ITT: We are all Pokémon Trainers

-Bishop blinks, seemingly unnerved by Kaito's calmness.-

Bishop: <That... is a remarkably absolute response. I can't say I'm entirely sure you're keeping a level head about this, even though an emotional response would be warranted. And who's Alonya?>

Maul: ~This sort of thing is what drove me to become an interpersonal counsellor.~

Bishop: <You are about as far away from being a guidance counsellor as it is possible to get.>

Maul: ~As far as you know.~

Neon-basa City

Colt looked at the invitation Neon was looking at, mostly just as a bit of a refresher.

And then he realized that the date described was close, and he still had no clue where the party was being hosted. "I gotta find Kaito," he realized.

"Uh, hey," he offered to Gabe.

Nimbasa

Gabe: Uh huh. You guys seem like you're looking for something.

Neon: Oh, yes! We're looking for a squad. It's a long story.

Gabe: A squad, eh? I think I know just the one.

Malie Pokemon Center

-Dune is sitting at a table with an ice pack to his head. He gives Diane a quick wave.-

Altar of the Sunne and Moone

-Ludmilla looks around. It's oddly quiet, with the exception of a strange popping sound in the distance.-

-Shortly after which, Ludmilla felt the distinct emotion of panic.-

-She sighs and heads towards the strange sounds.-

Nimbasa City

Kaito: I'm level. I'm calm. A month ago, I would have freaked out about this, set my own health and sanity aside to try to bring him back, only for him to keep spiraling downward to another point of no return without listening to a word I say. But I've realized I can't keep wasting both of our time.

-They sigh-

Kaito: A month ago, not exactly sure how long, I met Alonya, a drinking buddy of his. She told me she was part of Team Iron, and I asked her to promise she wouldn't tell Lucius, because he couldn't handle being betrayed by his friends again. I wasn't expecting him to join them.

-They shake their head-

Kaito: I've got a missing sister I was worried committed suicide two days ago, and a bunch of Team Iron files we need to sort through from the Best Berry raid. They're higher priorities. Scarlette still needs rescuing, so if he decides to come back with her, we'll welcome him back with open arms, but as long as he's determined to keep this up, he's just as much my enemy as the rest of us are his.

Malie Center

-Diane waves, and goes to sit down next to Dune-

Diane: Bad day at School?

Nimbasa, Psychic/Fairy

Megan: Oh?

Nimbasa, Briefield

Vee: <...you're a kind soul.> -she beams- <And yep, we are! Well, I and our trainer and the big guy over there are, the rest are from Alola.>

<And...magic? ... ... ...yep, seems to be where this's headed.> -she shrugs-

Thespi: -floats/twirls by, singing- ''We've entered a land of adveeenture, of wonderful magic deliiiights~>

Tripod: -similarly floats by, harmonizing-

-Pippy, Pollen, Ceal: are occupied in the background-

Vee: <So how do you get this magic? Can you show me?>

Malie Pokemon Center

Dune: Wasn't even them. Was the stupid glitchspawn, smacked me in the head with concrete. Scrapped my helmet, too, which Deziree says she'll replace with something better but I liked that old thing. Anyway, what's going on with you?

-Brie giggles at Thespi and Tripod-

Brie: Um...I kind of took an unorthodox path to get there. But I think it has something to do with an armband?

Foam: <I thought armbands turned Pokemon into people.>

Brie: There's one that does that too.

Foam: <I haven't found it, though.>

Brie: Where have you looked?

Foam: <Uh, pawn shops. Jewelry stores.>

Brie: ...

-she sighs-

Anyway, I can't help you right now. Sorry.

-Bishop bows his head at Kaito's words.-

Bishop: <I... I understand. You have a lot to deal with right now. If you need any support, please don't hesitate to ask. I am technically a wild mon now, after all. Just... be careful should you ever cross paths again. I have no wish for my trainer to come to harm, but you know how absolutist Lucius can get.>

Maul: ~He'll burn that bridge when he comes to it.~

Nimbasa, Briefield

Vee: <Aw, don't say that, you've helped us a lot! Now we know what to keep an eye out for!> -she grins-

-she thinks for a moment- <...you know, even if it won't help with learning how to understand us, having one of those mon-to-human armbands might be nice. Especially with stuff like this—> -she gestures to where she and Pippy are training the team- <We've been around long enough that it's all three of us training the team, but what's hard is that aside from Megan—> -she wiggles her paws- <—none of us have any thuuuumbs>

<We'd have cut the middleman and just written or typed to her, but neither of us have your fancy human fingers, and half of the newbies don't have limbs.>

Foam: <Truly, the lack of thumbs is the only thing holding me back from achieving my dreams.>

-Brie smiles politely at Foam, and turns back to Vee-

Brie: It's important that you communicate your needs! Maybe I could help you, if you wanted?

Malie Pokemon Center

-Diane winces-

Diane: Yikes. Happens, I suppose. Anyway...

-She takes a deep breath, and exhales.-

Diane: You... ahem, you were the one who proposed to Deziree, right? Not the other way around?

Nimbasa City

-Kaito nods-

Kaito: Oh, of course. Unless he tries to attack me first, I don't plan on hurting him. I feel it's probably safe to assume he won't, considering both personal physical capability and... well, perhaps he might feel morally obligated to, but I should hope he has enough sense to realize all the disadvantages he's at.

edited 20th Dec '17 2:21:39 PM by BittersweetNSour

Nimbasa City

"Well, they might be looking for a squad. I actually gotta find Kaito so I can have a definite ride for Renier's party tomorrow." He placed his hand beside the invitation, gesturing he wanted it back as he tapped away on his phone.

Malie City Pokemon Center

-Dune nods before it dawns on him.-

Dune: Oh ho ho. And you're wondering how not to mess it up with Skye, right?

Nimbasa

Gabe: Again, I have an idea. Follow me.

-he leads everyone off, fey-style but less omniously. Mandible quietly assists-

Aspertia Gym

-The Pidove goes down. Cheren sighs and sends out a Patrat-

Cheren: Hyper Fang.

-The Patrat nods then chomps on Chopper's arm-

Nimbasa

Not even sure if Kaito would respond to him, Colt followed, taking some notice to the Mawile beside Gabe.

What's this guy gonna do? he asked himself.

Somewhere in Sinnoh

- DS and Linnéa are taking a break from their off-screen adventures, as DS wanted to return home for her birthday and the holidays -

- Linnéa is looking through some photos she's taken, which is mostly just cute pictures of cute Pokémon, although there are some strange ones mixed in there, including... -

- Several strange landscapes -

- A picture of several previously fought evil team leaders, who seem to have inexplicably formed a band and are playing a concert -

- A picture that appears to have been taken in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon universe, with an Espeon that may be DS asking another Pokémon for directions -

- A picture of an Alolan Vulpix being held by a girl who strongly resembles Sierra, except with white hair and blue eyes instead of light blonde hair and red eyes. A Sierra from a different universe, perhaps? -

- A picture of DS and AU!DS posing for the picture together -

Linnéa: Hmm... We've been to a lot of places, but we still haven't been able to get Buzzy home...

- Linnéa looks up at a Buzzwole standing next to her -

The Buzzwole: (flexes)

DS: Yeah... While we're here, maybe I should stop by and ask Palkia if she can help us...

Linnéa: Heh, that'd be nice. Being able to communicate with Pokémon is really convenient!

DS: (nods) Sure is. And I guess it's convenient that you gained this ability off-screen, since I still have no idea how to handle your Pokéform given the whole situation with you and Ray and all.

Linnéa: Um... I don't know what you're talking about.

DS: (pats Linnéa on the shoulder) Don't worry about it.

Linnéa: So, you really think we'll be able to return Buzzy to their homeworld?

"Buzzy": (flexes)

DS: Well, it's not like we've got anything better to do, since we're not taking part in the story and our character arcs will likely never be properly resolved.

Linnéa: ... I still don't know what you're talking about.

DS: (chuckles) Ah, don't worry about it.

Linnéa: So, today's your birthday, right?

DS: (nods) Yep. I'm 26 years old.

Linnéa: Happy birthday!

DS: (smiles) Thanks.

"Buzzy": (flexes)

Linnéa: (looks up at the Buzzwole) Oh, Buzzy's wishing you a happy birthday too! ... I think?

"Buzzy: (flexes)

DS: ... Yeah, not too easy to interpret what they're trying to communicate, if anything.

- The screen suddenly freezes, as Goggles walks on-screen -

Goggles: <What crazy adventures will these trainers get into next? Will Buzzy ever return to their own world? Who am I talking to and why am I asking these questions?>

- Goggles looks around, then shrugs and walks off-screen -

Malie Center

-Diane nods, blushing-

Diane: How'd you do it? Because like, Psyche gave me some ideas and stuff and I think it'll all turn out fine but aaaaaaa I'm so unprepared help

Nimbasa City

Bishop: <I should very well hope so.>

Maul: ~He does have a way of ignoring reality when it's convenient.~

-Bishop can't resist chortling at that before looking back to Kaito.-

Bishop: <Anyway... I apologise that I could not have come bearing better news, but you have more pressing mattters to deal with right now. We shall leave you be.>

-He buzzes off, Maul disappearing with a blip.-

Dominion Forest Outskirts

Hm... Matches what I assumed, very well.

-Pent backs off and ponders what mons he's willing to trust going it alone in there-

Booster: <I'm fine, yeah? I'm way up for adventure today.>

Alright, so while we send in some mons to take down the Entei, how about the rest of us humans take down the Kyogre? Or maybe just camp and resupply...

Amber then gets a very visible over her head.

Amber: Hey! Why don't you come sit with us? We have enough room in our box!

Remy balks at the suggestion.

Remy: AMber! You can't just ask some nobody we just met to sit with us like he's our best friend!

Amber huffs.

Amber: What's wrong with that! Besides, no-one else is coming with us and it's a 8 person box! You really need to get more friends outside of your family and me, Remy

Remy opens his mouth to retort, but realises he doesn't have a leg to stand on and grumbles with a huff, folding his arms and looking away.

Amber: So Whaddya say?

Nimbasa, Faepiper

Megan: -follows!-

-...and sends a text to her team saying she's following the pink guy from yesterday, something to do with the J-Team-

Nimbasa, Briefield

Vee: <Oh! That's very kind of you! Uh, between the three of us, we communicate the general stuff just fine; what I meant to say was there's a bit of a dexterity issue helping out. If I want to grab anything, I have to do it...in my mouth, and P's got it better, but kinda lacks fine motor control the way humans have it. Pokémon training's a tool user's world...>

<Also, communicating specific stuff, like "the J-Team can help you understand the actual literal words we're saying" would be kinda nice.>

edited 20th Dec '17 3:28:19 PM by Asterisk395

edited 20th Dec '17 3:04:25 PM by Umbramatic

Malie City Pokemon Center

Dune: I found a place that reminded Dezi and I of home. Which, naturally, was a volcano. A volcano with an easy trolley up to it that didn't require us to beat 100 trainers, but still. If you're wondering about location, find someplace that both of you have a passion for. Like, say, a massive tower or a bridge. If that's not being stereotypical.

-He then smirks.-

Dune: And keep it short and simple. You'll have plenty of time to give the long version at the altar.

Omiuos Forest

-Duolis shifts to Aegislash-

-Celica and a Pa'u Oricorio step up-

Nimbasa

-Gabe and Mandible eventually lead the group to Jared, Jean, and Jackie-

Jared: Hello there!

Jackie: Gabe, who are these guys?

Gabe: They're fellow J-Team newbies! And this one, Neon, was looking for a squad of 'em to be a part of!

Neon: -bows- Indeed I was.

Jean: A squad eh?

Mandible: -to Neon, Megan, and Colton- <I-I've learned to be less scared of this group, except Jean and Jackie sometimes...>