🌹 Inked Roses🌹

She's heard of people having inner demons, but this was not what she had in mind. Lia has faced many things back in her home world, most of which would be familiar to other Pokémon trainers, no matter how big or small, powerful or not. But never in her life would she be prepared to face something as terrifying as a creature entirely made out of Dark aura!

"Wha-what is that thing?" Maddie trembled.

"It, it appeared out of the stuff that changed Riddle!"

"That stuff is called 'Blot, Grim, and that thing is a blot monster, an entity that only comes out when someone 'Overblots."

"Over-blots?" Lia asks as she tries to beath. The contamination in the air was getting to her; her Pokémon tried to stay focused, too.

"It's a magic condition that all mages must avoid at all costs."

"Mr. Theo is correct; when someone is practicing magic, all the negative energy that accumulates is called blot and is stored in their magic gems. However, should the stored blot reach the gem's limited capacity, it'll come to a point where it'll burst."

"And when that happens, all the overflowing blot will corrupt the user from the inside out. All that overwhelming negativity will cause them to lose control of their magic and emotions to a point where they will destroy everything in their path." Madame Eva finished.

"Sounds exactly like how a Pokémon reacts when injured or sick."

"This is completely different, Lia," Persian replied while he tried to steady her.

"Myah! I don't get it!?"

"Me neither,"

Pikachu snapped at Grim and Deuce. "Pikachu!" (Really, sounds clear to me!)

"I'm with ya, Little Yellow. Seriously?! Do we need to spell it out for you?! We're saying Riddle's gone ' Evil Berserk mode here!"

"And if Riddle keeps unleashing all that negative energy, his very life will be at risk!"

Lia and her Pokémon shuddered at that, 'His, his very life?!'

"LOPUNNY!!" (RIDDLE!!)

"As much as I wish to help, our main priority is to get the rest of the other students out to safety."

"You're correct, my darling. We also must bring Mr. Rosehearts back to his senses before it's too late."

"HEADS UP!!" Persian cried out as he saw Riddle have his monster make a move.

With one swing, the monster cracked the ground where they stood. Fortunately, Trevenant countered it with his 'Wood Hammer attack.

"I will hear nothing! But 'Yes, Dorm Leader! Whoever defies me WILL HAVE THEIR HEADS TAKEN!!"

Destruction was everywhere in the garden; all it took was one blow from Riddle's monster. Lia shivered at the sight. 'To think, all that negative aura cause this.'

"Riddle! You have to stop this! Otherwise, you'll,"

"I ISSUE THE ORDERS!!"

Riddle summoned more uprooted trees to rain down on them, but Lia moved just as quickly as she tossed another Pokéball. "Rapidash! Use Protect!"

A pink and teal unicorn appeared and made a blue dome-like shield to surround the whole group.

"Mr. Clover! Diamond! And Theo! Go and get the other staff members to aid us! We need all the help we,"

"Like hell, I'm just gonna 'sit and watch! Take this!" "CHARRRR!" With a wave of his pen, Ace blasted a massive wind spell that combined with his Chipchar's 'Flamethrower.

"Mr. Trappola! What in the Greats Name,"

But Madame Eva was soon cut off when Deuce and Grim joined the two.

"I summon thee, cauldron!"

"How do you like this?! Myahh!"

"Just what do you fools think you're doing!?!"

"Getting you back to reality, that's what!" Lia took out another Pokéball, "Zoroark! Use Night Daze!" a with a wild ponytail emerged.

"RRRAAAAGGGH!"

"Why you . . . GGGAHHH!"

"R-Red alert! We've got a major 'Idiot Emergency here!!" Cater panicked.

"All of you stop! You're not skilled enough to deal with this!" Theo tried to reason.

"Um, didn't you guys mention how bad the situation that guy's in right now?!" Grim snapped back.

"We need to handle this now. Otherwise, I'll forever have this on my conscience!"

"And I'm not backing down till that guy admits he was wrong and apologizes!"

Persian sighed as he saw Lia slowly make her way to the boys. "Even though you're in this state, you're going to help no matter what, huh?"

"Do you really need to ask?"

"Guess I gave my hopes up. Count me in; that kid had better apologize to you when this is over. What he said about your mother, I will not let it down."

"PIKACHU!" (I'M IN TOO!)

"You lot, *Sighs* Alright then, I may be able to overwrite Riddle's magic, but it won't last very long."

Lia faintly smiled at Trey. "Your help is enough."

Theo reluctantly chuckles, "Didn't think you guys were going to back down anyway." He turns to the couple. "See if you two can get a hold of my dad. He should be able to help with this."

"As that's an excellent idea, Mr. Theo, you can't possibly be thinking of taking on Mr. Rosehearts in this state, do you?!"

"Huh?! S-R-S Trey! Theo! You can't beat Riddle!"

"There's no other option,"

"Theo's right, you're a joke if you're not gonna fight when you know you'll win." Ace scoffed.

"Yeah! That ain't cool!"

"Pika, Pikachu!" (We need to help him, no matter what!)

"Unless there's an option 'B, this is the only way to snap him out of it."

"If we wait for someone to help, it'll be too late for Riddle. 'Never lose sight of yourself, no matter your hardships. My mother taught me that much."

"You can barely stand up straight, Lia!!"

"You'd only lose if you never try. We have to do this, whatever it takes."

Trey didn't bother to turn to his fellow senior as he stared down the opponent. "Cater, I'm sorry. But I can't lose him. Not when I have so much to tell him."

Cater hesitated momentarily as he looked at his fellow Heartsalbyul student and Dorm leader. "Argh!! This is so not my scene, nor do I 'Like or 'Subscribe to this, Fine!"

Crowley and Madame Eva were hesitant, but seeing there was no point in further arguing, "Once we've gotten the students to safety, you had better stay firm till then!" That said, with Lucario's help, they left with the students.

As the boys continued to deflect Riddle's attacks, Lia turned to Maddie, "Maddie, I need you to go with the others."

"Wait, what?! No!"

"This isn't up for discussion, Maddie. It's too dangerous here, and you're the only one with no means to defend yourself."

"But, but I wanna help."

"And you can," Theo said as he approached them, "Listen to me very carefully; I need you to go back to the Ramshackle and get something. We're going to need it."

As Theo talked to Maddie, Lia turned to Absol with the rest of Riddle's Pokémon. "Absol, I want you to protect these guys for as long as possible without Riddle noticing you. Floette, seeing as the ground has been massacred, you will have to revive those flowers for Shaymin to use them."

"Absol," (I'll do my best)

"Flo," (You can count on me)

"Great. Now, Shaymin, you can guess what I want you to do. However, once you've collected enough pollution, do nothing until I give the signal."

"Min!" (Got it!)

Lia smiled at them, then turned to the 'Rabbit Pokémon; "I take it you want to stand with us?"

"Lopunny!" (Yes!)

"Then, when the moment is right, you and I will make the final blow." She handed her the very last thing she expected to see: Lopunnite.

Before the group entered the garden, Lia found the mega stone hiding in the shrubs; she was just as surprised. But she wouldn't question it. If there was one life lesson, her mother taught her well: 'Things happen for a reason.

"With the state Riddle is in, do I have your permission to use my keystone to activate your mega stone?"

Lopunny did not say anything as she took the stone, giving Lia her answer.

"You lot, such defiance. You've got some nerve. I'LL BE-HEAD EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!!!!"

"He won't be able to take much more if this keeps up. We need to hurry."

Lia nodded, then turned to Riddle, "I'd like to see you try, Riddle."

Following his movements, Riddle's monster formed spears out of the ink and aimed at the group.

"OFF WITH YOUR HEADS!!!"

"DOODLE SUITE!"

"Confound it, Trey! You still defy me?!!"

"Venusaur! Use 'Leaf Blade to counteract it!"

"Saur!"

"Hey! Don't hog all the glory! Jumbo Gust!"

They cut right through the flying spears with the combination of the two. However, much to their dismay, the broken pieces mended back together.

"WHAT?!/SAUR?!"

"Not good, Ace! Venusaur! Dodge them quick!"

Just as they did, Chimpchar used 'Flamethrower again and managed to incinerate some, but the ones on the ground turned the earth black and crumbled.

"They, they polluted the earth,"

"HAHAHAHAHAHA! Now you all will rue from ever defying me!"

"He's really got us in a tight spot." Cater huffed, dodging.

"Not if we have the upper hand," Theo turned to Lia, "I think now would be best to use whatever trump card you have."

"Not yet. We need a clue to help us get to Riddle without hurting him."

The monster once again struck the earth. Zoroark and Rapidash managed to counter them, but the others barely dodged. Deuce got his foot stuck, and a spear was heading straight at him.

"Crap!" suddenly, something pushed. "Mi!" "Huh?" To his surprise, his savior was none other than Minun.

On the other side, with Ace, was Plusle struggled, "Plu!" "What the?"

"Looks like Plusle and Minun chose the two of you. Good timing, we could use their help." Persian mentioned as he kept holding Lia up, "How are you doing?"

"A bit better; Shaymin cleared up most of the negative aura. But I can still feel it."

"Damn it! He should be out of magic by now! What? Is his reserves unlimited or something?!"

"No, he's using the bottled-up negative energy that caused this. At this rate, he'll be beyond saving." Theo explained as he held up a shield in front of Ace.

The group didn't like the sound of that. "Not happening! Trevenant, use 'Forests Curse! Then Pikachu! Plusle! Minun! Strike Riddle with 'Thunderbolt together!"

"Pika!" "Plu!/Min!" (On it!)

"Trevenant!" (With Pleasure!)

Both 'Electric types charged up as the 'Elder Tree Pokémon used his move to bind Riddle and the monster.

"WHAT IS THIS!!?? YOU SHALL NOT STAND IN MY WAY!!!"

Just as Riddle summoned more spears, Pikachu, Plusle, and Minun attacked. However, that didn't stop him from throwing some before he was struck down. One of which was aimed right at Lia.

"Lia! Watch out!"

Cater pushed her away, taking the blow before she could move. "CATER!!" Lia looked horrified as he was impaled.

"Sike~" The 'Cater in front of her then turned to cards. Feeling something poke her cheek, she finds the real Cater beside her.

"You really need to be more careful, Cutie. ~"

"That isn't funny, kid!" Persian hissed; suddenly, he noticed something. "Lia! Look above the monster's head. In the middle of the crown."

Sure enough, right in the middle of the crown, in all its glory, was Riddle's magic crystal in black. In addition, she noticed how the blot in the monster's 'jarhead was slowly rising. Even though there were cracks in it, it was still filling up the more Riddle used his harmful magic.

"Could that be. . . Guys! I know what to do!"

She turned to Lopunny and her Venusaur. "I'm going to need you two with this one," she took out her locket with a keystone.

Nodding to her, the two rushed forward and stood in front. "Alright then, Beyond Evolution, Venusaur! Mega Evolve!"

The keystone from the locket glowed, as did the 'Seed Pokémon's entire body. This blinded the others, including Riddle. In the process, Venusaur's silhouette started to change. When the light dimmed, Venusaur completely different!

"What the heck!?"

"What just,"

But before the boys could question her, Lia turned to the 'Rabbit Pokémon, "With the permission given to me, Lopunny! Mega Evolve!" With the same reaction, Lopunny's appearance change too. Standing tall, she stared down at Riddle, ready to help him more than ever.

"Lia, what did you,"

"There's no time for explanations, Trey! When I give the signal, I want all of you to clear out."

"You got a plan?"

"Ace, you should know me by now. I always have a plan. Just make sure nothing hits us."

"Got it,"

"Be careful, Lia."

As everyone deflected the spears and protected each other, Riddle slowed down.

"This, this cannot be; I'm the one who's right. I have to be right, without any doubt! Because, if I'm not, what was the point of any of this!?"

"Riddle. . . ."

"Now's not the time to get distracted, Trey; he'll notice and get the extra advantage."

"Ah! Sorry,"

"I understand you're feeling sorry for him, kid. But don't let that get to you right now; focus if you want to help him."

"Which shouldn't be long now, Persian. Have you noticed that Riddle's getting a bit slower?"

"You're right, Lia. He seems to be getting more agitated and hesitant with each attack we throw at him."

"Exactly, in any battle, one can't win if their minds are clouded. The minute one loses sight of themselves, they're practically stuck in one place."

Just then, Lia saw two beings floating above Riddle's monster. It was the Shaymin's in their 'Sky form, with their scarf-like flowers all black. They were standing by like she had asked them earlier. It was now time.

"Lopunny, on my mark, use Mega Jump to kick at the monster's head. Same with you, Venusaur, but with Mega 'Seed bomb."

"Punny! /Saur!"

"Now, Venusaur! Use Petal Blizzard!"

"Saur!" Instantly, a swarm of flower petals appeared from him and flew straight at Riddle.

"Guys! Now!"

The boys and the rest of the Pokémon jumped out of the way as she and the others moved in.

"Now, Lopunny! You too, Venusaur! Shaymin! Use 'Seed Flare!"

Lopunny took action, whereas the Shaymins dove down with their bodies glowing.

Venusaur aimed his flower and took the shot With all three attacks,

Riddle screamed as he was met with a significant impact.

Out from a corner, Lia saw a flash taken from the other side of the garden. Looking over, it was Maddie! She was holding the 'Ghost Camer with Floette and Absol with her.

'What is she?'

"Riddle!!"

Lia snapped her attention back to the scene.

"Was, was I really wrong? No, that can't be!? Can it? . . Mother?"

Riddle started to fall as the monster's head exploded. Riddle's form turned back to normal. But nothing was stopping him from hitting the ground!

"Oh no!"

"Lopunny!" (Riddle!!)

She and Lopunny ran as fast as they could to catch him. Lia started to glow as a crystal from her hairpin cracked. Once she and the 'Rabbit Pokémon caught him, everything went black as Lia flashed a light.

One of her crystals broke.