Leaning forward in the hard-backed desk chair of her Medicinal Options for Pokemon class, Lexi propped her cheek on a fist and sighed, fiddling with the edges of her notebook in boredom.

Eighth Year was proving to be a rehash of the previous seven, and nothing proved it more than Professor Jehlicka once again explaining the basis of status-healing potions.

As if they hadn't learned this in Third Year already.

Checking the time on her Pokedex, she grumbled at the time before a bright orange message popped up, thankfully silent.

Turtle Titan for a superhero name?

Quirking an eyebrow at the strange question, the brunette tapped out a reply, a smile starting to tilt her mouth.

Definitely alliterative. Making a superhero?

Lexi tuned back into the lecture as her message blinked, flying through the ether, and huffed a laugh at the realization that Professor Jehlicka was, with a rather exasperated expression, once more explaining the critical difference between Pecha and Cheri berries to an uninterested class.

Another orange message popped up, pulling her attention away with ease.

Something like that.

That was oddly cryptic, especially for Michelangelo, but the PA system crackling to life distracted her from thinking too deeply on it.

"Hello, my wonderful students." Professor Willow greeted, sweet and airy. "As you all are aware, the First Quarter Tournament will be starting today. For the next week, each year will be competing amongst themselves for the top spots in their class and the academy. Do your very best, and good luck to all of you."

The announcement ended with a bell, and Lexi grinned like a Sharpedo as her heart started to pound.

Finally.

Stepping into the arena for Eighth Year's tournament, Lexi glanced around calmly as her fellow classmates chatted and jeered around her.

The massive building had a high, dome-shaped ceiling to accommodate Flying-types, bleachers ringing the walls around eight battlefields, two wide and four deep from the entrance.

"Listen up!" Professor Ferro shouted, voice booming over the students. "Match-ups are being decided now!"

Ignoring the usual jostling and snide comments, the brunette tilted her head back as holographic screens formed, Porygon buzzing as they activated the appropriate software.

The first matches were always at random, to keep things 'fair', the winner going on to face another successful challenger until, eventually, only one person remained undefeated.

After that, it was a battle of the champions.

"Vanessa Abbott versus Nicholas Gates! Francine Daniels versus Maddison Olivier! Candace D'Angelo versus Ryan Sinclair! George Farcin versus Lexi Lane! Theodoric Helmfried versus David Zaman! Normand Maram versus Mahavira Blaine! Shiva Benito versus Jachin Dara! Neo Marzanna versus Maximilian Helene!"

As everyone paired off, Lexi paused at the vibration from her back pocket and checked the message that popped onto her Pokedex in bright orange.

Turtle Mobile?

Swallowing a giggle, she tapped out a quick reply one-handed.

Kinda obvious.

As the message was sent, the brunette moved to stand opposite the tall, heavily-built eighteen-year-old that was her first opponent.

George Farcin was one of those people that thought bigger was better, whether it was people or Pokemon, and proved his philosophy once more by releasing a Golurk that was a good three feet taller than average.

A Poke Ball cracked open in her hands, and Eve dropped out light as a feather, staring down her larger opponent as the massive Ground/Ghost-type pounded his fists together threateningly.

"I don't know why everyone's so scared of you!" George sneered, dismissive of the tiny Normal-type. "My Golurk is gonna wipe the floor with that little fur ball!"

"You're welcome to try." Lexi countered calmly, hands in her jeans' pockets and shoulders slouched.

"Golurk, Dynamic Punch!"

Eve hardly blinked as she hopped neatly to one side, watching the massive Pokemon try to yank his arm out of the ground with laughing eyes.

"If you can."

George's entire face went red, clashing with the ginger fuzz of his scruff, in no time at all.

"Golurk!"

Finally wrenching himself free, the Automaton Pokemon whirled around in the attempt to land another punch, and Eve hopped out of the way once more as he stumbled from the lack of resistance.

They tried every punch the Golurk knew-Focus, Mega, Dynamic-, and not a single one made contact, Eve side-stepping and ducking and weaving around each swing with ease.

Holding back a smile at the show, Lexi tilted her head just so as another message vibrated through her Pokedex.

"Eve."

Bouncing out of reach, the Normal-type watched as the Automaton Pokemon caught his balance, one ear tilting back as a signal to her girl.

"Ghost."

And just like that, Eve was on the offensive.

The Golurk grunted as a Shadow Ball exploded against his face, and Eve leapt off his chest hard enough to make the large Pokemon stumble, spinning up and releasing a spray of the ghostly spheres that struck him head-on.

The Automaton Pokemon barely had a moment to catch his breath before Eve came back down, striking with an Iron Tail that smashed his head-and the rest of him-into a crater.

A screen appeared with a low buzz between the trainers, declaring Lexi the winner, as Eve trotted back over to her girl, fluffy tail waving like a victory banner.

"Better luck next time."

The brunette turned away as George about lost his mind with temper, sliding out her Pokedex as Eve leapt onto one shoulder.

"Great job." She complimented, rubbing cheeks while reading the new message.

Bulky, too. Grappling hook?

Rolling the thought around for a moment, Lexi tapped out a reply while Eve watched the other battles with vague interest.

Better.

Another buzz echoed through the arena, and she smiled.

Much better.

Only the first round of battles was done, leaving half of the class struggling to not end up at the bottom of their list and the other making sure their Pokemon were in fighting shape for the next day's battles.

Vanessa looked over her Furfrou critically, perfectly manicured nails drumming against the purple faux-fur shawl around her shoulders before tweaking the Poodle Pokemon's Matron Trim into perfection with a put-upon sigh as her Delcatty huffed disapprovingly.

Cuddling her Dedenne, Candace cooed praises to the tiny Electric/Fairy-type, Whimsicott perched on currently-orange curls as she squealed over the adorableness of her Pokemon.

Maddison carded her fingers through her Dodrio's feathers, shushing the three cuddly heads as she checked for more serious injuries, a Pidgeot and Fearow checking over her shoulder.

Patting his Octillery in congratulations, Theodoric praised him loudly as his Feraligatr boomed a laugh, teeth flashing in the light.

Mahavira and Shiva were comparing notes, straight black hair falling like curtains in front of their pale faces, as their Mismagius and Mightyena checked each other over affectionately.

Like a general before his troops, Neo was giving a rather rousing speech to his Shiftry and Sceptile to keep up moral, the Grass-types nodding along placidly.

Sitting on the first row of bleachers, with Eve sprawled across her thighs, Lexi watched as the others prepared for another round of battles to determine the bottom eight.

Most people used their second-best Pokemon in the first round, hoping to keep their main fresh, and this backfired as often as it worked.

At the very least, it left them with a stronger Pokemon to battle for a slightly-less-shameful spot.

Another orange message popped up, cryptic as ever.

Red and yellow?

Humming in thought, she replied simply.

Nice.

Curiosity roused once more, and without an announcement or battle to distract her, Lexi tapped out a second message.

Anything I should know about?

It took a few extra moments for the next one to come in, and was hardly an answer at all.

Not yet.

Eve's ear twitching against her wrist, and the brunette looked up to see the next round of battles was ready to begin and her fellow winners were climbing up the bleachers for better seats.

"Almost wish our fight had lasted longer." She admitted quietly, earning a snicker from the fluffy Normal-type.

Still, better than sitting through another lecture on berries…

Sprawled on her bed, wearing an over-sized Powerpuff Girls shirt and old gym shorts, Lexi scrolled through a news feed lazily as Eve and Blue curled up on either side of her neck.

Snorting a laugh as a particularly determined male Nidoran climbed into a fridge to escape the summer heat, she grabbed a protein shake from her nightstand, catching the straw with her tongue for a long drink.

Another orange message popped up, blocking the video, and the brunette almost sighed.

Michelangelo had been texting her on-and-off all day, and she was about done with all the strange questions.

OMG Tony Stark is SO much cooler in person!

She almost dismissed the message before she registered the name, blue eyes widening.

What?

An emergency bulletin popped up before the implications could fully set in, a quick post preceded by a blurry picture of Iron Man streaking across the night sky.

IRON MAN SPOTTED BLAZING OVER NEW YORK CITY.

Heart starting to race, Lexi jolted upright, only half-aware of Eve and Blue yelping in surprise.

Tony Stark had been in self-imposed exile within Avenger's Tower for the last three weeks, ever since his Lucario had laid her first egg and started nesting, so for him to be out…

The teenager blazed through the connected article, dread mounting as fragments stuck in her mind like shards of glass.

LUCARIO MISSING-

IRON MAN MIA-

SECURITY BREACH-

STOLEN-

"Oh Arceus…" She breathed, Pokedex dropping into her lap as the picture took center-stage.

The quality was poor, pixelated from distance, but right there, hanging on the edge…

Was green.

Alright, so maybe following a superhero on a revenge mission was not the best idea Michelangelo had ever had.

But come on, who would pass up a chance for a superhero team-up with Iron Man?

Not that he was technically invited for a team-up, but Tony had never said no, so…

Yelping as a repulsor blast barely missed his side, Michelangelo flipped and twisted to avoid being charred, heart pounding with every near miss that got closer and closer to the mark.

Horrible idea! Horrible idea!

Emma seemed to be of a similar opinion, darting away from Magneton's Mirror Shot with a squeal as the Magnet Pokemon bore down on her like a freight train.

The Crimson Cowl laughed at the display, her Porygon-Z humming in digital battle with Iron Man's Porygon-S, the butler-designed J.A.R.V.I.S., over control of said suit's controls.

Tony, unfortunately, had become the rope in a deadly game of Tug-O-War.

"What's wrong, Stark?" The villainess taunted, red lips stretched into a sharp-toothed grin as the armor stuttered through another volley of repulsor blasts. "A bug in your system?"

"Oh, very funny!" Tony grunted, fighting back against the rogue Iron Man suit with no success. "How long did it take you to think that one up?"

Michelangelo squeaked as he fell into a split to avoid having his head blown off, too out of breath for more, and Emma tumbled head-over-tail in a desperate, exhausted attempt to avoid being crushed in her larger opponent's Magnet Bomb.

"About as long as your little friend has left to live." The Crimson Cowl quipped, spinning a black-and-blue Pokemon in one hand.

Panting heavily and shaking from exertion, Emma stumbled to her feet, glaring at the woman.

Heart kicking into high-gear, Michelangelo rushed to his feet as her cheek-sacs sparked, Magneton preparing a Flash Cannon to finish her off-

"EMMA!"

Smoke exploded into the Magnet Pokemon's eyes in a rapid series of pops, throwing the Pokemon's aim wide and throwing up more blinding dust.

By the time the air cleared, Michelangelo and Emma were nowhere to be seen.

Coughing, Crimson Cowl waved the air clear around her face as the Electric/Steel-type bobbed around with a series of confused beeps.

"Well, it looks like your little friend made the smart choice to save his own skin." She noted smugly, turning to the locked-in superhero with a Sharpedo's grin. "Which means it's time for the main event."

J.A.R.V.I.S. flinched violently as the villainess held up the Pokemon egg like an offering, the Iron Man suit jerking to take aim.

"Say goodbye, Stark."

The repulsor hummed to life-

A Bone Rush smashed into Iron Man's torso, sending man and suit flying back, and Crimson Cowl whipped around with wide eyes as a new attacker bore down on her with a snarl, only her Magneton's well-timed Discharge forcing the Lucario to veer off-course.

Shaking the static off, the Aura Pokemon circled her prey, sensitive ear-appendages vibrating with rage.

"Rani, no!" Tony shouted, his efforts turning more frantic. "Get out of here!"

Baring sharp fangs, Rani resolutely shook her head in the negative, gaze flicking over to Magneton when the Magnet Pokemon moved as if to intercept.

Regaining her composure, Crimson Cowl smirked, holding out the egg mockingly to its mother.

"Looking for this?"

Another body seemed to slid right into her guard, motorcycle visor tinted black and faceless as the perpetrator grabbed the villainess' wrist and twisted.

With a shriek, the woman was forced to comply, and the egg was scooped up before hitting concrete, the mysterious attacker retreating out of range as Rani rushed into Close Combat with Magneton.

Holding her arm close, Crimson Cowl scowled at her attacker, furious with this sudden shift in the playing field.

Barely over five feet tall, clad all in black, the person seemed to stare back through the heavily-tinted visor of their motorcycle helmet, silently sliding the Pokemon egg safely into the confines of their leather jacket.

"Who are you?" The villainess demanded, Magneton floundering from a series of bad dents as Rani fell back to guard her egg. "Who are you?"

They said nothing, just zipped the jacket back up over the precious egg, visor flashing in the lamplight.

"Okay, I'll admit it." Tony voiced, surprised. "I did not see this coming."

A nunchaku wrapped around the suit's still-raised arm, yanking the limb down as a shuriken wedged in the elbow joint, and Michelangelo laughed from his new perch on Iron Man's shoulders, now without his cape and cowl.

"Bet you didn't see the light show coming, either!"

"Light show?"

Emma landed on the distracted Porygon-Z's back at that moment, a devilish smile on her face as she let loose a Shock Wave that lit the place up like Fourth of July fireworks.

Tony yelped as the suit suddenly came back under his control, stumbling in surprise, and Michelangelo squeaked as he was forced to backflip off.

J.A.R.V.I.S. happily phased back into the armor's systems, and a fierce smile pulled at Rani's canine mouth as Crimson Cowl turned red with rage.

"No!" The villainess seethed, shoving her Magneton forward. "Don't just stand there! Use Zap Cannon!"

Battered as it was, the Magnet Pokemon barely had a chance to conjure a spark before Rani struck with a Force Palm that embedded it into a brick wall, out cold.

"Porygon-Z!"

The Virtual Pokemon let out a warbled beep from where it lay, smoking, on the ground, and Emma planted both little paws on her hips, chattering in a self-satisfied way.

"Give it up, Justine." Tony advised, repulsor aimed at Crimson Cowl now. "No one else has to get hurt."

"NO!" The villainess shrieked, smug mask shattered like porcelain as her plan fell apart. "I won't stop! Not until you know the pain I've felt!"

She lunged, gaze locked on the egg-

Spinning around to avoid being tackled, the mystery savior brought their leg down on the airborne woman, smashing her into the ground instead.

After a few moments, Emma bounced over and poked the villainess' shoulder, turning to Michelangelo with a shrug at the lack of response.

"Well, that went well." Tony voiced, strangely cheerful as the faceplate receded. "Thanks for the help…whoever you are."

Head tilting in what seemed like amusement, the unknown human started to remove their helmet, long brown curls falling free-

"Lexi?"

Rolling her eyes at Michelangelo's startled squeal, said brunette unzipped her jacket to check on the Pokemon egg, crouching so Rani could do the same.

"You're not exactly what anyone would call subtle, Mikey."

Blinking in surprise, Tony pointed at her, then gestured between the two, confused.

"How…Why…?"

"Where are your boobs?"

Rani levelled such an unimpressed look on them both that it would put Tony's Ninetales, Felix, to shame.

"Compression bandages." Lexi noted blandly. "Lots of compression bandages."

Just as the orange-masked turtle started to crumble under the pressure, something else did.

Rani barked as her egg trembled, a crack breaking across the pristine surface, and Lexi looked down in surprise, cradling the thrumming object to her chest.

"It's hatching!"

"What?" Tony yelped, gesturing wildly. "I'm not prepared for this! J.A.R.V.I.S., you told me three months! It hasn't been three months yet!"

"My calculations were based on the egg remaining stationary within the Tower, sir." The Porygon-S responded. "It seems the night's excitement, and the presence of body heat, has accelerated the timeline."

The egg shook violently a second time, crack spreading, and Michelangelo joined in Tony's increased gesticulating.

"What do I do? Get boiling water? Fresh towels?"

"How about the breathing? Does anyone have to breathe?"

Ignoring the men, Lexi carefully lowered herself to sit cross-legged as the egg gave another shake, Rani's ear-appendages twitching as she passed a paw over the crack.

"Come on, little one…" She cooed, Eve and Blue appearing on her shoulders in flashes of light. "You can do it…"

Both Tony and Michelangelo squeaked as the blue-and-black Pokemon egg practically exploded, shards of shell flying like harmless shrapnel, and Lexi shook the debris from her hair before finding a pair of big, red eyes staring up at her.

The baby Riolu yawned, rubbing at her face with both paws, before looking around at all of the surrounding faces with perked ear-appendages, touching noses with her mother.

"Oh my god, you're cute." Tony voiced, thunderstruck.

"Are you kidding?" Michelangelo replied, starting to grin. "They're adorable!"

"She, Mikey." Lexi corrected, smiling as the tiny bundle of fur shook out her ears and hooked sharp little claws into the soft shirt the brunette was wearing. "This little one is a she."

Sharing a look with Rani, who tipped her head in acceptance, Tony huffed out a laugh.

"Well, she looks pretty comfy right where she is."

Glancing up at him with wide blue eyes, Lexi slanted a look towards the man's Lucario, disbelieving.

"Really?" Michelangelo voiced, pausing in his game of Peek-A-Boo to glance between all of them.

"Hey, I know when I'm beat." Tony joked as Rani kneeled to rumble something to her baby. "Maybe next time, I'll help you guys instead."

Face-plate lowering back into place, Iron Man recalled his Lucario and took off into the night sky, streaking back towards New York City in a trail of blue light.

Blinking rapidly, as if to dispel the afterimage from her retina, Lexi shared a confused look with Michelangelo as they Pokemon continued to fawn over the Riolu in her arms.

"So…Turtle Titan…"

"If I wasn't holding a baby, I would punch you so hard right now."

Michelangelo decided that it was best to never, ever bring up Turtle Titan again.

Ever.