At The Grand Party:
Nashly: "Where are they?!"
Diantha: "I don't know what you're talking about."
Efbeydy: "That's a lie!"
Team Flare Grunt #1: "Excuse me, we are in the middle of finding those trainers who got in our way."
Jose: "Zip it, glasses."
Jesús: "Yeah, this isn't your business."
Aliana: "You should've talked to us like that! This was our business!"
Wild Lucario (Blaze): "You kids are stupid."
Destiny: "What is that Wild Lucario doing here?"
Wild Lucario (Blaze): "How about it that's none of your business."
Esias: *Being dramatic* "Rude."
Wild Lucario (Blaze): "Now if you excuse me, I got a fine girlfriend to find here."
*Blaze left.*
Nashly: "I know they're here. So, tell me!"
Diantha: "I told you! I don't know!"
Nashly: "So, you don't know huh? And you think it is a game to you? We'll see if you spilled it out."
*Melvin tell his Trevenant to use his vines to make a cage to put Diantha inside.*
Aliana: "I have come here to face seven of the trainers. Did you hear that, you troublesome teenagers! This time, I have brought back up from my fellow friends."
Bryony & Celosia: "Yeah!"
Mable: "And there's nothing for you to stop us, you brats!"
Nashly: "Friends, spread out and find them."
*Nashly's friends spread out over the party.*
Meanwhile with Ace & Alex:
Dartrix (Ace): *Out of breath* "God...We got out of there."
Alex: "We did...but they are in trouble. How am I going to save them from my crazy sister?"
Dartrix (Ace): "Yeah and no, there's no way you're going back there. Your sister will realize you are here. She will see you. But it's a good thing she's doesn't seem to know your home from Alola. You're lucky you got out of sight."
???: "Hi there."
???: "You need a hand?"
Braixen -> Delphox (Brittany) POV:
Geo and I were running from chaos to find a room to hide. Both are attempting to open all the doors for any luck but some were locked due to the evacuation. I heard footsteps, it looks like someone is here right now. We both hide at the bar and under the front bar rail. My heart was pumping as I was starting to get scared. Then Geo overheard someone panicked when he slowly gets up and it is Julian. He was running away from Blaze. Geo then summons Water Pulse and I grab a stick from my tail.
Heliolisk (Julian): *Walks back* "Stay away from me, you monster!"
Wild Lucario (Blaze): "I don't think so, I'm going to have so fun beating you up."
Heliolisk (Julian): *Summons Thunderbolt* "I'm warning you!"
Wild Lucario (Blaze): "You're very path-"
*Geo used Water Pulse to whack Blaze's head, and I used Flamethrower.*
Frogadier (Geo): "That's what you get to hurting Julian at the Reflection Cave, you stupid-ass bitch!"
Braixen (Brittany): "You deserve that, asshole."
*Julian made Thunderbolt faded and run towards Geo.*
Heliolisk (Julian): *Hugs Geo* "You save my life from that psycho!"
Frogadier (Geo): "The good thing is that you're okay. Now come on, we got people to save."
Julian is saved and we headed someone's footsteps. We turn around and noticed Bullet was right behind. "Shh. It's just me." Bullet said quietly. "I was looking for you three." I sighed with relief. "I found you!" Someone says as we look and noticed it is the same Pokemon a few days back. Luckily, a Chesnaught came out of nowhere and knocked out every single Pokemon in our way. They fainted recently and a Chesnaught came to carry us except Bullet, he had to follow. He ran quickly to hide in a room. We don't know who's Chesnaught. He let us and Bullet have to go behind us. He locked the door. When a Chesnaught turns around, we draw to summon our moves, to ask him why he brought us. He put both of his hands up.
Ivysaur (Bullet): "Why do you bring us here?"
Chesnaught (???): "Hey, listen. I don't want any trouble. I just brought you here because someone told me to bring you here to this room."
Frogadier (Geo): "Who? Who told us to bring here?"
Chesnaught (???): *Points at someone from behind* "It's...It's-"
*Somone touched Brittany's left side.*
Braixen (Brittany): "AAAA! Someone's behind me?!"
*We turn around except a Chesnaught.*
Cinderace (Mack): "Calm down! Calm down. It's me."
All except a Chesnaught: "Oh..."
Braixen (Brittany): "Mack, how do you get here?"
Cinderace (Mack): "I got here before you four before the disaster strike. When Stella told me about the future, I know a way. I have to go back home to get something for you and the rest of your friends. She grab some help to gather some. I also asked Adam to bring you guys here."
Ivysaur (Bullet): "Who's Adam?"
Cinderace (Mack): "The Chesnaught right behind you."
Chesnaught (Adam): "Mack, they almost try killed me."
Cinderace (Mack): "Sorry about that. Like I say, they simply prepare to attack if they check their surroundings."
Chesnaught (Adam): "Yeah, no kidding."
Frogadier (Geo): "We're sorry for our actions. I should've think more before I acted."
Chesnaught (Adam): "..."
//////////////////////////
In the Past:
*Clemont and Ash ended the battle*
Noibat (Eli): "This is hopeless."
Frogadier (Blue): "What do you mean by that?"
Noibat (Eli): "Dude, don't you see. Adam can't evolve. That's why."
Chespin (Adam): "That's not true! I can, but it just needs time."
Frogadier (Blue): "Adam. You can't. We try but it didn't work."
Chespin (Adam): *Starts to cry* "Y-Yes, I will."
Frogadier (Blue): "YOU CAN'T, OKAY?!"
*Chespin starts to broke into tears as he cried.*
Frogadier (Blue): (Great job, Blue. You blew it.) "Hey...Look. We're sorry for our actions. I should've think more before I acted."
Chespin (Adam): *Sniffs* "That's alright. I forgive both of you."
//////////////////////////
Frogadier (Geo): *Snaps his fingertips on Adam's face* "Hey. You okay? You must have blacked out for a moment."
Chesnaught (Adam): "I'm okay. Just memories."
Heliolisk (Julian): "Wait, what happened to the others?"
Cinderace (Mack): "Your trainers were still downstairs held as hostage. They are with me."
*Lights were turned on as everyone bumps to us with relief.*
Raichu (Logan): "You're okay!"
Doublade (Jayden): "Geo, you're okay!"
*Finn pull me and Geo to hug us*
Quilladin (Finn): "I'm worried you two so much, I thought you were going to get caught."
Braixen (Brittany): "Oh, Finn. We will never get caught."
*Serena snatches Geo and Brittany from Finn to also hug them with her ribbons.*
Sylveon (Serena): "EEEEEEE! You two finally came! I was desperate you couldn't get here. Tell me, how's the date? Is it romantic?"
Braixen (Brittany): "Very romantic."
Sylveon (Serena): "My dream do come true!"
Professor Sycamore: "It's a good thing you are okay."
The Kalos Starters: "Sycamore!"
Clemont: "We got everyone safe."
Bonnie: "Well...Not exactly, big brother."
Clemont: "You're right...Darn it."
Heliolisk (Julian): "Those two."
Bonnie: "Hi Blue! Hi Rudy!"
Frogadier (Geo): "I'm not Blue."
Braixen (Brittany): "And I'm not Rudy either."
Dartrix (Ace): "I'm here."
Frogadier (Geo): "Wait, where's Alex?"
Alex: "Don't worry about me, because I'm also here."
Cinderace (Mack): "Alright, listen everyone. I got a solution."
*Mack, Stella, Randy, and Grace places five jars, covered with a black blanket.*
Cinderace (Mack): "I had a help with three Pokemon carrying five jars. And inside will make you blow your mind."
*Mack takes out the black blanket.*
All except Sycamore, Clemont, Bonnie, and Adam: *Gasps*
Cinderace (Mack): "When I was in Galar with Luis back in my day, we collected candies with any size. It is mostly just like rare candies but differently. When you eat them, you will become stronger, and of course, make you evolve. You those who already have evolved to your final form will not take it. If you need them to get stronger."
Cinderace (Mack): "Trust me, it's going to work. If you evolve, no one will barely recognized you."
Bullet try eating a Exp. Candy L, when he does that, he started to glow and grew bigger. His seed was blooming as it turned to a flower. When he stops glowing, he became Venusaur. Everyone was amazed that it worked. Bullet was looking up as it turned out he was much cooler. Stella takes out Augustine and Craig out of their Pokeball. Grace followed them and the four ate an Exp. Candy L and XL. The four became Infernape, Reuniclus, Aggron, and Haxorus.
(I completely forgot to mention about Victor's, Bobby, Alex's and Hannah's team. *Groans* I hate this. I'm sure you don't know any about that. I'll put it for you. I took a screenshot from Google Docs, and put it together in Google Slides. If you don't know where is the screenshot, go to Wattpad. It had the photo of the listed Pokemon.)
Randy takes out three Pokeballs to evolve next. Bonnie jumped up and down for excitement because she get to see them evolve. "This is so cool! Did you see that, big brother." Clemont investigates those candies. "That's so peculiar. I've never seen these types of candies." Calvin let Bonnie go first. She already has a team that already evolved and few don't, so she was the only one to evolve. She became Primarina. Ace and Calvin go together and take four and two Pokeballs to eat the candy. Finn was kind of nervous, "What if I turn into something ugly? I pushed him towards Mack as he passes the candy to him. "Don't worry too much, you'll be fine." I said. He gulped with fear, Daniel came to eat it. Then they started to glow, Finn and Daniel were started to grow bigger than ever. As the glow finally stops, Finn opened his open and realized when he looked down to look at us. He was so speechless and Daniel was happy he becomes like a dinosaur.
(I know Tyrunt was supposed to evolve in the daytime, but I DON'T CARE!)
Chesnaught (Finn): "I'm...I'm..."
Tyrantrum (Daniel): "So awesome! I always want to be big and scary! I could scare Nashly if I saw her."
Floette (Bridgette): "You are even the coolest."
Chesnaught (Finn): "You're right, I like this form. Better than my second form."
Pangoro (Budo): "Geo! Brittany! It's your turn."
Roserade (Amy): "I am so curious what will they look like."
Geo brings Vincent and Mateo. Brittany only bring Nate. Mack gives us some, as we eat. The glow shows I turned to something different. When it finally stops, I looked at my hands and realize I had become a Delphox. Nate and Vincent are now Noiverns. Mateo became a Garchomp and Geo become a Greninja. All of the nice outfits Maria Buestan made were ripped apart due to our evolution.
Garchomp (Mateo): "Damn, Geo. You look so cool. It's like you're not a bubble frog anymore. You are more look like a ninja."
Greninja (Geo): "You know, I think you're right."
*Geo felt something awful as he rubs his eyes.*
Greninja (Geo): "Ah! Damn!"
Heliolisk (Julian): "What?"
Greninja (Geo): "There's something bugging my eyes."
*Geo's eye sight begin to see clearly.*
Greninja (Geo): "I...I can see clearly."
Garchomp (Mateo): "What?"
Greninja (Geo): "I can finally see!"
Delphox (Brittany): "But how?"
Doublade (Jayden): "I think I know, your eyes were yellow which was be too difficult for you to see."
Greninja (Geo): "That explains what happened when I was a Froakie and a Frogadier. But how am I going to tell Darwin?"
Chesnaught (Finn): "Just tell him, it was a miracle."
Doublade (Jayden): "Julian, you say have a Dusk Stone, don't you?"
Heliolisk (Julian): "I totally do. Let me just look for it and-"
*Heilolisk look everywhere.*
Greninja (Geo): "What's the hold-up? You did have it, do you?"
Heliolisk (Julian): "...I left it downstairs."
All: *Gasps*
Heliolisk (Julian): "It must've been in Darwin's bag!"
Doublade (Jayden): "Julian, are you shitting me?! You do realize downstairs is where Nashly was, right! I'm not going downstairs getting caught!"
Heliolisk (Julian): "I'm sorry, I completely forgot to bring it with me."
Cinderace (Mack): "Hey little one, I nearly forgot about you. You need to eat the candy."
Floette (Bridgette): "Thank but no thanks, I need a Shiny Stone to evolve, but Tony has it inside of his bag."
Samurott (Randy): So both of the stones were downstairs. Great..."
*Bullet looked at the ripped outfits and blankets.*
Ivysaur (Bullet): "Wait...I got it!"
Everyone opened to leave the room. Julian was riding on Bullet's back cover with leaves, as he covered himself both of Geo's ripped outfit and Bullet's leaves. Jayden and Bridgette have also covered themselves with ripped outfits as both flies to look out for any of uninvited guests. The couple of us who already evolved were have to cover themselves with blankets, and includes Alex. Adam and Mack noticed couple of Pokemon were in the same floor as us. They sneaked behind and attack them, making them fainted instantly. Few of us are helping them out to defeat. Daniel looked for any people of Nashly's friends or Team Flare, but no, it's still more of her friends. Daniel roared aloud from behind, making them suffered from fear. He said this to them, "Boo." Then they scream and run away as they go downstairs.
Chesnaught (Finn): "Seriously, Daniel. You wanted to scare them like that."
Tyrantrum (Daniel): "What? Look what they do to Elizabeth. It is for revenge."
Efbeydy & Destiny: "AAAAAHHHH!"
*The two bumped to Nashly.*
Nashly: "What?! What are you two screaming at?!"
Destiny: "W-We saw t-the thing."
Efbeydy: "I-It was so-so-so scary."
Esias: *Being dramatic* "Oh my God, poor my besties!"
Nashly: "You two aren't making any sense now!"
Aliana: "See, you all are nothing but kids."
Nashly: "We're fucking teenagers, lady!"
Venusaur (Bullet) POV:
Julian felt guilty he didn't bring the Dusk Stone with him before this could happen. We all heard Nashly talking shit at Team Flare Grunts from upstairs. I know as we looked down to new Team Flare are looking for any of our trainers. In action, we jumped out of the second floor to summon our powerful moves to aim at Team Flare, Nashly along with the others who are with her. Then gym leaders, Pokemon Trainers, and elite four also taken out their Pokemon to attack. It went chaos at first, I was able to get to Darwin. He was hiding under the table with Tony and Elizabeth. "Darwin, you're okay!" Julian said as he is getting off my back. "Julian, you got here safe. I thought you're going to get hurt again. And Bullet, you evolved. I'm proud of you." Darwin said fill with relief while he hug Julian. I smiled from Darwin's comment. Serena get here as well to get the Shiny Stone. "Excuse me, coming through." She say when she opened Tony's bag to look for it.
Tony: "Hey, what are you looking through my bag?"
Sylveon (Serena): "I...was getting the Shiny Stone for Bridgette. She needs it to evolve."
Heliolisk (Julian): "Also, I need the Dusk Stone for Jayden too."
Darwin: *Hands his bag to Julian* "Here, get the Dusk Stone."
*Julian and Serena was looking for the stones, successfully found it.*
Sylveon (Serena): "Yes!"
Heliolisk (Julian): "We got it."
Venusaur (Bullet): "Let's go. Both of the covered yourselves. I don't want you two getting easily found."
*Julian and Serena covered themselves with ripped clothes and hop on Bullet back*
I ran to go to Bridgette and Jayden waiting as both were hiding. As we go to them, I have to dodged attacks. But then some Gengar took the Dusk Stone, and making a fuss. He laughed. "Where are you taking this stone to, you little shit." I was very mad for taking it. Geo uses Feint Attack at Gengar, "Not this time, motherfucker!" He throws the stone back to Julian. "Go, I'll handle the Ghost-Type." Julian thanked Geo and I shouted at Jayden and Bridgette to catch the stone as Julian and Serena threw them at the air. Both catch the stones and glowed brightly. Jayden and Bridgette are now Aegislash and Florges.
Aegislash (Jayden) POV:
I finally evolved, it is way better than a second form. But I flew there to get Diantha out of the vine cage. Vincent saw me flew there, he wanted to help. Diantha was frightened when we came, "It's okay, we are here to get you out." She has thanked us, "Thanks, you two." I used King's Shield to protect her from damage. Vincent used Acrobatics to immediately cut in every single vine. She got out and takes out her Gardevoir to use its psychic powers. Team Flare Grunts retreat and I look up to find out Blaze got out too. It turns out he went out from the window. Anyone expect Nashly and her friends. She won't go until she get some answers from Diantha.
Nashly: "Lady Champion! Where are my brother and two cousins? Because I need them right now!"
Darwin: "They are not here!"
*All were silent.*
Nashly: "Who said that?"
Greninja (Geo): "Are you deaf or something?"
Darwin: "They aren't here."
Jesús: "Oh please, we all know they are. You are a stupid teenage boy who doesn't know nothing! And you are just some dumb frog!"
Greninja (Geo): *Triggered* "Dumb frog. You think both of us was just dumb and stupid."
Zach: "Huh?"
Darwin: "Look, you are messing with the people who don't have the personality from the likes of you."
I had no idea what their planinng was, but I noticed Geo was surrounded with raindrops floating around. Everyone noticed and doesn't know what's going to happen. Julian was going behind Bullet as we all watch Darwin and Geo argue with one another.
Efbeydy & Destiny: "Uhm...Guys?"
Esias: "What's happening?!"
Nashly: "I have no clue."
Darwin: "I will have finished you all."
A tornado of water appeared out of nowhere. When it goes away, Geo seems to be different from his final form. Everyone gasped, they never seen this type of form.
Nashly: "This isn't happening!"
Melvin: "This isn't a frog!"
Zach: "It's more like a monster!"
Greninja (Geo): *Summons Water Shuriken* "If you don't want to be here, get out of our sight!"
Geo throws multiple Water Shurikens at them to get out. They are so afraid they might end up getting hit. They ran away from us and everyone cheered on Geo and Darwin. We saved them and survive from destruction. Darwin was shocked as he looked at Geo, completely different. Geo was shocked too and doesn't know how he becomes to this. He has no clue and then it glow as he turned back to normal by itself.
Chesnaught (Finn): "What. Was. That."
Greninja (Geo): "I...Have no idea."
Raichu (Logan): "Whatever that is, it's pretty cool! I wish you could do that again!"
Decidueye (Ace): "I've never seen any Pokemon that can have a ability like that."
Greninja (Geo): "That's very odd."
Delphox (Brittany): *Hugs Geo* "It's good that you made Nashly run for her life."
Greninja (Geo): *Hugs Brittany* "Yeah, we sure did."
Uncle Luis: "I thought we don't make it out alive."
Aunt Maria: "Come on everyone. Let's get home. It's been a long night."
The Next Morning: On TV
TV host Penny: Breaking news. Last night, our Lady Champion, Diantha was hosting the Grand Party all the people in every region.
TV host Tim: She was going to finish her speech with a toast until she was interpreted by three groups of people: Team Flare, A Wild Pokemon called Lucario and a group of teenagers.
TV host Penny: It went terrible that everyone including the Lady Champion held as hostages. Not for long, a huge group of Pokemon came to the recuse with the help of the Kalos Pokemon Professor, Augustine Sycamore, and Lumiose's Gym Leader, Clemont. Even two Pokémons also save Diantha.
TV host Tim: Our camera man managed to record the video of it. Let's go to the live feed."
Livestream Video: *All are screaming.* What is happening?! The security guards were injury! *All are screaming* She got Diantha!
TV Host Penny: ...
TV Host Tim: When I watched it, it's very horrifying, but they managed to survive. Now, we are going live out of the streets with our news reporter, Aurora.
News Reporter Aurora: Thanks Tim. I'm here with the gym leaders in Kalos. Ramos, what did you witnessed from last night?"
Ramos: It was terrible, I thought I was going to die there.
Korrina: I was frightened by the fact I wasn't going to make out alive and see my grandfather again.
Valerie: I see the girl, grabbing the Lady Champion with some help. She threatened her and put her in a cage made with vines.
Olympia: As I seek to the future, I realized it will happened to that day.
Clemont: I ran with my sister to safety. Both of us were able to get some help from anyone. With that, I take out Adam, my Chesnaught, to get the help they can get and fight back.
Viola: Grant and I have no idea what we have to do. Team Flare and a group of teenagers walked around the party.
Grant: They looked everywhere for anyone, I don't know. Who knows what they are looking for.
Wulfric: That girl and the others will pay for their actions to casually harm everyone.
News Reporter Aurora: Diantha, how do you feel about the terror?
Diantha: I felt so relieved and disgusted at the same time. Yes, I was saved by two Pokemons when I thank them, but that girl, have the guts to harm me and the guests.
TV Host Penny: People from different regions have returned to their homes safely. Thanks for watching on France News, see you next time.
Uncle Luis: "..."
Aunt Maria: "..."
Tony: *Speaks French* "Oh mon dieu." (Oh my goodness.)
Elizabeth: "Uncle, I'm sorry for my cousin's actions! I know she's-"
Uncle Luis: "This isn't your fault."
Alex: "Huh?"
Aunt Maria: "This was her own doing's."
Bobby: "Well said, I'm far aware of my dad."
Alex: "Uh oh..."
Tony: "Why would you say?"
Bobby: "Because he always watches the news every morning, Godammit!"
*Bobby's Pokedex rang. He checked with shocked*
Bobby: *Shocked* "Shit..."
Alex: "Who is it?"
Bobby: *Shocked* "It's Dad..."
Elizabeth: "Uncle Gustavo!"
Tony: "Well, what are you waiting for? Answer it!"
*Bobby answers it.*
Bobby: "Hey...Dad... How are you doing?"
Uncle Gustavo: *I'm not okay, Bobby! Care to explain why your sister is on the news?! Your mother was in total shocked!*
Bobby: "Dad, listen. Before you shouted at me, I know what Nashly is doing."
Uncle Gustavo: *Which is?*
Bobby: "Nashly is working with Aida. She wants Elizabeth and Tony to quit being Pokemon Trainers."
Uncle Gustavo: *What? Is that why Tony and Elizabeth ran away from their home?"
Bobby: "Yes...but that's the reason. They got a letter from the Kalos Pokemon Professor, saying they got accepted. Her friends were involved. And they did terrible things to Liz at the place Nashly was lured us to. Also, I was with them and Alex right now."
Uncle Gustavo: *I want to speak with them.*
*Bobby passed the Pokedex to Tony.*
Tony & Elizabeth: "Hey, Uncle Gustavo."
Alex: "Hey Dad."
Uncle Gustavo: *Hey kids.*
Alex: "Dad, are you mad at us because you saw Nashly on TV?"
Uncle Gustavo: *No...I'm just...hate why Nashly does this. Tony, where are you right now?*
Tony: "We're at Lumiose with Luis."
Uncle Gustavo: *As in?*
Elizabeth: "Luis Buestan. My mom's brother."
Uncle Gustavo: *Give the Pokedex to him.*
*Elizabeth gives the Pokedex to Luis.*
Uncle Luis: "Gustavo, it's been a long time we spoke."
Uncle Gustavo: *Hey Luis. One question. How do you get in Kalos? I thought you were living in Italy.*
Uncle Luis: "I was until I got a new job for being the professor's assistant."
Uncle Gustavo: *Oh, I see.*
Uncle Luis: "Gustavo, can I ask you a favor?"
Uncle Gustavo: *Yes?*
Uncle Luis: "Could you keep a secret from Aida and Manuel? Only you and Blanca can know. I just don't want her to track them down. You know how she is."
Uncle Gustavo: *Of course, I can do that. I promise not to tell.*
Uncle Luis: "Sweet! Thanks a lot. And don't worry too much. They are safe with me, okay? Bye."
Uncle Gustavo: *Bye.*
*Luis ends the call and gives the Pokedex back to Bobby.*
Alejandro: "Where's all your Pokemon?"
Diego: "Are you gonna leave right now?"
Tony: "Not yet, Al. We need the Pokemon to rest well. Get the badge from Luimose's Gym Leader. And then...We have can go to another city."
Diego: "Oh..."
Elizabeth: "But, you can contact us."
Diego: "Oh! That's a good idea!"
Uncle Luis: "Your aunt and I will write down our phone number and you two will do the same."
*The four exchange their phone number to contact.*
Aunt Maria: "Alright, let's eat breakfast. You must be hungry."
All: "Yeah!"
Outside of Lumiose:
Nashly: "..."
Jesús: "Nashly, Look at the news at my Pokédex. They think we are the bad guys."
Nashly: *Groans* "I can't wait for my dad's reaction."
Zach: "Why will you say that?"
Nashly: "Because he always watches the news on TV everyday, you idiot!"
Destiny: "Oh shit..."
Nashly: "But that won't stop me from finding them."
The trainers were got out from the madness by the hands of the someone who was just ruined the Grand Party and putting people in danger.
(Hey everyone who reads my fanficiton. I just wanna to let you know that today is August 4. Not only that, today is my birthday and I turn seventeen. I know time flies so fast! I was so proud of myself since I felt so sad for diagnosing with lupus after a year from keeping away from traveling to Ecuador to see my grandparents or any family members. But I was strong enough to handle it, and I was feeling okay since I went to a lot of doctor's appointments with my mom or my dad, to make sure if the test results from my blood and urine were okay. I think I'm going to work on the bloopers more and then I'll keep moving on to the original story. And stay safe from COVID-19.)