ITT: We are all Pokémon Trainers

Veilstone

Skye: Oooooh, that. One of Alyssa's friends was involved with that or something. Vivian was her name, if that's familiar at all?

Zephyr: ...How did you do that?

Skye: -headtilt- Do what?

Lucia: Oh, yeah, Vivian was there. She was really quiet for a while.

...So was I, come to think of it.

Veilstone

Skye: That sounds like her, all right. She's still really quiet most of the time.

Veilstone City

Lucia: How's she doing? Do you know?

Veilstone

Skye: Honestly? I'm not totally sure.

Battle Palace

-Sarah and Spenser stand at opposite ends of the battlefield in the center of the Battle Palace.-

Spenser: So you are finally ready to challenge me.

Sarah: Indeed. Honestly, I have been for a while, but I've been a bit sidetracked.

Spenser: Well, that just means you had even more time to prepare. Now, it's time to find out if that was enough.

Sarah: Of course. Ready when you are!

Spenser: It will be a pleasure, Sarah.

-As Spenser releases his Crobat, Brecht blips into view.-

Brecht: <It sure has been a while, hasn't it?>

Sarah: It sure has. Holon, right?

Brecht: <Not even then, really.>

Sarah: I guess. Do your thing, Brecht.

Crobat: <Whatever "your thing" is, you better hope it's enough for— >

Brecht: <Look alive.>

-In the middle of the Crobat's comment, it's silenced by being telekinetically yanked into the water around the battlefield.-

Brecht: <For such a fast species, you sure take a long time to get to the point.>

-The Crobat comes up, gasping for air-

Crobat: <Agh! What the hell?!>

Brecht: <Question. Was that enough for whatever you were going to say?>

-The Crobat splashes out of the water and onto dry land, sputtering and catching its breath.-

Crobat: <What that was was a cheap tactic for— >

Brecht: <For making my next attack stronger, yes.>

-He strikes the prone — and drenched — Crobat with Thunderbolt. It spasms, and twitches on the ground, paralyzed.-

Crobat: <U-urk... you've got to be the biggest jerk I've ever faced…>

Brecht: <I'm simply efficient.>

-Brecht uses a second Thunderbolt on the paralyzed Crobat, knocking it out.-

Sarah: Geez. Efficient is right. Aiura would be proud.

Brecht: <That's the biggest compliment you've ever given me.>

Sarah: You haven't exactly been around often enough for me to compliment you much, you know.

Brecht: <True.>

-Spenser recalls the fainted Crobat and sends out a Venusaur-

Spenser: I must say, your level of trust in each other is incredible, especially if what you just said is true.

-Venusaur's flower opens up, and the room starts filling with a bluish dust. Brecht's eyes widen, and he attempts to use Psychic on the Venusaur but doesn't manage much damage before he falls asleep.-

Spenser: That said, your Beheeyem doesn't seem like he's been in many battles; I'd go so far as to say he's particularly skilled at avoiding them. Against a foe that can't be pushed around easily, he has no advantage.

Venusaur: <And now it's his turn to get soaked.>

-Venusaur glows faintly, and massive, twisted, thorny vines erupt out of the water and wrap around Brecht.-

Sarah: ...Oh, shit.

-The vines retreat, dragging Brecht underwater with them as Venusaur cools down from the attack. Sarah watches through the clear water as Brecht slowly drifts awake, realizes he's underwater, struggles to escape the vines, tries and fails to teleport away, and starts to drift out of consciousness. Panicking, she recalls Brecht.-

Sarah: Let's, uh, not do that again.

Spenser: Very well. Although you will definitely have to train him to figure out problems like that.

Sarah: Right… It's up to you, Ria!

-Spenser raises an eyebrow as Sarah sends out the Feraligatr in question-

Spenser: A rather unorthodox decision, I'd say.

Ria: <Oh, don't worry… I know what to do.>

-Sarah smiles-

Sarah: You've got this under control.

-As Venusaur finishes its last bit of recharging, Ria does a series of quick, dragon-like movements.-

Venusaur: <That dance won't do you much good.>

Ria: <I'm totally sure it'll be enough.>

-The Venusaur frowns, and uses Sleep Powder again. This time, however, Ria reacts quickly, and uses Icy Wind to blow it back at the Venusaur, as well as coating it with a thin layer of frost.-

Ria: <Because unlike Brecht…>

-She keeps Dragon Dancing as she approaches the Venusaur-

Ria: <I've been in a good share of battles…>

-She uppercuts the Venusaur with an Ice Punch, abruptly waking it up and sending it staggering-

Ria: <And I know how to handle myself against a stronger opponent!>

-She jumps up just in time to avoid the Venusaur's sluggish attempt at a close-range Energy Ball-

Venusaur: <Grr…>

Ria: <I'm not going to disappoint anyone today, no matter what you try!>

-She comes back down, fists once again coated in ice, and slams them down on the Venusaur's head.-

Venusaur: <Urk!>

-The Venusaur wobbles, and Ria Ice Punches it one last time in the side of its face, staggering it and sending it toppling over.-

edited 3rd Aug '16 1:22:04 PM by BittersweetNSour

Pastoria

Battle Palace

Spenser: Impressive. Your Feraligatr's confidence has improved immensely since you started your Frontier challenge. Particularly, after her battle with Entei on top of the Battle Tower.

-The roof opens up-

Spenser: Of course, I'm sure you expected a similar challenge today.

-Sarah smiles as Suicune drops in from above.-

Sarah: After Brandon, it would have been nothing but disappointing without a surprise visit.

-Suicune looks directly at Sarah.-

Suicune: <Greetings, challenger. I will be your…>

-She stops to get a better look at Ria-

Suicune: <Oh, hey! You look a lot like Lake! Are you his sister?>

-Ria sweatdrops-

Ria: <Er, yes, I am.>

Suicune: <Gosh, it's been a long time since I've seen him. How's he doing? What's he up to? Is he staying out of trouble? Getting into trouble?>

Ria: <I… haven't heard from him in a while, actually. I think he and Luke are busy with PEFE stuff or something?>

Suicune: <Wow, what a bore. I thought you guys were always getting into adventures! What happened to that? I heard the J-Team and all were in Oblivia a while ago, but barely anything else!>

-Sarah clears her throat-

Ria: <Right, uh, sorry to interrupt, but don't we have a battle to do?>

Suicune: <Okay, okay. We'll catch up after I kick your butt!>

Ria: <Hah, not happening.>

-Suicune wastes no time in creating a circle of Hydro Pumps out of the ground around her, but Ria jumps out of the way. When the jets of water clear, there are three Suicune instead of just the one.-

Ria: <...This'll be harder than I thought.>

-Ria uses Surf, but two of the three Suicune images jump up over her and around her. She glances around, trying to pinpoint which one is the real one, and hears a sound vaguely like something inflating.-

Ria: <I know that sound…>

-She whips around, and sees one of the Suicune firing a massive bubble at her. Through split-second thinking, she ices her fist over and slams it into the incoming bubble.-

Suicune: <...Oh dear— >

-It immediately flies back at Suicune, enveloping her in her own bubble as it freezes over. The duplicates disappear as the original is trapped in the frozen bubble, and Suicune is sent spiraling out of control as the ice bubble rolls backward. It hits the wall, shattering and releasing the dizzy Legendary Pokemon.-

Suicune: <Eeeeeep… last time I do that…>

-Suicune stumbles forward onto the surface of the water, slipping unceremoniously on it as if it were ice, and falls over again. Ria sweatdrops-

-After a few moments, Suicune finally makes her way back onto the battlefield, shaking off the dizziness...-

Suicune: <Okay, I'm good, I'm back— >

-Just in time for Ria to pick her up and slam her into the ground behind her.-

Suicune: <Ow! Okay, okay, hold up!>

-Suicune rights herself-

Suicune: <Clearly I'm having a bit of an off day today, so… let's just give the win to you. Little bit humiliating.>

Ria: <Er… sorry?>

Suicune: <No, don't be sorry! You won, I lost, all that. Obviously I'm gonna tell the others it was a much more intense battle, but… yep! You won!>

Sarah: ...Well, I guess that's that, then. Certainly not the "final challenge" I expected.

Spenser: Well, of course, because this isn't your final challenge. In fact, it wasn't even supposed to be your most difficult.

Sarah: ...Right, I still have to face Scott.

Scott: Right! And I'd love to say I can't wait for that…

-Sarah turns around to see Scott leaning casually against the door-

Sarah: What is it with people surprising me from doorways right after I finish battling?

Scott: But I can see that, while you have some excellently trained Pokemon, including Ria… others, like Brecht, not so much. And I'm not going to let you battle me until you fix that problem, because I'm not gonna just let you challenge me over and over after you lose — and trust me, at the state you're in, I can promise you, you're not going to succeed.

-Sarah frowns-

Sarah: You still haven't told me what your challenge is going to be.

Scott: And I'm not going to until the time comes. You gotta prepare for anything and everything, kid. Trust me, you're not ready yet.

-Sarah hesitates, then sighs-

Sarah: ...Very well. When can I face you?

Scott: Oh, that's up to your own discretion. I'm just telling you you're not ready yet. Go back up with the rest of the J-Team for a while, okay?

Sarah: Okay… thank you, for the advice and all that. I'll, uh, see you whenever.

Scott: All righty then. Congratulations on your victory!

-Sarah nods, and leaves. Scott smiles-

Scott: She'll know when it's time. She's a bright kid.

Inside the Glitch Monster House- Past

Kiaran: <Erm... yes?.... What's a video game?>

Verigan: <No time for such nonsense now! Charge!>

-With that said, Verigan swung open the door dramatically. The inside of the room was more or less barren, save for the giant pulsating glitch heart that was held suspended and steady by vein like tentacles attaching themselves to the walls and floors. It looked like a spiderweb in how many of them there were. Sometimes faces and silhouettes could be seen in various spots each times the heart pulsed. The see through and glitching form of a little girl could be seen crying infront of it.-

Glitchstress: Wh Y Ar E yOu hErE? Wh Y Ar E yOu hErE?!

Eterna City- Outskirts- Present

Ark: <Ow! Oi! Kiaran, watch the hair!>

- A sopping wet Ark tried swatting away the hairbrush wielded by Kiaran as the Zoroark continued to attempt to tame the mess that was Ark's hair. Already in the war against the mess, two bottles of shampoo and conditioner and detangler have valiantly given their lives for the greater good.-

Kiaran: <Little sister dearest, your hair is a mess and that is no way to make a good impression on Phaz's sister. Trust me, we've done research while we were out.>

Ralli: <I dunno if ya can call dis research really. It's jus' fashion magazines.>

-Most of the party were flipping through the pile of magazines Kiaran bought on the shopping trip. Huet provided most of the translation, of what he could understand at least.-

Audra: <Trust me when I say that this is far better then nothing.>

Barclay: <Ye know, we could just chop off her hair to make it more manageable.>

Ark: <No! It's-ow watch it Kiaran-comfy.>

Ekundayo: <Um, that's vetoed then, I guess?>

Verigan: <Indeed mine fere, indeed it is. But fear not, for we shall persevere in the face of these tangled trials!>

Ralli: <Get back t' readin' Verigan.>

Verigan: <At once Ralli, at once.>

Huet: Gee, modern fashion sure is different. Well, modern everything is really different I guess.

Ark: <This is stupid.>

Kiaran: <You still agreed to it.>

Ark: <Shut up.>

Kiaran: <If you insist little sister dearest, if you insist.~>

Pastoria City

-Ever is playing Dig Dug on an unspecified device-

Ever: Well, this is unexpected.

Brushfire: <They make a cute couple.>

Ever: ...Admittedly, yes.

Veistone

-Ask is launched upward by the combined assault and launched back downward by a supercharged Moonblast from Xerxes-

-When the dust clears he is a battered Shiny Mew who glares at Xerxes-

Ask: ~The one we serve has the Jewel. You're too late.~

-He blips out-

Xerxes: <The... The Jewel?>

Anistar Grocery, past

N: They must have acquired that power sometime after you first used them... How long ago was that?

edited 3rd Aug '16 8:58:25 PM by Umbramatic

Anistar Grocery, past

-To N-

More than five years ago.

Forte: ...The what?

Lily: Okay what was that?

Jenna: Why does this guy care about some jewel?

Anista Grocery, past

N: ...That doesn't leave us much of a trail...

-starts pacing-

Come on, there's something we're getting wrong in this formula we need to find...

Veilstone, past

-Xerxes pauses, then shifts back to his human form, except in a Xerneas-themed coat rather than his armor-

Human!Xerxes: Alright, confession time, I'm not the Xerneas of your world. And that Jewel is something that could get me and my friends also stuck here back home.

edited 3rd Aug '16 9:46:54 PM by Umbramatic

Forte: Oh no, are we talking about alternate universes again? This isn't the one where I got killed and Piano turned evil, right?

Noelle: Oh... well then uh, I apologize for calling you "my lord"? I mean, you are great and majestic but if you're not the true deity of life then... um...

-...-

Noelle: I'll shut up now.

Anistar Grocery, past

-To N-

Perhaps the tickets gained their power from getting snatched outside of time, like some of my friends.

Anistar Grocery, past

N: The Legendary said it was more than that... Something about them starting the stories of your entire J-Team, and in a strange metaphysical sense the worlds surrounding them with it...

-Thinks a bit-

He was a Latios... Said his name was Waka...

Veilstone, past

Human!Xerxes: -to Forte- ...I would probably have know if my universe was that one, it's definitely not.

-Beat at Noelle-

...Well, this is akward.

-to himself-

Especially since she's kind of cu- NO STOP THAT'D JUST BE MORE AWKWARD YOU ALREADY HAVE A CRUSH ON ONE

edited 3rd Aug '16 10:33:45 PM by Umbramatic

Forte: Oh. Then is it the one where everyone's a Pokémon and you get turned into one if you go there? Or is it the one you visit in your dreams?

Noelle: Oh, um... well, even if you aren't the true god of life... there's this thing I've been kind of worried about, see...

Anistar Grocery, past

Waka? Oh man, that takes me back...

Veilstone, past

Human!Xerxes: Er, no, no, no, it's a lot like this one just with a bit different history and rules...

-to Noelle-

...Yes?

Anistar Grocery, past

Reshiram: <...Wait, you've met this guy?>

edited 3rd Aug '16 10:58:03 PM by Umbramatic

Noelle: Well, um...

-Noelle holds Psyche's hand-

Noelle: You're not mad at me, right? For having a girlfriend? Because I know some people think it's against the commandment of bringing new life into the world but you're not really like that, are you?

Anistar Grocery, past

-To Reshiram-

Helped me and some other friends out when we were stuck in 15th Century Ransei.

Veilstone, past

-Xerxes blinks, then grins-

Human!Xerxes: Oh,no, that's fine! From my own perspective...

-he winks-

I'm bisexual. And Kalosian. Do the math. You can have your girl there fine by me.

Anistar grocery, past

Reshiram: <Great, only through time travel...>

N: Any clue where he would be now?

Anistar Grocery, past

-To N-

Flying around on the Ark of Yamato normally.

edited 3rd Aug '16 11:22:25 PM by rmctagg09

-Noelle breathes a deep sigh of relief-

Noelle: Thank you, my lord. Um, I mean, thank you, sir.

Lily: And next time some bigot tries to call you on it, you can say that Xerneas himself said it was okay.

Anistar Grocery, past

Reshiram: Any idea where that would be?

Veilstone, past

Human!Xerxes: Hehe, got 'em there!

-suddenly becomes much more serious-

Wait, the mission!