Contact Communications International Headquarters, Wyndon

...it's across the Street from the Geographic Society's Galar office. Like, literally, you can see the Neo-Gothic edifice that houses Geo Soc from the Contact Communications Board Room.

And speaking of board rooms.

JT, the Contact Communications CEO: Okay. Our order of business today is simple. Tourney's coming up and we need to sponsor someone. We've heard Geo Soc is showcasing "homegrown" talent so any volunteers from y'all?

Survivor Guy: Well, if we're just ditto-ing Geo Soc we should get a kid. Someone young, marketable to a young audience.

CEO JT: That ain't our target market. We're Contact Communications. Science for Jocks!

Two guys, one with a walrein mustache and beret and another with short hair, sit nonchalantly in the board room, looking kind of upset.

Short hair guy: You know, ever since corporate put him in charge, things have really gone south. I can just hear Hank Harvey mock us for how low we've sunk since they canceled our show.

Walrein guy: Shut up. I'm not talking to you.

Short hair guy: Come on. I said I was sorry.

Walrein guy: You don't mean it. You never cared about my feelings.

CEO JT: Okay, seriously. Talk about your acrimonious breakups. Anyway, as we all know, Geo Soc has been putting the screws on us since Tanten Lyore decided to torchic out of our contract on Sharpedo Week. Our Selachian festivities had always been the highlight of our year since we sacrificed Snuffy the Popplio to Kyogre via a pit of sharpedos in one of our TV spots. And its all because our biggest money maker outside of [Man vs. Wild].

Short hair guy: Please, just get to the point.

CEO JT: And he still has our company credit card! Who spends that much money on Shirley Temples and politoeds-in-a-hole!? And you all said having an assassin kill him was "unethical" and "a waste of money."

Everyone in the room: It was.

That guy: I mean, why do we even need to have Tanten Lyore aboard? Can't we just let him go? We have every good survival series on network TV already.

Meanwhile, the shorthaired guy does a piss take. He just drank warm lime soda.

Survivor Guy: Uh huh. "Survival."

That guy: Bugger off, Lez!

Short hair guy: Geez, [Bear], why do you drink warm flat soft drinks.

That guy: Diabetes.

Short hair guy: This diet stuff's got a weird aftertaste.

CEO JT: Come on. You have to ask yourselves what would Steve do? And that is—

Everyone: Teach people that nature is awesome and worth pro—

CEO JT: Feed Tanten Lyore to the Krookodiles! And while we're at it, let's add another face to my Dartboard of Hate.

A dartboard rolls down. It shows Hank Harvey, Tanten Lyore, Dame Williams, the guys from [Beakman's World], Dr. Williams in the 1990s, Team Trees, [Princess Diana], a few outlying islands north of the Crown Tundra, Arceus, and Lysandre. JT pins the newest face in the dartboard, one Pentigan Fiveside.

CEO JT: That'll teach him not to mess with my plans. You're in my shit list now Fiveman.

A Fisherman: Seriously, you're going to get us banned from PEFE at that rate.

Another Fisherman: I agree. Dr. Richard and his colleagues are not ones you want to make enemies. We rely on PEFE articles for show research. How else was I to publish that Gyarados can be found upriver? Or that Basculin can become carnivorous outside of their—

CEO JT: Don't remind me.

Short hair guy: If you really want to destroy Tanten Lyore you can have him be humiliated by a bunch of kids.

CEO JT: Nah, that's stupid. But I've an even better idea. We hire Tanten Lyore as our representative and have a conga line of kids humiliate him before he even sees Leon.

Awkward clapping.

The first fisherman again: Or why don't we just make another show about engineering, industry, or nature like we used to do?

The CEO glowers at the fisherman angrily. Behind him rises a Dragapult.

CEO JT: Oh, Siggy. <clears throat> Caulfield, you know what to do.

Tanten's Hotel Room

Someone is knocking at the door.

Edited by MasterJayAM on Jul 12th 2020 at 2:07:49 AM

-Tanten wakes up with a start and looks at the clock. His wake-up call wasn't supposed to be for another hour.-

-He tiptoes over and looks through the peephole, then curses.-

Tanten: "Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuck!"

-He runs for his belt and throws out Gerald, whom picks up Tanten's nightstand.-

-Tanten gingerly opens the door.-

-Ivan sighs and lets Tanten flop to the ground.-

Ivan: "Great. You let them get away, you shark-punching moron."

Edited by redneckphoenix on Jan 29th 2020 at 1:08:59 PM

Tanten's door

It's a scrawny porcelain faced teeny boppy young [half-Asian] man who wears glasses. Tanten probably saw someone who looks like him wandering around back when he had a show. There were a dozen adolescents around for him to boss around to cater to his every ridiculous whim.

The teen wasn't too displeased to see him. He tried to compose himself

Galen: <Think Galen. Think. How should I go about this. Hmmm. Should I try it like how [Pleasantville] would do it? How about Gavin? Grandpa?>

Galen's mindscape

Galen, dressed in an Asimov T shirt: Hey Mr. Lyore. My name's Galen Patrick Albright and I used to be one of your assistants. The bosses down at Contact wanted to give you this offer and everything and I hope you'd accept and also give me a good recommendation letter for uni...

Galen, dressed in a Geo Soc T-shirt: Join me as I burn orphanages for fun!

Galen, dressed up as his grandfather: Mamma Mia, that's one spicy meat-a-ball.

Tanten's door

Galen: Hi. I'm Galen. I was one of the interns who worked at your show— yeah.

Edited by MasterJayAM on Jan 29th 2020 at 9:20:43 PM

Motostoke, past

Channah: Oh God don't get me started on Mega Evolution. -mutters-

Motostoke, today

-Channah is looking at a map of the city while Jack does exercises-

Valhalla

"I can't imagine what emotions are going through you," Colton said while shaking his head.

Stormchaser Arena

<Another water-type?> Helmsman asked to the confused look of the newcomer, to which he capitalized with a swift non-elemental swing.

Only to watch as the newcomer sidestepped out of the way.

And then Helmsman collapsed.

Colton looked contemplative, mulling over his team and the best one to use before he threw a Great Ball.

Before anyone else could react a massive yellow bolt fired from the Galvantula.

Recognizing the Electric-typing from the sensation, the Fighting-type vanished into the arena.

9-Volt mulled over his bag of tricks, quickly thinking before that Pokemon came up and struck him. He barely set up the contacts in time.

Injured but still standing, the Galvantula siphoned what he could before the Grapploct fell over.

In a blue flash, the fighting-type was returned. In another blue flash, what could best be described as a sentient monolith stared down at 9-Volt.

But despite being dwarfed, 9-Volt laughed a little.

Another bolt came from 9-Volt, only to be interrupted by him being knocked skyward.

Stormchaser

Storm: That's all it takes, huh? Well thank you.

Seigbert: Any free rooms? There's... A lot.

Wild Area

Mog: <Thank you... Oh! I should introduce you to my army.>

-gestures- <This is a Falinks...>

Falinks: <At ease!>

Mog: <...A Riolu...>

Riolu: <Greetings. Are you a worthy opponent?>

Mog: <...A Farfetch'd...>

Farfetch'd: <Seems legit.>

Mog: <A Clobbopus...>

-That's odd. The Clobbopus is wearing a suit. For a second you thought a perfectly normal human was standing there-

Mog: <A Scraggy...>

'Scraggy: <I'm watching you.>

Mog: <And a Pancham.>

-The Pancham has fallen asleep.-

<They said I could give them names but I haven't thought of any good ones yet.>

-thinks a bit-

<What are these strange creatures anyway? They look like animals but they're way smarter. Even taught me their language.>

Wedgehurst

Neon: -signs- I am not Fairy-type adjacent! I have some friends who are though.

Stormchaser

"Yeah, just find a vacant room. There always seems to be enough to go around, and still have amenities for everyone."

"Hey, can I borrow your Xatu for a moment?"

You can just ask me.

And in a green flash, Gail was gone.

Somewhere else on the Stormchaser

What can I do for ya?

"There's a couple of birds in Galar I didn't know were native. Kinda want to catch them; could you help?"

Fair enough. *blepp*

Tanten: "You here to kill me? I /will/ have a colossal pink bear break your ribcage with a nightstand."

Stormchaser, December

-Is running a little late-

Motostoke, last night

Well, alright then.

-Goes quiet-

Motostoke, today

Cam: -Does the hopping thing on the hoops on the ground-

Yew: -Joining him-

Doppler: -Watching from an outcropping- <This big city stuff, sure is something.>

Wild Area

-There's a glimmer behind Gale's eyes as she hears her new post-orc companion ask what Pokemon are-

These creatures are collectively known as Pokemon and are the main non-human beings of this world. They are smart and capable of great feats of power and skill alone but since the beginning they have shined alongside humans. Some are pets and companions amid human homes where they are cared for well. Some human work with Pokemon as partners on the worksite, leveraging the special powers of the Pokemon to accomplish great works. And yet still some befriend Pokemon as battle-partners, a team of trained combatants for a type of highly-regulated and safe ritual combat between two groups of human-led Pokemon. These humans that lead Pokemon to victory and glory in Pokemon battles are known as Trainers, of which I am one.

-She smiles and finishes packing away the camp-

That said, I do actually have Pokemon for the other two reasons too; Snom and Millie are just here for companionship rather than fighting and I've got a digital Pokemon ca—... Yaknow I kinda realized that you probably would not understand any of that last bit but basically I have a Pokemon that lives in an object and acts as an assistant on more intellectual matters.

Wedgehurst

James Crowley: Hey hey hey, I just needed to know for legal reasons.

-With the documents filled out he hands over an envelope printed with a spiral logo in the top corner and nothing else-

James Crowley: Ta-da! Consider this your letter of marque. Marqis? Markie Mark. Whatever, it's all the registration info from our end you need to give up at Motostoke.

Evelyn's Camp

-Ian checks his Pokédex.-

Pokédex: Gliscor, the Fang Scorpion Pokémon and the evolved form of Gligar. A Ground and Flying type. If it succeeds in catching even a faint breeze properly, it can circle the globe without flapping once. It observes prey while hanging inverted from branches. When the chance presents itself, it swoops! Its flight is soundless. It uses its lengthy tail to carry off its prey... Then its elongated fangs do the rest.

Evelyn: Well, now that we're all together, whaddya say we pack up camp and floor it to Motostoke and sign up for the Gym Challenge before the opening ceremonies?

Me: I'm up for that, but there's still one problem...

Evelyn: Oh?

Me: The Gym Challenge in Galar is so exclusive, you can't sign up unless you have a sponsor.

Evelyn: Yeah... and who'd wanna sponsor us?

Evelyn's Camp

Kim: "I honestly have no idea... the Gym Challenge certainly seems like a great experience, and I would love to be a part of it... but I'm not really certain as to who could possibly sponsor me."

Paul: <You could get Reh-ver to sponsor you, you know.>

Elton: <...who?>

Freddie: <I-is he dangerous...?>

Kim: (to Paul) "No, no, no. Rever couldn't sponsor me. It has to be someone with experience. As good as Rever is as a Trainer and an author, he's likely participating in the Gym Challenge. He can't endorse me."

Elton: (to Freddie) <...okay, why did she suddenly say it one way when Paul had said it another way? Are they two different people?>

Freddie: <I... I have no idea... I just hope he isn't d-dangerous...>

Elton: <I doubt that; Kim said he was a Pokemon Trainer...>

Corphish: <Pause.> (he points to Kim) <You're Kim, plusgood?>

Kim: "Yes. Kimberly Bond, lingual consultant. Why do you ask?"

Corphish: <What is a "lingual consultant"?>

Kim: "Oh, it's someone who works in reviewing translated text, and also studies languages in the process."

Corphish: <So it's a speakthinker.>

Kim: "If you want to call it that, yes."

Corphish: <Where were you a speakthinker firstwise?>

Kim: "Oh, that's easy. I initially got the job as a lingual consultant back in Striaton City in the Unova Regi-" (she realizes) "That's it."

Elton: (confused) <What's it?>

Corphish: (realizing) <Of course! Kimbond was a speakthinker in Citistria, so she can just go doubleplusspeedwise over to Unovreej and go speak to the persons she used to upsub for!>

Kim: (smirks over at the Corphish, to the Corphish) "Exactly what I was thinking."

Stormchaser

-After looking around a bit, Storm and Seigbert find an empty room-

Storm: Found one, thank you.

-They go in, Storm locks the door very tightly and presses an ear to the door to make sure Colton and Gale are gone, before turning to Seigbert-

Storm: Are you pondering what I'm pondering?

Seigbert: Well yeah but don't Camerupt spit a lot?

Storm: No, about the J-Team. We just straight up and joined our enemies.

Seigbert: Oh. Isn't that counterintuitive?

Storm: Not if we play our cards right. See, the J-Team is too powerful for the two of us to fight head on, at least not without assistance from Iron or your mother.

Seigbert: ...Good point.

Storm: But if we help sabotage them from the inside... Then we might get somewhere.

Seigbert: ...

-grins-

Oh. Oh I like how you think.

Wild Area

Mog: <...Wow. So that's why they all came to help me...>

Wedgehurst

-Neon's eyes sparkle as he takes and inspects the letter-

Neon: Orochi corp... Whoever you guys are thanks so much!

-he heads off-

Edited by Umbramatic on Jan 29th 2020 at 5:52:32 AM

Motostoke

Channah: What d'you wanna do first? There's nothing that sticks out to me. Unless you want to do the gym first. Excuse me, the stadium.

Evelyn's Camp

Evelyn: That's not such a bad plan! Maybe I can call Sabrina and ask her to sponsor me for the Gym Challenge!

Hatty: <That doesn't sound too bad! I'm sure she would love to see how well your training carries you in another region!>

Me: Hey... You two might be on to something.

-Ian activates his Xtransceiver and checks his contacts.-

Me: I think I may have a connection or two...

-Evelyn takes out her phone and dials Sabrina's number.-

Edited by AnimeboyIanpower on Jan 29th 2020 at 6:13:11 AM

Wild Area, Walking

Precisely. Humans and Pokemon have a tight bond of cooperation in this world.

-She stops in her tracks a moment-

Though the whole 'understanding speech' thing is not common among humans so you've got a bonus in that part of getting along.

Wedgehurst

-As soon as Neon is gone, James immediately goes back to talking to his phone-

James Crowley: No we're not calling it 'Sosig', you suggest this every time the name issue comes up Anton.

-And that's a good joke to end on-

Motostoke

-To Channah-

...We can't do this Gym first, we have to face the first two Gyms first, it's like the Petalburg Gym in that regard.

Evelyn's Camp

Kim: "Excellent idea." (She looks over at the other two.) "Though... I do have a phone, so I can just call up my superiors in Straiton myself."

Corphish: <Ooh! This is plusexciteful!>

Kim: "It is, isn't it?"

(And then she suddenly pauses and has a realization.)

Kim: "Though... now that I'm here in the Wild Area I suppose there's one thing I still need to do before calling my superiors."

(The Corphish tilts his head.)

Corphish: <Oh? What is it?>

(Kim smiles, reaches into her bag, and pulls out a Great Ball.)

Kim: "Oh, I don't know... maybe just add on a waterlobsterpoke to my team..."

(The Corphish sees the Great Ball and gasps in shock, as do the rest of Kim's Pokemon.)

Kaylan: <No way...>

Elton: <She's catching him?! SHE'S CATCHING HIM! YES!>

Geddy: <That's so awesome!>

Corphish: <Pause... y-you're going to put me in a plusgoodcapball?!>

Kim: "I am indeed. And I already know exactly what I'm going to name you... though it is a break from tradition."

(She smiles.)

Kim: "Welcome to the team... Orwell."

Sinatra: (smirks) <Figures.>

(She promptly throws the Great Ball into the air, and it lands on the newly-dubbed Orwell's head. He goes inside, and the ball lands on the ground, shaking three times before the center of it glows yellow, signifying capture.)

Elton: (happily) <Alright!> (he laughs)

(Kim smiles and picks up the Great Ball.)

Kim: "That's number eight, then."

(She puts it away in her pocket.)

Kim: (to herself) "I'll need a team of six for the Gym Challenge... perhaps I can put Paul, Sinatra, and Dio in a box—" (she shakes her head) "No, they need to come, too. They're part of my team."

(She pauses.)

Kim: (to herself, with determination) "I'm calling."

(With that, she takes out her phone and dials a number.)

Edited by OPALGARNET16 on Jan 29th 2020 at 6:35:57 AM

Motostoke

Channah: Ohhh. Well never mind.

Tanten's Room

Galen: Oh, a hug from Gerald. Best day ever! And no, before you try anything do I look like an assassin? I had to iron your khakis and patch up the holes in you underwear, and I don't get how you managed to put that big a gaping hole in a thong.

He shudders.

Galen: So yeah, I've a question for you Tanten. See, JT just got the word from corporate that we need to sponsor someone for the Galar leagues and in true JT fashion, he decided to just flat out give you your job back. Also he sent this apology cake for trying to kill you.

Galen suddenly takes out a box, which he unfurls to reveal a small two-layer cake with the words "apology" sloppily written on it. It's in a flavor Tanten doesn't especially care for.

The teenybopper he used to boss around without a second thought cleared his throat.

Galen: He's mumbling about some dude named Pentigan now. Anyway, you're being chosen to represent Contact Communications in the upcoming Galar league tourney.

Edited by MasterJayAM on Oct 4th 2021 at 1:38:19 AM

Saffron City, Gym

-Sabrina's meditations are interrupted as her phone starts ringing...-

Sabrina: -answers the phone- Hello? You've reached the Saffron City Gym. This is Sabrina speaking... Although... -chuckles- I knew you would call.

Evelyn's Camp

Evelyn: Oh, Sabrina! This is Evelyn. Y'know, your trainee?

Saffron City, Gym

Sabrina: Oh! Hello, Evelyn. What prompted you to make this call?

Evelyn's Camp

Evelyn: I'm currently in the Galar Region with a few of my friends and we are about to head to Motostoke for the Gym Challenge.

Saffron City, Gym

Sabrina: Gym Challenge?

Evelyn's Camp

Evelyn: Yeah! I heard that in order to participate, I needed someone to sponsor me, so when my friend, Kim, had an idea to call someone she worked for as a lingual consultant, I immediately thought of you!

Saffron City, Gym

Sabrina: So you want me to sponsor you for the Gym Challenge, right?

Evelyn's Camp

Evelyn: That's right.

Saffron City, Gym

Sabrina: You're in luck, Evelyn. I'm writing out the letter of recommendation right now. I'm sponsoring you in the name of the Saffron City Pokémon Gym. I'll teleport the letter to you when it's done.

Evelyn's Camp

Evelyn: Thank you so much, Sabrina!

Saffron City, Gym

Sabrina: You are most welcome, Evelyn. Do your best!

Evelyn's Camp

Evelyn: I will, Sabrina. Bye.

-Evelyn and Sabrina hang up. A few seconds after Evelyn hangs up, an endorsement letter appears from out of thin air and lands in Evelyn's hands.-

Evelyn: Well, that was quick.

-Evelyn received the Endorsement Letter from Sabrina!-

Me: Way to go, Evelyn! Now... My turn!

-Ian looks between Tamamo-sama's phone number and Ms. Priscilla's phone number, thinks for a moment, then selects Ms. Priscilla's number...-

Me: Hello? Ms. Priscilla?

Edited by AnimeboyIanpower on Jan 29th 2020 at 8:52:52 AM

Motostoke

...First Gym would be in Turffield, which is east of here, they use Grass types, Turffield uses Water-types, and Motostoke here is Fire-type.

Motostoke

Channah: Hm. That's good for us to begin with. -nods at Jack- Also you didn't answer my question.

Wild Area

Mog: <Right... should we head to that city now?>

Wedgehurst

-Neon comes running back over to Jared and Julius-

Neon: I did it! I got the endorsement!

-Jared spits out a drink-

Julius: ...You clearly just sipped that in order to spit it out.

Jared: Hey man it's the thought that counts?

Neon: I got it from... Some Orochi corporation. They were selling hot dogs!

Julius: Orochi? Isn't that the name of the mythical mutant Hydreigon? Why would a company that sells hot dogs have that kind of name?

Jared: Evil hot dogs. I've seen this before.

Neon: Okay... Anyway where do we turn these in?

Julius: They said the place was called Motostoke?

Jared: To Motostoke then!

-and they head off-

Wild Area

Yep, should be there soon.

-Gale smiles and shrugs-

There's a lot of places in this world and I think you'll do well.

Resonant Clearing, The Wilds

-Meloetta was getting disgruntled-

-Where were the fourth competitors? Her agents had confirmed the ticket was delivered so why had they not announced it? She couldn't well start this thing with one band MIA... Well she could, she really could. She'd give them one more day to get their announcement in, that would work-

-The issue is of course, if something goes wrong-

Jubilife Arena, Angelan Sound Stage, Unovan Cathedral

-Something goes wrong-

-Almost simultaneously, things go wrong-

-In Jubilife, a device used for diffusing essential oils into the air sparks and emits the caustic vapors of it's corroded components instead-

-In Angela, a fire starts in a private studio while those who own it are away and asleep, a shrine is desecrated by the flame-

-In Unova, an urgent message comes through a Prelate's email from higher-ups calling to suppress questions while someone else who knows what those questions mean takes a hatchet to an old wood door-

-For now, these events are hidden. The news will hear about them in due time-