ITT: We are all Pokémon Trainers

Spagged with Tangent.

-An Alolan Marowak bursts open the door. Very quietly. This is, after all, a library.-

Fuego: <Hey Celeste! I was worried everybody was lost... where'd Ephemera go?>

Shadow: <What are you doing here?>

Celeste: <Oh, uh, hi, I was worried that my grandpa was mad at me so I came back here. I don't know where Ephemera went.>

Fuego: <Hm...>

-he pulls out the magic books-

<Maybe we can use these to find her?>

Celeste: <Oh, good idea!>

-Fuego passes books to Shadow and Celeste, and starts paging through them-

Fuego: <I don't think Fireball would help...>

Fireball: <Hey! I'm helpful and stuff!>

Celeste: <Not you, uncle... he means the spell.>

-Fireball tilts his head-

Fuego: <Sorry! D:>

Celeste: <I think I found it, though. Summoning magic lets you bring someone to you, right? Well, what happens if we reversed it, and brought us over to her?>

Shadow: <You're leaving again?>

Celeste: <Um, yeah...> -traces her paw on the ground- <I want to keep studying magic with my friends and all.>

Fuego: <Ooh, I think I heard something about cat summon circles once... I guess if we draw it backwards it should work?>

-Celeste nods-

Celeste: <Yeah, I think so.>

Stella: <You be safe, you hear? Don't get into any paradoxes or anything.>

Celeste: <Yes, mommy. I'm just gonna be studying with my friends, okay?>

Shadow: <Take your time. We're just waiting for Forte to return anyway.>

Fuego: -tilts head- <Where's Forte?>

Shadow: <Got into a transformation mess again.>

Celeste: <Oh, um... well maybe we can help once we've studied enough?>

Fuego: -nods, then starts drawing a circle, but backwards-

-Shadow blinks-

Shadow: <How are you doing that?>

Celeste: <Um, magic?>

Shadow: <Fair enough.>

Fuego: <Hi Ephemera!>

-Celeste waves a ribbon-

Ephemera: -waves to Fuego and Celeste- -Exeggcute Passimian!-

Ever: I am getting very tired of these fetch quests...

-meanwhile, Cross is talking to the Fomantis-

Cross: <—And if you're lucky, you might grow up to be half as awesome as I am.>

Fomantis: <...I think I'm older than you.>

Fomantis #2: <And you seem immature anyway.>

Cross: <Them's fighting words!>

Estoc: <What isn't fighting words to you?>

Cross: <Nothing. That's kind of the point.>

Ever: ...Amazing.

Cross: <I'm definitely cooler.>

Ever: Are you though?

Cross: <Yes, and I'll prove it!>

-she charges in-

Ever: I'm sensing the development of a pattern here...

Ever: ...I never want to see another bird.

Narrow: <Excuse me?>

Muninn: <Trumbeak are actually very interesting. Despite their woodpeckerine appearance, their final evolution is actually a toucan.>

Ever: What are either of those things?

Muninn: <...It's a good question.>

Marshall: "Why thank you. Yes, I suppose I drew some inspiration from the day-cares..."

-He watches some Bunerary ride around on a Rapidash.-

Marshall: "Shaun told me you're a breeder too?"

Kaisei: "Yeah. I'm learning at the Thorne daycare in Hoenn."

-Fuego steals a sample of the cooking-

<Yum>

Olivia: Lycanroc, go!

-she sends out the Midnight Lycanroc-

Ever: Brings you back, huh, Muninn?

Muninn: -grumble-

Cross: <Is anyone going to acknowledge how cool I am?>

Ever: You seem to be doing a superb job of it yourself...

Cross: <It's barely enough for one personmon, honestl—>

Cross: <...Ow.>

Ever: Okay then. Estoc, wrap this up.

Estoc: <I'd say it's been nice, but...>

Meanwhile

Ephemera: -Meowstic Abra Hoothoot-

-she hugs Fuego and Celeste-

Marshall: "Oh, interesting. They do a good job, but..."

-He chuckles.-

Marshall: "I'm partial to the one in Solaceon."

Shaun: "For obvious reasons."

Mobius Airship

-Alonya can't help but smile-

Alonya: Appreciate your enthusiasm. Can we get a teleporter to the base?

Oran OS: Sure thing!

-Pages a Xatu-

-To PEFE!Every, whispering-

I'm loaning my services to them too,so we can talk more there!

edited 4th Nov '17 12:18:24 PM by Umbramatic

Kaisei: "Yeah, fair... I've visited them and they look pretty nice too."

PEFE!Every: I think it's important to love what you do!

Alright, good to know.

Ever: ...This reminds me weirdly of the Lumiose Gym...

Ever: What's that? Didn't Tagg have something that looked kind of like it?

Muninn: <That's a Vikavolt. Despite its speed, it carries its pre-evolution, Charjabug, which slows it down a lot.>

Ever: That's tactically relevant. Much appreciat—

Vikavolt: -drops the Charjabug-

Ever: Ah.

Ever: Wow, Narrow, that was incredible.

Narrow: <I'm only doing my job.>

Ever: Don't be so modest. That was great flying. When did you pick that up?

Narrow: (somewhat flustered) <Well, you know, I've always been good at that sort of thing...>

Ever: Well, it was awesome. I'm glad I got to see that before I die.

Muninn: <It really would have been a shame to miss it.>

Ever's Hokulani Observatory Trial

-Someone is very glad they didn't miss that spectacular show of flight-

Fuego: -has Ephemera on his shoulders, is glad he can see in the dark with the ghost light from his bone-

-Celeste ribbonhugs Ephemera back-

Ever: Never in my life have I been this happy.

-he's currently surrounded by ghosts, cuddling all of them-

Acerola: ...I asked you to investigate?

Ever: And I found the ghosts! There's another one in the back, but they're so shy and I didn't want to disturb them.

Acerola: There isn't a back room to the Megamart...

Ever: And yet.

Ever: Come on, I know you're there. Don't you want to say hi?

Muninn: <This is ridiculous.>

-a small, floppy head peeks out from...somewhere-

Ever: Is it? Is it really? ...What Pokemon is that?

Muninn: <Are you serious?>

Ever: Are you going to answer?

Muninn: <...It's a Mimikyu.>

Ever: Oh, wow, I love it!

Muninn: <You've seen one!>

Ever: Really? Where?

Muninn: <I AM A MIMIKYU>

Ever: And here I thought you were a mighty Latios. Huh.

Muninn: -stews-

-Ever is curled up with the Totem Mimikyu-

Ever: Oh, don't be sad...you don't need to be anything like Pikachu.

Mimikyu: <...>

Ever: You're perfect, just the way you are.

Mimikyu: <Then why can't anyone look at my face?>

Ever: Aw, I'm sure you have a lovely face. Do you want me to look?

Mimikyu: <You'll die.>

Ever: Worth it.

-he removes the-

-I've got a backup camera, don't worry-

-Ever has replaced the rag, and is once again bleeding from his nose, ears, and eyes-

Mimikyu: <I told you...>

Ever: Don't be like that. Just because you cause severe internal bleeding doesn't mean you're not adorable.

Acerola: So, uh...you appear to have completely bypassed the Ghost trial. I'm really not sure what to do now.

Muninn: <I've got an idea.>

Ever: Huh?

Muninn: <I'll battle you. I'm stronger now, and I've been itching to try it.>

Ever: Uh...

-he relays the suggestion to Acerola-

Ever: He really does have a grudge against me. I can guarantee he won't go easy.

Acerola: It does seem like the best I'll get... go ahead.

-Ever and Muninn are facing off-

Okay, who to use...Muninn's not as strong as he was as a Latios, but his rage issues aside he's still pretty bright, and he knows my team well enough. Custard's certainly out...maybe Estoc? Bug resists Ghost, but Fairy resists Bug...what to do...

-suddenly, Sceptile!-

Pleth: <Hey, I smelled someone battling Muninn?>

Ever: Oh, hey! You want to get on that?

Muninn: <Wait, what?>

Pleth: <So much!>

-she leers at Muninn-

Muninn: <...I'm not as weak as I was last time. Don't expect this to be so—>

Muninn: <Fine! But you'll pay for that!>

Pleth: Oh, wow, that actually hurt! You have been training!

Muninn: <I certainly ha—>

Pleth: <My turn.>

Ever: -winces-

Meanwhile

Ephemera: -purrs softly, giggles slightly as Muninn is sent flying-

edited 4th Nov '17 1:01:47 PM by memyselfandI2

Mobius Airship

-The Xatu blips Alonya, Cytosol, and PEFEvery...-

Team Iron Auxilary Base

-Here-

-Oran OS blips to life on a nearby screen-

Alonya: Well. Here's home.

edited 4th Nov '17 1:02:39 PM by Umbramatic

Basket has donated ₱2000

A Pumpkaboo has donated 3 pieces of pocket lint!

What Pumpkaboo?

Fjdsklfsa has donated 5 souls.

Deskman has donated ₱1000 and a warning for a busted taillight. It's probably not actually Ever's but somebody had to be warned.

PEFE!Every: I love it!

Cytosol: <...This is such a bad idea...>

PEFE!Every: What needs doing?

Ever: Wait, there's a Dark-type Gym Leader now?

Nanu: I'm a Kahuna.

Ever: Well, okay...

I hope Mezzo's not upset.

Muninn: -peering at Ever's phone- <Are people donating?>

Ever: Wh-what?!

Nanu: You have a problem with my Persian?

Ever: N-no, just...

Muninn: <Persian was even more dramatically domesticated here than in Kanto. People bred for larger heads, and...well.>

Ever: ...Okay then! Custard, you ready?

Nanu: I doubt she's ready for this. Persian, Black Hole Eclipse!

Ever: Who now?

Persian: <AHAHA! FALL INTO DESPAIR, LIZARD!>

-the afternoon sun goes dark...and then the space in between Persian and Custard goes darker-

Ever: ...That was a very uncomfortable noise.

Custard: <It was a very uncomfortable move...>

-and she topples over-

Ever: Ah well. Estoc, go!

Ever's Ula'ula Grand Trial

-Someone is deeply disturbed by the exceedingly moist sound.-

Team Iron Auxilary Base

Alonya: First off, get yourself familar with the base and whoever's in charge.

PEFE!Every: Yes, of course.

-she leaves, already texting-

Ever: Hey, Custard, you're sure about this?

Custard: <I'm sure.>

Ever: You don't have to prove anything. You're incredibly brave, and you're a good battler, and if the Lord of the Valley doesn't respect you, they don't know what they're talking about.

Custard: <I know that!>

Ever: You do?

Custard: <Yeah! I just really, really want to punch them in their jerk face.>

Ever: ...There are healthier motivations out there, but let's do this.

Muninn: <Next time, perhaps you'll think twice before challenging an unknown opponent.>

Valley Hakamo-O: <I have regrets...>

Muninn: <It would be so much easier.>

Ever: But it wouldn't have the appropriate narrative resonance.

Muninn: <Neither, quite frankly, does doing your entire Island Challenge in a day.>

Ever: Also, the Lord of the Valley has Flash Cannon.

Muninn: <I defer to the superior claim of my colleague.>

Ever: Mmm-hm.

Lord of the Valley: <You again.>

Ever: Me again!

Lord of the Valley: <Are you going to try and sneak past me again?>

Ever: Mmm, nah. We're gonna go through you.

Lord of the Valley: <You're going to try.>

Ever: I like my chances. Custard, let's do this.

Custard: <Hey.>

Lord of the Valley: <What, you're not going to fight on my side this time?>

Custard: <I'm certainly not.>

Lord of the Valley: <I'll add it to the long list of your poor decisions.>

Ever: Okay, I might have made a bad call here.

Muninn: <You think?>

-Custard has done an excellent job of defeating the Scizor and Hakamo-O, but is looking deeply exhausted, while the Lord of the Valley seems more or less unscratched-

Lord of the Valley: <Yield.>

Custard: <Never!>

Lord of the Valley: <Do you think I enjoy your embarrassment?>

Ever: Yes.

Lord of the Valley: <Butt out, human.>

-they turn back to Custard-

Lord of the Valley: <This doesn't need to be any more uncomfortable than it is already. Surrender.>

Custard: <I already said, never!>

-she pulls herself up to her feet-

Custard: <I'm not going to give up! I'm going to fight my way past you, because I'm a Hakamo-O, and just because you think I'm too dumb to do my job doesn't mean I know any less about fighting the darkness than you do! I've never backed down from a fight in my life, no matter how bad the odds, and I don't plan to start now!>

-a glow starts to build around her-

Custard: <So maybe you should surrender instead of me, because if you don't, you're going to get hurt!>

-the glow strengthens-

Custard : <And stop mocking me!>

-and fades, leaving Custard a Kommo-O-

Ever: ...That was awesome.

Muninn: <...I'm impressed.>

Lord of the Valley: <...Un....believable.>

-and they faint-

Ever: YES! Custard, that was incredible!

-Everyone on the team moves forward to hug her, even Muninn wrapping his arms around her leg-

Custard: -rattles her scales uncomfortably-

Team Iron Auxiliary Base

-A large, rotund man with a smile on his face notices Alonya and the newcomer.-

Mister Taylor: Well hello there! Who is this you have with you today?

Some Time In The Indescript Past

-Orlandeau taps his pen against his desk idly, staring at the ceiling as he tries to think of a way to efficiently desalinate sea water for more efficient water rationing around the base.-

Po Town, Halloween

-Paula likely finds a group of grunts huddled around. One of them is shivering.-

Team Iron Auxilary Base

Alonya: A new recruit, transfer from our Mobius colleagues.

Oran OS: More like doing double duty like my triple duty!

Ever's Vast Poni Canyon Trial

-Someone is hugging Custard!-

Iron Base, in the nondescript past

-In walks Scarlette. Gus is by her feet.-

Scarlette: I've made my decision, sir.

Po Town, Halloween

-Paula taps one of the grunts on the shoulder-

Paula: All right, pipsqueaks, what's going on?

-PEFE!Every halts in her tracks as Mister Taylor appears-

PEFE!Every: Oh, um, I'm Every. I work for Mobius and now also you guys.

Cytosol: <She's the village bicycle of science.>

PEFE!Every: That's rude.

Custard: -squeaks-

Ever: Oh come on, really?

Hapu: One for each island.

Ever: ...Huh. What's with the hair?

Muninn: <Alolan Diglett are Ground/Steel-type. They evolved flexible fibers to sense threats without coming up from underground. Alolan Dugtrio, meanwhile, use their hair for displays as well.>

Ever: ...Interesting. Estoc!

Ever: Oh, I remember that horse. Mudsdale, right?

Narrow: <Yep.>

Hapu: I'd use a Z-move, but...Flying-type.

Ever: Aww, man, I was kind of looking forward to seeing the Ground one.

Hapu: Then you should have used another Pokemon.

Ever: Well, okay then. Narrow, swap with Muninn.

Muninn: <Hang on, what?>

Narrow: -swaps with Muninn-

Hapu: Alright! Mudsdale, Tectonic Rage!

Ever: That doesn't sound good.

Mudsdale: <Sure doesn't!>

-and she burrows underground-

Ever: Wait, what?

Hapu: ...Right.

Ever: ...Well. That's it.

Muninn: <It doesn't feel at all...anticlimactic?>

Ever: Honestly? It mostly just feels cathartic. Just the League left, and then we can make this bird a ghost!

-he pumps his fist, and then yawns-

Ever: Wow today has been tiring. Maybe let's deal with the League some other time, yeah?

Narrow: <...I'm okay with that.>

Team Iron Auxiliary Base

-Mister Taylor lets out a deep-chested laugh that feels more like someone slamming a drum than anything capable of humans.-

Mister Taylor: Excellent! I can always appreciate cross-disciplinary endeavors! Especially considering Dr. Raines's recent clamoring for data on Ultra Wormholes - man's obsessed with space. They say he once worked at the VLA for a time, but got kicked out when he started messing with the dishes!

-Whether intended as a joke or not, Mister Taylor laughs at his own statement.-

Nondescript Past

Orlandeau: Ah, I was hoping you would. Indecision is it's own special kind of hell.

-He leans forward onto his desk, his thin elbows almost digging divots into the metal covering.-

Po Town, Halloween

-The grunt yelps when he's tapped, and yelps again when he sees Paula's costume.-

-He then yelps again when he recognizes it's Paula.-

Skull Grunt Alpha: B-Boss! I- er- you- right, the screaming! Someone - or something - 's been sneaking up on people coming up the south side o' town! An' we found Sheila tied up in a closet! In her underwear!

Skull Grunt Beta: Hehehe. Hot.

-The third skull grunt smacks her companion on the back of the head.-

Skull Grunt Beta: Ow! Whadido?