ITT: We are all Pokémon Trainers

Lacunosa Pokemon Center - Last night

-Herbert pauses for a moment, then takes two steps towards Lyuri, his expression unreadable.-

Herbert: ...So you're telling me that you'd rather abandon Duke to what could be a lifetime spent as a Shadow Pokemon? A twisted, warped and hateful mockery of your own beloved Lucario? You'd willingly leave him to a fate like that?

edited 20th Sep '13 11:14:53 AM by Herbert40k

Lacunosa Pokémon Center - Last Night

Lyuri stands up "I don't want to abandon him!" she exclaimed, looking angry for a second, though she then just gives a pained expression and clenches her fists "B-But... I don't want to go... I don't want to lose anyone else..." she said, with a very weak tone

"S-Sis..." said Sakura.

Holon City

-Vierr has made several slashes and punctures in a bunch of trees. He's currently resting on a bench, recovering his energy.-

-In other words, he's pretty much conked out. However, someone wondering what the heck happened to the trees can wake him up-

Lacunosa Pokemon Center - Last night

-Herbert stares at Lyuri for a moment, still impassive as he observes her pained expression. Then he slaps her around the face. Hard.-

Herbert: Oh, now that's just rich coming from you of all people. Do you remember what you yourself told me when Edge took Carol, Lyuri? Did you just sit back and let me mope whilst she froze to death in the Giant Chasm? No, you told me to get of my mopey ass and go get her back. And that's exactly what I did. Now I'm telling you to do the same thing. You think Duke would just sit back and let you suffer if you were taken by Cipher? No, he'd do everything in his power to try and get you back. And you owe it to yourself to do the same for him.

Ignis

Agitato: It seems to like you, sir.

Kerro: <Yeah, it's— Ack!>

-Kerro accidentally discharges a bolt of electricity at the Rayquaza-

Agitato: Huh? Kerro, what are you doing? And what happened to you?

Kerro: <I didn't mean to, honest!>

Lacunosa Pokémon Center - Last Night

"Herbert!" said Sakura as she saw Lyuri being slapped.

Lyuri just rubbed her face as she was slapped and few seconds after it she gave Herbert a hard punch right in the face as tears started to run through her face.

"S-Sis! You two stop hurting each o-" said Sakura, before being cut-off by Lyuri

"This is totally different! Your girlfriend was kidnapped, yes, but you were moping because you thought it was all your fault because you just happened to have money on you, in this case it's completely my fault for letting Duke wander around alone like that! Besides, while your girlfriend was taken, she at least wasn't going to be turned into a heartless, mindless killing machine that wouldn't be afraid of killing you at the first chance it got!" she exclaimed, her tone brimming with rage "You read that letter and I know for sure that whoever that Alexiel guy is, he wouldn't be afraid of using a Shadowed Duke against me, you read how sadist that guy seems to be!"

Lyuri then falls on her knees, still crying and starting to sob uncontrollably.

"I... I don't want to go... I don't want to see him, not like that... I'm scared of what may happen, I just can't..." she said

Lacunosa Pokemon Center - Last night

-Herbert is punched and staggers backwards, though this does absolutely nothing to abate his anger.-

Herbert: What is this, hypocrisy 101? You're just going to sit here and let yourself turn into a broken, sobbing wreck because your boyfriend got taken away from you? That's not romantic, that's fucking obsessive! Perhaps this'll teach you a lesson about why dating a Pokemon is such a bad idea! You made the commitment, and yet now you're leaving him when he needs you the most because you're too cowardly to face up to some asshole who just wants to fuck with your head. Pathetic. Oh, and for the last time, she is not my girlfriend!

-He glowers at Lyuri for a couple more seconds before turning to Sakura.-

Herbert: ...Forget it. It's useless trying to convince her. Let's just get out of here.

Lacunosa Pokémon Center - Last Night

"Fine... Just leave already, all of you." said Lyuri

Sakura looks at Lyuri then gives a rather intense Death Glare at Herbert before leaving the room, her mons were just hearing what was going on and just look as Sakura leaves.

"Let's talk downstairs, Herbert." she said as she went.

Lacunosa Pokemon Center - Last Night

-Herbert folds his arms.-

Herbert: Oh, don't you go trying to chew me out. You were thinking the same thing as well, I just had the guts to say it.

-He follows Sakura downstairs. His team is waiting anxiously for him, having heard much of the shouting match upstairs, but before one of them can greet him he recalls them all.-

Herbert: Missed being able to do that.

edited 20th Sep '13 12:11:54 PM by Herbert40k

Lacunosa Pokémon Center - Last Night

"You're not helping! I understand that Lyuri was being an hypocrite, but that's no reason for you to start being cruel to her like that to the point that you mocked her relationship right in front of her!" said Sakura, looking quite upset "Can't you tell that she's overwhelmed by all the stuff that happened in the span of a few days?! She's completely devastated because not only did her boyfriend get taken away from her, he's going to be turned into a killing machine and instead of just trying to build her some confidence to try and rescue him, you're just making her feel worse about herself!"

Lacunosa Pokemon Center - Last Night

-Herbert answers Sakura with a cold glare.-

Herbert: And you think Lyuri would have acted any differently in my position? No, she wouldn't, and you know it. None of this even matters anyway. If she wants to be ungrateful and mope around in her room whilst we're putting our asses on the line, then fine. We're getting Duke back, with or without her. He's my friend too, remember.

Thanks to Tracer for spagging this with me.

Artree Town

-Hatchet and Vektor are looking around this city, and have gone into some back alleyways-

<Hatchet: Well, this place certainly seems boring.> :/

<Vektor: Huh...? How come?> -tilting head a bit-

<Hatchet: It seems small... And quiet.>

<Vektor: I dunno… Some of the nicest places to explore feel like this… And… I mean, it's definitely not cramped-feeling… Is it?>

<Hatchet: I dunno, it feels a little->

-stops and sniffs-

<Vektor: Huh? What's wrong, Hatchet?>

<Hatchet: I smell something... Not food... Something bad.>

<Vektor: Um… Bad…? Bad how? And maybe we should keep moving, then…> ._.

-Hatchet continues sniffing unil she reaches a badly-camouflaged door-

<Hatchet: And it's coming from behind this door...>

<Vektor: -prodding at the door uneasily- Um… I mean, if they tried to hide it… Should we really be going in there? And you said it smelled bad… So it's probably garbage or something like that, right?>

<Hatchet: Sorry, but now I'm curious.>

-Tests the door-

<Locked. Guess there's only one option.>

-Busts the door down-

- The door is revealed to be a strange lab with lots of tables, cages, and needles... And two scientists-

Scientist 1: Ack! J-Team mons!

Scientist A: You sur-

Scientist 1: Positive! It's gotta be them!

<Hatchet: Who are these chumps?>

-The color rapidly drains from Vektor's face as he takes in a most familiar, and unwelcome sight-

<Vektor: Th-They're- Th-Those a-are- >

<Hatchet: Look like dweebs in funny coats to me.>

<Vektor: Th-Those are s-scientists, b-but wh-why would they b-be here?! W-Why did we have to r-run into them?!>

<Hatchet: Scientists? I think my trainer is one... Even he has better fashion sense, though.>

<Vektor: Wh-Why are we still h-here?! I-It's th-them! R-Run!>

Scientist 1: Hey... The Fraxure looks familiar...

Scientist A: ...Actually, yeah, he kinda does...

<Hatchet: -growls- Hey! Leave him outa this!>

-The Fraxure gives a reptilian equivalent of a yelp and attempts to bolt for the door-

<Vektor: D-Don't look back, just r-run!>

-A Weavile and Galie with noticeably feral expressions block Vektor's exit-

Scientist 1: Yeah, get 'em!

-The Fraxure stops dead in his tracks at the sight of the two… Remembering times when such creatures were forced upon him when younger… Except...

They were in cages back then-

<Vektor: A-AAAAH!>

-And attempts to burrow his way to safety underground-

<Hatchet: -gets into a battle pose- We can't run now! We gotta beat these guys!>

- Lunges at the Weavile with a Dragon Claw. but it dodges and uses Shadow Rush, hurting Hatchet badly-

<Urk! What kind of attack was that?>

-Watching petrified from a hastily-excavated pit-

<Vektor: H-Hatchet! Run! You don't kn-know what you're g-getting-!>

<Hatchet: Meh....>

-Stone Edges the Glalie, damaging it considerably, but it responds with Shadow Wave-

<Urk!>

<Vektor: -watching, still rigid- U-Unh…> -Thinking- "Hatchet? Why are you-? Why won't you run?!

<Hatchet! Please!>

<Hatchet: Grr... -tries Earthquake, but is hit by both mons- Ack!> -Stumbles-

<Vektor: H-HATCHET!>

<Hatchet: I-I'm fi-> -Shadow Rushed again- <GAAH!>

-The Weavile attacks again, leaving a gash in Hatchet's side-

<U-Urk...>

<Shadow!Weavile: -steps on her neck- What's the matter? Not tough enough for us?>

<Vektor: They're- They're gonna- B-But they c-can't-!

Hatchet's tough! If they can beat her… What hope do I h-have?!

Why didn't she run?! Why did she stay behind?! What was so important?!>

-And happens to brush his claws over his face-

<Hunh?>

-Thinking-

Was… It… Is it… Because of me…?

Then…

Let's be doomed… Together.

-And shakes his head and gives as fierce of a roar as he can muster while still being obviously petrified-

<Vektor: G-GET AWAY FROM HER!>

-And bursts out of the ground, bringing down a claw streaking a silvery glint onto the Weavile-

<Shadow!Weavile: What the-URK!>

- Is critted and knocked aside, unconscious-

<Shadow!Glalie: Huh?!> -Shadow Waves Vektor-

Vektor: Wait! I- I seriously just did-?

-And is hit by the Shadow Wave-

<ARGH!>

-And sent sprawling, but not without a realization reverberating in his mind-

I… I beat it… But… And… How did I-?

-Before pulling himself off the ground, giving a feral battle cry-

<Rrr- Rrr-GRAAAAAAAH!>

-And throws himself at the Glalie-

<JUST LEAVE US ALONE! WE NEVER WANTED ANYTHING TO DO WITH YOU!>

-a silvery burst erupts from his mouth-

<Hnn… What… What was-? What did I just-?>

<Shadow!Glalie: AUG->

-And is sent skidding back, K Oed-

Scientist A: ...He just beat both of us. ._.

Scientist 1: ...Run away!

-They pick up their mons and run-

<Vektor: I- I won? But- How did I-? And->

-And spots a certain Haxorus slumped over-

<HATCHET!>

-And goes over, nudging at her-

<Please… Get up… Everything's okay now… They're gone… They ran away…>

<Hatchet: Heh... Nice job, Vektor...>

-Struggles to her feet and moves to the door-

<Now... Let's get out of here...>

-And the two head off-

Lacunosa Pokémon Center - Last Night

Sakura just stays silent for some time, before recalling all of her Pokémon except Grant.

"... You know, I always try to be nice to others because it's just part of me and I want to make people happy instead of angry or sad, but you're being such a jerk and such a terrible friend to my sister that I wonder now why her, Duke and I endured your tantrums and endless whining when you're just as likely to help us than to hurt. I am sincerely puzzled as to why I was worried about you during all this time now, maybe I was just feeling bad for your mons, but now that I'm reminded of how you act, I think Lyuri would be happier if you had never came back." said Sakura, giving Herbert the worst glare she had ever given someone before and pausing for a bit "Duke might still be your friend, but I wonder how long that will last when you keep acting like this. I'm going to rescue him, not only because I'm concerned with his safety, but because I actually care about Lyuri's feelings, unlike you who openly mocks her relationship with her kidnapped boyfriend right in front of her."

Sakura then starts to leave the Pokémon Center, Grant sighs and shoots a glare at Herbert before following, however Sakura stops at the door and turns back to face Herbert one last time.

"By the way, thanks for breaking my sister further, you're a real friend." she said.

They then leave.

Lacunosa Pokemon Center - Last night

-Herbert blinks at Sakura, though it is more out of surprise at hearing such a speech from her than anything else. He watches her go for a moment, unsure of what to say - or even if he should say anything at all - before sighing.-

Herbert: ...Looks like I'm going to be working alone, then.

-He slumps down on one of the sofas in the lobby, too drained to bother claiming an actual room.-

Lacunosa

-Rawst had just been staying quiet for a while, but he is completely taken back by Sakura's outburst-

Rawst:...Wow. I think I should probably go try and calm her down.

-Goes after Sakura-

edited 20th Sep '13 12:51:22 PM by strawberryflavored

Lacunosa Pokémon Center - Last Night

Sakura and Grant haven't gone too far yet and they're both silent, mostly because Grant isn't sure of what to say to her.

Lacunosa - Last night

-Rawst catches up to Sakura and Grant-

Rawst:Sakura? You okay?

Lacunosa Town - Last Night

"I'm fine, I... I just can't believe him." said Sakura, sighing "Anyway, my mood will improve over time, for now, let's just focus on saving Duke, you coming?" she added, forcing a smile.

"If you don't, then I guess you're next." said Grant, with a surprisingly serious tone due to still being rather shocked with what just happened.

Sakura just elbows Grant gently on the side, with a rather annoyed expression.

Sinnoh, the Resort Area

- DS is walking around outside with her Flygon -

Sorry I haven't been spending much time with you for some time, Jayna.

Jayna: <Well, considering how many Pokémon you own, I guess it must be difficult to look after them all.>

Glad you understand.

- Smiles -

However, I am planning on making it up to you. Remember that promise we made a few years ago?

Jayna: <Promise? Wait, you mean...?>

- Nods -

Yep! I'm planning on taking a trip to Orre, which means you'll finally get to see your home region in all its glory!

Jayna: (grins) <Oh, yes! Finally!>

(thinking to myself) I am a bit worried about going there, but I did promise Jayna we would go there someday, plus, I think I can do something for Lillith too. (sighs) Just hope I won't find the rest of the J-Team with some sort of adventure waiting for us there...

Lacunosa - Last night

-Rawst nods-

Rawst:Of course I am.

Lacunosa Town - Last Night

"Right, though we probably need to go sleep now, I'm not going back into the Pokémon Center, so I guess we can stay at a hotel for today." said Sakura

"Fine by me." said Grant, with a shrug.

Lacunosa - last night

Yeah, probably.

Lacunosa Town

Sylva: -Is running around generally being cute to everything stopping by her-

Agate Village Pokémon Center

Jacob: -Sighs, still huggling his Gardevoir plushie-

Discord: <.... Jacob? You haven't moved from this room the past three days? Would you like something to eat? Something to do?>

Argentum: <Inquiry. What are we to do?>

Jacob: ".... Not hungry... thanks Discord. Argentum, what can we do? No one's comming to save us and there's no leads to what to do."

Argentum: <Sitting around doing nothing has a 0% chance of resulting with anything desirable. By simply standing up and going for a walk you dramatically increase the chance of something good occuring.>

Jacob: "..... So?"

-And so they sit-

Holon City

-Umbra approaches Lina-

Umbra: So... You calmed down from yesterday?

Lina: Yeah.

Umbra: You should probably apologize to Herbert.

Lina: Yeah...

Umbra: I still find it odd you didn't react the same to me being the Ghost Lord, especially since I faked being nonchalant about it.

Lina: I've gotten good at reading people's emotions. I could tell you'd changed, but were faking not being insecure about it. It's why I didn't attack you as soon as you told me.

Umbra: Aheh... ^_^;

-Meanwhile, Ammy is looking for others to tell about her adventure. She's wearing the pantsuit made for her by Ren, and Nyuki is accompanying her-

Lacunosa Pokemon Center - This morning

-Herbert is still lying on a sofa in the Center lobby, exhausted. He is currently awake but in something of a waking coma, having only managed to sleep in sporadic bursts of a couple of hours at a time, plagued by images of Duke's capture even then.-

Herbert's Mindscape

-Red!Herbert is once again venting his fustrations by training in the dojo. This time, however, he is not merely hurling limp jabs at a punchbag, but instead setting about a wooden training dummy with an Aura staff. He delivers half-a-dozen descisive blows to it in the same number of seconds, before striking its head with enough force to send it flying across the room.-

Red!Herbert: Phew... yeah, take THAT, you bastard!

Blue!Herbert: You've improved.

-Red!Herbert looks up in surprise at the figure in the blue sweater vest who has just stepped through the doors.-

Red!Herbert: Blue? Haven't seen you around in a while. Where did you run off to?

Blue!Herbert: I will admit that I confined myself to the library for a large part of our adventures in Ransei. Logic took something of a backseat during that little excursion, something which I am sure I do not need to remind you of, so I saw no reason to involve myself in group discussions. Clearly our journey was beneficial to you, however, since your combat skills have improved alongside Herbert's.

Red!Herbert: Yeah. Or does it go the other way around? Eh, whatever. Either way, we're going to have plenty of targets to practice on over the next few months! I can't wait to get into some PROPER battles.

Blue!Herbert: Unfortunately, that would appear to be the logical extension of our current situation. Walk with me for a while, will you?

Red!Herbert: Sure.

-The two walk out of the dojo and into the streets of a replica Eterna City. There has been a small and almost imperceptible change in the landscape over the past two months - the buildings appear to be in better repair, the plants are somewhat more verdant, and quiet birdsong can be heard throughout the streets. The weather, however, is grey and overcast.-

Blue!Herbert: Hmm. It seems as though the city has become somewhat healthier over the course of my isolation.

Red!Herbert: Don't expect it to last. Things got pretty heated a while back. You should've seen this place back then... heh. Least now we're in the calm before the storm.

Blue!Herbert: That would be a logical explanation for the relative tranquility, I suppose.

-As the two continue their walk, they pass by the twin statues of Dialga and Palkia, where Grey!Herbert and Yellow!Herbert are arguing with each other. Grey!Herbert is still dressed in his usual spacesuit, whilst Yellow!Herbert has abandoned his golden plate armour for a set of pale yellow robes.-

Yellow!Herbert: ...I should not have to point out to you why such comments regarding Lyuri are entirely unprovoked, Grey. Could you at least admit that you are in the wrong for once?

Grey!Herbert: Why should I? I keep saying, it's not as though she deserves anything better. All we did was tell the blunt truth and everyone got pissy at us. Go figure. It's not like we need those assholes anyway.

Yellow!Herbert: That does not change the fact that we should apologise.

Grey!Herbert: Yeah, because apologising to Lina for killing her husband worked out real well, didn't it?

-Yellow!Herbert sighs, then notices Red!Herbert and Blue!Herbert and waves.-

Yellow!Herbert: Hello again, Blue. Red.

Blue!Herbert: Greetings.

-Red!Herbert tilts his head at Yellow!Herbert.-

Red!Herbert: ...You've changed. You don't look like a miniature version of Lucanus anymore.

Yellow!Herbert: Yes... well, there is a reason for that.

Red!Herbert: Huh?

Blue!Herbert: If I were to hazard a guess, I would say that the reason Yellow resembled our ancestor in the first place was because that even without a conscious knowledge about who Lucanus was we had already established him as a paragon of morality. An icon to be looked up to. As such, the most moral of our aspects came to adopt his appearance. Having learnt that this was not in fact indicative of Lucanus' personality, Yellow is now suffering from something of an identity crisis. Would I be correct in this assumption?

Yellow!Herbert: ...For the most part, yes. That explanation is not quite comprehensive, but it certainly sufficent.

Red!Herbert: Huh. Fair enough. Where are Purple and Green, then?

-As if on cue, a figure in a tacky purple tuxedo strolls over the group, looking almost theatrically downcast.-

Purple!Herbert: My fellows, have none of you taken the time to observe the tradegy that passed beneath your notice?

Yellow!Herbert: I suppose this answers one of your questions, Red.

Grey!Herbert: ...Fine, I'll bite. What are you raving on about this time?

Purple!Herbert: Do you mean to tell me that you have paid the matter no thought whatsoever? We are sixteen, Grey! Sixteen and still single! Oh, how my heart aches for companionship... our long solitude has only served to kindle the dying fire within, and reuniting with old friends seems hollow without a loving partner to return to. And our dearest Carol is nowhere to be seen! Oh, these are dark days indeed...

Blue!Herbert: ...So you are downhearted not because our starter has been snagged by Cipher or because we have come close to alienating nearly everyone we know, but because we do not have a girlfriend?

Grey!Herbert: Don't tell me you actually expected this kook to have his priorities in order.

Purple!Herbert: Your mockery bites deep, Grey. Surely you must realise the stablity that a loving relationship provides? Indeed, after seeing the love blossom between our ancestors in Ransei, I came to consider the possibility of finding a partner within our group of-

Grey!Herbert: NO. Just... no. You take that train of thought any further, and I will kill you. I don't even care that you can't kill aspects. I will find a way. Somehow.

-As Grey!Herbert and Purple!Herbert continue to bicker, Yellow!Herbert takes Blue!Herbert to one side.-

Yellow!Herbert: May I have a word in private, Blue?

Blue!Herbert: Of course.

Yellow!Herbert: Thank you. Just follow me.

-He leads Blue!Herbert up to the top of the hill, and gestures to the dilapidated manor house on the borders of the forests surrounding the Mindscape.-

Yellow!Herbert: I will confess, I am concerned about the Aspect's activity as of late. Or more precisely, the lack thereof. He has barricaded himself in the manor and remained silent for over three months now. Considering recent events, one would think that he would be even more vocal in his quest to break Herbert... but, contrary to expectations, he has maintained his self-imposed exile. I cannot help but fear that he is planning something.

Blue!Herbert: ...That would indeed be the logical conclusion. Perhaps we should investigate?

Yellow!Herbert: No. Not without external assistance, at the least. Though his power is greatly diminished in his current state, he is still dangerous. For now, all we can do is wait... and hope that we are able to stand against whatever he may have in mind for us.

Lacunosa Pokemon Center

-Herbert groans, and eventually decides to quit lying around and make use of the fact that he has a mobile signal in Unova. He sits up, pulls his X-Transceiver out of his bag, and dials Jacob's number.-