Me: "Pokédex Power, a Risky Wait and a Pumpkin-Headed Prankster!"

(Last time, our heroes caught their first Pokémon at night, a Rowlet for Jason and a Murkrow for Antasma! The following morning, they met their starters for the Galar region, Scorbunny and Sobble! After that, they met the illusion of Zacian in the Slumbering Weald whilst trying to rescue a Wooloo! Now our heroes head to Wedgehurst for their Pokédexes!)

Jason: Let's head for Wedgehurst, Antasma!

Me: Indeed. We might need to train our Pokémon along the way, though. 

Jason:

https://youtu.be/S0ileDRvO4A

Me: Hey, one can never be too careful. The Pokémon up ahead in Route 2 will be stronger, so best to level them up.

(After Antasma leveled up Murkrow and Sobble to Lv. 8, he headed for Wedgehurst to get his Pokédex, only to find out Jason was already there.)

?????: Who are you? ...Oh, you must be Antasma! Do you have a Rotom Phone like Jason does?

Me: Of course. And you must be Sonia, Professor Magnolia's assistant/granddaughter! (Rotom Phone rings) Hold on. (Answers phone) Thanks for calling the Bat King. How may I help you?

?????: Hello, my Tinkerbat King. Long time, no talk, sweetie! I'm already at Motostoke, but I'm not turning in my endorsement without you...~

Me: Risky?! How'd you get in this dimension?

Sonia: Hold up! Risky...? As in Risky Boots?! I thought she was still an antagonist!

Me: Err... She changed, thanks to my big heart. Ahehehehe... (Puts Risky on speakerphone)

Risky: What Antasma says is true, Sonia. I have changed.

???? ?'???????: Hahahahahahahaha! Doubt it!

Me: That voice... (Turns around to see a pumpkin with a body)

???? ?'???????: Missed me?! Ya-cha-cha-cha-cha!

Me: If it isn't the kid-friendly version of Stingy Jack... Jack O'Lantern! I take it you escaped hell and found a new pumpkin for a head?

Jack: Yup, and now I'm given a new purpose in life! To play pranks on the unendorsed from the Gym Challenge!

Me: I have the perfect targets for you, if that's the case. (Hands over a picture of Bede) This is the first target. His name is Bede, and he was a total prick in Pokémon Sword/Shield, caring about nobody, not even his adoptive family, in his search for Wishing Stars. (Hands over a picture of Swordward and Shielbert) Then there are these two assholes: Swordward and Shielbert. THEY will try to take over Galar and ruin the FUTURE Professor Sonia's work by spreading lies. So what I'd like for you to do is make their lives as much of a living hell as Bede made a living hell out of Hop's Gym Challenge and as the other two will try to make Sonia's work all for naught...  COMBINED! If you do that, I'll let you join the Multiversal Heroes as... Comedian. Well... Do we have a deal? (Holds out my hand)

Jack: Hold on... How do I know you won't smash my head?

Me: I only strike when someone strikes me first. Until someone does THAT, I'm a pretty chill guy! (Holds out my hand) So... Deal?

Jack: Deal! (Shakes my hand)

Jason: Why are you even friends with this guy?!

Me: I see Jack as a tragic prankster. Hell, I say he wasn't an antagonist until the townsfolk and Death himself screwed him over.

Jack: That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said about me... Thank you.

Me: See? He's a pleasant guy. He just has a weakness of prank-pulling. It's a "Ye Olde Bad Habit", if you will. (Faces Jack) One last thing: Make sure to prank THOSE THREE ALONE! Nobody else!

Jack: Very well. Well, I'm off! (Carries a sack full of tricks)

Me: It'll serve them right for what they did or are about to try and do!

https://youtu.be/fbIKvFdxUZ8

Jason: Don't you think you're going too far...?

Me: So what?! Bede and the Weirdo Cult did deplorable things to other people without remorse, so I'm having Jack give them a taste of their own medicine!

Sonia: (ahem) Don't you think you should tell my grandmother, the Professor, you got your Pokédex already?

Me:

https://youtu.be/An7ZD-s6aHY

Oh, crap! Good point! See you at Motostoke, Risky!

Risky: I'll be waiting, my Tinkerbat King...~

(TO BE CONTINUED...)