Hulbury Stadium, Gym Challenge Puzzle Room

-Ian begins to feel insecure about something.-

Evelyn: Ian... Is something the matter?

Piku-chan: <Yeah, what's up, buddy?>

Me: I dunno... I just feel like I'm failing somehow... failing someone...

Piku-chan: <How so?>

Evelyn: It's the Battle of the Bands, isn't it?

Me: Yeah, how'd you know?

Evelyn: I didn't need telepathy to know that you called our band "New Dawn's Dreamers" because you were concerned for all the bands who didn't make it to the Battle... Hard Candy, Apocaklipz, the church choir... You were worried that something foul was afoot and because of it, we lost three chances at new potential friends...

Me: That's exactly it, Evelyn. At first, I entered this Battle of the Bands because I thought it would be fun and that we'd get to make new friends. But now, I'm afraid that there's nothing I can do to stop these mysterious saboteurs from ruining the competition and achieving their goal... Whether it be to get the money of the cash prize...

Evelyn: ...if there is one...

Me: ...exact revenge on the J-Team...

Hatty: <Though, what is the likelihood of THAT happening?>

Me: ...or successfully capturing and manipulating...

-Ian gasps in horrid realization.-

Evelyn, Piku-chan, Hatty and I: <Meloetta...

Evelyn: Of course! You wanted to hold out to the Finals to be able to catch the saboteurs red-handed!

Me: Right! At least... that was the plan...

Evelyn: There's always the loser's bracket...

Me: True, but what if that never happens? If I don't play my best for our band and have fun... then...

Evelyn: ...who are you?

Me: -angrily- Who am I? WHO AM I?! What are you even saying?!

Evelyn: -concerned- Whoa... Ian, are you okay?

Me: -sadly- How can I be? I feel like the loser of the game we didn't know we were playing...

Evelyn: Well, how about we play another game? This time, we get to win.

Me: -gleefully- Yeah... But there are lives on the line.

Evelyn: It's winner takes all!

Evelyn and I: Ready or not? Let's begin!

-Beat-

Me: Evelyn, you're a GENIUS!!

Evelyn: Huh?

Me: You trying to cheer me up gave me an idea for a song we can play in the next round!

Evelyn: You're most welcome, Ian.

Me: Once we challenge this Gym, let's get Kim and Milagros on the horn. They need to hear about this!

Evelyn: Gotcha! Also, look!

-Evelyn points at the blue switch.-

Evelyn: That switch must control the waterfalls blocking the door.

Me: That may be true, but look. There's a waterfall blocking that one, too. Coming from a red pipe, no less.

Evelyn: Well, there's a yellow switch, there. And a red one over there.

Me: So the final part of the pattern is yellow, red, blue. Let's do this!

-Evelyn runs down to the yellow switch, and presses it, causing the waterfall to shift to the yellow grate she crossed to get to the switch.-

Evelyn: Guess I'm not going back that way...

-Evelyn runs across the red grate before Ian presses the red switch, moving the waterfall out of the path to the blue switch to the red grate on the path to the yellow switch, blocking it off completely.-

Hatty: <That was a close one.>

Evelyn: You said it, Hatty.

Me: Now, all we need to press...

Evelyn: ...is that blue switch!

-Piku-chan jumps off Ian's shoulder and presses the blue switch.-

Piku-chan: <Way ahead of you.>

-The waterfalls stop blocking the door.-

Me: Way to go, Piku-chan!

Evelyn: Gym Puzzle Clear! Now, let's get to the battle!

Announcer: They've done it! Ian and Evelyn have solved the pipe puzzle! They got a little soaked, but they still solved the puzzle!

-Ian and Evelyn run up the stairs to the exit of the Puzzle Room, strike a pose, and then leave the puzzle room.-

Motostoke, Macro Cosmos Building, Break Room

Blasty: <Aw yeah! Evelyn got through!>

Doppel: <I see what you mean! She's awesome!>

Orbito: <So now we got to see that her puzzle solving skills are as great as her battling skills.>

Daisuke: Indeed we did. Now, let's see how Evelyn and Ian do against Nessa...

Hulbury Stadium, Pitch

-Ian and Evelyn step out onto the pitch, as ready for their Gym Battle as they will ever be...-

Hulbury Stadium Pitch (Post-Wild Area; Post-Ikoria)

(Kim and her Pokemon— Kaylan, Joel, and the newly-caught Peechee— have been sitting in their seats for about ten minutes or so, watching as multiple images come up on the giant jumbotron in front of them— images of what appears to be a puzzle filled to the brim with a bunch of differently colored pipes, some of which have water spewing out of them. Kim watches the images thoughtfully, recognizing that this is very likely the puzzle that she will be against next.)

Kim: (thinking to herself) Well... this puzzle certainly seems interesting. The last time we did a challenge, I was able to work more efficiently by using the adorable Yamper on the field to herd up the Wooloo— one that I eventually caught. Efficiency is key in regards to me, and there appears to be a pattern here regarding the switches and pipes... Ozzy should scan the area to detect the pattern, and Joel will be the one to test which pipe will and will not have water coming out of it— he has Water Absorb as his ability, after all... I wonder what Ian and Evelyn will think now that Ozzy has evolved into a Corvisquire?

(And at that moment...)

Kaylan: <Kim, look! They're here!>

(Kim, Joel, and Peechee look down at the pitch— and sure enough, Ian and Evelyn are entering onto the pitch. Kim grins.)

Kim: "Splendid. Let's get them to notice us."

(And at once her, Kaylan, and Joel start making as much noise as they can to attract Ian and Evelyn's attention. The only exception is Peechee, who stares down at the two of them in awe.)

Peechee: (thinking to himself) <Wow... so these are those dva ^note  two droogs ^note  friends Kim was talking about... They seem horrorshow! ^note  nice I kopat ^note  like them already!>

Drannith

(Kim nods.)

Kim: "Oh, certainly. Exploring more of Drannith would make perfect sense."

Ozzy: <So long as we do not run into anybody else, we should be good... then again, however, that is why I have this choker. Perhaps I should turn human again, just to be on the safe side?>

Edited by OPALGARNET16 on Aug 3rd 2020 at 1:16:26 PM

Hulbury Stadium, Pitch

-Ian and Evelyn step out onto the pitch, smiling and waving at everyone in the stands. Ian then points to one of the fans.-

Me: Hey, Evelyn... Is that Kim?

Evelyn: Definitely looks like her... but what is she doing here?

Me: Probably here to watch our Gym Battle...

Evelyn: That's true...

-As Ian and Evelyn walk out onto the pitch, the Hulbury Gym Leader awaits them.-

Nessa: Am I seeing double? You must be challenger 556.

Me: That's right. I'm Ian, from Nuvema Town, and this is my buddy, Piku-chan.

Piku-chan: <Nice to meet you.>

Evelyn: I'm Evelyn, from Ballonlea, and this is my friend, Hatty.

Hatty: <A pleasure.>

Nessa: Well, the pleasure's all mine, you two. My name's Nessa. I'm the Gym Leader here in Hulbury, and I bet you're here because you bested my puzzle.

Evelyn and I: We are.

Nessa: Well, that's just spectacular! Now, I can tell you are fairly experienced trainers, and you beat Milo, so how about I make this Gym Battle a Double Battle? Y'know, to accommodate for the both of you?

Evelyn and I: Thank you so much, Nessa.

Nessa: You two are most welcome! So, what are we waiting for? Let's get this party started!

-Ian, Evelyn and Nessa walk out onto the battlefield and ready themselves.-

Referee: The Gym Battle between Nessa, the Gym Leader and Challenger 556, Ian and Evelyn, will now begin! The match will be a Double Battle and is decided when all the Pokémon of one side can no longer continue!

-Nessa takes two Poké Balls off her belt and prepares for battle.-

Nessa: Seaking, Golisopod! Come on out!

-Nessa throws the Poké Balls into the air, and out come a Seaking and a Golisopod.-

Me: Ready, Piku-chan?

Piku-chan: <Always!>

-Piku-chan jumps off of Ian's shoulder and into action!-

Evelyn: Hatty, would you mind it if you sat out a while?

Hatty: <Not at all.>

Evelyn: Then, Kako, come on out!

-Evelyn throws a Poké Ball into the air and out comes Kako, Evelyn's other Kirlia.-

Kako: <Nice timing, Evelyn! I always wanted to participate in a Gym Battle.>

Referee: Without further ado...

Silas stared at Hacks and Amber, "I don't fully get this."

<It's simple,> Amber explained, <You two are cute and all, but you don't really do a lot typical of couples.>

~Which is probably why you two bonded so well, funny how the only person who would work is someone who doesn't get human relations either,~ Hacks responded snarkily.

<So we're here to help. I've got Bishop with a song set up to play over the ship's intercom, you just have to dance.>

~I can't wait to watch both of you trip up!~

Silas blinked, "I thought Amber said you're here to help."

~I'm essentially your brother, it's my job to be unhelpful!~

Silas sighed, he didn't like this idea at all. He got that he needed to try better to fit in with other people, but it was never easy, and this probably wasn't the answer. Also he suspected that Hacks just wanted to record him tripping up on something, much like he did a few months ago during the stream.

Roxy walked in, "Hey Muggy said I was needed in here."

In a instant the intercom started playing the song, and Bishop was heard saying, "Song is looped, have fun!"

Silas and Roxy were staring at each other, their faces both having turned bright red. Which was new for Roxy, Silas was understandable but her?

Silas slowly stood up and walked over, his heart racing, Roxy's face was still red, and her brown hair seemed to be curling in a bit of shock. He took her hand, and suddenly he felt himself calm, his heartbeat was under control, and it almost felt as if it was beating in rhythm with the song.

He let out a laugh, and Roxy laughed a bit as well, the two started slowly, but were soon dancing together, the song playing.

Hacks sighed, ~Well looks like I don't got much more blackmail material.~

Amber laughed, <Hey passion and love is a kind of fire, and I am the incarnation of all flames. I know what I'm doing.>

The two just watched as the engaged couple danced along to the beat of the song.

Hulbury Gym Battle- The Stands

(Kim smiles.)

Kim: "Excellent. They noticed us. Now the fun can really start."

Kaylan: <A Seaking and a Golisopod, huh? Wonder which one she's going to send out against us...>

Kim: "Hopefully the Seaking. First Impression is certainly a powerful move."

Joel: <Well, anyhoo... can't wait to see this for myself!>

(Peechee is still looking out at the Gym Battle in awe.)

-just a bit, maybe-

-backed by Rikuo's determination, his desire ripples out in a great wave-

- —and Obscura comprises the Types of the unconscious, as much as Zorua are known to alter perception-

-[have you heard of the circadian rhythm? night regulates] and everyone is very tired-

-light to dark; Rikuo's shadow washes out the omnipresent glow of the Raid Den; the song reaches its peak-

(-Logan presses yet another button on their Styler, a red light starts blinking-)

-and absolutely everyone passes the frick out-

-when Rikuo comes to, he might smell curry-

-hugs all around- .3

Vee: -sincerely- <Glad to hear it's mostly great, kiddo. You wear it real well.> .P

<As fur the rest…> ,?

Pippy: <...oh! Right, Ever and metal don't mix. Allergic.> ^v^;

Megan: Especially that arm they're missing. ò_ó

Vee: -chintap- <The fleshy bits ain't so bad, though, I thin'. Might wanna ask.>

Megan: ...oh, hm.

-examining him- Mhm, when you evolve and the metal sets in, the composition of your feather-oil changes a bit, too. Along with your bones. Maybe Water Sport would take the edge off the wax? ...but she's a candle, hm…

-still hugging, she sinks into a contemplative haze, trying to remember if she ever saw a Litwick resisting outright extinguishing-by-water-

(-her notoriously hazy memory-) -_- …?

Pippy: <...ah. Ahaha, yes.>

<That special time in many starters' lives when their friends and cohorts—occasionally—>

<Are frustrated somewhat by the accelerated growth rate.> :P

-Vee doesn't cough awkwardly, because awkwardness would imply any degree of shame in the matter-

-she preens-

-and she, standing conspicuously with Pippy to her left, turns her head so her good eye can meet both of his-

(-what follows is the sort of silent exchange Synchronoise only seems like to most people-)

Pippy: <…> .v.

Vee: <...> ,.3

Megan: :?

Pippy: -...laugh- <Well—>

Vee: -into the space he considerately leaves for her- <—well, rushin' it's possible, but I dunno if any of her family'll be happy wit' what that entails.>

Pippy: -longsuffering- <Flinging oneself headlong into pools and lakes and beneath the feet of Tyranitar—no wait, it'd be fire, and fire, and...Tyranitar, wouldn't it?>

Vee: <Hush, it's my time.>

Megan: Oh, maybe—!

-still hugging, she keys a sort function into her PEFEdex, squints at the output over somemon's shoulder-

...the Venn diagram of moves Empoleon learn and moves Litwick learn is, like. Two circles. Okay.

Uh, maybe training together will at least feel like progress. It always looks that way to me! ^_^;

Vee: <Anyway, love an' support, like this one -claw toward Pippy- says, an' after that—>

Pippy: <Sit around and ride it out?> •v•

Vee: -bat- <Feelin's jam. If it starts gettin' too bad, you gotta…>

-ambiguous gesture, employing jointlessness- <...talk.>

Pippy: <...>

Megan: …

Pippy: -...huffy chuckle- <...yeah.>

-squeeze- <Kinda sucks just a bit, huh, Arc? It'll pass, but it's never not the present.>

Megan: -squeeze- Dialga's beating heart.

Vee: <Bein' done with puberty's fun.> .P

-giggle- (<An' gettin lasers outta it—>)

-she's still got stars in her eye-

-Logan goes over to give Ever a hand-

Logan: -whisper- Perfectly balanced, as all things should be.

-and following the inscrutable exhortations of their mind, they shoot a peace sign in Lanatus' direction- =)

Abilene: -still spluttering- what.

-there was a brief moment, apparently on the brink of strangulation-

How. Why.

-...but it seems to have passed, in favor of going through the W's-

Logan: -hands on hips- Heheh. It really is something, how many cutting-edge experiment-prone peoplemon we can gather in one place between us, isn't it?

Abilene: None of the plants I've grown have produced a Jekyll/Hyde. Most likely. Those that made it to trial stages, surely.

-to Logan, sidelong- Congratulations, you've proven to an heiress of something that nepotism will win the day. Bravo.

Logan: I mean. =P

Abilene: Hmph.

-and she passes them a mid-tier Trainer battle's worth of cash-

Logan: -bows- ; )

-...-

Logan: ...and now that that's out of the way, I have about ten thousand questions.

Abilene: Oh, yes, indeed.

Logan: Is this, uh, cooperative? Or more, inconvenient, to relevant parties?

Abilene: -leaning in- How did you accomplish this? Identity partition to the extent of manifesting alternate power sets is remarkable.

Logan: -glancing over, at Ever- ...are the calluses setting in yet?

-with consummate poise, Addie sets aside the ten thousand questions that that raises to chuckle appropriately appreciatively-

Addie: -chuckling indeed- <Happy to provide the opportunity!>

-she sparkles gratefully-

-and with the last impressions of various faces at various moments, and also of Ever falling off of a rock, she pinches off the link-

<A pleasure meeting you, truly.> ~u~ <I think I can continue keeping this out of text…> :P <...and I think it's time to continue situation-wrangling back at base.>

(-she shoots off an Electroweb strand, testing its give against a distant branch-)

-free paw holding out the aforementioned sugar cubes- <Was there anything else I could help you with?> :3

Circhester

Henchgal: Do something

Getaway Driver: Do not fog up our windshields now. We'll need an alternate route. The sooner we get to the docks and away from this brat, the better.

Porygon: Bad news, we've only got one route available and we can't maneuver with them in the way.

Henchgal: Then get them out of here. Be prepared to lose our other cargo if need be. What use do we have for a rotom and those others. We have the beast ball.

Getaway Driver: Yeah, yeah. We'll be set for life just by giving it to Sphinx. I get that. And the recommendation for a transfer to Delta's group, since apparently you folks aren't satisfied with taking your money and running.

Henchgal: Hey, if there's anything I learned from a life of crime is that you can never have too much. All that hush money makes the gravy train go on forever. And they provide protection from the fukken IRS, which is a plus.

Getaway Driver: ...point. How do the Big 3 do that?

Henchgal: They have people everywhere.

Henchman 2: Charizard, hold your flamethrower.

Henchman 1: Mightyenas. Sucker punch and crunch the gallade.

Henchenby: Sandslash, metal claw.

Henchman 1: Kid, you've no idea who you or your Pokémon are messing with.

Henchman 2: Less talk, more show of force. We didn't get this far by being chatty.

Henchgal: Porygon. Wifi's on. Pause the route search and find a way to turn off the water pressure. I don't care if you have to dehydrate Circhester to do it.

Porygon: I'll try...

Edited by MasterJayAM on Jun 29th 2021 at 9:45:27 PM

Hulbury Stadium, VS Nessa

Nessa: Golisopod... use First Impression!

-Golisopod lunges at Piku-chan and Kako at lightning-speed before re-appearing right in front of them and striking them with its claws, throwing the two Pokémon into the air.-

Me: Piku-chan!

Evelyn: Kako!

Glimwood Tangle

Arc: <Yeah, okay.>

-penguin huff-

<Talking's such a pain. But I'll do it.>

<It's really good to see all of you. ^v^>

<And it is really good to be...finished. I feel very complete.>

-penguin grin-

<I should probably go find Ever again, though. ovo>

<Do you want to come with?>

Ponyta: <Hm. I could triple-cross you. That'd be cool. But then I'd have to actually accomplish something, and it seems easier to double-cross myself.>

<Bleh. Go have fun.>

Ever: Oh, I can't callus. Court order.

Misery: <It isn't terribly difficult. A simple act of self-division and embodiment. A homunculus grown from plant and fungus was prepared, will was partitioned away— and that weakness allowed the division to expand. Functions were claimed and disputed that were not meant to be in question, and the homunculus gained a foothold within the mind. Now it...surfaces, when the noise is too much to bear, and draws it away. As a...defense mechanism, I suppose.>

<Cooperative, but inconvenient, I suppose. My doppleganger, so to speak, makes himself known as an ally, but seeks base ends more than any symbiosis.>

Just: <Nerd. None of that made any sense.>

Misery: <It wouldn't, I suppose.>

Ever: Personally, as someone with a largely fragmented mind myself, I'm fascinated.

Circhester

Jess: Yeah, I know. (Robin, double team then teleport.) Dia, stun spore!

-Robin creates a lot of illusory doubles before teleporting out of the way, while Dia unleashes a cloud of stun spores at the attacking group of pokemon.-

Jess: Hmm, we can't let that van leave. I really need to grab more pokemon...

-Jess pulls out a stick looking thing and turns it into an auric construct knife, waiting for an opportunity to teleport to a tire.-

Edited by QuantumMelody29 on Aug 4th 2020 at 8:05:28 AM

Circhester

Their efforts paid off. The van was now immobile.

Getaway Driver: Goddammit, what's wrong with our tyres. Take the beast ball and get outta here.

Henchgal: We're gonna have to make a run for it. Porygon, I'd hate to say this, but call for backup and an alternate rendezvous place.. We need extraction, and the time for subtlety was over.

Porygon: Aye aye!

Henchgal: This young one is not making a fool of the Hunter's Guild today.

Outside, the mightyenas and sandslash were fumbling about, trying to look for where their opponent went. The crafty thievul, however, fled under the van in an attempt to escape the spores, and makes his way toward the tire-slashing gallade. Slowly.

Henchman 2: Change of plans. Pick up the 'mons and saddle up the Rapidashes.

Henchenby: Aye.

Edited by MasterJayAM on Jun 29th 2021 at 9:40:24 PM

Circhester

-Jess was about to slash the tires herself when she realised Robin had already done it.-

Jess: Ah, thanks.

Robin: ~Pleasure.~

-Robin does not notice the approaching Thievul.-

Violet: Oi! What's going on here?

-Violet walks over to the group, soaking wet and rather peeved. Celsian is also out. It seems the two were training nearby when a broken fire hydrant nearby caught their attention. Violet notices Jess.-

Violet: Oh great. What have you gotten yourself into this time, person I have never met in my life?

Megan: ^_^

Pippy: <Always good to see you too, Arc.> ^v^

<Yeah! It's always a treat seeing them as well.>

Vee: -beaming at her son- <Ain't it nice?>

-and so they accompany him wherever, to see Glimmer in the wood tangle-

-before further crossing-iterations can occur—Addie shoots off a ^u^ and slingshots herself off into the tangle-boughs, webbing her way back toward her odd group-

Addie: -distant- <I'll give you a ring the next time I'm in town!>

Logan: Oh.

-...-

Abilene: ...plant and fungus?

-if Abilene could sparkle excitedly, she'd be doing it-

Logan: :|

Abilene: -sparkle sparkle- Simplicity is a function of familiarity, and of details muscle memory forms to elide. This act is unfamiliar to me, and I am willing to exercise anything but restraint.

Logan: ...well, as someone who fairly routinely makes headspace for other people, it really is that simple. ^_^

Abilene: Your circuits and wires interest me not, dilettante.

Logan: Human brains are electrical systems. :P

Abilene: And mercifully, many neural frameworks exist in this world other than human, thank you very much.

Logan: Many of those are also electrical. :PP

Abilene: -flicking gesture in their direction- Are you ignoring the infinity network? As in my field of study for longer than you've had this silly uniform?

Logan: Well, when it's interwoven— :PPP

Abilene: will you hush-

Logan: Never. ^_^

Abilene: —

Logan: -twirl to face: Misery- Anyways, it sounds like you could use a mediator! =)

-Logan can sparkle excitedly, and is actively suppressing it-

Logan: ...or at least a nice, neutral ear. :P

I'm fairly certain I'm following where you're leading, but I'm curious about this noise you've mentioned. As the root of this whole affair, its nature seems fairly central to finding an optimal solution?

-blinking attentively- And if you're willing, maybe meeting your 'doppleganger' beyond a ritual exchange of hostilities.

Hulbury Gym Battle- The Stands

(Kim and her Pokemon see the First Impression move performed, and Kim visibly grimaces upon seeing both Piku-chan and Kako thrown back. Kaylan leans forward, concerned, and Peechee's eyes go completely wide with shock. Joel, meanwhile, leans back in his seat with a downward whistle.)

Joel: <That's gotta hurt.>

Kim: (to herself) "I knew it. That move is immensely powerful, and given that Kako is a Psychic-type Pokemon, First Impression is a super-effective move. I certainly hope that he and Piku-chan are alright."

Peechee: (panicked) <DROOGS—!>

Kaylan: <P-please tell me they're going to be okay...>

Circhester

The thievul reveals herself and night slashes Robin.

Meanwhile a set of Galarian rapidashes were released, ready to be mounted. The charizard perches precariously on the van's top. The henchpeople hop on their mounts. The henchgirl holds the beast ball in her hands while mounting the Charizard with the driver.

Henchgal: We've got what we came for. Make sure we're not followed.

Then from the horizon arrives, dramatically (at least until the limping becomes visible) comes... Upton. He really should've just sat down.

Henchenby: Oh, bloody hell it's the Taser Guy.

Henchman 1: Those tasers didn't stop us before, and they won't stop us now.

Henchenby: Whatever. Sandslash, take that frosmoth out of the sky.

Henchman 1: Mightyenas. Dispatch the interlopers.

One mightyena approached Jess menacingly, whereas another ran toward Upton.

Edited by MasterJayAM on Aug 4th 2020 at 5:54:10 PM

Hulbury Stadium, VS Nessa

Me: Piku-chan! Use Thunderbolt!

Evelyn: Kako! Use Magical Leaf!

-Piku-chan and Kako quickly recover from the impact of First Impression, Piku-chan crackling with electrical energy and Kako spinning around, summoning rainbow colored leaves. Piku-chan unleashes a bolt of lightning at Golisopod, while Kako fires a barrage of the leaves he summoned at both Golisopod and Seaking with pinpoint accuracy.-

-Nessa's Golisopod stumbles backwards from the impact of both attacks.-

Nessa: Seaking, use Waterfall!

-Nessa's Seaking's horn glows blue as it invokes a waterfall between Piku-chan and Kako, then jumps right into it and proceeds to climb it.-

Me: Piku-chan, use your Thunderbolt on the Waterfall to stop Seaking's attack!

-Piku-chan surrounds his body in electricity and fires a bolt into the waterfall. The pillar of water carries the electric attack down to Seaking, shocking it and preventing the attack from hitting!-

-The pillar of water disperses and Seaking falls to the ground, unconscious.-

Referee: Seaking is unable to battle!

-Nessa calls her Seaking back to her Poké Ball.-

Nessa: You did your best, Seaking. So you deserve a good rest... I must say, that was quick thinking on both of your parts.

Evelyn: Thanks. It's also good to know that you won't be holding anything back!

Me: Fortunately, neither will we!

Evelyn: Kako! Use Magical Leaf!

-Kako fires a barrage of rainbow-colored leaves at Nessa's Golisopod. Golisopod shudders for a brief moment, then turns around and jumps back into its Poké Ball and switches itself out with a Quagsire.-

Quagsire: <Hmm? What am I doing here? Is it time to battle already?>

Kako: <Huh?>

Piku-chan: <I'm with you on that, Kako...>

Nessa: -chuckles- This is an interesting situation... But I guess it's time for Round 2. Pelipper, come on down!

-Nessa throws another Poké Ball into the air, and out comes a Pelipper.-

Hulbury Gym Battle, The Stands

Joel: <Hm? He's got my little schtick... 'pparently all Quagsire have it...>

Kim: "More importantly... do any of you know what that was?"

(Kaylan, Peechee, and Joel shake their heads.)

Kim: "Emergency Exit. Golisopod's ability. When its HP goes below 50% Golisopod will return to its PokeBall... which means..."

(Kaylan instantly brightens upon hearing what this means.)

Kaylan: <That means it'll be easier for them to defeat the Golisopod when he gets sent out again!>

Kim: "Indeed."

Peechee: <Ooh! This should be fun!>

Hulbury Stadium, VS Nessa

Me: Can you still fight, buddy?

Piku-chan: <Yep!>

Me: Great... You cover the air, Evelyn can cover the ground.

Evelyn: Kako... Can you still do this?

Kako: <Yeah...>

-Kako then staggers slightly.-

Kako: <Then again, that First Impression did a number on me. Maybe I do need to sit down...>

Evelyn: Return for now, Kako...

-Evelyn calls Kako back to his Poké Ball.-

Evelyn: Mirai, come on out!

-Evelyn throws a Poké Ball and out comes Mirai.-

Hulbury Gym Battle- The Stands

(Kim raises an eyebrow upon seeing Mirai enter the field.)

Kim: "Hm. So she has two Kirlia... interesting. I wonder if she's planning to evolve one of them into a Gallade and the other one into a Gardevoir?"

Joel: <Seems like the only reasonable explanation to me.>

Kaylan: <Ooh! She has a Pelipper! I like Pelipper. They're funny.>

(He chuckles a bit.)

Peechee: (smiles)

Galar Jam Session

"Yeah, I would say the only reason we and the Dreamers fell in is that everyone else fell in. I'm not saying [crabs in a bucket] but I am saying people have fallen asleep at the wheel." Kamui considered.

"Wait, planning?" Curtis asked. "We just threw instruments at each other, looked up some videos and tabs and whatnot and hoped for the best. Served us well so far."

Edited by AbsentCoder on Aug 7th 2020 at 6:41:09 AM

Drannith

Yeah I think staying human is best for now. Maybe once we're between cities you can fly free but for now... It's too great a risk of getting hurt.

-She tries to be reassuring before shrugging and turning her attention to the crystal that towers overhead-

Three blocks down the street is an inn. I got us a couple of rooms. There shouldn't be any issues with a lack of beds. Not like I sleep much anymore...

Galar Jam Session

Luperian: Egh, maybe we should of chilled out a little more. Hate going too hard when no one else is bothering.

Takcorian: See I meant the whole disaster thing with those three bands but yeah we've been rehearsing and seeing some really baller acts live.

Luperian: Does Sayu really count as 'live'? She's just a digital avatar and all.

Takcorian: Who has her music and motions being created in real time by her team, so it's valid.

Luperian: We should of stuck around for BBJ to come onto the scene. Now that's some honest music.

Takcorian: Shush, we're rambling Lulu.

Luperian: Right, sorry. We're a little too used to only having each other to talk to...

Jam Session

"What about those disasters with the three non-J-Team contenders?" Colton asked, disinterestedly tuning his guitar while at the same time playing a melody that decidedly was not in common time. "I mean, yes, it's a shame they can't compete, but why bring it up now? Besides, it's been six months. Something something recursive understudy?" He offered, asking the question in the rhythm and cadence of the rhythm he was playing.

Edited by AbsentCoder on Aug 4th 2020 at 6:38:52 AM

Drannith

Ozzy: <Very well, then. In that case... I am set and ready.>

(He taps the choker three times again. In a matter of seconds, his body glows a bright blue and explodes, before reforming instantly into that of his human form. Now satisfied, Johnathon Sabbath looks down at himself and nods, before turning to face his trainer.)

Johnathon: "So, I assume that you are set as well, Kimberly?"

(Kim nods.)

Kim: "I certainly am."

(And with that said, Kim and Johnathon leave for the inn.)

Jam Session

Takcorian: Because we did some digging.

Luperian: Accidents, all of them.

Takcorian: Well, one of them was an angry member of a community having just watched a news report.

Luperian: What we mean is there was no obvious or even non-obvious signs of foul play. But that's too suspicious; Three accidents happening on the same night to three bands in the same competition leading to all three dropping out of the contest. It's contrived, vastly more contrived then anyone can believe.

Takcorian: But there's nothing to suggest anyone caused the accidents, it was just plain bad luck. So what happens when you know something's happened but have no firm evidence to find out who?

Ballonlea Gym

-The other two trainer battles kind of follow the same pattern: Gale's team has an advantage on raw power if not type however the Leader over the intercom isn't making it easy, with questions based not really on knowledge or perception but just on plain luck guessing what the arbitrary answer is. There's a harrowing moment in the third battle where Gale does answer correctly and her Pokemon is boosted before the Leader decides the answer was in fact wrong and brings them back down to normal mid-attack. But despite all that, Gale eventually does manage to find victory and is given a day to prepare before the battle against the leader of the Gym themselves-

-Which is where we stand now. The Nightingale sitting in the locker room waiting, because the person she's supposed to be battling against today is running late-

-There's a knock at the door-

It's unlocked.

-In steps a woman. Small in stature but with a sharpness of features only emphasized by her custom-tailored black outfit. Every accessory and facet of her features seems to radiate a cohesion, professionalism and sharpness. Under her arm is a sleek white folder-

... Who are you?

Sword-like Professional: Gale Knight, gym challenger currently sponsored by Rocket Records officially but on your own initiative you have a sponsorship with Pokemon Masterfoods, yes?

Yes. But no seriously who are you?

Sword-like Professional: I've been dispatched by head office to ask if you'd be interested in a partnership with the layers above Pokemon Masterfoods.

... I'm listening.

Jam Session

"You investigate?" Kamui asked.

"Interrogate?" Curtis added.

"Go public?" Mae asked.

"All of the above?" Colton asked.

"A hunch can only get one so far," Sylveon added as she stepped out from the mixing room, removing the over-ear headphones as they turned into a microphone with a pass behind her back. "We have to get out there and either confirm or deny our suspicions before we act on them."

Edited by AbsentCoder on Aug 7th 2020 at 6:39:26 AM