaze, her eyes glittering with dew-like moisture, threatening to tear up. "I told you... you're damn stubborn..."

At that moment, Coselle's X-tranceiver begins ringing loudly. Coselle grimaces, but wordlessly indicates to Keith that he needs to hold on. Holding up the screen in such a way that Keith can easily peer in on the conversation, Coselle answers the phone, the image of a Duskull appearing on the screen.

"Hiiii Coselle! I calling from hospital~" The cheery voice of Liliana bursts forth from the other end.

"You sound chipper, Ana... Good news, I hope?"

"Marion awake, Cosie!! She looking for you. What should I tell her? You want speak to her?"

Coselle pauses for a moment. Though the silence only lasts a moment or two, the deeply pensive expression on her face indicates that within those moments, momentous decisions were being made within her mind.

"Yes. Tell her that I am her sister, who has come to stay after that evil Banette of hers tried to harm her. I'm here to protect her from Minerva."

"But you're-"

"I'M NOT... Minerva." Coselle grits her teeth. "Minerva is in hiding. Tell Marion... Tell Marion that she's in hiding until this whole thing blows over. She will be writing letters, and she loves her very much. But she's dangerous, you understand? I'm not letting that crazy Banette go near her."

Liliana pauses, skull head slightly tilted. "What I say if she ask questions? You know she ask..."

"Coselle Ette. Age 29... just tell her I look young for my age. Unmarried. I've been living in Lavender Town my whole life with my adoptive parents. We're half-sisters, on her mother's side. My profession is writing, and I do not currently own any Pokemon at this time. I attended Celadon University and obtained a degree in English Literature. I can't speak ghost-type languages like she can, so only talk to me in English from now on. Tell her that I'm... eccentric, but that I care for her very much as my only blood relative." Coselle pauses. "If she asks, I recently started dating a trainer I met while running errands in town. We met in the park, in the gardens, and against all reason and intellect, we fell in love. It was... like the movies." Coselle makes a motion with her hands as if sprinkling fairy dust everywhere. "Magic."

"Hehe, Cosie... You always so good at making stuff up."

Coselle smirks. "Heh... You'd think I was, huh?"

Liliana gives Coselle a look for a few seconds, but seems to dismiss Coselle's statement as humor. "Okie, let me get Marion..." The sight of the camera floating down a hallway can be seen, when suddenly a Drifloon phases through a closed door, pantomiming a 'hush' motion with his little yellow hand, softly saying something in Drifloon language. Liliana turns the camera back to her face, which clearly looks less cheerful than before. "She already asleep again..." Liliana's eye turns down with disappointment, as she hangs her skull-shaped head forward. "I sorry."

"I'll catch her when she's awake. Remember what I said. DO NOT TELL ANYONE, especially that miserable Ninetales of hers. The story is-"

"Minerva run away, you come back, protect sister. Got it! Just one question..."

"Yesss?"

"Who is the trainer you 'dating?'" Liliana pantomimes quotation marks as she says this. Coselle can't help but grin a bit.

"Oh, you'd know him, wouldn't you...? Keith. His name is Keith."

"The one you tried to-"

"YES, Liliana. That one."

"Hehe, I knew it." Liliana's eye glows with amusement and glee. The sound of a rather jovial Frillish calling out Liliana's name and laughing can be heard from offscreen. "Oh, gotta go! Bedi made dinner for us 'cause hospital food is gross. Byebye for now... Coselle."

"Later, Ana." Coselle closes the phone, and turns to Keith with a mischievous grin. "Now, the question becomes... When I told Liliana I was dating you, was I telling the truth, or was I lying? This is your first test of many, so don't disappoint me..."

[Missingno. Master]

Keith, Coselle: Keith could not help but grin slightly as Coselle looked at him and voiced her realization that she wasn't gonna be able to talk him out of this. Though it was more of a statement than a question, Keith shook his head nonetheless. As her eyes threatened to fill with tears, she told Keith how stubborn he was, yet again... And then her Xtranceiver rang. Keith couldn't help but recall how often his own Xtranceiver had been the cause of interruptions at the bar, once the PC restrictions had been repealed, and he started getting trade offers left and right... Kept putting off all sorts of conversations he was holding with others. He nodded as Coselle wordlessly indicated that he should hold on. As Coselle answered, she angled the device so as to allow Keith an easy and clear view of the conversation, which turned out to be with Liliana, Marion's Duskull and Peeves's girlfriend. Keith was rather pleasantly surprised to hear that Marion was awake, and then Coselle began to give Liliana information about herself to relay to Marion in the event of her inevitable questions. Keith was rather impressed at how casually Coselle was rattling off this information, but then, he reasoned, much of it may very well have actually been true of Coselle when she was alive... Coselle then mentioned that she had recently started dating a trainer she had met in the park, which grabbed Keith's attention somewhat. Sure enough, once Liliana asked for the trainer's name, Coselle identified Keith as the one she was dating. Liliana giggled and claimed she knew it, the call ending not long afterwards. Before Keith could comment on how glad he was that Marion seemed to be faring better, Coselle opened her mouth first, with a question of her own, accompanied by a mischievous grin; she asked Keith whether she had been telling the truth or lying when she told Liliana that she was dating him. She stated that it was the first of many tests, and told him to not disappoint her. Keith blinked. He wasn't expecting to be tested like this. And if this was going to be a regular thing... it would certainly make the relationship rather interesting. Then again, Keith liked interesting. If he didn't like interesting, he probably wouldn't have fallen for Coselle in the first place. Within seconds, Keith found that an answer of sorts had occurred to him.

"Well, what kind of a man would I be if I made you out to be a liar?" Keith said, with a grin of his own forming on his face. "You told Liliana that we're dating... then we're dating."

[uhhhhh]

Peeves, Meowth, Gaspard, Eleanor, Sewaddle - Peeves had told the duo about his concern about Keith and whether or not he was completely human. Naturally, Gaspard and Eleanor were confused at his statement, unsure of what he was talking about. Before any of them could speak up though, Meowth had come back and had talked privately with Peeves. It was then that Jessica's Sewaddle had given them some clothes she had made herself to Connor and his Pokemon. ~Is this for us Sewaddle? Thank you so much!~ Eleanor exclaimed as she wore the shawl she had been given. ~Wow, you made this yourself? That's awesome!~ Gaspard grinned at her and gave her a thumbs up with his tail. Connor's group were distracted by the Sewaddle's works that all of them did not hear Peeves' loud outburst.

It was then that the two had come back and told Gaspard and Eleanor the latest story about Keith. Both Pokemon were naturally shocked at this. ~What?! He's... part Gastly?!~ Both of them found it hard to believe as they have never heard of someone being part-Pokemon. ~But... how? I don't see any way that someone could turn or be part-Pokemon, and even then... your trainer doesn't even look like one...~ Eleanor had voiced out both their thoughts.

[Missingno. Master]

Peeves, Meowth, Connor, Gaspard, Eleanor: Meowth nodded as Connor's Pokemon displayed their obvious shock and surprise at the news that Keith was part Gastly. As Eleanor asked how, while noting that Keith didn't even look like a Gastly, Meowth whispered his response.

"Yeah, I know, but see, apparently, when Keith was seven, he drowned at da beach at Cinnabar Island, but just two seconds or so after he died, dis Missingno. ting pushed him back to shore, and someting about how da shock from da impact got his heart goin' again. But see, apparently his soul was all set to turn into a Gastly and had started, but when he came back ta life, da little bit o' transformation his soul underwent never reversed itself. He's still three quarters human, just one quarter Gastly. All he's got ta show fer it, apparently, is an immunity ta poisonin', da power to make dis ghostly smoke, he says he can even use Smog, but it apparently makes him real tired, and he's apparently real good at learnin' Pokemon languages. I heard him speak Shuppet language before, and Myrtle- one o' his Shuppet- she says he learned da whole language in just three hours! I ain't never heard of a human learn a Pokemon language dat quick before!"

Unknown to him, Meowth, in his excitement, had raised his voice back to normal levels, from the whisper he started out with. And as he was speaking English, it was highly likely that others close by had overheard most of what he had said. At the very least, it was extraordinarily likely that Connor heard most of this.

[Marion Ette]

Keith, Coselle - Coselle chuckles darkly at Keith's response, an almost inhumanly wide grin spreading across her face. "What kind of man would you be...? A smart one, probably. I am a liar, and a dirty one at that~" Coselle begins to walk in the direction of the bench, idly admiring the roses around her, a soft hum of a nameless melody drifting her lips... until she suddenly turns around, her eyes burning with a wild, uncontrollable fierceness, as she grabs Keith by the scruff of the neck and lifts him an inch or two off the ground, her head tilted up to maintain eye contact. Despite the viciousness of the action, her smile softens. "Then again... I like to keep people on their toes."

A woman of contradiction: dead and alive, hateful and loving, human and inhuman... When she yanks Keith towards her, the motion is erratic, violent, quick... but he is met on the lips with a soothing tenderness. She vaguely tastes of smokiness, of cigarettes and absinthe, with the slightest tinge of sweetness. Even when she finally lets him go, she doesn't really let him go... Her hand still remains tightly gripped to his collar, eyes focused on him, laughing maniacally. She throws him unceremoniously onto the grass, standing over him with an intense sparkle in her eyes. Never has she looked more beautiful... or more utterly terrifying.

"Thought you would die tonight, hmmmm?" Coselle's laughter echoes through the Rose Garden, eerie and jubilant. "Hahaha... maybe you will..." She pauses for a moment, thinking. "Mmm, but not here... I sense there's more than roses listening in on us. We should go." She yanks Keith back up on his feet, but makes sure to brush some of the grass off of him as she does, remarking with an unsettling nonchalance; "After all... I am the only person who should have the privilege of hearing you scream."

[uhhhhh]

Connor, Jessica, Meowth - Meowth had been so loud in his explanation about Keith being part-Pokemon that he seemed to have forgotten that he was speaking English... and that the likes of Jessica and Connor could understand him. "Meowth, just now... what did you just say...?" he quietly asked the Scratch Cat Pokemon. This alarmed both Gaspard and Eleanor. "Did I hear you right on that one? Keith is part-Pokemon?" Connor had pinched himself on the cheek just to see if he was dreaming and yet the pain was all too real for him. "That's... Wow, where do I even start? Is this true Meowth?" the photographer had to ask him again just to verify what he had just overheard as he found such a statement quite absurd.