ITT: We are all Pokémon Trainers

What you see before you is the result of staying up late on Switch hype and an errant conversation with Crow.

Deep in the recesses of Verdant Cavern

-A Buzzwole and a Guzzlord are conversing-

Guzzlord: {Hmm, but why would you want to get closer to the humans? They have good things to eat, but the native Pokemon act like I'm breaching orders when I try to eat the actual humans, so that pleases nobody!}

Buzzwole: {I admit humans can be frustrating, my companion. I mean, they don't even recognize the six Buzzwoleian genders, what in the Ultra Dimension is "male" supposed to mean? But! And this is a very important but! Something gives them sway over the local Pokrmon, which we could use to our advantage!}

Guzzlord: {Oh, I think I understand! We could order the native Pokemon to build us a giant buffet for everyone! But mostly me.}

Buzzwole: {Better! We could use their secrets to sway the local Pokemon to the Ultra Beast cause!}

Guzzlord: {Oh, that could work too!}

Buzzwole: {For this, we shall need humanese codenames! As the sturdy specimen I am I shall have a firm, bold name... The Tick!}

Guzzlord: {Hmm, let me ponder this a bit... Bite, nip, clip... Aha! Clippy it is!}

The Tick: {EXCELLENT! Now, we shall split up to begin our mighy quest to discover human secrets, as well as keeping an eye out for a certain Xurkitree. Good luck, compatriot!}

-they buzzes twoard the exit of the cave, then stops and turns around-

{...Just don't eat everything we're trying to discover.}

-they exit-

Clippy: {Oh dear. Eating everything in sight is what I do best, but if it displeases The Tick I should avoid it... Or at least try...}

-they exit as well-

Thoughts?

edited 2nd Mar '17 8:53:21 PM by Umbramatic

omfg

Hau'li City [Day, Present]

Phaz: Oh. Hello Mine Turtle.

He tries to pet Mine Turtle

But at the same time Soujin is bitten.

So he don't.

To himself ...She's probably hungry.

To Locke Just realised I didn't present myself. The name is Ray, but everyone calls me Phaz.I don't know what you have with memories, but do you know by chance where a guy named Ilima is? Cause it's the one we should start with for the Island Trial.

edited 3rd Mar '17 5:15:01 AM by Phazya

Shaun checked his phone and slid it back into his pocket. I think I'll try the Grand Trial tomorrow. Maybe Hala know where to get a Poke Ride. I remember that Sergey said he needed one.

Vast Poni Canyon, Trial Entrance

-Ever and the Jangmo-o have been staring at each other all night-

Ever: Seriously? You're not moving?

Jangmo-o: <Not until you've left! This is a mission entrusted to me by the guardian of the valley!>

Narrow: <Um, actually?>

Muninn: <Not so much.>

Jangmo-o: <Gah! How did you get behind me?>

-she spins slightly, pointing her forehead scales at the two-

Muninn: <Um, it was really easy? You don't pay much attention to your surroundings, do you?>

Narrow: <Anyway, while you were having your stare-off with Ever, we went to talk to your boss. And we found out something interes—>

Muninn: <You were put here to keep you out of the way, your job is meaningless, nobody else in the canyon cares about you, and everyone assumes you're just going to pick a fight with something too big for you and get killed eventually.>

Narrow: <Muninn, we agreed to put it more nicely than that.>

Muninn: <No we didn't. You said, "Muninn, we should put it more nicely than that" and I said "Whatever".>

Narrow: <Well, now look at her. She's crying.>

Muninn: <How is that my problem?>

Narrow: <I didn't even know lizards could cry...>

Ever: This is awkward...

Muninn: <Also, Ever, the canyon doesn't lead around. We can't get to the meadow.>

-Ever sighs-

Route 2

-Shoomp.-

-Shoomp.-

-Shoomp.-

-A Growlithe is frantically stumbling around, accidentally Teleporting from place to place as she tries to sniff every trainer she comes across.-

-Shoomp.-

-She appears in front of Rose and Scarlette, earning a yelp of surprise from the latter.-

Scarlette: EEP WHERE DID YOU COME FROM

-The Growlithe drops a Poke Ball from her mouth and sniffs the two. She lingers near Rose for a moment.-

Rose: ...Um, can we help you?

-The Growlithe sort of responds, but it sounds more like she's talking to herself.-

Growlithe: <No, no, no, you're not my trainer either...>

-Rose raises an eyebrow.-

Rose: You lost your trainer?

Growlithe: <Yes, yes! I'm trying to find my trainer but I haven't had any luck...>

Rose: Well, maybe we could help. Want to join my team until we find them?

-The Growlithe blinks, then wags her tail (or rather, wiggles the stump where a tail once was but had been docked) excitedly-

Growlithe: <Oh, yes, yes! That sounds like a good idea! My memory is really bad so I can't remember what she looks like, but, but I can remember her smell!>

Rose: ...Huh. (Maybe she's a Faller too...) Do you have a name?

-The Growlithe yips-

Growlithe: <Pixie! Pixie is my name!>

-Rose smiles, and bends down to pick up Pixie's (slobber-coated) Poke Ball.-

Rose: All right, then, Pixie, until we find your old trainer, welcome to the team!

-Pixie yips happily. Scarlette just sorta watches, having only been able to understand half of the conversation.-

Vast Poni Canyon, Trial Entrance

-Ever is rather awkwardly watching the Jangmo-o cry-

Ever: Muninn...

Jangmo-o: <I mean, he's right.>

Ever: Even still.

-pause-

Muninn: <So now what?>

Ever: Well, if we can't get to the meadow through illegitimate means, I guess legitimate means are worth a try. Hey, lizard?

Muninn: <It's called a Jangmo-o. It's a Dragon-type. They have a reputation for their valiant natures and their unwillingness to give up a fight...not for their brains, though.>

Ever: Please stop mocking the existentially-adrift dragon. Wait, crap, I did it too. It's just so easy...

Muninn: <That may be a trait of this one specifically.>

Ever: Right, well, uh, Jangmo-o? Do you have a name?

-the Jangmo-o shakes her head-

Ever: ...You don't? In any language?

Muninn: <It's quite possible she wasn't given one. Her species isn't exactly heavily invested in parenting.>

Ever: ...Right, so, uh, is it alright if I go past you to take the trial?

-the Jangmo-o stops crying and hops back to her feet, glaring at Ever-

Jangmo-o: <No! You're clearly not ready!>

Muninn: <Really? I could probably fight my way past you.>

Jangmo-o: <You're, what, a week old?>

Muninn: <You don't have a single move that could hurt me. And the Oricorio can fly. If I didn't already know your position, was superfluous, I'd have assumed it by now anyway.>

-the Jangmo-o returns to sulking-

Ever: ...Okay, here, I have an idea.

Muninn: <No.>

Ever: You are clearly in an unhealthy environment.

Jangmo-o: <...>

Ever: I'm a trainer.

Muninn: <No.>

Ever: Do you see where I'm going here?

Jangmo-o: -sniff- <No.>

Ever: If you let me catch you, I can get you away from what is frankly rather clearly a terrible living arrangement, you can train to get stronger and show everyone here what they're missing by not letting you help out with the trial, and I'll be able to put together a team so I can take the Island Challenge and help turn Narrow into a ghost.

Muninn: <Why...>

Ever: Deal?

Jangmo-o: <...Fine.>

Hau'oli City

-Ludmilla gives a swift command, and Cu Sith the Growlithe slams into the Meowth with a Flame Wheel, sending the feline tumbling head over heels over the nearby railing.-

-Ludmilla slips her puppy a treat before recalling her and heading down the alley to the malasada shop.-

-She spots two men in grey uniforms - grey? - who shoot her a quick look before going back to their calculations regarding words and numbers far bigger than Ludmilla can wrap her head around.-

-She shrugs and head onward - after all, they didn't seem to be messing with anybody. Just typing on their little pads.-

Vast Poni Canyon

Ever: Alright then.

-he catches the Jangmo-o in an Ultra Ball, then lets her out-

Ever: So. You need a name.

Pleth: <Watchwoman?>

Muninn: <Fitting, as she herself probably needs watching.>

Ever: So I think you're gonna stay recalled around her for a while until you learn to behave.

-Ever recalls Muninn-

Ever: Anyway, I'm not calling her that, it reminds me of those comic books. What's the saying in [Latin], though? Maybe there's something there. Qui custodiet ipso whatever...

-he perks up-

Ever: How about Custard?

Pleth: <Really?>

Jangmo-o: <...Sure, why not?>

Ever: Alright!

Shaun looked at his team. "Alright everyone, we've had the last two days to relax, but today we're gonna fight Kahuna Hala. We've faced stronger opponents and won! You guys ready?"

Tsunami: <None shall stand in my way!>

Ace: <As always.>

Lightning: <Um...I guess so...>

Ruby: <Let's send them back from whence they came!>

Jessica: <I'm just ablaze with excitement!>

Jasper: <Ugh...if I must.>

Shaun: "Alright, let's go!"

edited 3rd Mar '17 5:48:57 PM by SwiftSeraph

Hau'oli City

-Alli is walking along with Locke when she hears a strange voice and sneaks off to investigate-

-She spots an Alolan Grimer ranting to herself-

Alolan Grimer: <Those uncouth brats! They and their Pokemon don't treat a mon such as me with any respect! No wonder my youngrer sister ran off all of a sudden! I have tired of their amateur childishness, show me some real Trainers!>

Alli: -suddenly behind the Grimer- You've got one, at least!

Alolan!Grimer: -whips around as best her species can- <How did you escape my notice?!>

Alli: I snuck behind you while you were venting. What's wrong, anywway?

Alolan Grimer: <I used to reside by the Trainer's School, but I was always harassed by schoolchildren and their Pokemon who didn't respect my unkempt beauty! When I discovered my younger sister had headed off I called the place quits myself, in hopes of finding Trainers and Pokemon who respected me, the epitome of refined filth!>

Alli: You sure talk a lot. But I know just what you need! Thera's a group of Trainers in town called the J-Team that have a lot of adventuring experience under their belts! They'll have the kinds of humans and Pokemon you want!

Alolan Grimer: <Ohoho, excellent! Take me to them, now!>

Alli: Um, I don't think I can carry you... Do you mind being part of a team?

Alolan Grimer: <Only if it is composed of mons as sophisticated and erudite as I.>

Alli: I'll take that as a yes. How about Botox as a name?

Botox: <I accept!>

-Alli throws a ball at Botox, which sucks her in, wobbles three times, and clicks. Alli picks up the ball just as Locke wanders over.-

Locke: There you are! Did you catch a new Pokemon?

Alli: Yep! Alolan Grimer! Now come on, let's get to the masalada shop!

-she heads off. Locke stares after at first-

Locke: She's already got four Alola mons, I only have one... I need to catch up.

-he follows-

Iki Town

(Hala may be standing resolutely atop the podium where everyone received their starter Pokemon. Being an Island Kahuna entails a lot of standing around waiting for challengers to arrive, it seems.)

Hau'Oli City

Jason:Y'know...this is a good start, getting a decent picture of that captain we gotta find...

-Takes another glance at a picture of a picture he saw-

Looks like a nice girl, I guess.

-Looks down a street-

I think...izzat her? Hmmm...

-Scaaaaaan-

-Beat-

Eh.

-Scaaaaaaaaan-

EH?!

Zero:<What's wrooooong?>

Jason:Ilima's a guy, what.

-bbeeeat-

-Yvette and Zero facepalm simultaneously-

Shaun walked up to his podium, his fingers twitching inside of his jacket pockets.

Shaun: "Alright, Hala, you ready to lose?"

Iki Town

(Hala chuckles.)

Hala: My, someone is certainly cocksure! But I was not made Kahuna of this island for no reason, my boy!

(He whips out a Pokeball from the pockets of his jacket.)

Hala: Old Hala here will be going all-out! Let the Grand Trial commence!

Shaun: "Alright, let's do this!"

Shaun felt adrenaline in his blood as his old habits kicked in. He pulled a Poké Ball off of his belt. "Ace, come on out!"

Ace hovered in midair as he obseved Hala. <This'll be fun.>

Iki Town, Shaun's Grand Trial

Mankey: <FUN? WHO SAID ANYTHING ABOUT FUN?! THERE AIN'T GONNA BE NO FUN ON MY WATCH!!>

(It charges forwards and attempts to hit Ace with a heavy karate chop.)

edited 3rd Mar '17 6:06:09 PM by Uilleam

-Maggie and Kernel have come here for the trial-

Kernel: <So, what are we supposed to do here? Search for Rattata?>

Maggie: "Pretty much."

Kernel: <Well, alright, let's get this over with.>

-She sticks her head into one of the burrows-

Kernel: <Anybody in->

-She is cut off when a Rattata pounces on her face-

Kernel:: <Aaaagh!>

Maggie: "Sugar Sugar, take care of that Rattata!"

-She releases the Swirlix from the ball-

-The Swirlix nods and proceeds to Fairy Wind the Rattata on Kernel's head-

Kernel: <What was that for? You hurt me nearly as much as that Rattata!>

Sugar Sugar: <The Rattata was on your face. Some collateral damage was necessary.>

Kernel: <Why'd you send her out anyway, Maggie?>

Maggie: "Well, she could probably use the experience more than you."

Kernel: <Then why'd you have me out anyway?>

Maggie: "...Moral support?"

Iki Town, Past

After talking with Locke, Zachary set off to find Hala.

Nack: <Sooo, what do we do once we find this Hala guy?>

Zachary: "See, the people on Hau'oli told me that there are no Gyms in these Islands, there's an "Island Challenge", in which trainers go out and are given the chance to explore the islands to complete Trials! I'm hoping to get a Starter and start my Island Challenge, that way I can move around the Islands and look for my team and get accostumed to the landscape!"

Zachary then starts looking all over the town for Hala before finally finding him, and after some conversation, Zachary is offered a Starter Pokémon.

Zachary: "Oh man they're all very good!"

Nack: <Pssst, don't you dare pick the Fire one>

Zachary: "Hmmm...nah, I think I'll go for..."

Zachary then notices Popplio separated from the other Starters and looking sad while the others pose and try to impress Zachary.

Zachary: "...That one, the water one!"

The Popplio lights up and runs right up to Zachary as the Rowlet and Litten look shocked.

Zachary: "What's your name, little buddy?"

Popplio: <M-My name's Hamilton, sir! A-And I hope to be a great partner! I won't let you down! You won't ever think of returning me!>

Zachary: "N'aw, don't worry, Hamilton, you're a part of my team now and you're not leaving, I promise."

Hamilton: <*gasp* Really!? You promise!? I'm so happy that I could just...sing!>

Zachary: "...You know how to sing?"

Hamilton coughs and takes in breath to start singing as the other Starters run away...

Route 2, Present

Hamilton is now singing very loudly and badly, causing all of the nearby Wild Pokémon to either run away or cover their ears, Zachary is laying in fetal position in the ground talking to a Wild Alolan Meowth while Nack is trying to dig himself a hole.

Zachary: "And that, my dear friend, is how I made the worst decision of my life."

The Meowth shakes its head before running off as fast as possible right as Hamilton finishes singing.

Hamilton: <Oof! I'm feeling tired after that song...But I also feel pumped! I think i'm gonna sing another one!>

Nack suddenly bursts out of his hole and Zachary stands up as they bouth shout "NO".

Zachary: "Ehem...I mean, that could be bad for your vocal chords, you should take a break, hehehe...Besides, we should focus on our task at hand, we need to go to this place called...Verdant Cavern, in order to complete our first Trial."

Hamilton: <O-Oh! Whatever you say, boss!>

Nack and Hamilton both jump onto Zachary's shoulders as he looks around and heads onwards to Verdant Cavern, looking exhausted.

edited 3rd Mar '17 6:31:20 PM by BarelyBodaciousBud

Ace narrowly dodged the Cross Chop by swooping to the left. I'm not gonna pull that off again...

Shaun: "Ace, use Aerial Ace!"

Ace nodded. <Of course, my liege.> He sped through the air, twisting and turning before diving at the Mankey and scratching him with his talons.

edited 3rd Mar '17 6:35:24 PM by SwiftSeraph

Iki Town

(Hala's Mankey is caught by the Aerial Ace, which makes it stagger noticeably. It also somehow makes it even angrier.)

Mankey: <RAAAAGH! YOU'RE GONNA PAY FOR THAT!!>

(It lunges at Ace, repeating its Cross Chop maneuver.)

<Oomph!> The Mankey's paw collides with Ace's wing, causing him to plummet before he quickly regains his height.

Shaun: "Ace, Fly!"

<Good idea.> Ace pointed himself skyward and rapidly flapped his wings, getting too high to even be heard, let alone hit.

Iki Town, Shaun's Grand Trial

(The Mankey flails and makes angry noises, infuriated by his inability to get at Ace.)

<Skreeeeee!>

Ace plummeted down towards the Mankey, his beak pointed towads the other Mon.

Route 2

-Walking down the Route-

Well, the Verdant Cavern shouldn't be too far, I think.

Crabrawler: -Climbing up my back- <To the highest heights, that's what you promised, right?>

Yeah Ali, and that means having to beat the Trial coming up.

Crabrawler Ali: -Looking around- <Such a vibrant shade of pink...>

Eh?

-Notices Maggie and co by the Pokecenter and decides to walk over-