ITT: We are all Pokémon Trainers

-Savannah has attempted to subtly inch closer and listen in.-

Garchomp: ~Well, you know who did it already?~

Forte: That's weird...

Shadow: <So either Pokéstar Studios is making an adaptation of the Darkrai game, or...>

Forte: ...or it's some kind of psychic weapon and that made everyone afraid of it?

-Forte scratches their head-

Molayne's Trial

-The Surf knocks out the Diglett before he can get an attack off.-

Totem Dugtrio: <NOOOOOO! DOOOONUUUUUT!>

Diglett <I'm still okay, Sarge, just->

Totem Dugtrio: <He died agaaaaaaain!>

Diglett: <No, uh, seriously, I'm->

Totem Dugtrio: <He will be missed! Him and his innuendos!>

Diglett: *Sigh* <Whatever. I'll be back later.>

Totem Dugtrio: <GRIF! GET OUT HERE!>

-A second Diglett arrives, giving a big whine.-

Diglett: <Saaaaaarge, we're retirrrrrrrrred! Why are we fightiiiiiiiiing?!>

Totem Dugtrio: <Oh, you're not fighting.>

Diglett: <Oh, good. Wait, then why'd you call->

-Totem Dugtrio used EARTHQUAKE! Wild Diglett fainted!-

Diglett: <OH GOD WHYYYYY>

Totem Dugtrio: <I called you to make me feel better. Hehehe.>

edited 18th May '17 3:00:38 PM by DuneTheWanderer

Hano Grand Resort, Plaza

Cop Copman: I'm not at liberty to say at this time... sir? You'll have to wait until the press conference.

A tired sounding voice interjects in the conversation.

???: Hey. What are you doing?

Cop Copman: Uh, sir! Kahuna Nanu, sir!

Nanu: You really don't need to call me sir. Or use my title, for that matter. I'm just Nanu.

The ever tired kahuna has made his way over to the Pokemon and Cop conversation.

Meanwhile, Kahili's eyebrows crinkle slightly.

Kahili: I'm not so sure about that. Seems somewhat post hoc ergo propter hoc. As far as the police are willing to share with me, there's no mechanisms within the statue itself. We'll have to wait for their psychic consultant to come get a look at it, but I doubt that the statue is the source of the effect.

Forte: You sure? Because there was this one time that Shadow here caught brain fever and it spread his delusions to everyone around him.

-Shadow flattens his ears-

Shadow: <You really don't have to mention that.>

-Forte then notices Nanu-

Forte: Hey, isn't that the police guy who ticketed our airship?

Garchomp: ~Eh, just checking if you knew. Because if you didn't, I could have told you, but you already do, so eh.~

-to Nanu- ~A Kahuna, huh?~

-At Sarge Totem's Earthquake, Ren steadies himself with his Mega Cane as the Shockwave blasts L'cirufe off his feet and sqeaks as the dust devils nips at him.-

Ren: Time for change in tone. L'cirufe, time to make use of what I gave you before! Aqua Ring!

L'cirufe: But we can't sing! How to we change our tone?

-L'cirufe shrugs as tucks the Big Root safely into the crutch of his arm as three rings made of vibrant water encircle L'cirufe and begin to rotate.-

-as the water from the rings drip on L'cirufe, he is healed a bit more than the Sand Tomb hurt him for thanks to his Big Root.-

edited 18th May '17 3:19:00 PM by keys2tkingdom

Molayne's Trial

Totem Dugtrio: <Hey! No fair! Doc's out at a seminar! Whatever. SIM->

Diglett: <Here, sir!>

Totem Dugtrio: <-mons. Oh. Good timing, soldier!>

Diglett: <Ready when you are, dad!>

Totem Dugtrio: <What was that?>

Diglett: <Ready when you are, sir! Well, next turn, but, you know!>

-Totem Dugtrio used Night Slash!-

-L'cirufe attempts to dodge, but only succeeds in preventing a direct hit and reducing the damage.-

L'cirufe: -panting- We are not going to be able to stay up with this.

-Ren contemplates for a moment. Then yells at Simmons.-

Ren: Hey, Simmons! I bet Sarge would really be proud of you if you took a bullet for him!

-to L'cirufe- L'cirufe, Brine on the Totem Pokemon!

L'cirufe: We'll go out swimming!

-L'cirufe opens his beak and expels a blast of salty water that really hurts those who have already taken a lot of damage.-

Molayne's Trial

Diglett: <SARGE I'LL SAVE YOOOOOOOOOU>

KER-SPLASH

Diglett: <OW MY FACE!>

Totem Dugtrio: <Good work, Simmons! I'll tell Doc to patch you up first!>

Diglett: <Thank you, sir.>

Totem Dugtrio: <Lopez! You're up!>

-...-

Totem Dugtrio: <Lopez?>

-A Golett sticks its head up out from behind a rock.-

Golett: <No permitido. El ensayo es Alola único.>

Totem Dugtrio: <Now's not the TIME for an oil change, Lopez!>

Golett: <... Idiota.>

-The Golett disappears again.-

Totem Dugtrio: <BAH! Whatever. Let's me do THIS!>

-Totem Dugtrio used EARTHQUAKE!-

Ren: Ohhhhh noooo....

-L'cirufe crosses his flippers wait for the shockwave to hit only for hs body to start glowing and the energy released dissipates most of the Earthquake's shock wave, dealing only minor Damage to the growing and glowing form.-

Ren: Oh yes!

-As L'cirufe continues to grow in size his flippers gain blade-like edges as the color of his plumage changes to predominately black with a white pattern on his stomach resembling a frilly dress shirt. Blue growth form on the front of his body extending up his neck and forming what looks like a high collar. His upper beak grows backwards up L'cirufe's face forming a golden trident-like crown shape.-

Empoleon!L'cirufe: We knew we were worthy if using "we"!

Ren: Another Brine! Quickly!

-Unfortunately the damage has taken it toll on L'cirufe who only has time to fire a badly aimed Brine before falling forward.-

Ren: -recalling L'cirufe- Right time bring on my next act. Bahamut! You're up!

-Ren throws the Dalamud-shaped Poke Ball ito the air, releasing a Shiny Charizard.

edited 18th May '17 4:09:06 PM by keys2tkingdom

Molayne's Trial

Totem Dugtrio: <HAH!>

-The Dugtrio just watches the Brine shoot wide.-

KER-SPLASH

Shiny Diglett: <OW!>

Diglett: <Hah, suck it, blue!>

Shiny Diglett: <Shut up, Lieutenant Brownnose!>

Diglett: <Eat me, Corporal Can't-aim!>

Totem Dugtrio: <You can fly, but I can do THIS!>

-Totem Dugtrio used Rock Slide!-

Shaun: "Or something worse. I imagine the pendant was highly coveted. Now, let's see...'Many sought the pendant for personal gain, to use its power...'"

-Ace has been looking at the carvings, and now turns to Shaun.-

Ace: "What?"

Shaun: "The writing...it's all faded and damaged here. All I can make out is 'Izumi', which I imagine is someone's name."

Garchomp: <Aye, it's damaged. We try to keep the place as nice as we can, but...>

-His eyes look at a pile of rubble, then to the roof, where sunlight can be see coming in through a hole.-

Garchomp: <We can only do so much.>

-Shaun thinks for a second.-

Shaun: "What if I found some people who could help repair the shrine? Would you let them?"

Garchomp: <Hmmph...maybe. We don't have a very good relationship with you humans, if you catch my drift.>

Shaun: "Yeah...I do. If I do, I'll return and talk to you."

Ace: "Let's look around a little more. This place is fascinating."

edited 18th May '17 5:20:26 PM by SwiftSeraph

-Ren, holding his Mega Cane vertically with his left hand, presses his right palm to his Key Stone. As the key stone begins to gleam, Ren raises his cane aloft.-

-As the crystal refracts and reflects the light from the Key Stone, Bahamut is surrounded by a spherical cocoon of dark red energy. After a brief moment, the cocoon glows blood reds and bright-blue, block-and-circle-like patterns appear, then shatters along the blue lines.-

-As Bahamut emerges from the sphere, his has become sleeker in appearance and has grown a third, longer, pointy horn on the back of his head between the original two, which are now shorter and pointed. Small wings have developed on his wrists, while the ones on his back become larger and now have ragged edges. The claws on Bahamut's hands and feet have grown longer and sharper. There are now several spines along the length of his tail, while the flame at the tip burns primarily yellow. Bahamut retains his black and pale creme coloring, but his creme coloring now extends up to its lower jaw. Bahamut creates a strong breeze just by flapping his back and crimson wings to keep himself aloft.-

-While the rocks crash onto the black draconian, It isn't enough to take Bahamut down.-

Ren: Bahamut! Heat Wave!

-Bahamut roars and releases a blast of expanding hot air with spiraling fire balls at the Totem Pokemon.-

Molayne's Trial

Totem Dugtrio: <... Wuh oh.>

SCOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORCH

Totem Dugtrio: <...>

*whump*

Totem Dugtrio: <You win.>

Steel Trial, Past

Ren: And the curtain falls.

-to the Totem Dugtrio- Thank you for the battle, soldier.

-Ren walks up to the Pedestal at takes the gray Z crystal.-

Ren: -to Kitsune holding up the Steelium Z- Come on, we've got a trial to clear!

-Ren dashes forward and leaps onto Kitsune back as she begins to Flame Charge up Mount Hokulani and towards the trial's gate.-

Jessica: <Hey, shouldn't Jasper have been here by now?>

Shaun: "Yeah, about that...apparently he's really happy back in Sinnoh and is gonna stay there. He might come with us in the future, but not now. That might be for the best, considering everything that's going on right now."

Ace: "Good thing we weren't at Hano."

Ruby: <Yes, that was rather dreadful.>

Shaun: "And here I was thinking we wouldn't run into anything like this..."

Tsunami: <Trial tomorrow?>

Shaun: "Maybe. Either way, we should all get some sleep."

Po Town, past

The Mayor: Well, I can safely say I ain't seen 'em.

(She turns expectantly to her grunts. At her glance, a sea of murmuring about how they haven't seen any strange grey-coated people either rises up.)

The Mayor: See? Nothing happening over here, so could you kindly bugger off?

Hano Grand Resort?

Belinda: !

(She starts awake to a scene of carnage. What was once the finest hotel Alola has to offer is now a crumbling ruin, so heavily charred and damaged it's completely unrecognisable. Outside, there is nothing - just an eerily familiar thick fog. The scene is so shocking, it takes her far too long to realise she's no longer in her bed; she's woken up on the floor of what was once the main corridor.)

Belinda: W-what...

???: Shush.

(Belinda starts again. Her immediate reaction is one years of combat training have reflexively drilled into her - leap up, whirl round to face the source of the voice, prepare to strike immediately if necessary.)

(Imagine her shock when she sees her own face staring grimly back at her.)

Belinda: !!!

(The other Belinda grins coldly. That, more even than her ragged, disheveled appearance and strange bright yellow eyes, is the most notable difference between her and the true Belinda - there's none of Belinda's genuine warmth in her expression, just bleak indifference, perhaps a well-buried hint of cruelty.)

Belinda: Hold on hold on what happened here? Who are you-who-why are you me?!

(The other Belinda still doesn't answer. She simply grins wider, relishing her counterpart's obvious panic, before turning around and striding off down the corridor.)

Belinda: ...

(She looks around one more time at the charred stone and endless mist. There's nowhere else to go. Swallowing a nasty lump in her throat, she steadily jogs after.)

hano grand resort.

(For a few seconds, Simon doesn't notice anything wrong. The bed feels exactly as it did when he got into it last night; the sun streaming through his window, shining into his eyes and causing a slow, groggy awakening, is as bright and warm as you'd expect it to be in Alola. As he creaks awake, rubbing his eyes with one hand, Simon reaches for his glasses case with the other; he hates seeing the world as a blur enough that even one glasses-free second in the early morning is one second too much for him.)

(It's once the glasses are on that he notices the room has changed. Before, he'd been in a typical Hano Grand Resort room - not quite the king-sized extravaganza calling the place a Grand Resort would suggest, but a nice enough little place to crash for the night. Only the plain white double bed has endured from that room. Otherwise, he's now surrounded by rotting wooden walls and a smell of old musk. The sunlight is coming, not from a window, but from an unfilled square hole cut out of the wall.)

Simon: ...huh?

(He scans the room for signs of anything of interest. Aside from his bed, there doesn't appear to be a desk, a light, any sort of appliances - indeed, the only things that catch the eye are the door, a perfectly ordinary Hano Grand Resort room door that looks unnaturally clean next to the mould-covered planks of the wall... and a giant poster on the far wall.)

(A poster of his sister's face. No text, no watermark - just a close-up of Belinda grinning smugly, her eyes pointed right at Simon's bed.)

(Simon stares at the poster from his bed for a good few minutes. He tries to figure out how the sight makes him feel, finds himself faced with an unbearably complex stream of emotions, and gives up.)

Simon: Well. I'll just... leave, I suppose.

(As he gets up, the Ontological Mystery is heavy enough on his mind that he barely even notices that he was apparently sleeping fully dressed. It's also distracting enough that it takes several barely conscious tugs on the door handle before he realises it's not budging.)

Simon: ...?

(He tugs on the handle again. Harder. Then harder still. The door adamantly refuses to move. He knocks heavily...)

Simon: H-hey! I'm locked in!

(...but there's no response. Just as he starts to contemplate body-slamming the door until it breaks, he glances back at the window and notices the conspicuous lack of glass.)

Simon: ...

(Heading over, he notes with relief that the room is apparently on the ground floor. The outside area looks the same as always, but there's a conspicuous lack of life - not a single groundskeeper or sunbather or swimmer, or even a passing Cutiefly floating on the breeze.)

Simon: Well, at least nobody's going to ask awkward questions.

(As he clambers out and gently lowers himself onto the ground, Simon ponders how refreshingly warm the morning sun feels, allows himself to appreciate the golden glow in which it bathes his surroundings. Who knows? Aside from the... unusual start, maybe this wouldn't be such a bad day after-)

???: Hey, you!

edited 18th May '17 7:39:46 PM by Uilleam

Akala Island — Lush Jungle

-A Primeape in a Team Skull cap and bandanna is smacking his head against a tree.-

Skull!Primeape: <I. Hate. Waiting.>

-Notably, a number of other trees around him seem to have been broken down from approximately the same level as his forehead.-

Skull!Primeape: <When's those two gonna get here anyway? I'm tired of hiding from them, I want to deck 'em in the face already!>

-In frustration, he gives the tree a hard headbutt, causing it to snap and fall at the base.-

???: <...Fitz.>

-A monochrome Porygon2 hovers into view, giving the Primeape an unamused look.-

Porygon2: <I cannot possibly calculate a scenario where that is in any way beneficial to you. First aid is not in my coding, so giving yourself a concussion before we begin our encounter with our targets is, statistically speaking, the stupidest thing you could possibly do.>

-The Primeape mirrors the Porygon2's annoyed expression-

Fitz: <"Oh, look at me, I'm Big Data, I know facts, I'm a special Porygon." You know who sounds like that? You do. That's what you sound like. It's not my fault the boss decided to send us to find these chumps!>

Big Data: <You volunteered.>

Fitz: <I thought it was going to be quick! Just break their noses or something and be on our way!>

Big Data: <Paula made it explicitly clear that we were supposed to gather information about Rose and any of her companions. Stealthily.>

Fitz: <I... you... whatever! We're here now!>

Big Data: <Tragically. I would much prefer Joywave as my partner for this, personally.>

Fitz: <And I, the head of the team, would prefer we just stomp on over and show 'em who's boss! That's what Team Skull's all about, isn't it?>

-Big Data gives a digital sigh of exasperation.-

Big Data: <Look. Just listen to me for one moment. I was programmed to do many things, but nowhere in my coding is the ability to give a damn about whatever impulsive decisions you want to make. I plan on continuing to do my job, and in this case, that job is to investigate. Rose is not here, but her partner, Scarlette, is. Her team consists of a Rockruff, a Brionne, a Salandit, and a Charjabug — all of which are thus far rather inexperienced compared to us. However, they do outnumber us, so if we do battle them, we will not necessarily have the advantage— >

???: So you're the ones messing with the forest!

Big Data: <...>

Fitz: <...>

-The two slowly turn around to face a certain girl who is pointing at them with the arm she is not missing.-

Scarlette: I just have to beat you, then, and I'll win the trial!

Big Data: <...Fitz, this is your fault.>

Fitz: <Good! I wanted to fight anyway! Bring it on, pipsqueak!>

edited 18th May '17 9:19:53 PM by BittersweetNSour

Lush Jungle, past

-Several more battles later, walking back towards the entrance-

That was... not fun. More annoying, really.

-Holding out the Forage Bag-

But at least we have all the ingredients.

Lush Jungle

Takumi is hit by the Fury Cutter, and loses some health.

Phaz: Alright! You Pecked it, now Pluck it!

Takumi used Pluck!

Konikoni City

Someone might meet Alyesha or Sergey

Po Town, past

Ahe: Alright, then. Lemme just gather my team, then we'll leave.

-Ahe sends out Bagon-

Ahe: Bagon, use Dragonbreath straight into the sky.

-Bagon does so. After a few minutes, the rest of Ahe's team has rushed to Ahe's position. After a brief explanation of the situation, Ahe recalls his team, sends out Arashi, and flies off to Malie City-

Malie City

-Ahe lands in front of Malie Garden and recalls Arashi. Ahe pulls out a cell phone-

Ahe: Welp, time to call La and Ilya.

-Ahe's fingers hover over the cell phone for a second before Ahe facepalms-

Ahe: I forgot to get La's number. Great.

-Ahe puts his phone away-

Ahe: Welp, I guess I'll go do my trial while I wait.

-Ahe walks off in the direction of Mount Hokulani-

-Either Sergey or Aleysha may encounter Shaun and Co. - Shaun with Jessica on his head, Ace with Lightning on his shoulder, and Ruby and Tsunami at either side.-