ITT: We are all Pokémon Trainers

Poni Wilds

"Oh hey, you're back.

"Let me guess - I left, Ammy trailed me, and you guys trailed Ammy?

"Or did ya just chill here for the 6 or so minutes we were gone?"

Poni Wilds

Human!Ammy: -is suddenly pretty ashamed- Er, sorry...

-Umbra sighs-

Umbra: -to Colton- Former.

Ruins Of Abundance

-Gabe carefully picks up a shard and inspects it-

edited 15th Oct '17 4:22:06 PM by Umbramatic

Ruins of Abundance

Mason: That would mean Tapu Bulu had something to be angry about...

Poni Wilds

Colton shrugged. "Didn't really notice ya. Did ya just check on Ammy or did you talk to Gladion?"

-Shaun and Ace sit there awkwardy.-

Shaun: "You're right...there aren't any strange black puddles in here, are there?"

Ruins of Abundance

-The pottery shards are covered in the smell to such a degree that the sweet smell is almost choking. It burns the nostrils and makes the eyelids heavy. The inside of the pottery is scorched slightly.-

 Ancient Poni Path 

-To PEFE!Every-

Basically, it's a bit harder than Arundi, but I can at least get the gist of what they're saying. They can understand you BTW.

-To Exgal-

I'm sorry I didn't give your free time today like I normally do.

-Pulls out a Poké Bean-

I know you like these.

Poni Wilds

Colton fidgeted his own jacket, re-slinging his headphones over his shoulders.

"... Yeah, I feel ya. In hindsight, that question was stupid; I woulda noticed ya walking back."

He shoved his hands in his pockets, suddenly interested in everything but those he was speaking to. "... Now what?"

Ruins of Abundance

-Mason scrunches up his nose, and backs away from the shard, fanning the aroma away.-

Mason: No black puddles that I can see, but this is definitely not a Tapu Bulu smell. This... er, try to find if there's any more of these shards around here. And don't breathe in too much of whatever it is they've got on them.

-He gathers up whatever shards are within his grasp, and sticks them in a pocket of his backpack separate from the spare water bottles.-

Mason: And if you find anything else, gather that too.

Shaun: "Huh. Will do."

-He sets about looking around while Tsunami piles up some shards.-

Ancient Poni Path

PEFE!Every: Hm. Do you think they would mind me collecting some venom?

-she blinks, and turns to Exgal-

PEFE!Every: That is, would you mind?

Scuttle: <You'd think that going without speaking to a human for multiple years would teach her to address Pokemon directly when she talks about us, but no.>

Poni Wilds

Umbra: We just went after Ammy.

Ruins Of Abundance

-Gabe and Cotton look around, venturing deeper-

Ruins of Abundance

-The ruins on the inside are dusty, and continue to smell with extreme potency. Otherwise, they appear almost entirely undisturbed... except a pair of small holes in the wall, placed perfectly vertically, one above the other.-

edited 15th Oct '17 8:15:13 PM by DuneTheWanderer

-☣♪☼•é hesitates a moment, then takes the bean in one of its tentacles-

☣♪☼•é: •↨↨☣■√•▓é☣

Seafolk Village

"Cod sarn it... Iunno why Dhelmise is bein' so unhelpful, kid. He always locks us down when we get int' port. Yer gonna have t' jump for the dock, alright?"

EJ sighed as he stood at the edge of the boat- the dock was RIGHT THERE, but the bobbing...

"Yeah, this should be fine. Thanks for the trip." Taking a flying leap, he... wound up nowhere close to the dock. Luckily, Nekropolis' hand shooting out, grabbing the deckpost, and yanking him towards it got him the rest of the way. He landed on his feet, crouching before standing up and waving off the fishing boat captain with a friendly grin.

-Shaun peers at the holes.-

Shaun: "Well that's not suspicous. Almost reminds me of a fang bite."

edited 15th Oct '17 8:16:12 PM by SwiftSeraph

Ancient Poni Path

PEFE!Every: Well, uh...that sounds like a yes. I really hope.

-she takes a nitrile glove from her pocket, inflates it slightly and ties it off, and then places it gently against the tip of Exgal's tentacle to collect some venom in it-

PEFE!Every: Thank you for your contributions to science and also to my personal toxins collection I should really go now before my boss notices I'm missing see you!

Ruins Of Life

Cotton: <DON'T THINK I COULD SQUEEZE THROUGH THEM EVEN WITH MY STEALTH SKILLS>

Gabe: They look like...

-gulps-

Gas vents...

Seafolk Village

-A Crobat comes flying over to EJ-

Crobat: <That was an insane stunt! How'd you pull it o->

-Takes a closer look at EJ and gets guarded-

<Something's off about you, buddy...>

edited 15th Oct '17 8:35:34 PM by Umbramatic

Seafolk Village

EJ smiled pleasantly at the Crobat, but the smile was replaced with an impassive look as it recoiled from his presence.

<He gets that a lot,> Nekropolis intoned, his eye glowing in his host's shadow.

Ruins of Abundance

-Mason goes to check the holes. A grimace falls on his face.-

Mason: Could be that... backup for the other things, maybe.

-He tries to investigate the holes for any way to identify their purpose-

Thanks to Pippi for spagging this with me.

 Ancient Poni Path, yesterday 

-Is currently waiting towards the eastern portion of the ruins-

Salvador said he'd be here, I wonder what's keeping him...

-As if to answer Tagg's questions, the echo of hoofbeat starts drawing closer and closer to his location as a familiar figure riding a Tauros is spotted in the distance-

...Well, there is he is.

-Meanwhile a familiar voice blips from behind Tagg.-

Shaka: <You know what they say, better late than never.>

Nice to see you again Shaka.

Shaka: <Feelin's mutual.>

-During the small talk, the now very close Tauros comes skidding to a halt and ends up stopping just short of crashing right into one of the ancient walls-

Salvador: -panting- Whew... That was close...

-He pats his companion-

Salvador: Good job Nandi.

-The Tauros bellows as Salvador dismounts from his Pokemon, dusting off his clothes and adjusting his hat before walking over to Tagg.-

Salvador: Apologies for being late Monsieur Tagg. I was delayed by an issue back at the homestead...

Shaka: <Yveltal ended up getting themselves stuck in the fake cobweb decorations and needed to be helped out>

Salvador: -Raising his hand to his face and slightly blushing- Must you be so curt, Shaka?

-Shaka just chuckles lightly and walks over to ruffle Salvador's hat.-

Shaka: <It's actually kinda cute how flustered you get over this stuff, kid>

-Shaka leans back to whisper to Tagg-

Shaka: <I'll just say, make sure you keep him in good form. I highly doubt you want to end up on Yveltal's shit list. Just a head's up, a lil' warning if you will. Yveltal's prone to... extreme reactions from time to time, let's put it that.>

-Looking from side to side-

I've met Yveltal enough times to get that impression.

-Salvador clears his throat audibly to get Shaka and Tagg's attention again.-

Salvador: Anyway. I presume this meeting is about resuming your Aura training, oui?

-Nods-

-It has been a good two years since I opened the First Gate, and we were supposed to start on the Second if I remember correctly.-

Salvador: Ah, yes, yes. Apologies for the long time waiting... hope you're not too rusty with the base techniques. Although knowing you - you'll pick it up again soon enough.

-Salvador looks around, brushing his fingers over the old walls.-

Salvador: What a strange place this is... There is some... je ne sais quoi about this place...

-He looks back over to Tagg-

Salvador: I'm guessing that's why you chose it, no?

You'd be right, but you don't need to worry, I've been training enough since the last time that we won't need to go through the basics again.

Salvador: Très bien.

-Salvador picks a spot, a small corner of the intersecting walls, and sits himself down. Closing his eyes and immersing himself in the landscape.-

Salvador: Mmmm... Pray tell, Tagg, have you ever wondered why we have specifically four gates?

It is kinda odd, you'd think all seven chakras would equal one Gate each, but instead you need two just to activate the First, and the Fourth is just one extra chakra instead of two.

Salvador softly raises one of his hands as he chuckles softly.

Salvador: You see... these meditative Gates. They were not designed with power or self-empowerment in mind. No. They were a deeply religious, deeply spiritual thing that developed over time - and the meditations followed suit. There are Four Gates because there are said to be Four Noble Truths in this world. The Noble Truth of Suffering, the Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering, The Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering and finally - The Noble Truth of the Freedom from Suffering.

Each "Gate" - so to speak - corresponded with one's spiritual and physical enlightenment as they crept further and further toward Nirvana. To reach the Fourth Gate, was to finally liberate yourself from samsara and to follow the Noble Eightfold Path.

-Shaka plonks himself down beside Salvador.-

Shaka: <But folks, bein' folks, they just started to recognize the sheer power that came with this "spiritual enlightenment". They started pursuing the path not for religious purposes of spiritual enlightenment, but for their own self-servin' needs...>

-Salvador opens his eyes.-

Salvador: Yes. That's why these powers end up being so destructive... How they end up whittling people down to husks of their former selves. It was not intended to be combative in the first place...

Shaka: <The gurus quickly put a bottleneck on the teachin's for these things when it became apparent that people were just usin' them to be destructive. Understandable, it was kinda counterproductive to the purpose if you ask me.>

-Salvador looks down.-

Salvador: Yes. Indeed...

-Shakes head-

A method for greater enlightenment being used as little more than a base power-up, it's a real shame. I just hope I don't end up going down the same path they did.

Salvador: Okay, to get down to the business of the moment.

-Salvador places his hands before his stomach, fingers straighten and joining at the tips with thumbs overlaid.-

The next chakra is Manipura, or the Navel Chakra. The meditation position is as I am and doing at the moment, and the meditation chant for it is रं (ram). This chakra deals with willpower and energy, and is blocked by shame. But before we start....

-Shaka blips in what smells to be some sort of hearty curry, and offers it to Tagg-

Salvador: Have something to eat~

Shaka: <Yer navel will want something hearty in it after this! Hah!>

Curry's not exactly my favorite, but I can deal.

-Starts eating-

Shaka: <Does it at least beat Ginema and Nanab berry soup?>

Well… I suppose there's worse things out there.

-After I finish my meal, I assume the pose and Salvador continues on with the meditation-

Salvador: So, to get to the meat of things...

The chakra you must opened is blocked by your shame. What are you ashamed of? What are your biggest disappointments in yourself and your life?

-Focuses and images appear before me-

 Mindscape 

-An image of me getting knocked out during the first Ghetsis fight at the Unova League, and being unable to help with what happened next-

If I hadn't been so foolish as to get myself knocked out, then maybe Jane and Wolf wouldn't have died and we wouldn't have needed Reshiram's help for them to survive.

-An image of me running after watching Tokarev murder people in front of me-

It was hardly my first rodeo dealing with evil teams, but one of the only ones that I've ever ran from rather than towards.''

-An image of the VBT appears once again-

Out of everything that's happened, giving in to my desire for revenge still weighs on me the most. Even now we're still dealing with the aftermath of my mistake. The government was quite clear that if I didn't take their offer I wouldn't be the only one who would possibly be going to trial.

-An image of Sol and Constantin sitting at a cafe table, the two smiling and laughing with each other-

I left her alone for almost a year after we defeated the Obscura Sorcerer, and had I been a better partner, Constantin would probably never have been able to get his claws in her.

Salvador: These things are a part of your life, are apart of your being as much as blood or bone are. You will never find balance if you deny these parts of yourself and these parts of your life.

Release all your shame onto the pyre. Let it burn away into ashes.

-Breathes and the memories dissipate like waves against the shore-

- Back in reality, Salvador opens his eyes and observes him-

Salvador: That has been probably your calmest opening yet.

Shaka: <Yeah. The other two times were like crashing waves. This was more of a rolling stream.>

Salvador: You're improving. I can see you really have been keeping up the training for all these years.

I'm older too, it helps with coming to terms with stuff.

Shaka: <That's true too, two years is a while to stew on things.>

Salvador tugs on his gloves.

Salvador: Normally I'd send you off after a session like that, but since you handled that opening so well and I do feel rather bad for leaving you waiting for two years, would you like to move onto the next meditation?

Sure, Why Not?

-Salvador nods, and stands up-

Salvador: Alright, but first we should stretch. It's good to stretch after such a heavy meditation sessions to relax and restore the body.

-Starts stretching-

-Salvador starts with a few twisted lunges, before ending in a warrior pose-

Salvador: I was always told these were pretty common ones for exercising after opening your Navel Chakra, but everyone has their own preferred methods.

Salvador sits back down as Shaka blips in a tea set, warm tea inside the pot.

Salvador: Tea? This blend is Passionflower with a dash of Nomel. It's a good one for the upcoming chakra~

-Shaka offers me a cup, which I drink up-

Thanks.

-Shaka nods in a gesture that indicates "You're Welcome'"-

Salvador: Now the fourth Chakra is called Anahata and is located in the heart. It is said that for Psychics like me that this is the core of our particular brand of energies.

Shaka: -Quickly glances at Salvador with a slight smirk- <Fitting>

-Salvador quickly side glances at Shaka before shifting his position to a cross-legged one and moving on with the explanation-

Salvador: For the hand position of this meditation, let the ends of your index finger and thumb meet. Place your left hand on your left knee and your right hand in front of the lower half of your breastbone. The sound for this meditation is यं (Yam)

The Heart Chakra, understandably, associated with love, compassion and charity. It also represents "following one's heart" in search of one's higher self, rather than chasing after unfulfilled desires and grief - which blocks it. Opening this Chakra corresponds with learning the Second Noble Truth, and thus, the Second Gate. Much like opening Svadhishthana corresponds to learning the First Noble Truth and the First Gate by extension.

-Shaka telepathically whispers to Tagg-

Shaka: Salvador here just went through a mini version of this meditation on his birthday the other day~

-Salvador elbows Shaka in the ribs before continuing on-

Are you ready for this, Monsieur Tagg?

-Nods-

Let's do this.

Salvador: -Nods and closes his eyes- Your Anahata chakra is blocked by the guilt and grief you feel. Lay all your grief out in front of you. Release all your sadness and loss.

-Focuses as the images appear before my mind-

 Mindscape 

-An image of Lucius appears in my mind-

I'd finally managed to get a rapport with him after we went through Ransei together, only for my actions in Orre to ruin everything. We've kinda fixed things after I brought him back to life, but it's certainly not the same as it was before.

-An image of Carol and the Cipher raid on the café that ended with me back in contact with Tokarev again-

First I scare her off, then she gets involved in a Cipher raid where she could've gotten killed because we weren't careful enough when tailing that Cipher scientist and he hit the panic button. I might've made my peace with this life, but it doesn't mean "normal" people like her have. It's not right for us to involve civilians in our struggles if it can be avoided.

-An image of Maggie and Ever-

I've been training them for the longest, but I fear I might've made them too much like me, as in my more negative traits.

-An image of DS-

It's because of me that DS has suffered so much that she doesn't want to hang out with the J-Team anymore.

-An image of Ann-

My own sister has been under my shadow for years. Salvador: You have suffered many losses, Monsieur Tagg, but love is a form of energy that constantly swirls around. Ebbing, flowing, changing. You still have that love of your friends and family in your heart, and that love blossoms into new forms.

-Focuses and other images enter my mind-

 Mindscape 

-An image of making Maggie and Ever my apprentices-

-An image of reconciling with Ann during the events of the Delta Episode-

-An image of meeting the PEFE Founders and Jane and some others for the first time-

-An image of showing up at Carol's doorstep in Mossdeep in the aftermath of Orre-

-Finally, an image of meeting Sol for the first time-

Salvador: Let your pain flow away.

-Breathes as the the images once again disappear like waves upon the shore-

-Salvador opens his eyes and pours himself a cup of tea-

Salvador: How do you feel, Monsieur Tagg?

Better, definitely.

-Salvador takes a sip of tea and hums-

Salvador: Mm... that's good~

Shaka rests his mechanical arm on his knee.

Shaka: <You prepared to try out the Second Gate now, Tagg?>

-Nods-

I'm ready.

-Salvador seems concerned-

Salvador: Just a word of warning. You shouldn't push yourself too harshly, right out of the stable. That ends, typically bad. But if you feel ready, I will not stop you

Okay. Is it the same principle as when we did the First? Using your body like an Auric Medium in order to open the Gate?

-Shaka nods-

Shaka: <You bet, and the next one will be the same too. It's only the Fourth Gate that is truly different - but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it>

Okay.

-Takes a deep breath and starts shaping and forming with my body as the Auric Medium, as what appears to be more Aura swords appear above my upper and lower back as well as a shield on the front of my body as well-

Shaka: <Interesting>

-Salvador claps his hands-

Salvador: Bon! Bon! Excellent work, Monsieur Tagg. Your age and training have paid off - considering how your body took the initial meditations.

Shaka: <Hopefully the next session won't be two years from now>

Yeah, Constantin's gotta come back up from the underworld one of these days, it's been two years after all and he's got Lex on his side.

-Salvador stays silent and looks away, but Shaka continues on-

Shaka: <Yeah, that's something he's good at doin'. Hiding for a fews then coming back after recuperatin'. Taking on you after the shit that happened last time woulda been suicide, so best to lay low for a while. Build up connects, make money, prepare for the next assault. But grudges, he never lets go of those. And you, my friend are linked and associated with 95% of his outside-force misery>

Yeah, he's probably not going to let go until either I'm dead, or one way or another, he's no longer a problem for me or the rest of the J-Team, I have no doubt he or the rest of Neo-Flare would go after the others just to spite me.

Shaka: <I wouldn't be sure of that. Want this old geezer's inside opinion? The structure of the team is made of fibreglass and balanced on a fucking egg. The high brass of the team have no real loyalty to Constantin. They're only in it for self serving reasons, curiosity, or fear.

Most of the thralls in his service are those type of bottom feeders, the type drunk enough on power to enjoy it, thirsty enough for Constantin's indulgence not to betray him. They'd scatter once the whole scheme collapses. And the few sycophants are legitimately enthralled and in agreement by his words would not be enough that your posse wouldn't be able to deal with them thoroughly.>

-Shaka stands up, and taps Salvador on the shoulder.-

Shaka: <But that's just this old coot's opinion. Take for it what you will~>

-Shaka looks up at the night sky, Salvador stands up and joins him-

Salvador: It sure is beautiful and clear out here....

Shaka: <We should stay longer in Alola some time...>

Salvador: But right now, It's time to head back home.

-Salvador walks over to Tagg and shakes his hand-

Salvador: It was a pleasure to see you again, Monsieur Tagg! And today's training session went splendidly! Ah... when you're free... Do you think you could... Help with my own, well, training?

I meant more him ordering them to attack us, but of course.

Shaka: <That depends on how stable and powerful Neo-Flare looks at the time, but I getcha. Keep your wits about you, that's all have to say.>

Salvador: Ah! Merci! Merci! I look forward too it, very much!

-Salvador releases Tagg's hand from his grip and heads back over to Nandi, mounting him again-

Salvador: Anyway, I best be off. Yveltal has been very enthusiastic about the house decor and probably want to know my opinion on where to place the skeleton props.

Shaka: <Hopefully she hasn't whittled down Xerneas to team up with her and create a holiday army of skeletons to cause havoc on Halloween in the time frame of us being here and not there>

Salvador: Anyway, Monsieur Tagg. I most bid you adieu.

Until we meet again.

-And with that, Salvador, Shaka and Nandi ~blip~ away from the island-

-As I'm left alone with only my mons-

So, that's two gates down, and two more to go. I do have to wonder what'll happen when Constantin does indeed come back though. One thing I do know for certain, I'll make sure the J-Team is ready for him when he shows up though...

edited 15th Oct '17 8:54:11 PM by rmctagg09

Seafolk Village

Crobat: <...Woah, cool!>

-It is then that Jackie comes running over-

Jackie: Hey, Chiroptera, there you a-

-sees EJ-

Oh, hello there.

Seafolk Village

EJ waved at the new girl.

"I take it this is your Crobat? I promise, I didn't try and spook it."

He considers reaching out to pet the bat Pokemon, but decides against it.

Seafolk Village

Chiroptera: <No, you're just... kind of spooky.>

Jackie: Yes, this is my Crobat. She's just a bit... Odd.

Chiroptera: <HEY>

Ruins of Abundance

-The holes look like they were drilled. The marks are fine and clean - definitely the sign of metal hand tools. The edges of the holes are chipped, a sign that they had been drilled recently, but not too recently.-