Reception Zone

"Well, let's examine one thing at a time. Very few beings out there ever get a chance to contemplate their own mortality. Sure, there's an overrepresentation of immortals and potential immortals amongst our peers, but the J-Team has always attracted weirdos."

"Look at it this way, Umbra and Ammy likely wouldn't be happy with anyone else but each other. They'd meet someone and through the passage of time they'd grow old and die. Humans and certain mons were never meant to live exceptionally long lives. It'd be too taxing on us mentally. Besides, it's doubtful an immortal like Umbra would survive the heat death of the universe. And if they happen to survive, then it'll just be them floating around in an endless black void."

He orders a cola from a passing server.

"There's also the chance you will come back as a Ghostmon. Get your hands on an armband and you're laughing."

---

Meanwhile at the bar...

Lita knocked back a shot of vodka, placing the shot glass upside in front of her alongside several others. She ordered another one.

"Oh c'mon! Why has no one accepted my challenge yet!"

MARS

Des laughed at Silas's expense. As he followed the tour group he gave him a quick elbow in the arm.

"Need a Rawst Berry after that burn, captain?"

Wild Area-Dust Bowl, Not Too Long Ago

The Dust Bowl was covered in a blustery sandstorm as a rip in space appeared just above the area's large stone structure. The portal spat out a pair of figures before closing up behind the. The two picked themselves off the ground, one was wearing light leather armour, a black long coat, a wide-brim hat, a scarf that covered his mouth and strapped to his back was a massive bow. The other figure looked like a weird viking Meowth thing.

Hunter Ex-Admin: "We made it, Cotton. This is one of the universes that accursed J-Team came from. Soon we will have our revenge."

Cotton: -shakes sand off and brandishes a pair of swordlike claws- "Hell yeah. We'll cut 'em up and serve 'em hot!"

The former Mobius Admin took a device off his wrist and looked at it dissatisfied.

Hunter Ex-Admin: "Only enough for one trip. According to Multiman's intel, this place got it's own version of the Hunter's Guild. We shou-."

He train of thought was interrupted by the ground shaking underneath their feet. Through the raging sandstorm a pale green figure approached. It wasn't as large as anything the Hunter faced before. However, given what the Hunter had witnessed in the past few months, he had no doubt the rocky saurian was any less ferocious than your typical Deviljho.

He unslung his bow and knocked an arrow, charging up a dragon shot. His Palico partner extended her claws and let out a battlecry, the pupils in her eyes disappearing leaving only her blood red sclera showing. The Tyranitar, the source of the current weather conditions, let out a roar as it accepted the hunters challenge.

GIVE ME YOUR FACE

Wedding

-To Giratina-

The Distortion.

-To DS, slightly nervously-

Yeah so, Channah here is my girlfriend, but Sol is still also my girlfriend, all three of us are aware of this.

Sometime that night after the wedding

-Walking over to the Stormchasher-

Guess I'll start the journey proper tomorrow.

-Sneezes-

Shit, I think I'm coming down with something...

-Notices a Sobble talking to themselves while looking at the moon-

Sobble: -From his pond- <This world... remains too small.>

...Well, if you think this world's too small, why don't you come with me?

-Looks upon the Sobble with Aura Sense and notices something... odd-

You know what, definitely come with me.

Sobble: <A human who understands mons? Well, if I want to see more of this world, joining a trainer is my best bet.>

You got a name?

Sobble: <None that translates.>

-Getting out a Poké Ball-

Well then Cam, welcome to the team.

Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.

Wedding

DS: (to Giratina) I'm okay, I guess. (notices Channah) Oh, hi. (to Tagg) Oh... Interesting. Well, as long as it works for everyone involved.

Postwick, Wedding, Reception

Alyesha and Matvey are both wandering around and might be interacted with at the hall

As well, Umbra and Ammy would notice that Alyesha's present was a matching pair of penchants, each a half od a heart, both cut from the same stone, clearly showing a fossil that was divided in the middle.

Mars, Hangar

Sergey was exploring Valhalla as well and might be interacted with by anyone present.

"One may feel fear in the face of danger so long as one banishes fear when danger actually arrives"

Mars

-Being in the gravity well of a planet really helped Pent's mood, down here on the surface he was looking confident and the slightly lower gravity just gave him a bit more bounce and made it much easier for him to saunter-

So, our wonderful tour guide is here! How's the war planet nowadays yeah?

Reception Zone

-Pent chuckles slightly and nods-

That's kind of a trend with my family. Still missing mom and granddad...

-He then looks a little sad-

I don't think my granddad ever knew about Umbra. He must of grew up never knowing he was the son of the Ghost Lord...

It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.

wedding

Cady: Okay you are not having any more of those drinks!

Kat: But they smell really nice...

Cady: Is there an antidote for this?

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

The Wedding

Kim: "Nice to meet all three of you..." (beat) "Wait... there are two Alduins? How does that work?"

Hi, I’m oghond, and I’m a Rushaholic. Sorry if I annoy you unintentionally. 😅

Postwick, reception

Channah: -nods, peering coolly at DS- I think Tagg's told me about you.

Big Savings: < thanks for the gold, kind stranger >

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

Wedding Drinks

He turns to Lita, Rockruff ears perking.

"Y'say something about a challenge?"

Sylveon and Gail make their way to the bar and slam a drink each, the former having a pair of pink rabbit ears poke out her head and the latter getting some feathers dotting her arms.

Edited by AbsentCoder on Jan 20th 2020 at 4:16:01 AM

[Insert Unoriginal Stinger Here]

Chateau d'Avarice

-Within seconds, a few things happen.-

-Of course, the attacks hurt Tom Fool. However, more than that, Kaguya decks him hard enough to send him teetering within the Sand Tomb, completely disoriented.-

-As he attempts to regain his bearings, he unwittingly follows Arachne's dance, until he realizes in the process that his Ability is changing.-

Tom Fool: <Hee hee... hoo... huh???>

Runaway: "All right, let's go!"

Paula: "Kirsten, keep him occupied, will ya?"

Risen Hunter: "I have been, asshole!"

Paula: "Sweet, keep up the good work!"

-And they bolt, getting their paint cans ready.-

Before anything else happens, Halis quickly takes one of the drinks, giggling a bit from thinking they did something they shouldn't have and walking back over to Lucius. Asterios shakes his head and looks over at them.

Asterios: <...I don't get it...>

He's still confused by all this, but once more opts to follow, seeing nothing else to do at the moment. Halis, meanwhile, is looking at Lucius.

Halis: "Sorry 'bout not talking to you, Luci, I just had... priorities."

They take a sip from the drink immediately after saying that.

Halis: "Priorities... speaking of which, where've you been? I've been places. I forget what places, but places."

Chateau

Ariadne: <Grasswhistle!>

Arachne: -Starts playing her threads like a harp-

Wedding

I cannot tell if this is neutrality or insecurity...

Hitodama: -Looking around- <Hmm...>

Galar Route 1, tonight

-Stepping out of the Stormchaser-

Man that cold was terrible, should've started my journey properly like a week ago.

Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.

-Tanten is at the bar, whispering in the bartender's ear. He snags a bottle of rum, preparing for a cocktail.-

Tanten, showing off to anyone who's watching: "I learned this one during that [Survivor] crossover."
-He pours some rum into a glass and squeezes a healthy portion of Yache berry juice.-

Tanten: "You might wanna step back."
-Tanten snaps a Rindo berry in half, dropping both halves into the drink. Suddenly, the drink bursts into flames as the two fiery juiced collide. Tanten does a little ta-da motion.-

Tanten: Voilá! I like to call it the Cannonade.

-Elsewhere, Artemis and Apollo shyly approach the happy couple.-

Apollo: ~Hi, Missus Amaterasu.~

Artemis: ~Hello, Mister Umbra. We're big fans. You both shine so brightly.~

Apollo: ~But, obviously, Missus Amaterasu shines brighter.~

Artemis: ~What are you talking about? Umbra is so much cooler. And he's got a much brighter aura!~

Apollo: ~The moon can't shine without the sun, but the sun can shine without the moon!~

-The two bicker for a moment before a Misdreavus materializes and smacks both of them.->

Hal: <Enough! You two have obviously never heard of yin and yang.>

-Hal looks indignant for a moment, then looks at the couple.-

Hal: <I apologize for their behaviour. They're both quite starstruck, I'm afraid, but if they stop bickering, they're actually quite good company. I wish you two a happy marriage.>

-Hal floats back a moment, thinking.-

Hal: <I'll have to send you my next painting. Free of charge. It shall represent the clash of light and dark I witnessed today.>

-Hal teleports away.

The duo snaps out of their funk.-

Apollo: ~Anyways, what we're saying is we think you're both magnificent.~
Artemis: ~Love your work. Your clash was amazing.~

Edited by redneckphoenix on Jan 20th 2020 at 7:55:36 AM

Postwick, Wedding Zone

-Lucius looks very taken aback upon being approached by Halis once again, before realising that he's supposed to be the adult in the situation and trying to straighten up.-

Lucius: Oh, don't worry about that, I can hardly talk about neglecting one's priorities when I- hang on, are you even allowed to be drinking that stuff? I'm not sure you... oh, forget it. This is Galar, the region where it's expected that everyone be constantly drunk just to deal with day-to-day life.

-He scratches the back of his neck.-

Lucius: Anyway, uh... I've been places as well. You know the Pokemon Village, over in Kalos? Turns out that was where most of those team members who left me ended up staying. I... I ended up staying there for a while, too. Bishop helped open my eyes to a lot of stuff, and I... well, I'll tell you the full story later, and I don't know how much I have the power to change, but I hope I'll be a better trainer when all is said and done.

Bishop: <Indeed. I am here to... not ensure as much, but to try to guide my trainer on the right path once again.>

-Lucius gives Bishop a weak smile, before looking nervously back over at Halis.-

Lucius: ...I'm really sorry I never said anything before I went off to do my own thing. It's a bad habit of mine, and I know it. But... you'd said that we ought to go our separate ways for a while, and I... I'll be honest, I kinda assumed that meant you didn't wanna hear from me at all.

Edited by Herbert40k on Jan 20th 2020 at 12:46:35 PM

Trans rights are human rights. JK Rowling preaches hate. If you sit at a table with five bigots and say nothing, there are now six bigots.

Halis: "Ehhh... it's fine, it's fine, everything's fine now~"

Asterios looks at Lucius with the same look he gave Merlin earlier.

Halis: "Oh, right, uh... Luci, this is Asterios. We met a long while back and we've been travelling together since."

They give the Tauros a light tap.

Halis: "Say hi, Asterios."

Asterios: <...Hi.>

Halis: "He doesn't really talk much, but that's fine, I easily make up for that."

Postwick, Wedding Zone

Lucius: Oh, er... well, that's good! That's good that everything's fine. As long as you're fine, and I'm fine, then we're fine, and... yup, everything's fine!

-He turns to Asterios with the look of someone who doesn't quite believe what he's been told but is very glad to have the subject changed.-

Lucius: Anyway, uh... hi, Asterios! Good to see you filling out your team and all that, kid. I've been thinking I maybe ought to try and catch a couple more mons now that I'm trying to take being a trainer more seriously...

Bishop: <It would be good to get an outsider's perspective, I suppose. May I inquire as to how the two of you came to travel together?>

Edited by Herbert40k on Jan 20th 2020 at 1:10:21 PM

Trans rights are human rights. JK Rowling preaches hate. If you sit at a table with five bigots and say nothing, there are now six bigots.

Asterios: <...Long story. Too many words.>

Halis: "Almost a year ago now since that first happened, actually. Quite a long time ago, though ultimately short in terms of overall history. If you really wanna know, though, I can tell you, but it's confusing and probably won't make any sense from your perspective since you pretty much slept through it."

Chateau D'Avarice

Royal: Keep going!

-Nemean Lion continues to munch on Tom Fool's leg-

Wedding Zone

Giratina: <Oh right... The multiverse debacle is a pain to clean up.>

-to DS- <What brought you back to the J-Team?>

---

Umbra: Aleysha this is wonderful thank you!

Human!Ammy: -to Apollo and Artemis- Oh, uh, thank you?

---

Alduin:

---

Merlin: Don't worry, it's temporary!

Fou: <You could have told them that first!>

Carbink #12: <Go on, join the others at the bar!>

Edited by Umbramatic on Jan 20th 2020 at 8:34:42 AM

Contact Me!

Postwick, Wedding Zone

-Lucius gives Halis a nervous smile.-

Lucius: Well, if you feel comfortable sharing it, then we're happy to listen! It's not like we're going anywhere, after all.

Bishop: <True. Which also means we will be remaining here should there end up being other issues that require further discussion.>

Trans rights are human rights. JK Rowling preaches hate. If you sit at a table with five bigots and say nothing, there are now six bigots.

Megan: -to Merlin- Oh, good to know! -I should take pictures, then…

-chug, shoom-

Megan: -gasp- Mirror mirror mirror

Pippy (obligingly) used Iron Defense!

-the bit of metal in his feathers becomes all metal and also fuses together, providing a reasonably reflective surface-

Megan: -examining herself, turning this way and that- ...oh gosh, I kinda wanna dye my hair now…

-true to form, she flexes experimentally-

Pippy: -flexes back, mirroring- ???

Logan: -chortles, examining the glittery concoction in their glass-

-they sip it all, elegantly, in one go-

-to Fou, frowning- Oh, that's terrible.

-starting to glow, sort of backlit- Would you like to talk about it?

-they sort of beckon to the corner they've made their way into-

-next to them, Addie finagles Pachirisu teeth around a shot glass-

-gulp-

Professor Oak: -curious- ...now that that's done, I can't help but wonder...what is your world like?

Byleth: -leaning against a bookshelf, still holding the Charmander- It's...big. And chaotic—we don't have Pokémon where I'm from. We have animals—rabbits, sheep, wyverns.

Professor Oak: -already taking notes- Interesting. What are they like?

Byleth: The few Pokemon I've seen are fairly similar to creatures back home. We have "bugs"—they're generally smaller, more fragile. The purple creatures—the ones that say "Nido"? Aside from the poison, they're similar to...

-she continues in this vein-

Professor Oak: -considering- Why, if they're the spitting image—that could hint at some divergence, ages past! Some link between our worlds, aeons ago...perhaps they were derived from our very own Pokémon!

Byleth: -looking down- Perhaps. Ours don't seem nearly as smart, though.

-she lifts the Charmander higher, gazing into its eyes-

-it puffs a little Ember at her, which she blows back at it-

Char: -flail- Maaaa!

Byleth: -deadpan as ever- I teach officers in a monastery academy. Welcome to class.

Professor Oak: -impressed- My, my, a professor in your own field, hm?

Professor Byleth: -professor rank S- You could say that.

-she drops the Charmander, which runs circles around her feet-

-she smiles, just a little-

No mind to think. No will to break.

Chateau, Past

Mona: Lock him down!

-Zorro gives Tom Fool a dark glare that could nail your feet to the floor.-

-Raijuu, forgoing trying to calm Hound down, joins Nemean Lion in Crunch-ing down on some legs.-

Halis: "Oh, certainly, I'd be more than happy to share!"

They take another sip of their (magical) drink... which, incidentally, seems to have been making them slightly younger than usual, down to 13 by this point, resulting in a very smol Halis.

Halis: "...Did you get taller? I don't remember you being so tall."

Asterios is concerned, glaring back at Merlin for a moment before looking back at Halis.

Asterios: <...Might wanna stop drinking.>

They turn back to look at him, noticing he's also now towering over them even more than usual as well.

Halis: "U-uhh..."

They suddenly feel nervous, looking back up at Lucius.

Halis: "L-luci, what's happened?"

Halis can't seem to make the connection in spite of what they literally did not even a few minutes ago.

Cafe Where Hopefully Caterpie Will Not Go Extinct

"I'm.. I'm sorry too. That that happened, I mean."

The gesture is comforting, even if Daydre doesn't say it out loud.

"... I can understand that, if it helps. I just.. lost and gave up, I guess?"

Wedding

Daydre slides over to the bar, because she didn't actually get the chance to drink the night before.

Chateau d'Avarice

Kaguya, seemingly satisfied with her blow, returns to Daydre and fires a Flash Cannon.

off the shits

Silas smirked at Des evilly, it was very natural even, "Just means the Mask is working. I'll break them later with revelation. Have fun on the tour."

He walked off and Roxy followed, swaying her hips a bit as she passed Autumn, who took a moment and stared... only to refocus.

"Yes! Tour! Anywho welcome to Valhalla base. The First Man/Mon made settlement on the Red Planet. Pent you are correct, this is the planet of War, hence the name Valhalla. The haven for warriors, or in our case, the haven from War," Autumn began, "We have several locations on our tour, bunking will be provided, also you will notice our meals have a funny aftertaste. That's just the necessary medicine required to ensure proper bone density and muscle growth, that way you don't become elongated and lose strength."

They smiled and gestured to a large screen, "We have plenty of screens around here to display maps and base updates, so if I can get it going."

There was a click and soon the Base's layout was displayed, it was rather large, "We've gotten a lot done in 2 years, we have various hydroponic bays, a few rover hangers, research center, as well as a Gym, and of course, the tunnel to the Dome project."

Next image was of the completed dome idea, and then to the reality, where they had just barely gotten the ring done and the first part wasn't even 2 percent of the base. "It's a shame it's gonna take so long, but hey! I get to be as far away as possible from my family so it's all good. I've asked Zeke about FTL to see if I can go further."

Autumn sighed, "So. What do you want to see first?"

Tassa spoke up, "If it is not too much trouble, I'd like to see the archeology relics discovered here. If everyone else is fine with that."

<They should be,> Ganon added.

Megan: It was...a bit different, for me—

-headshake- ...no, it was the same.

-weak smile- Thank you.

Pippy: <.........>

-he also places a flipper on the nest of arms, commiseratingly-

-hopefully comfortingly-

Megan: It...means a lot.

Pippy: -huff- <Take care. There's more to come.>

-birb smile, bravely- <Past or future, we'll be there. We'll do it right, this time.>

Megan: -weakly- ...

-...-

Vee: -stare, with all her eye- <<...you never told me this?>>

Pippy: -...- <...>

Megan: -uncomfortable- …

Vee: <<...>>

-seeing an opportunity, she loudly slurps the rest of Megan's Oran juice-

-all the while, the Caterpie do as the title card says-

-evening, now-

-much scholarly talk has occurred—so much, in fact, that for the proper effect the author can only direct you to any given pair of academic papers, and apologetically instruct you to wash it down with several uncooked packets of starry-eyed poetry-

-y'know, instead of writing the equivalent conversation out here-

Professor Oak: ^_^

Byleth: -having fun- • _•

Professor Oak: ...oh, in all the excitement, it's completely slipped my mind. Before you go, let's get you properly registered...so your name is "Byleth"?

Byleth: Byleth Eisner. • _•

Professor Oak: Good, good...am I spelling that right? And are you a boy or a girl?

Byleth: -cuddling the Charmander- When it suits me.

Professor Oak: -marking this down- Excellent! And here—

-he holds out a device—and with her free hand she takes it-

-small, tabletoid, and red, its display screen powers on with a rendering of the Charmander she holds-

Professor Oak: -reverent- This...is a Pokédex. Contained within it are devices that automatically record the signs of life around it. Measurements, moves, health...

But its primary purpose is to document your observations as you explore. We're all scientists, you see. From the children to...me! And now you.

Byleth: -awed, openly- I...I don't know what to say.

What recompensa—

Professor Oak: -waving a hand- No price, no price. Nothing could be so valuable as the spread of knowledge that is my task...ah, but this old man can admit he's eager to see what you bring it back with.

-beam- Professor.

Byleth: -nod, grin- Professor.

Charmander: -stretching little claws out, tail waving- Char!

Professor Oak: -arms wide- In a very real way...welcome to the world of Pokémon!

No mind to think. No will to break.