Pewter Center

"It could have something to do with any potential lasting effects the Spiral Stone has. I mean, I probably could snap my fingers and make you drop into trance again. I won't try to, but I probably could. I mean, unless you wanna. This stuff is consensual - probably - so I won't make you do anything you don't want to."

Halis: <If it's consensual, then why'd it happen without me realizing it the first two times? Or, wait, was it three? No no, it was... bleh, numbers. Math is dumb. Never liked it. Don't get why humans do, honestly. Anyway, if you really wanted to do something with it, there's probably nothing I could do to stop you by this point, so... I guess it's your choice.>

They start carrying the remainder of the overly-long scarf, dusting it off.

Erzatz Alliance - Past

-The mew girl just watches in confusion at the unexpected game-

-Not having anything better to do, she pulls out a box of pokepuffs and takes a bite of one-

Down: "There you go"

-She hops to a Ladyba float underneath the slowpoke-

"Still enjoying the human form?"

ersatz alliance

Merah: Just takes a bit of getting used to, that's all- woah!

-she wobbles, but manages to jump onto a grimer float-

Eva: Aww, that looks fun!

Pewter Center

"What do you mean, 'don't get why humans like it'? Aren't you human by birth? Also, I get that math is hard, but for me, it's marvelous.

"And I think I'll just... not use it," he decided, drawing it out of his pocket and looking at the Spiral Stone, attempting to create an illusory double of it.

Maybe I'll see if he can follow simple commands if and when he's reinducted, Colton reconsidered.

Edited by AbsentCoder on Feb 22nd 2019 at 11:53:21 AM

Halis: <Wait, I am? I don't remember that part... Haven't I always been a Buneary? Could've sworn I was... H-hey, wait a minute, are you trying to mess with me again by saying stuff like that? Didn't I ask you not to?>

Seems like all of their fooling around earlier must've messed with Halis's memories a bit in the process. They don't pay attention to the fact that Colton is trying to copy the stone, instead concentrating on carrying the scarf with them.

Pewter Center

"I don't want to use it, but I want to prove I'm not messing with you. Alright," he resolved, holding out the Spiral Stone to Halis. "When you wake up, your memories will be restored and untouched; you will remember everything, including your humanity; you'll be back to normal, aware that you are human by birth."

Where's Ammy when you need her?! Colton mentally sighed.

Halis... still isn't paying attention, not even looking at Colton and stubbornly keeping their eyes shut.

Halis: <Nuh-uh, no I'm not. You're not fooling me again with this. I figured out why it was happening, y'know. You might be human, but I'm sure not.>

They're being very un-cooperative now, almost abnormally so.

Pewter City

"   Give me the scarf.   " Colton demanded.

Halis reaches a breaking point and they immediately start to leave Colton behind, bringing the scarf with them.

Halis: <N-nope, that's it, I'm leaving! Should've known better than to trust you... you're just a bully who wants my stuff.>

It's obvious they're upset, but there's a slight bit of fear at the start of their statement as well.

Pewter Center

"I'm sorry!" Colton called after Halis. "I was just trying to prove a point! Just remove the scarf, and it'll make sense! Trust me on this!"

They stop.

Halis: <...Alright, fine.>

They take off the scarf, putting it neatly aside... and nothing happens.

Halis: <But only because you asked nicely this time... I don't like being demanded things.>

They bring the scarf back over and go back to Colton again, sitting down next to the now-squarely-folded scarf.

Halis: <So, why'd you want me to take it off? Did you want to wear it for yourself or something? That'd be kinda weird, but... I wouldn't entirely blame you, since it is nice.>

Pewter Center

One could see the "?!!?" forming over Colton's head.

"Y-your earlier wording insinuated you were human by birth!" He stammered out. "Did this thing lock you into Pokeform? The Vow is a serious thing, yes, but it shouldn't be this powerful..."

Erzatz Alliance

Girl: -To Eva- "Want to go up there too? The game's off the rails anyway"

-The purple Groudon float pops as it gets too high-

"Oh, that's how that works"

Down: "Good, good! I haven't used mine that much either. But, looks like we've got a time limit"

-Down hops to a slurpuff float, but accidentally bounces off of it and grabs the lower half of an unown O-

"This might be easier if I had wings though..."

Halis: <Again, I never said anything like that... and if I did, that must've been a mistake, since I don't remember anything like that. Why are you freaking out, anyway? Did I do something you didn't want me to?>

Whereas Colton is panicking and freaking out, Halis is just... confused.

Pewter Center

"I... did I leave your psyche in tatters?" Colton asked himself, looking at the Spiral Stone. "Arceus' unholy flank... we need someone experienced with their mind being broken. We need to restore your memories of humanity, and like hell I'm using this thing," he decided, pocketing the Stone.

"Ammy!" Colton hollered, throwing up a Great Ball. A Shiny Ninetales materialized, and looked at Halis.

<Do you consent to this?> She asked. <I won't break your psyche, I promise.>

Halis: <I don't know... do I? I'm really not trying to be rude, but... if you did "break me" or whatever, what're the odds you're gonna just as easily "fix me"? I feel like that's just not... a thing that happens? For all we know, this could just make it worse, and for all I know, you're just going to change my mind again to fit your own desires.>

They seem to not be believing it at all. A distinct stubbornness continues to shine through that wasn't there before.

By the way, when * is put around Caddy's text, it means he's thinking.

Kanto Airport

Caddy managed to flag down a taxi.

Caddicarus: Ah, hello. Can you drive me to Vermilion City?

Driver: Okay. That would be 40 dollars.

Caddicarus: *What luck! I have 70!* Of course.

Saffron City

The driver stopped.

Driver: There's your stop! Have a nice day!

Caddicarus: *Wait, this isn't Vermilion!* WAIT!

The driver had already driven off.

Caddicarus: Right, so that's halfway to my hometown.

He smiled, before groaning.

Caddicarus: Well, I have to stay positive. At least I have something to entertain us.

He picked up his phone, only for a Spearow to fly by and pick it up.

Slaughter: <Master, your->

Caddicarus: MY PHONE!

He would start to run after the Spearow which picked it up.

Edited by Routeferret on Feb 23rd 2019 at 8:32:42 PM

Pewter Center

The Ninetales' tails fan out and bush up before she looks at her trainer.

<Nani o shimashita?!> She demanded.

"I don't know! That's why I'm asking you!"

<Well somehow you broke his mind beyond recognition. Our one hope is for him to naturally go to bed of his own accord. If we're lucky, he'll wake up with no memory of being as stupidly stubborn as Helmsman,> she sighed, a few tails hiding her eyes as she sat down.

"This is why you consult the experts first, kids," Colton sighed to an imaginary audience as a few more tails wrapped around his back in a hug.

Halis: <I seriously have no idea what you're talking about. If I'm supposed to be broken or something right now, you sure didn't do a very good job of it, since I feel mostly fine. That's not an invitation to make it worse, by the way... but, to be honest, if this is me "broken", then I'm not sure if I want to know how I am "fixed" in your eyes.>

Their tone still indicates they're a bit upset.

ersatz alliance

Eva: Really? Can I?

-Meanwhile, Merah jumps onto a Pyukumuku float just as the previous one she was on pops-

Merah: I guess it is pretty fun.

Pewter City

"We just want to restore some memories," Colton clarified. "It's not your personality, just the memories that make your personality," he attempted to comfort.

<Still won't attempt to restore those memories without your consent,> Amaterasu allowed. <I promise I won't erase any memories, except the fabricated ones.>

Halis: <Since you're insisting on it so much... fine, "restore" my memories. Something tells me you'll be disappointed by what happens either way, though.>

They're giving an oddly passive-aggressive glare at the moment.

Pewter Center

"Alright Ammy," Colton allowed, sitting back while putting his headphones on. "Do what you do best."

With that, a single wisp appeared in front of Ammy's eyes as her eyes glowed, locked with Halis'. She remained unblinking for a good thirty seconds before she blew out the flame. If all went well, Halis would fall asleep.

Halis does indeed fall asleep, back onto the folded scarf like a pillow no less. If someone came into the Pokecenter now, they'd hardly be able to tell Halis was awake to begin with.