ITT: We are all Pokémon Trainers

Paul: Hm. I guess you haven't gotten a tour since you came back.

How about I show you my collection, then?

Illuminati Red: -pounding the floor- Nooooo you aren't even a Freemason?!

-he stands up, whips out an illusionary drafting compass, then... just, sorta, points it in a vaguely threatening pointy V-shape at Blue-

Enguarde!

-Red and Blue start Flynning with the compass and spatula, respectively-

Random Street Musician: -plays fight music-

Do you highlight everything looking for secret messages?

Ever: Indeed...

...Hey, Basket, if it isn't too mu—

-...-

-...-

Ever: Huh.

Sorry about that. I was going to ask if you could help at all with the symptoms of a curse someone appeared to have been directing at me, but it appears to have alleviated itself of its own accord. How peculiar.

-he smiles at nobody in particular, and then gets the text from Daydre-

-he sighs-

Ever: Well, this is wonderful. Clearly I have been dying to spend more time in Kalos.

-the last couple of days have been hectic for PEFE!Every and Stivanna-

-but they are currently on neutral ground, staring at each other across a table-

PEFE!Every: Stivanna.

Stivanna: Every Jones, miss.

PEFE!Every: Can we agree that this is dumb and immature?

Stivanna: Yes.

PEFE!Every: Good. Truce?

Stivanna: ...Huh?

-PEFE!Every tilts her head-

Stivanna: I thought you were...nevermind. Yes, truce.

-they shake, and go their separate ways-

PEFE!Every: Ugh. Cytosol, I feel awful.

Cytosol: <Because the increasing escalation of your prank war made you realize that you were in a duel of wits with a largely unarmed opponent?>

PEFE!Every: No, I just think I'm getting sick.

-she sniffs-

I should let Ever know about the move.

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

As the group reaches the island they notice it is made out of metal. On it is a Machoke in a red and white striped shirt and blue jeans currently trying to revive a a man in 40's in a soaked tweed suit while a Hypno wearing glasses sheepishly watches. The Hypno looks to the party.

<You...you guys made it to?>

GIVE ME YOUR FACE

Basket: <That's... good?>

<I'm more into biology though, Fuego's the one to ask about curses.>

Tangerine🍊: Wait he's not actually cursing anybody is he.

-Fuego is not cursing anybody-

-He has, however, jinxed Lady Nextable's drinking glass to keep nudging itself away from where she last set it down-

Rufus: <What's the difference between a jinx and a curse, then?>

Fuego: <Jinxes are a lot easier to resist than curses.>

Rufus: <So why not->

Fuego: <When you break a curse, it stays broken. Jinxes are more persistent.>

Rufus: <Deliciously evil>

Do you highlight everything looking for secret messages?

-Purple manages to free himself from Blue's grasp, and backs away.-

Bureaucrat Purple: I knew one day a crisis like this would come... for it is my duty as an official to be prepared for such an event!

-He unties his tie, holding it as one might hold a whip.-

Bureaucrat Purple: Your villainous plan shall not prevail!

-And he swings his "whip" in an attempt to wrap up Blue-

Illuminati? Blue: -is lasso'd- HA! You think your tie can hold m-

Wait... what material is this made of- RED TAPE?! EGADS, I AM DEFEATED!

-he falls to the ground in hammy fashion, rolling around while shouting lamentations-

Illuminati Red: -lifts his compass in triumph- Yes! Today is a victory for-

...

-he looks between himself and the Bureaucrat, unsure who exactly is the victor of this exchange-

Do you highlight everything looking for secret messages?

 Stormchaser 

-To Al, eyebrow slightly raised-

Well... okay then.

Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.

-The group comes across a door-

-Made of two giant ice cube trays-

Enzo: <I guess we did. Why?>

Contact Me!

Logan, Addie: -blink-

Logan: That's...an odd coincidence. So many of them, independently...

Addie: -slightly dumbfounded- <Is...that's enough for the entire pantheon from...>

Logan: ...

Addie: <...>

-Brynhilde gets to enjoy watching a Ranger and Partner attempt to mentally count and add the gods of various regions some of which don't quite solidly exist yet, to complicate matters-

Megan: ...ice! :D

Vee: <Niiice.>

Lapis: Bwaiaiaiah.

Pollen: -_-

Tripod: -...plays back a snippet of something, that sounds vaguely like a Primarina's song-

Tripod used Mimic!

-and they successfully Mimic the Dive, popping in and out of the water-

Tripod: ^–^–*

Thespi: <We did!>

<...who are you?> ^_^;

-possibly near her, or...not?, Megan also gets Daydre's text-

Megan: ...

-to herself, murmuring- Well, this is wonderful. Clearly I have been dying to spend more time in Kalos.

Pippy: <Clearly.>

-Darrin's face falls slightly at the mention of    bureaucracy   , but only slightly-

Darrin: Ah. Well, I can work through these channels.

-tugging smugly at the collar of his spandex(?) superhero/villain/??? suit- I can say with absolute confidence that I am the foremost toxicologist in this city—

Henri: -brightly- So it does have a "vampiric nature"! You may be in luck! We actually—

-sizzle-

Dracaena the Mysterious Exeggcute: <Heh.>

-sizzle-

-and there are two fewer Macrauls here-

Abilene: -tapping her way up with her cane, followed by her large Chesnaught and Torterra with the much-spliced tree- What my brother was going to say was that in addition to my study of botany, I have researched and am researching vampirism.

Abilene Macraul, making your acquaintance.

Service!Natu: -chirp-

(Megan: -meeeep- ._.;;)

Abilene: You seem to know an unusual deal about this condition, officer, compared to so many of your local colleagues.

-the Capture Disc skitters off somewhere, the bond established, for better or worse-

-it's looking like worse, since there's an angry Shadow half a moment from smashing the bonded Ranger, despite it-

-but the Eelektross's charge is interrupted by a heavy blast of electricity and metal-

DR. IRONSPINE used Zing Zap!

Eelektross flinched!

Shadow!Eelektross: -flailing backwards-    <raUGH—>   

Logan: -regaining some of their senses, dismayed- W-wait, no—

Dr. Ironspine: -holding a sparking Saltshaker- <FOOL! You can't complete your work if it's TAKEN YOUR HEAD CLEAN OFF!>

Logan: -in a haze of empathic    pain   , insistent- No harm. No harm. I just    n-need    t—

-through the link, reaching the Eelektross as well- (wait.)

Shadow!Eelektross:    <...?!...?!>   

Addie: <I'm stepping in.> (Logan, get ready.) <Igor, help.>

(Partner Override—break the link.)

-the empathic bond severs, Logan half-slumping to the ground, and the Eelektross loses their still-persistent push against rampaging-

Shadow!Eelektross:    <D-die—>   

-so she lashes out wildly, again and again-

Eelektross used    Shadow Break!   

-but with a deftness matching Logan's before the link, Addie skips past and around the wild Shadow-infused blows, to softly peck the Eelektross on the head, blurring its senses-

Addie used Sweet Kiss! Eelektross was confused!

Addie: (Logan—)

-and she is blasted back by a yet more wild Shadow Break, the Eelektross lunging after the sensation of the strike-

Shadow!Eelektross:    <EEEEEEL>   

No mind to think. No will to break.

Ersatz

“<That somehow explains it all,>” Colt and Sylveon chorused as they walked to the door and left. “See ya later, probably,” Colt saluted as they opened the door.

Mount Lanakila Cavern

Colt walked along, Rei out to no protest.

<Hey!> A voice chimed. An Absol appeared and slid down in front of both of them. <How long you been gone? Seven months?>

<Nine,> Rei corrected.

<And you still haven’t evolved? C’mon, I’d have expected you to not need a trainer. Here!> A Razor Claw, hidden in the Absol’s fluff, landed in front of Rei.

<Yo, thanks!> Rei acknowledged.

The Absol soon left. Colt processed the exchange.

“You know her?”

<An old wildhood friend,> Rei waved off as they left.

Lanakila Center

Colt stepped through the door, clutching his Draconium Z as proof he could contend.

A few minutes later, he exited and ascended the peak to the door, which opened to welcome him.

He stuck his head into his backpack to see it had no supplies in it. Whoops.

One shopping spree later

He had everything he’d need. He entered for real this time, his team decided, sorta. Caliburn should give this a crack, if he could.

Who first?

Ghost Chamber

Colt ascended the steps, meeting eyes with that girl who was standing in front of the abandoned store. So that’s where Olivia was.

“Were you able to find that back room?” Colt asked.

“Nope, sorry!” Acerola apologized.

“I won’t fault you. Now why don’t we let them get started?” Colt asked hypothetically as he let his Z-Ring shine.

“Oh, whoops, hang on!”

One Z-Crystal/Mega Stone Giveaway Later...

“Is that even a Pokémon? That thing shouldn’t be allowed!” Acerola observed as Colt returned Caliburn.

“Okay,” Colt agreed.

   Caliburn:   

   BLACKLISTED   

Banette made an attempt to wait for Julius to attack.

But Julius made no attempt.

Banette didn’t want to try again, instead forcing Julius to stay in through some very itchy means.

Julius powered through the itching to get him right in the type advantage.

Banette made another attempt to hit first again, which actually worked.

Although the Big-Hearted Pokémon anticipated it and attacked accordingly.

Acerola needed a bit to process what she saw before she sent out her next ‘mon.

Julius met her with advantage.

Drifblim countered with her own lightning.

He lifted a paw in an attempt to attack again, and couldn’t feel anything. Couldn’t even channel a Protect.

Drifblim capitalized.

Colt returned his Normal-type, who wasn’t very conducive to fighting ghosts, to a Fighting-type who was even less so.

The moment he landed, a glow vanished from his wrist, having coalesced to fire at Drifblim.

Drifblim reeled backwards before she got off what she thought was crippling to the Fighting-type.

Lucario powered through the heat to use one of his newer moves; one he hadn’t had much practice with.

Acerola exhaled, mulling over her options. She only had one, she realized, throwing her ace out early.

Lucario fired again.

Palossand took the attack before absorbing some sorta light from Acerola, doing some weird gestures.

Never-Ending Nightmare!

Colt returned his Steel-type, surprised Acerola and Palossand would come out swinging that hard.

Then again, he has been forcing her hand.

Helmsman smiled in primal glee as he rushed Palossand down.

Palossand was still injured, however, and responded accordingly.

About half of the damage Helmsman had did was now null and void.

So he tried to burn the Ground-type.

Palossand responded with his own status.

Glad to see special attacks still did things despite Palossand’s now visible toughness, Helmsman used that to his advantage.

Acerola threw forth her next Pokéball without skipping a beat.

<Did she not - > Helmsman sighed, deciding for a little variety.

Dhelmise responded with almost staggering force that forced Helmsman to unconsciousness, almost.

Helmsman didn’t even want to bother, so he tried to make the Grass-type halt.

Dhelmise didn’t even care.

Colt sighed and threw his fourth ‘mon out.

Sunny knew whatever was next was the last one. So did Acerola, judging by her face.

Froslass tried to do what she could.

Sunny went on the defense.

Froslass tried another move.

Sunny went for it, but paused when her trainer’s voice chimed behind her.

“This one goes out,”

<to the one I love...>

The Firium Z she was given lit up.

Inferno Overdrive Ashes to Ashes!

“Good bout!” A voiced chimed behind Acerola, but Acerola was now alone.

edited 7th May '18 4:23:05 PM by AbsentCoder

[Insert Unoriginal Stinger Here]

Bureaucrat Purple: ...

-There's a pause.-

Bureaucrat Purple: ...A victory for the people! For the Penultimate Inner Circle, and for this beautiful, albeit unfinished, future office building!

-He takes a bow, then lets his illusion drop.-

-Kai smiles-

Kai: Ah, yes, the vampirism phenomenon, or Auric Dependency. I'm doing research of the condition on my own time, in order to better rehabilitate Vo, a Dunsparce on my team who has the condition. I'd be glad to share notes with you some time, if you'd like.

-She holds out a hand, grinning.-

Kai: Either way, mademoiselle Macraul, it's a pleasure.

The human coughs up salt water and sits up.

<Easy, Prof.> The Machoke says to him.

The man looks up at the gathered party.

"Oh good, more survivors from the Lincoln. Did you see the beast?"

<Sir, I think we have bigger problems than the fish.> the Hypno pipes in.

"Right, sorry. I am Professor Pierre Arronax of the University of Lumiose. This is my assistant Conseil, the Hypno, and my colleague Ned Land, the whaler."

The Hyno and Machoke nod.

GIVE ME YOUR FACE

Brynhilde crosses their arms, smirking, knowing the answer, but willing to let Logan and Addie stew for a bit. Brynhilde: "Ah, yes, exactly the person we were looking for. Scarlette was looking for her... Dhelmise's crew, correct?"

They look to Scarlette for confirmation.

"And we were wondering if you might aid us in that endeavour!"

Rin: "Ice cube trays."

Archer sets a wing on Ruby to stop the rabbid from rolling around.

Archer: <So, how do we get through?>

All are significantly abnormal in a normal world... All are significantly normal in an abnormal world.

Jimmy looks up at Tagg and raises a brow, "You're the boss around here right? You got any idea what this little guy is saying."

Silas gets up and stretches, "There's a good place called Rêves Froids that makes their own Ice Cream, it's the only way I still get my favorite flavor."

He stretched and then looked around, "Yeah I know where it is... about a 8 minute walk from here. Worth it."

Hacks grumbled as he awoke, nothing like your body needing a drink when you're trying to sleep. He was a fighting type, his body could handle many things and was in peak physical condition, and yet he still got thirsty faster than expected, <Come on body... be the ultimate killing machine, not a dog dying for water.>

He stepped out into the hallway and stretched, having a airship was nice, though the fact that the kitchen was at the end of a hallway made of 6 extra rooms, 3 on each side, was a bit silly and took too far to walk to, at least right now when Hacks only had tired perception.

Heh, it actually seemed like the light was on in it... wait... the light was on.

Hacks jogged a bit, might just be Silas, everyone were pretty heavy sleepers and Silas had learned how to sneak out without bothering anyone. He hadn't bothered to check when he left to get a drink, though his dry throat wasn't at the forefront of his thought process right now.

Hacks entered, ~Silas?~

The sound of glasses clattering could be heard as someone dropped them, Hacks was glad that the utensils and drinkwear were solid plastics and- Hacks saw a Lucario wearing a green scarf.

<Uh...>

Hacks blinked several times, Silas just stood there somewhat nervously, <I-I can explain...>

Hacks stepped forward, ~Please, do. Explain what I'm seeing?~

<Was thirsty and had trouble sleeping so I was gonna make some hot coco like gran->

~Not. That.~

<Oh...>

~Why are you in mon form?~

<I... was sleeping in mon form...>

~How long has this been happening?~

<Well... not every night... just... every so often for the past two months or so after the time travel...>

~How come you never told anyone of this?~

<Is... is it really important to know?>

~Considering we're technically your support group for the weird stuff you put up with. I'd say yes...~

<I... I'm embarrassed by it.>

That, that hurt, embarrassed by his mon form, Hacks's eyes narrowed, knowing Silas this was probably just a communications error. ~Embarrassed?~

<Y-Yeah... embarrassed... how else can I feel when I can't sleep at night and this is the only thing that helps?>

That covered a bit more, Hacks softened a bit and walked over, the two sat down and Hacks looked at Silas, the expression clear, "Tell me more."

<After everything... those months in that other universe, the training in the Mystery Dungeon World, getting this scarf, training aura powers, getting the Lucarionite, getting captured by Jay and being stuck in this form for two months with no way to switch out... Something inside me... needs it... every so often.>

Time had taken its toll, and Silas wasn't what he used to be, Hacks sighed, ~And you didn't want to tell us?~

<I didn't know how you'd react.>

~Silas we're your team, we like you... Why do you think we would have reacted otherwise?>

<Because this isn't something we've dealt with, this isn't something we figured would happen or be possible.>

Hacks patted Silas on the shoulder, ~Hey. That's just our lives now. I'd be more concerned if you weren't affected in some way.~

<Really?>

~Yeah. It'll be fine, You're a Grant, you'll tough it out and adjust.~

<Yeah... just... how does the J-Team deal with this stuff? It must be hell on the psyche with all these events.>

~Couldn't tell you bro, can't figure it out myself.~

Ever: Oh, I was just going to ask if you had any cold medicine. Still, all's well. ^_^

I hope they don't try anything with my friends, I've got them under protection.

Oh fuck you.

Ever: ^_^

...I'm hoping Fuego isn't cursing anyone, because he and Ephemera tend to hang out and this thought fills me with no small quantity of dread.

Hmm, if we're moving on, I should probably be getting back to the Stormchaser. See you around, Tang? ^_^

Ephemera: -two Minun bouncing off each other-

-giggles-

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Makbeliv Ocean

-Pent hauls himself onto the hull and rolls to give the others some room while he recovers-

Sorry, I was below decks when the metaphorical dung hit the all too literal propellers.

Route 4

Well, either there's a puzzle around or we just push through with superior firepower. There aren't too many ways to approach a situation in our current set of rules.

It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.

Tang: Alright, nice bumping into you again. We'll probably be on the Stormchaser later ourselves.

-they wave-

-poof-

-poof-

Random Street Musician: -plays an inspiring anthem-

Zoroark Red and Blue: -take a bow-

Zoroark Red: <That was fun!>

Zoroark Blue: <Good job, there. Want to find someplace less... crowded... to talk?>

-it seems they have attracted an audience, and are now being pelted by loose change-

Do you highlight everything looking for secret messages?

-while Jimmy addresses Tagg, Al begins heading off in another direction, peering around corners and sizing up passersby-

There is no disdain in nature, there is no humiliation.

Ever: Alright, see you around!

-taking Other!Jab back from Tang, he strolls off back in the direction of the Stormchaser-

-and faceplants on a couch-

Amanita: So we're going to Kalos again?

Ever: Yep.

Amanita: We couldn't have gotten word of this before we came all the way to Alola?

Ever: Apparently not.

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

-Jessica's sitting upside down on a couch fiddling with a [Rubik's Cube].-

-She may be approached.-

"Dang that sure is totally poggers my good bitch"

 Stormchaser 

I forget not every human understands Monese sometimes...

-To Jimmy, following behind-

Says they're looking for their boss and their great-grandpa, who happens to be the mon of one of my friends.

Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.

Noelle: I'm thinking maybe we should run for it!

Lily(?): Where would we go?

Fortis: No way! We can't leave Astral behind!

Noelle: Fortis, I hate to say this but I think Astral is done for...

Lily(?): Look, it's a giant monster attacking the city! We are not going to run for it!

-Lily(?) sends out her Lucario-

Lily(?): Come on, Canis! We're making our stand here!

Canis(?): <Let's do it!>

-Lily makes a pose, then punches the air a few times-

Canis surrounded himself with his Z-Power!

Celesteela: ▓é•↨♫ ↨♦§▼√•é

Canis unleashed his fully-powered Z-move!

Celesteela: ≈☣±♠≥♦☣♦ ♠♂ é∞☼♣√

All-Out Pummeling

-Canis lets out a yell, then charges at the Celesteela with a barrage of punches and kicks-

Canis: <Try some of this!>

-he then winds back for one last punch, slamming into the metal with all the force he can muster-

Celesteela: ...

-...-

-as the dust clears, at first it seems nothing has happened... then the Celesteela slowly topples over, hitting the ground with a loud crash-

Fortis: Oh my gosh!

Noelle: That... was awesome.

Do not fear power... fear those who wield it.

Barclay's Room

Barclay: "Oh, yeah, sure, Uncle. You mean the Blaziken? Braid showed me around some."

Makbaliv, Ocean

Chum, Slliuq, And Jones introduce themselves as a sorta-pirate group.

Amos and Copper introduce themselves as a pair of hunters.

Lumiose, past

Gogie: <Well, uh, hope the research comparison helps.>

Stormchaser

As Al rounds a corner, a 5-foot woman with a cape might jump out with a flourish.

---

Meanwhile a certain Garchomp is wandering around.

"life is just a series of increasingly canon-eluding ao3 tags" ~ everydunsparce "Keep your hellfruit away from me, tempter" ~ also Every

Al: -jumps in surprise, then examines Hae-Won with an approving nod- <Ah! Another good one! Come with us, please!>

There is no disdain in nature, there is no humiliation.

-Lucius nods at Vyvyan as he leaves.-

Lucius: Oh, of course not. I would never. Boneheaded? Me? The nerve of that guy...

-He looks back down at his meal.-

Lucius: Vyvyan... where have I heard that name before...?

-Back aboard the Stormchaser, Lucius is lying awake on his bed, staring up at the ceiling.-

Lucius: Okay, Lucius, time to be real about things for a moment. You have two options right now. Either you can keep lying in bed and hating yourself for all the mistakes you've made, or you can get up and make a change instead of a mistake. Do something bold. Dynamic. Own your destiny. Be the change you want to see in the world.

-He rolls over and starts (rather clumsily, mind) typing out a text on his phone.-

edited 7th May '18 6:10:49 PM by Herbert40k

Trans rights are human rights. JK Rowling preaches hate. If you sit at a table with five bigots and say nothing, there are now six bigots.