bell tower

Eva: <Huh?>

Lila: Well, that's a relief at least. Let's hope no one sees us, being all inconspicuous and that.

Eva: <Well, I might as well take this scarf off. Could someone gimme a hand? What with my lack of hands at the moment.>

Lila: Ok.

-she yanks the scarf off of Eva-

-Merah comes out of her pokeball-

Merah: <About time you let me out, how long did it- Oh, we're still in the tower.>

Lila: Yup, sorry.

Merah: <Lemme guess, you got spotted by the legendary pokemon and that's why everyone is up here. Come on, I told you this would happen.>

Eva: Hey, I'm the psychic type! ...with my scarf on... But still, how come you get to know everything?

Merah: <I have a brain.>

Eva: Sometimes, you're really annoying. You know that, right?

Merah: <You say that like it's a bad thing.>

Lila: Um, would you guys please focus on the fact that we're literally standing in the near vicinity of two Ho-os and a rainbowy Flygon?

Merah: <Ok, I didn't think there would be two. Or a rainbow Flygon. I'm listening.>

Edited by QuantumMelody29 on Oct 16th 2018 at 3:06:03 PM

I used to plug my deviantart here but turns out the link was too long.

Pidgey!Nix: <I will gladly accept any and all attention, yes~>

Pidgey!Ho-oh: <Oh, calm down, this is their moment. Particularly...>

-He turns to Lila.-

Pidgey!Ho-oh: <Yours. I don't suppose you're aware that you're a Heart of Gold, are you?>

-Kai blinks. Spectrum buzzes cheerfully.-

Spectrum: <Ooooooh! So that's the weird thing I can't put my claw finger things on~>

Kai: ...That would certainly explain it.

bell tower

-Lila looks confused-

Lila: A heart of what? In other words, not the foggiest.

-Eva heaves an over-the-top sigh-

Eva: And for once I thought I was special...

Merah: <Come on Eva! Lila could be havin an existential crisis right now and that's not going to help!>

Lila: I'm not having an existential crisis, yet. I'm just confused.

I used to plug my deviantart here but turns out the link was too long.

Kai: A Heart of Gold. Capital H, capital G. They're... well, they're part of a trio of Attributes — capital A — that sort of... indicate a connection with certain Legendary Pokemon, as well as frequently showing something about your character. You, as a Heart, probably have a knack for empathy, possibly to a supernatural level. For me, it indicates a connection to Ho-oh in particular — for you, it might be the same, or perhaps to Reshiram, or Kyogre, or Palkia, or even Yveltal.

Pidgey!Nix: <Buuuuut not me! I'm a Soul of Silver~ Even though my dad's, like, the big Heart of Gold patron.>

-Kai chuckles and pets Nix, ruffling her feathers slightly.-

Kai: Yeah. The other two are Souls of Silver, and Minds of Crystal. Souls typically tend to be aligned more with the side of justice and their ideals, and also tend to have particular affinities for Aura — even if they can't use it themselves, and even though the Auric Spectrum isn't exclusive to them, they might be more adept at resisting its effects or something. For Souls, the usual patron is Lugia, as well as Zekrom, Groudon, Dialga, Xerneas... well, obviously there's more that I don't know about, but you get the gist.

-They pause briefly to let the group process things thus far, before continuing.-

Kai: The last, Minds of Crystal... well, as the name suggests, they tend to be aligned with logic and mental clarity. To the point where it's hard to mess with their minds. Brainwashing, hypnosis, memory tampering, all nigh-impossible to do to a Mind of Crystal. Interestingly, they also seem to be the only ones who understand Kyurem, so it seems that they're the main patron for Minds of Crystal — alongside Rayquaza, Giratina, Zygarde, and others.

-They cough awkwardly.-

Kai: Uh, if you have any questions, feel free to ask. Unfortunately, I can't claim to know everything about what I'm expositing for you.

bell tower

-Eva chuckles quietly-

Eva: Ironic.

-Lila nods-

Lila: That would explain it! I thought they were just mood swings... You said that you don't know everything about attributes. Is there anywhere I could get more information?

I used to plug my deviantart here but turns out the link was too long.

-Kai rubs the back of their head-

Kai: Well, the best sources tend to be others of the same Attribute. I can provide more about Hearts of Gold, if you need to ask at any point, since it's... probably not super viable to visit Legendaries constantly.

Pidgey!Ho-oh: <Agreed. I can't be here forever, and neither can you, really.>

Kai: But for the others... well, there's an awful lot of people with Attributes among the J-Team. Tagg's the first person who comes to mind for Souls of Silver. Well, and Lucius, but I do not advise him as a resource for anything ever. And for Minds of Crystal, Lina's probably your best bet, she's been around a while and tends to know what she's talking about.

Bell tower

Eva: Yeah, it's awfully exposed out here. Someone could call the police on us.

Lila: And it would be rude to go knocking at every legendary's doorstep. I was just curious.

Merah: <Didn't they say we should get out before we get arrested for trespassing?>

I used to plug my deviantart here but turns out the link was too long.

-Kai smiles-

Kai: Don't worry, I'll vouch for you. Leaving before too long is probably a good idea, though. I can lead you out safely.

Pidgey!Nix: <Don't be too long, I have things to tease you about that you need to be present for~>

Kai: -smirking- You can certainly try.

bell tower

Lila: That would be appreciated.

Eva: Yes please.

Merah: <Lead the way!>

I used to plug my deviantart here but turns out the link was too long.

-Kai smiles, unpinning their Rainbow Wings from their hat, and leads the way out. Any questioning looks are answered with the sight of the Rainbow Wings, which thankfully do enough to keep anyone from asking anything about why Lila, Eva, and co. are here.-

bell tower

-Lila and co. follow Kai out of the tower-

Lila: Thanks for the help.

Edited by QuantumMelody29 on Oct 16th 2018 at 8:24:39 AM

I used to plug my deviantart here but turns out the link was too long.

Kai: No problem. Again, if you need anything, feel free to contact me — although I do tend to be busy with Frontier Brain duties and all.

Outside bell tower

Lila: Well, that was an experience and a half.

Eva: Yeah, I'm tired. Feels like we were up there for a week or something!

Merah: <We should get back to our hotel. Bye, Kai!>

Lila: Likewise. We should be going. I need some time to process this.

I used to plug my deviantart here but turns out the link was too long.

-Kai smiles, and gives a quick wave.-

Kai: See you.

-They turn, and head back into the tower to find Spectrum and the birds.-

Outside Bell tower

-Lila and Co wave to Kai and then head for the hotel-

I used to plug my deviantart here but turns out the link was too long.

The tortured spirits of your ancestors cling to you, screaming in silence. Apparently they are quite numerous.

The Black Crystal

-Ludmilla shocks back and coughs up what water made it up her nose. She nods to Arika, before she turns to see Deziree washed up against the wall, unconscious. Daedalus is no longer deployed.-

Ludmilla: Mom? MOM?!

-She rushes over as Storm gives a taunting smirk.-

Storm: "Mom! Mom!" HAH! She sure as hell didn't make you.

-...-

-Ludmilla turns around.-

Storm: Aw, what, did I hit a nerve? Didn't know they made you with those!

-...-

Storm: Oh I'm sorry, let me insult your real family... but then, it's no fun making jokes about someone who's already dead!

-...-

-...-

-...-

-...-

Okay, so, for anyone who hasn't read the book or seen the movie Carrie, I recommend you guys get away from Ludmilla.

Nacht Arena

-Char stumbles back, takes a moment to steady and... Collapses-

"Hellfire": Unfortunate...

Lumiose Outskirts

-Pent slips on the earpiece-

What, so the jacket fitting was just busywork?

It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.

Lumiose Outskirts

Gabrielle: "What led you to that conclusion?"

Shaun: "Multiman has a jacket fetish"

Gabrielle: "It's true, but you shouldn't say it."

-Athena grabs Isbrand and Pentigan and teleports away.-

Kaiiseii: "Wake me up when we get the signal."

-He climbs up a tree and nestles in its branches. Gabrielle strolls towards a temporary pavilion guarded by an Absol and Houndour and sits down at a table, Zelel flying into a laptop as the priestess makes a phone call.-

Gabrielle: "Bonjour, Sister. I have a favor to ask..."

---

Mobius Base, Kalos

-Pent, Isbrand, and Athena are teleported scarcely 30 feet from the entrance, where a guard looks up attentively.-

"Dang that sure is totally poggers my good bitch"

Lumiose Outskirts

Legault: -sighs and looks upward- I wish I hadn't just heard 'Multiman' and 'fetish' in the same sentence, but what can you do. Come on, Nino.

-they head off to examine a water fountain while they wait-

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

"You mean those little totems?" Arthur asks rather confused.

<Different kind of fetish big guy,> Cayde responds.

Arthur turns pale for a moment, it's thankfully unseen under his helmet but still.

"Disgusting."

Stylus breaths heavily, <NEXT!>

Harold turns to Tae and nods, who proceeds to lumber into the ring.

Nacht Arena

-Luke Van Luke pauses and looks at the single remaining member of his team-

Abomination the Magmortar: <Come on lemme in there and we can finish this.>

-Luke holds his hand up-

"Hellfire": Hold.

Abomination: <Oh come on man you never let me have a good fight...>

Commentator: What's that on the stage!?

Mobius Base

-The hopefully disguised Pent says nothing and gives a curt wave to the guard-

It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.

Mobius Base, Kalos

Guard: "You the transfers from Hoenn?"

-Isbrand nods and hands over their paperwork.-

Guard: "Hmm...everything seems to be in order. Go on in. Someone'll show you to the dorms."

"Dang that sure is totally poggers my good bitch"

PEFE HQ

Kaden and Hellebore are staring at each other. Kaden looks like he's about to say something several times, but stops right before the words come out every time. Hellebore just stares at him and tilts her head.

Kaden: So you're just as quiet in this time too, huh?

Hellebore: ...

.. He's staring... Why?

off the shits

Ivan: "Whaddya MEAN you don't have yogurt? The name of the place has "Yo" in it! There's frozen yogurt on the sign!"

Cashier: "Yo, dude I'm not sure you like your tone. I should chill out."

Ivan: "What does that even mean?!"

-Ivan angrily graps his cup of coffee and sits across from Tommy.-

Ivan: "I hate hippies..."

-Ivan sips his coffee. It tastes like it was filtered through a wool hat. That was worn by an angry Grimer. In Cleveland.-

-He takes a bite out of a donut. At least it tastes good.-

Ivan: "I swear, there must be someone new on staff. All this stuff tasted good a week ago. Now everything that ain't pre-made is just... Egh."

-Ivan gives the coffee to Tobi and leans back in his chair, keeping a keen eye on his Aura (Psychic? w/e) Sense. Something's... weird, like Tommy noticed.-

Ivan: "Whazzat?"

Somewhere in Kalos

Gail was silently walking along, kinda being kept alone with her thoughts until she finally decided on how to word it.

“How could she recognize a Pokémon, down to their trainer, via the cry and nothing else?” She eventually asked herself, subdued.

A Swellow materialized, crowed and perched on her shoulder, looking at her with a bemused expression.

“Ah, shut up, Jamie,” Gail retorted. “You have the luxury of understanding humans and Pokémon. What’s my excuse? I really don’t have any.”

Jamie’s head quickly turned and he departed from his trainer’s shoulder, causing her to stumble.

Gail sighed and chased her Swellow down, getting a bit of help from Sierra by riding on her back until she was forced to fall off from the Talonflame’s sudden ascent into a tree.

Recovering her footing and shoving her hands into her back, Sierra began to climb the tree until she caught sight of what Sierra and Jamie noticed.

“The hell?” She asked, noticing the city in disrepair, and then recalling what she had heard on the news. “Isn’t that the city that got attacked?” She asked rhetorically.

Sierra and Jamie nodded, recognizing it.

“Should we do something about it?” She added, looking at Jamie and Sierra, who had started avoiding eye contact while wearing expressions of concern.

“Yeah, we’d be in over our heads. A part of me thinks we should just scout the area at most and wait for others to get the idea at worst. If nothing else, we can at least try.”

Jamie and Sierra nodded, the former returning and the latter picking up a Gail falling from the treetop before flying to the outskirts of the smoulders.

Stormchaser - Present

The steady tik-tak-tik of keyboard strokes could be heard coming from room 713, off set by the occasional sound of someone drinking something or a Pokémon making some sort of noise. But what was going on inside was much more than what it sounded like.

Alright, guys, we’ve only got about five more techniques to carry over to the updated book. All we gotta do is find some sort of artist to draw in the book to make it look a little more lively and we’re golden!

...

Xatu? C’mon, I know there’s a reason I feel you in here but you’re not saying anything.

Have we even proven it works? I mean, you’ve reworded some parts quite a bit; would it still carry its original weight?

Good question, actually. Who would be a good ‘mon to have test-run these techniques? Probably a dark-type as they’d have access to the ability to use these moves, but we can’t just give it to someone who’d know them naturally.

Maybe a Smeargle? They can learn anything you put in front of them, so who’s to say it won’t extend to the literary method?

<Ahem,>

I don’t know, we should probably go with a Dark-type. My book is supposed to go for those with a natural affinity. Maybe Pancham?

<Ahem,>

Or you can go and get a Zorua because we all know how much you’ve come to enjoy foxmons as of late.

Arceus’ unholy flank is that true?

< Ahem!> A Weavile finally interjected, hollering from the bottom of Colton’s backpack.

“Oh, hey, Rei,” he nodded. Then he stopped typing. “Oh, you want to try to learn a couple of moves? Okay. Just document which ones you figure out. Xatu and I’ll be back soon enough.”

Have you decided?

Unova, somewhere

Colton and Xatu materialized after the teleport, both dropping a few feet, but Colton landed without injury.

“Tailwind,” Colton demanded. Xatu obliged and the two began a deceptively slow walk, given the Unova Native was lagging behind.

<Why summon it?!> Xatu demanded.

“Zorua aren’t very fine-tuned with their illusion abilities. It’ll make sense,” Colton waved off.

For a few minutes the walked in relative silence, white noise muted by the tailwind, a variety of Pokémon wandering around, paying the two no mind until Colton paused Xatu and gestured to a Purrloin a short distance away. Ya see how that one doesn’t have its fur being blown by your Tailwind? Colton projected.

Xatu said nothing and projected nothing, picking up on what his trainer was getting at.

Colton dampened the sounds of his footsteps and held his breath, approaching the normal-type as slowly and steadily as he could before he was in range.

With an illusory glove, controlled by his own will, he grabbed the Purrloin’s tail.

A flash of light told him he was correct in his suspicions as the light vanished and a Zorua looked behind herself in shock at the floating glove holding her tail. In a desperate gambit she chased her tail in an attempt to bite it off only to watch the glove fade into wisps. An illusion.

She saw the approaching human, recognizing him as a threat but a little too confused to comprehend that she should run. To her surprise, rather than send out a captured Pokémon, he instead started to pet her.

“I’m not going to force you to join me. I won’t even force you to battle. I just want your help to prove a learning system I have in mind. Is that okay?” Colton asked, scratching behind her ear.

The Tricky Fox Pokémon listened to what she was being told, considered and eventually decided. She nodded. As if to test her, he placed a Pokéball in front of her.

With hesitation, she eventually poked the button and was taken in. The ball shook a little but then ruptured, the Zorua obviously a little panicked about the prospect.

“Okay?” Colton considered. “I won’t use a Pokéball, but just tell me if you decide to use one. On a related note, any name you want to use?”

<... Minerva,> she eventually whispered.

“Name’s Colton,” the Unovan introduced. “C’mon. I’ll let you introduce yourself to the team when you’re good and ready. For now, I’ll just let you get acquainted with my home.”

“Xatu?”

Stormchaser

• blepp*

Rei staggered backwards, claws radiating darkness before it faded. The Zorua on Colton’s shoulder leaped off and landed on his bed, trying to get a little more comfortable before falling asleep.

“Night Slash?” Colton whispered.

<Faint Attack and Sucker Punch,> Rei added, also whispering before she returned.

“Nice.”

[Insert Unoriginal Stinger Here]