ITT: We are all Pokémon Trainers

Joulant Town

Skye: <Hey, Caliburn. How have you been?>

DST - Yesterday

-To the Aged!Druddigon-

<Shaun: "Anyways... Thanks for showing us this place... Er... Even if we probably were a bit more rambunctious than we should have been.">

<Aged!Druddigon: "It's alright. The average human and the average dragon are not far removed, after all... They both tend to have a sense of ownership of their surroundings... And are often mesmerized by shiny baubles...">

<Nadia: "Erm..."> >_<;

<Teala: "Ahehe..."> ^_^;

<Aged!Druddigon: "... You were planning on staying the night here?">

<Teala: "Uh... Not quite...">

<Aged!Druddigon: "Oh...? Then I suppose you all are leaving?">

<Teala: "Well... No...">

-Looking at Mira-

<Teala: "There was one more thing that we wanted to do before that...">

Joulant

Gogie: <...Besides just talking, I'm not sure. The only one who got over a fear I know of was Venomous and that was by dating Raser and her fear wasn't nearly as deep-seated as mine.>

<...Not that I'm suggesting that as an option, my romantic life is messed up enough as it is.>

Joulant

Caliburn:<I've been okay. Been flying around for a while, since I won't really get the chance once we leave here. How about you?>

Joulant Town

Skye: <I was doing the same earlier, but now I'm starting to wind down for the night. Hopefully the storms won't be too frequent. I don't want to be permanently grounded while we're here.>

Caliburn:-nods- <Yeah, I hope so too.>

-looks around-

Caliburn:<Hey, where's Diane? I though she would have come here with you?>

PI

Coulombia City, Skyscraper, Roof

Pi stares out over the storm filled skyline.

"What have I become, again? A monster once more? Must I slowly sink back into that darkness?"

He raises his hands to look at them. His forearms are flecked with blood.

"These hands are stained, yes. But must I add to the stain? Must I dye them pitch black with thick blood?"

"Is this my fate? To succumb to my demons, my fears, my rages, my insanities?"

"Must I truly sink into Madness?"

"Is this my kingdom to come?"

He sighs.

"I hope not. I hope with all my might not."

He steps away from the edge, trudging back from the brink.

Joulant Town

Skye: <She did, but she went back to Unova for a bit because she forgot to do... something...>

Dragonspiral Tower

-Diane is at the top-

Diane: Hmm... Let's see, how far is it...

-She drops a pebble, which lands with a barely audible plink a few seconds later-

Diane: ...All right, let's do this.

Brecht: <You know this is generally considered insane, right?>

Diane: Yup. That's not stopping me~

-And she dives off the edge with a flip, holding her armband in her hand-

Joulant Town

Skye: <I swear, she's going to get herself killed someday...>

edited 30th Jun '13 7:49:10 PM by Eskay64

Joulant Town

Caliburn:<...Well, I think she expects that somemon like you would intervene if things got bad.

Joulant Town

Skye: <Right... unfortunately, she won't listen to me when I tell her to not do those things.>

Joulant

-everyone has split up, and is wandering-

-Every is making some switches to his team-

Fourier: <Boring!>

Skoll: <I really must protest your incarceration of us.>

Don't be dramatic. I'm just boxing you for a little while so you won't get hurt by the storms.

Skoll: <I find it difficult to refrain from dramatic behavior when I am being placed into a new situation.>

-sigh- Don't worry. You can hang out with Fourier.

Fourier: <...Agreeable.>

Skoll: <I suppose, if it absolutely necessary.>

Yep.

-resumes wandering-

Ocean

Ares: <Are you absolutely certain this is a good idea?>

Amanita: Yep.

Ares: <I'm just saying, we've been flying for days now, and I still don't see land.>

Amanita: Are you tired?

Ares: <Well, no...>

Amanita: Right then. Keep going!

Ares: <Can you at least recall Globule?>

Amanita: -eyes the Grimer chewing on her hand- I think she'll just let herself out again.

Ocean, a long time ago

-the Dunsparce serpent is still swimming towards Ransei-

Harrison: <I believe we're almost there.>

Man: -looking through the wrong end of the telescope- Still a long ways to go...

Harrison: -sigh-

edited 30th Jun '13 8:13:50 PM by memyselfandI2

Subwhere, this universe, currently

-Still trying to get a phone signal-

Sinnoh, house near Route 212, AU, currently

So from the pain wracking my body, it was obvious I was still alive. I tried to sit up, bad idea.

???: Huh, you're awake...

I tried to wrap my brain around what just happened. That friggin Aipon sliced me...

???: You're lucky I'm a doctor you know, managed to get those wounds stitched up quickly.

And then this personmon found me out there and decided to fix me up... Strange...

???: Now, I take pride in my needlework, but you should probably tell me if there's anything wrong in there.

A personmon speaking... Human tongue..? I finally decided to open my eyes. The man sitting across from me was definitely human, and pretty old too.

???: It was a surprise even seeing a human out there in the first place, what with all the bad clouds floating around.

Drake: Uh... Bad clouds?

???: There's been these clouds rising out of some of the cities, if I'm right it's probably some kind of radiation.

Drake: Oh... Those... Uh, who are you?

???: The name's Johnathan Smyth. Yours?

Drake: Uh... Paarthurnax...

I decided to check where my stuff was. My mask was nearby, but practically broken in half. And it was expensive to have made too...

John: Hm, interesting name, wasn't what I had thought but if that's your name that's fine.

Drake: Right... So how are you still..?

John: If I had to guess, I think it's my faith. Got a small shrine to the mistress of time out in the yard.

Drake: Hmph, doubt it, I'm rather devout to Celebi and it didn't protect me, had to resort to ancient magics to retain my humanity...

I quickly showed the armband on my wrist.

John: Maybe she's testing you? Thinks you've done something wrong and needed to take a different path?

Drake: Perhaps...

I tried to put my mask back on, it still fit, only covered half of my face though...

John: Need directions out of here?

Drake: That would be good, yes...

John stood up and walked out of the house, I hobbled after him.

John: Let's see, to the north there's a dragon camp, to the east too. Though I suppose you knew that, given you were likely taking that path already. 'Course I doubt the dragons can hold power forever, and when they lose it... The results won't be pretty, especially for their leaders... Or, you could walk west, off the Route. It's a long, lonesome road and I can't be certain where it leads... But it's better than a place that's falling apart...

Drake: Guess I have a choice to make...

John: And you're the only one that can make it. But if I had to make a suggestion, I'd suggest going west, take a chance and see if things can be better than they are here...

Drake: "Two roads diverged in a yellowed wood..."

John: Well, I'm headed back inside. Feel free to take your time, don't want to make the wrong choice...

John walked back inside and I stood staring at the route for a while, mostly at the abandoned wreckage of the convoy.

Drake: Hey, you got any supplies I could have?

When I turned around, the entire building was gone, only the trail west left behind.

Drake: Ah, makes sense... I suppose that was more of a passive-aggressive warning than anything else... Might as well take her advice...

I went and scavenged what I could from the wreckage before heading down the thin trail leading west and out of the route.

edited 30th Jun '13 8:31:53 PM by Pentigan

ETA

Ancient Ransei, Road

After having delivered the bandits to justice, Eta is out on the road by herself, hunting down a wannabe assassin.

After days of tracking, shes finally found him.

Assassin Wannabe: "What, how did you find me? And avoid all of my traps?"

"OIY OIY OIY OIY OIY OIY OIY OIY! Listen up! With a lantern on her back and a song in her heart, she sweeps away all evil in her path. When people speak of the mighty Messenger Corps, they speak of me, their legendary leader Eta! Just WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK I AM?"

Wannabe: "Shit."

She quickly beats him in short order.

"Damn straight. Alright, off to haul you before the judges."

She sets off, dragging the unconscious wannabe assassin behind her.

edited 30th Jun '13 8:32:20 PM by BluBeriPi

AU!Oreburgh

-We have now made it to the second line-

Are the traps prepared?

Nudi: -Nods-

Then let 'em rip.

-Some dragons get close, only to get blown up by some makeshift wooden mines, as some turrets we managed to get from the HQ fire at dragons coming in from the air, said turrets being armed with AP rounds-

A Besieged Oreburgh

<Guy: "Arceus... Why on earth did we volunteer for this job? We're not doctors here!">

<Kammy: "Because these guys know stuff that could be useful, and if we're gonna play dirty with those next sets of traps, we should at least cut the guys with the crap medicine some slack.">

<"... Why couldn't we have stuck with blunt projectiles? They were working so well."> ._.

<Guy: "Yeah. I sometimes don't know what goes through Tagg's brain. And I'm not sure if I want to know where it comes from."> ._.

<Kit: "I dunno, in the grand scheme of things, it's not worse than what we can already do on our own...">

<Kammy: "And we do have this stuff for a reason... This is exactly when we're supposed to use it.">

-To himself, in a not terribly reassured tone-

<"We're just trying to survive here... We're just trying to survive here... We need to take what we can and do what we have to to see tomorrow-">

<???: "Ungh...">

<Kit: "Hey! There's one over there!">

-And the party approaches a downed Garchomp. Which flashes a glare with the look of an entity that expects an imminent death-

<Wounded!Garchomp: "Oh... So you've come to finish me off after your snare. How fitting... For a worthless species that can't face its foes in direct combat-!" *cough cough*>

-The creature coughs up some vivid red blood... Which prompts a closer examination revealing wooden shrapnel jabbing out deep and ugly wounds oozing blood on the other side, which will be left up to the viewer's imagination to prevent what is about to follow befalling them-

-Appearing rather green, taking in sights that the little creature couldn't help but compare with some from around 2 years prior-

<"... Excuse me... I... I need a moment.">

-And the sound of an Archen scampering off can be heard-

<Guy: "Tracer...?"> ._.

<Kit: "... Thank goodness Speeqe and Claus aren't here to see this."> ._.

<Kammy: "Look, just hurry up and toss that thing before he bleeds out!">

-And the bleeding form is swallowed up in red light as the sound of a dull explosion goes off in the background-

<Guy: "At this rate, we're gonna destroy this place for the dragons! Tagg does have a way out of this, right?">

Elsewhere in the Siege

-A certain Druddigon with a geologic name is hunkered down behind a ruined wall-

<Karst: "So... This is what it was we were up against back then...">

-It's pretty damn terrifying to see what creatures come up with when they're backed into a corner...

Of course... When that corner follows you... That's not much of a better—

<Speeqe: "CAW! Karst! Look out!">

<Karst: "Hu-?">

-And the Druddigon's position is obliterated with a Dragon Pulse, sending the creature sprawling-

<??? #1: "Well well... What do we have here?">

<??? #2: "... Why is there an Opal Roar on their side?">

<??? #1: "Hmm hmm, pets really get around, it seems...">

<Karst: "H-Huh? Who's-?!">

-And is pinned against the ground by a claw, looking up to see a leering Salamence-

<7JD!Salamence: "You have some gall to fight alongside a bunch of weaklings that have to resort to snares to harm us!">

<Karst: "Grr... Stuff it! I owe 'em my life, I'll fight with 'em until-!">

<??? #2: "You're wrong!">

-And the voice is revealed to be that of an older Druddigon-

<7JD!Druddigon: "You owe your life to your clan! The blood that your monah was tied bound to when she brought you into this world!">

-Freezing up at the comment-

<Karst: "... I...">

<7JD!Druddigon: "You draw claws against your own clan? And for what, to help cowards snuff others in it out? If a life-debt forces you to do that, what value is it?!">

<Karst: "...">

<7JD!Salamence: "Hmm hmm... I didn't think there'd be much of a value in it either... But there is one contribution left that you can make to your clan, pet-">

<Speeqe: "Caw! Eat rocks, jerk!">

-And the Salamence is cut off by a lobbed hunk of concrete-

<7JD!Salamence: "ARGH!">

-Which gives the pinned Druddigon an opening with which to Dragon Claw his foe, throwing it off of him as its body goes limp-

<7JD!Druddigon: "Why you-!">

<Claus: "Have a nice trip!">

-And trips the lunging creature, allowing for the Archen to use Acrobatics on its form while regaining its bearings, dropping it to the ground, posing triumphantly on a groaning opponent's head-

<Speeqe: "Caw! You jerks are no match for a well-organized team on the side of good! Right, Karst?">

-Quiet, still shaken from what transpired-

<Karst: "...">

<Claus: "... Karst?">

-Quietly wiping some blood off of his claws before turning to the two young mons-

<Karst: "... Let's just get out of here before we get sniped or something...">

-And the three hastily fall back from their position, towards an ever-increasingly encircled center-

edited 30th Jun '13 9:55:49 PM by TracerBullet

AU!Oreburgh

-As the second batch of catapults start working-

If you must fight, fight dirty. Fair? That's empty words coming from mons touting a Master Race philosophy who attack from airships. Cobalt, give me a sitrep!

Cobalt: <They've got us outnumbered three to one Tagg, though this funnel we've created prevents the airships from firing on us directly without hitting their own mons.>

-As Muddy Ice Punches a Druddigon into submission in the background and Nudi freezes a Dragonite-

It won't last forever, but it's all we've got.

edited 30th Jun '13 10:19:21 PM by rmctagg09

Special thanks to Tangent for helping out with this.

Some Docks in an Industrial District - Celadon - AU - Following This

-The form of a Haxorus trudges forth... And finds an empty dock-

<Vektor: "Wh-What?! B-But someone was just-!">

<???: "... Look in the water.">

<Vektor: "Hu-?">

-And the Haxorus peers over, seeing the form of a waiting Kingdra-

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "You did remember that there's dragons from places other than the land and sky, right?">

<Vektor: "Uh... I've never really been able to-">

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "Take a seat.">

<Vektor: "O... Okay...">

-And sits down along the edge of the dock-

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "... Do you have a name that you go by?">

<Vektor: "Uh... V-Vektor...">

-The Kingdra tilts its head-

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "Hrm...? What does that mean?">

<Vektor: "Er... I'm not sure, really. It's not the name that I got here...">

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "Ah... So a nickname, then?">

<Vektor: "I... Guess?">

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "So... What brings you here, Vektor?">

<Vektor: "... Er... Uh... I... Well...">

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "... It's alright if you aren't ready to be so frank... It's tough for a dragon to concede when she's feeling vulnerable... But... Perhaps you could tell me a bit about how you see what's going on with you right now?

More specifically... What are some words and phrases that come to your mind for how you've been feeling this week?">

<Vektor: "Miserable."> :(

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "... Is there anything more specific.">

<Vektor: "Wretched. Cowardly. Cursed by the go-">

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "Whoa, there!">

-Practically jumping back from the Kingdra's abrupt interjection-

<Vektor: "H-Huh?!">

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "You came to me to try and help you, right?

... Can you try and put it in barest terms? I mean, beating yourself up won't exactly help you!

WHAT is it that makes you feel so negatively about yourself?">

-With a deeply reluctant expression, akin to that of a creature stranded in a field full of traps-

<Vektor: "Uh... Well...">

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "... Start with what you're most comfortable telling me... And then work your way up. If you're not ready to tackle everything today, you can always come back later.">

-With downcast eyes, not meeting the gaze of his questioner-

<Vektor: "I... I failed my closest friends when they needed me most.">

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "Hrm? Got pinned down behind a wall? Or-?">

<Vektor: "No! My friends...

They were different...">

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "... Ah... So you were trained...">

<Vektor: "Yeah... I haven't heard anything from them at all since all of this happened."> :(

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "You're not alone... Mine probably wasn't expecting this swim around the bay to last this long...

But... As heartless as I know this may sound to you... I'd encourage you to stop making such a big deal out of the matter.">

-Startled, not expecting to hear such a response-

<Vektor: "Wh-What?! B-But!">

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "Look, it sucks to be separated from your human. Absolutely. But what exactly are you planning to do about that? There's a whole military structure out there intent on isolating mons.

Maybe things will loosen up later, and you'll get a shot to make ties again. But don't try to be Valiant here! You'll just be horribly disappointed.

If you want to keep hope for later, STAY ALIVE TODAY.">

<Vektor: "B-But... H-How? It's so crushing... What if this never gets any better?"> :(

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "If it never gets any better, then guess what?

You'll have lived a good what, 1000 to 1200 moons?

Make something of them, don't waste them pining to death.">

<Vektor: "H-Huh? But what would there even-?">

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "... Okay, look, pal, did you see this whole invasion thing coming?">

-Mulling things over-

<Vektor: "N-No...">

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "Exactly. One minute, life looks one way.

The next minute, it all changes.

That works the good way too! You asked what if it never gets better?

What if it DOES?">

-In an uncertain tone, not fully sure how to envision what it is that the Kingdra proposed-

<Vektor: "I... I mean...

That would fix a lot of things... I hope...">

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "Any number of things can happen tomorrow. Maybe good, maybe bad. Probably both.

Seize the good ones, reduce the bad ones...">

<Vektor: "Okay... But... I don't really know what I could do for that on my own...">

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "Well... some peoplemons out there can help you. You don't have to be alone.">

<Vektor: "... Huh? But- What do you mean by that?">

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "Well... really, a lot of life is playing things by ear. But can you find somebody who can get through things with you?">

<Vektor: "I... I think I might be able to... I at least know they're somewhere nearby...">

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "Keep an eye out. Is there anything else you need to get off your back?">

-Putting some thought into the matter... Before uneasily concluding that it would perhaps not be wise to press the issue-

<Vektor: "... No...">

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "Hmm. Alright then... I'm going to spend a little time rehydrating before the next mon shows up.">

-And begins to dip under the water, as a certain Haxorus has an abrupt change of heart-

<Vektor: "W-Wait!">

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "Hrm?">

<Vektor: "... There is something else... It's just that...

I really don't know if I should be asking about it...">

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "... If it's something you're worried about others finding out. You needn't worry... My snout's sealed beyond these meetings.">

<Vektor: "Huh...?">

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "I mean think about it, of all of the mons that would try to extort you with personal secrets, am I really in any position to do so here? After all, I'm fairly certain that my supervisor wouldn't think very highly of the way that I was talking earlier...">

<Vektor: "... But... I...">

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "It's a matter of trust... I can only offer you my word and future help if you need it that I will hold up my end of the bargain... And you your word and future presence...

Really, we both have as much to lose as each other here.">

-Hesitating... Before reasoning that even if the Kingdra couldn't be trusted to not view him as a monster... That her words would hold true-

<Vektor: "Erm... Okay...">

-Somewhat falteringly-

<Vektor: "... Uh... Do... Do you have any advice with how to deal with things in the past you're not proud of?">

-Sizing up the Haxorus. Uncertain, but reasonably sure of just what it is the creature is alluding to-

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "... Ah...

I mean, you can't change it, But... It does have a nasty way of hurting...

Remember that you CAN'T change it though. It's not your current fault that that's in your past, but your past self's. If you've atoned the best you can, then...">

<Vektor: "Huh?">

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "Well, it's not healthy to hide from the past by piling up excuses, BUT... Well, we all change during our lives. I mean look at yourself. Were you always the same mon that you were throughout your life?">

<Vektor: "No...">

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "If you aren't proud of what you did, then you're trying to be a better mon, right?">

<Vektor: "Uh huh...">

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "Then use the past as an example of what you want to do better than.">

<Vektor: "... That's not a really high bar..."> ._.

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "... Let's try reversing this... think of a past self that you can respect the opinions of. Maybe before whatever you want to escape, maybe after-but-wiser...

Given the choices you actually HAVE, which ones would they be proud to know they'd take?">

<Vektor: "... Okay... I guess... I could try that...">

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "Well, I hope that helped you, Vektor.

It's not the best world we find ourselves in... but let's make the best it'll let us, right?">

<Vektor: "Right!">

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "Is there anything else?">

<Vektor: "Um... Er... I mean, I... I really don't know if this will work.">

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "It takes time... If you need to come back... I'll be around... Even if I might have to move around a bit...

But still... Make those first attempts, okay? I can only give you advice and provide a body to lean against...

In the end, it's up to you as to what you do with those things that will determine what will happen.">

<Vektor: "Al... Alright.">

<"Dentist"!Kingdra: "Keep your spirits up, and... Hope you DO find a chance to escape the muddle.">

-And slips beneath the water-

<Vektor: "... Thank you.">

-And begins to trace his steps away from the dock-

edited 1st Jul '13 5:56:59 PM by TracerBullet

A long, lonesome road, AU, currently

Drake: #Ahrk fin Kel lost prodah, do ved viing ko fin krah...#

I stopped at a piece of graffiti scrawled on a tree.

Drake: Huh, cute...

I decided to leave it be, only dragons could read it proper and only I could understand it fully. I continued onwards.

edited 30th Jun '13 10:31:08 PM by Pentigan

Phoenix: Well, I suppose that, instead of talking about your problem, we could talk about other things.

-meanwhile, Lady is still hovering around Jack-

Joulant, last night

Gogie: <That sounds like a good idea...>

<...But maybe we should wait until later to do that. It's getting kind of late.>

-Phoenix nods-

Naturally. It was interesting to speak to you, Gogie.

-he wanders off-

Joulant, last night

Gogie: <Yeah... You too.>

-He gives a sigh out as Phoenix departs-

Dragonspiral Tower, 2 days ago

- Nods -

All right, I'll let them stay where they are.

Mira: (looks over at Teala) <Hmm?>

Ravnica

Sophie has finished showing Kerri-Lynn the laboratory, when BOOM! A Druddigon lands outside the lab, surrounded by a group of Sneasel. ~I sensed a new human. Welcome, mortal, to Ravnica. I am Niv-Mizzet, but of course, you have no need to introduce yourself. I already know who you are, Kerri-Lynn.~

Sevault Canyon - Past

"Well, one says I should and the other says I shouldn't... Uh... Elaborate on it?" asked Hikari, giggling a bit.