Person, or Idea?
Mitchell and Christine follow the others into the park, marvelling at the sights, sounds, and other senses present there.
Christine catches some of Stylus' and Ribbon's conversation, and she becomes concerned. <I do hope no trouble comes to us now,> she wonders aloud. <Especially not human trouble.>
Oliver: <Sorry, "Vellumental"? That's a new word for me. Mayhap it's a mysterious Pokemon or artifact?>
Mitchell: -observing the temple(?)- Uh, pals? I think we found our missing water.
The Wanderer
Floaroma Town, past
Chiyo: -Looking at the Rowlet- It's kinda... weird looking, like the Petilil Bromelia caught.
Autumn Mountain, past
Ann: -Looking towards the temple- You think there'll be an origami Kyogre in there or something?
Edited by rmctagg09 on Mar 18th 2023 at 1:13:24 PM
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
That's just how it is on this bitch of an earth
Stormchaser
??? is counting money she just received.
Her bag wiggles, and out pops a Hisuian Zorua.
???: "Ah! Kusunoki, that's where you were!"
Kusunoki: <...>
???: "Whaddayamean 'was I worried at all'? Of course I was!"
Kusunoki: <...>
???: "Just because I don't show it on my face doesn't mean I don't feel it!"
She pouts.
Kusunoki: <...>
???: "Yes I would be concerned if you died! Again, I guess."
Kusunoki: <...>
???: "Okay, fine."
She gives Kusunoki a scritch behind the ears. He makes a contented trill.
Kusunoki: <...>
???: "Oh, right, right. The lady who just left gave me this. I'm... not actually sure if I take this currency, but money's money, right?"
Kusunoki: <...>
???: "You're right, if it's what's accepted here then it's valuable anyway. She sure wanted a lot of smoke bombs though."
Kusunoki: <...>
???: "Huh? Why're you asking that?"
Kusunoki: <...>
???: "Well, she had a round face, glasses, twintails. Dressed all in black. She kinda reminded me of me for some reason, but I can't really place why. Maybe I used to dress like that?"
Kusunoki: <...>
???: "Eh, you're right. I'm not gonna worry about it too much."
She stuffs the money into a pouch that she then puts in her bag.
???: "Y'know, we've been on the clock since we got here. Maybe we should take a break? I don't think we're likely to get that much business here anyway."
Kusunoki: <...>
???: "No, we're not doing that."
Edited by Daydre on Mar 19th 2023 at 12:44:46 PM
off the shits
The Stormchaser, Inside
Tommy: I began dumpster diving in my teens. At first it was just to look for cool stuff people threw out. My aunt and uncle weren't the most prosperous people and at the time getting all grungey every other weekend is how I got cool stuff that cringey rich kids throw out. Turns out you can find a lot of weird stuff from dumpsters, things that my other cousin's boyfriend at the time found useful as evidence against rich criminals. So when I became a journalist, I started dumpster diving to look for clues. And sometimes, I eavesdrop on the bad guys by hiding in the trash. It's a lot of dirty work to catch crooks in the act.
Nick: Wait, you did journalism work? I always thought you just did photography before you got the hosting gig.
Tommy: I got paid for photography but the really cool stuff about my job involved field work. Heck, I took a lot of odd jobs in Geo Soc in my first year there. I was 19, fresh out of college, and had a widowed aunt to take care of. I couldn't leave for a different city to take a chemical job and I was in the wrong degree track to do forensic work full-time. You take what you can get. And as far as gigs go the Geographic Society's not a bad employer. It definitely made that summer I lost taking the Todd Snapp photography class worth it.
Nick: Well, grandpa really needed to make up for all the years he missed.
Tommy: I'm grateful for it. Are we oversharing?
Nick: Meh, leave it. You're gonna get to know this guy sooner or later, so infodump now. Though I don't get why you need to camp in the trash to get metaphorical dirt on some people who steal artifacts to scrape genes and shit. Wouldn't you just leave a camera trap and be done with it.
Tommy: Bad guys throw out evidence in the garbage all the time. Haven't you been listening?!
Nick: I mean, if you want leads we have a talking Pokémon in the brig you can interrogate.
Tommy: Wait, you did what with a talking Pokémon?
Nick: No, not the talking Gurdurr. Last time she was here Stormie was in Galar.
Tommy: Well, it looks like we won't be hiding in the garbage after all. For now.
Nick notes a slight dejected tone in Tommy's voice.
Nick: You told me about the Gamefilch fiasco that had you set for life, Tom. You already buy new stuff on the regular. Just stick to that.
Tommy: Old habits die hard.
The Stormchaser, Several weeks later
Three purple-eyed boys in early adolescence stare at a television screen in their bedroom. The TV show playing on the smart LED TV screen is Yippie, a saccharine educational preschooler's video show hosted by a human host in brightly colored dork clothes complete with a propeller beanie.
Oganesson: Astatine, I say this with no ill intent. What the fuck?!
Astatine: Hey, it's not my fault you have abysmal tastes in children's educational television.
Oganesson: Please. This feels slow paced and dull despite Yippie going full Excited Kids' Show Host. [Barney & Friends] strikes the balance between whimsy and entertainment. Krypton, back me up here.
Krypton: You're both right. While the Purple Tyrantrum whom we love has earned his place in any true connoisseur's collection of fine children's educational entertainment, it remains a product of its time. Yes. It's not a show you can get into easily. Touch too saccharine and a bit lacking in substance. Almost makes the touchy reputation it had in the 90s hard to ignore.
Oganesson: Enough, [Roger Ebert]. We put up that Watsonian-only rule so we can judge the shows by their merits outside of anything contextual.
Astatine: Oh, yeah, the rule that made it impossible for us to say anything great about our favorite episodes of [Sesame Street].
Krypton: As I was saying! Yippie, whilst a touch lackluster after [Stevie] decided to pass the torch, is much easier to engage with for the more modern, tech-savvy audience. Sensory overload isn't an issue. Plus it's slightly introvert friendly.
Oganesson: Well, I can definitely see while Timmy Intertubes is gonna be into this dreck.
Astatine: Dude, the new guy playing Yippie is perfectly fine the way he was. I mean, the old guy was funny and all—
Krypton: Never said he wasn't. The performance is not lacking. It's the subject matter.
Oganesson: You saw the Opelucid Shake video, didn't you?
Astatine: Okay, first of, red card. That's Doylist. Second, that video was strangely funny. Third, how is it that Jordan gets all erudite when we do a kid's show marathon? I would've expected this routine from Poshkid McSnobbington right here.
Oganesson: Beg your pardon?
Krypton: To quote Joseph Campbell, follow your bliss. I get all fancy when talking about stuff I like.
Oganesson: See, unlike your impertinent Internet-native derriere and its belligerent and profane vocabulary, my associate is versed in the kind of verbiage that befits a proper patron of the intellectual performing arts.
Astatine: What are you trying to imply, bitch?
Oganesson: That you are, as you say, "basic". And by extension so is Yippie and its sterile and liquidated presentation style that fails to properly engage the intellectual curiosities of a child.
Astatine: You take that back! Your purple dinosaur teaches underhanded tactics and employs sanctimonious adaptations of folktales that redefine the word "Adaptation Decay" on TV Idioms. And also the colors are too loud. Classic 90s kid's show fail.
Oganesson: We might as well be dismiss [Sesame Street] and desecrate Hooper's grave while we're at it, you uncultured Mamoswine.
Astatine: Come on, Krypton. You said it yourself.
Krypton: I'm with Oggy, Austin.
Astatine: You muscle-bound bozo.
Krypton: Default to your ad hominems all you want. We cannot deny the decline of quality from the latter seasons. It's even apparent in their stage shows. Yippie the Musical's Galar run can barely compete with the one time [Barney] Live At The Entralink Musical Extravaganza despite having an otherwise superlative touring cast.
Astatine: Yeah, Yippie's [La Jolla] production was better.
Oganesson: Indubitably. That's a Yippie production I'd watch.
Feel free to interact with these nerds at will.
Edited by MasterJayAM on Mar 22nd 2023 at 3:51:26 AM
That's just how it is on this bitch of an earth
The Stormchaser
A certain merchant is wandering around and happens upon the three.
???: "...?"
Not wanting to interrupt, she just stands off to the sidelines watching them argue. She may be noticed.
off the shits
Stormchaser, the Truant Lounge
Krypton is the first of the bunch to take notice, followed by Astatine. The former stood up and approached slowly, followed by the latter, who is on a pedal-powered wheelchair.
Krypton: Can we help you with anything?
That's just how it is on this bitch of an earth
Stormchaser
She jumps a bit at being noticed, before collecting herself.
???: "... Moooooore like how can I help you! To these wares of mine!"
She pulls out some of her aforementioned wares and strikes a pose.
???: "..."
???: "Okay, I'll be honest, I have no idea where I am so I could use some help, yes."
off the shits
I'm outside the Department Office in Crown City, meet me there.
The man put the phone away and slowly smoked a cigarette, he ran his hand through his neatly combed hair... before scratching at the thick stubble like beard on his face. He adjusted the dark green coat on his shoulders, before looking to the Lucario at his side.
Said Lucario was wearing a trenchcoat and had an odd patterned tie around his neck. ~Isaac, you really should stop, it's bad for your health.~
"I'm good," Isaac responded. "I'm in fantastic health. I should be more concerned about you Deckard, what with your odd fashion sense... where did you even find a coat that small?"
~I'm good at what I do,~ Deckard answered.
Stormchaser, Truant Marathon
Krypton and Astatine stare at one another for a bit, and then at the merchant and their wares. The background has gone silent, as Oganesson paused whatever he was watching and briefly turned off the big freaking TV.
Krypton: Well, your guess is as good as ours. The ship we're in is very hard to get around in. It's like if you walk around enough you'll find your way to where you need to go but if you're looking for a map you're out of luck.
Astatine: Stormie's just like that.
Krypton: I knew the ship is alive and had an aura but you nicknamed them?
Astatine: I didn't. There's a few that get thrown around. That's what Mr. Beckett and a few other staff guys call the ship.
Krypton pauses for a bit.
Krypton: Never mind. I know how you found out.
Astatine: Maybe introductions are in order so we can help you better. Ol' Stormie here always leads people to where they need to go. You might just not know where you want or need to be just yet. I'm Austin. This here's Jordan. And over there is our little brother Gyozo.
That's just how it is on this bitch of an earth
Stormchaser, Truant Marathon
Somehow, she doesn't look surprised that the ship is alive.
???: "Ahh.. That would explain why finding things is so convenient!... Hm, Stormchaser, huh?"
She muses, half to herself. Whether the ship told her that or she knew already is up for debate.
She quietly pockets her wares again since there doesn't seem to be any interest.
???: Mukon: "My name is Mukon!"
Mukon grins. It's... half hidden by her Hisuian Zoroark mask, but it's there.
Mukon: "This is... Not the first time I've fallen through a rift and ended up somewhere entirely random, so I'm trying not to let it get to me!"
Edited by Daydre on Mar 20th 2023 at 2:08:06 PM
off the shits
Stormchaser, the Three Colegiales
As she pockets her wares, the purple-eyed brothers stare at each other, as if communicating with one another mentally.
Krypton/Jordan: Welcome, Mukon. I trust that your trip here wasn't too stressful. Spending time here takes a lot of getting used to.
Astatine/Austin: So, you're like one of those fallers the Internet keeps talking about?
Oganesson/Gyozo: Stewart seems familiar with them. Perhaps we should call him for assistance.
Astatine: Maybe, but maybe later. It's nothing we can't handle now.
Krypton: Seconded. So, what circumstances got you into the ship in the first place.
Oganesson: I like your mask. We don't see masks of that make around here, which is peculiar since this is the ancestral homeland of that type of Zoroark.
Krypton: Aren't they extinct?
Astatine: Technically, they're officially not. It's a common misconception; they're very rare, though, so many people think they are. Some scientists believe they tried to do a dreepy when things went bad. They took on the ghost typing to adapt to the changing environment brought about when the settlers from Kanto forcibly turned Hisui into the Sinnoh we know today. Some say the changes must've come earlier since the early days of colonization found them already with the type. "Reborn through spite," was how they put it. Since they're rare it either didn't help them much or it helped them really well.
Krypton: I know you've already hidden them and we probably can't buy anything, but what is it exactly that you sell?
Astatine: Unless you have, like, one of those electronic-only payment processors, then we can. But anyway, I hope it isn't rude to ask, but where were you before you ended up in our fair blimp?
Edited by MasterJayAM on Mar 21st 2023 at 2:59:25 AM
That's just how it is on this bitch of an earth
Stormchaser, Truant Stuff
Mukon: "Oh, thank you! I made it myself."
She grins wider.
The comment about Hisuian Zorua being extinct makes her frown, though.
Mukon: "Eh? But I thought..."
She tilts her head.
Mukon: -Shrugging- "Hm, that's the second time I've heard conflicting information about them... First it was that they were common and now it's that they're uncommon again..."
Mukon: "Well, wherever I originally came from they weren't common, so maybe I'm back where I started..."
... Snapping back to attention.
Mukon: "Oh no, you can still buy them if you want. I have smoke bombs, stealth spray, and scatterbangs. I made them myself!"
She pulls the items out again. One looks... kinda like a small bomb, one is a teal pouch with a woozy looking face drawn on it, and the last is a bottle of dark liquid.
Mukon: "... This probably goes without saying, but don't use these indoors. Good for avoiding pokemon, if you don't want to be near them! ... I only really take cash, though, sorry."
She considers for a second.
Mukon: "Well, I was on my way back to Jubilife Village... I suppose this is better than last time since I actually remember where I was going. Also I'm not bleeding out, that's a plus."
off the shits
Flying Colors
Battle Palace
Yed: <...whoooooa.>
-Yed's Justice Twig falls out of his mouth as he stares agape at the shimmering blue figure across from him.-
Yed: <Are you... really a real life Legendary, in the flesh?>
Suicune: <Ah, well, yes. Yes, I am!>
Yed: <Wooooow...>
Kai: Don't forget my advice!
Yed: <Er, right! Be creative!>
-Yed picks up the Justice Twig, and Suicune howls. Their form shimmers, before dividing into a set of three copies, movements synchronized. Yed frantically glances between the three Suicunes, trying to discern them.-
-From the sidelines, Kai and Spenser watch.
Kai: ...So, I've been meaning to ask. You've got an Unown tattoo, your staff bears the mark of Kyogre, Suicune champions your battles... You've been up to a lot of stuff over the years, haven't you?
-Spenser chuckles-
Spenser: Over many, many years, I've had many, many stories to tell. Some of them are even true.
-Kai stifles a snort-laugh.-
Kai: Only some of them? How many have you made up?
Spenser: When I was a young man? Tall tales were a pastime for me. I got into my fair share of trouble, you know.
Kai: I can hardly imagine you as a young man at all, much less a troublemaker.
Spenser: In my day, that was the only way you ever got to meet the gods. It was rare that they turned their attention to someone doing exactly as they were told all the time, but Hoenn's legends in particular are very keen on answering challenges. As I found out when I decided one day to touch the Blue Orb.
-Kai's eyes widen in astonishment-
Kai: Kyogre just decided to battle you just like that?
Spenser: I never said "battle", Kai. Kyogre answered my challenge... by assigning me as their chosen envoy.
Kai: O-oh. Oh. Uh, what was that like?
Spenser: I imagine much like Tagg's current duties, though I was far more headstrong about it. Had Teams Aqua and Magma existed at the time, I would have likely joined the latter out of spite for my own patron!
Kai: That's... extreme.
Spenser: So it was! Luckily for me, I was only one man. And Kyogre isn't ruthless— they simply know that one man cannot overpower the ocean itself. So they are forgiving, in that way. They let me make my own mistakes, and learn from them at my own pace.
-Yed jabs the Justice Twig into a Bubble Shield, and immediately regrets it as Suicune flash-freezes the popping bubble into a flurry of ice needles.-
Kai: Is that where this whole battle gimmick came from?
Spenser: Somewhat. I've also simply learned that it is a true test of bonds and trust. The Lord of the Ocean is heavily associated with the Heart of Gold attribute, after all.
Kai: wait really
Spenser: Did you not know that, Kai, Chosen of Ho-oh?
Kai: W-well, I do now!
-Spenser laughs.-
Spenser: You've got a long while to figure these things out. Luckily for you, you've got very close bonds to long-lived creatures. Bonds tie lifespans together, you know.
Kai: ...How old are you, sir?
-Spenser grins.-
Spenser: Very.
Kai: ...not sure why I expected a different answer.
Poké Park
As soon as Hoops is carried into the park, they begin to look around for the nearest source of water, which turns out to be a waterway that runs alongside the path for likely this very purpose.
<Please deposit me in there> they say.
Beach, Hau'Oli City
"I just can't believe you would do something so reckless," Xaster says, for the hundredth time that day.
Hoops shrugs. "I honestly think it would have been weirder if I hadn't."
"Don't sass me!" Xaster snaps. "At least, not while I'm mad at you. At certain other times... well anyway."
Now that Xaster has been released from the hospital, the two are enjoying some quiet time on the beach before they have to leave the Alola region. Unfortunately, Hoops showing up battered from their fight with Whitt is making it difficult to relax.
"I mean, you saw what he did to me," Xaster continues. "You shouldn't have gone after a guy like that on your own. What if you'd died?"
Hoops frowns. "I don't know how one would actually go about killing me at this point. And anyway, I couldn't let him get away with hurting you."
Xaster sighs. "Look, I know that you're a lot stronger than me. It's just... when you go up against the School or other bad people, I worry." He reaches out and takes Hoops' hand. "I know I might not be that much help, but please don't leave me behind next time."
"I won't," Hoops lies.
A Bruxish jumps from the sea, the light of the sun flashing from its scales, and lands back in the water with a splash.
"You know, as a kid I used to love Bruxish," Xaster said.
Hoops glances at him. "Really? I mean, it's not exactly..."
"Visually appealing?" Xaster laughs. "I was eight. My parents were out working, and I got into my mother's makeup. I wanted to use everything. When I got back, my father said I looked like a Bruxish. So, after that..."
They laugh. "That's adorable. You're a lot better with makeup now, though."
"Yeah," Xaster agrees. "What about you? You ever try it out?"
Hoops shakes their head. "I did not have a dad that would support that. I guess I've always kind of felt a pressure to present as masculine, even though I don't identify that way. It's weird, I know."
Xaster squeezes their hand. "I'm here whenever you're ready to try something. But first..." he jumps to his feet, pulling Hoops with him. "Come on. We're going for a swim."
Hoops takes two steps before tripping on something and faceplanting in the sand. They look behind them, to see the half buried form of Cof.
"Cof?" they ask. "What are you doing out here? I thought you were going to rest."
<I needed to tell you something> Cof says. <It's about our battle with Whitt.>
Hoops sits up and crosses their legs. "Okay. Go on."
<When I was using my Z-move, the nightmare dimension that I brought us to was, in a sense, within myself> Cof says. <Now, you of all people know that my insides are very secure. In fact, it should have been impossible for anyone to interfere.>
"But that Banette did," Hoops says. "So, how is that possible?"
<I don't know> Cof admits. <Although I have a theory. One that I sincerely hope is not true.>
"I get it," Hoops says, because Cof isn't making jokes. In fact, for the first time since they met him, he seems scared. "So, what's the play? Where do we need to go?"
<I'm afraid you can't come with me for this> Cof says. <I am, in essence, requesting a leave of absence to investigate this.>
"Go," Hoops nods. Cof sinks into the sand.
Xaster taps Hoops on the shoulder. "What was that about?"
They look at the impression in the sand where Cof was. Another problem, is the answer. But not today. "Nothing," they lie. "Come on, let's go swim."
Stormchaser, Truants' TV room
The group recognizes most of the wares sold as materials used for evasive maneuvers. Particularly antiquated ones, Oganesson—the one boy in the group without dark hair—would've added. All three of them also knew that the products were commonly sold by peddlers in Ancient Hisui, although ironically only Astatine could phrase it in a way that doesn't cause offense today.
Astatine is also the only one of them to have learned that normal humans sometimes enjoy dressing up and acting like people from centuries ago, and take great pleasure in acting as closely as they can to how they would've acted in the past.
All this could've been avoided had they been anything like how they were when they first arrived. But the living ship seems to compel them to not read too deeply into other's minds, even if it would be convenient to do so.
And then the word hit them hard: Jubilife Village.
They weren't immediately near Jubilife City.
Oganesson: Beg your pardon, ma'am? You mean Jubilife City, right
Krypton: All those books we read at our old place, as out of date as they were, all described Jubilife as a city. And a very big one at that. It hasn't been a village for more than 150 years.
Oganesson: You must be far more lost than we realize. Is there a village of the same name anywhere around here? Austin, you've had a lot of Internet time before. Would you happen to know any place like that?
Astatine: There are no villages with that name anymore in Sinnoh. I thought she might've been from one of those re-enactor events but the one taking place in Jubilife is close to the old city, where the Galaxy Hall museum is located. And it still looks like a city, just one from 100 years ago. Everybody in costume there would dress like city people.
Oganesson: My kind of people.
Krypton: If it isn't too rude to ask, Mukon. What year was it in the place you originally came from?
That's just how it is on this bitch of an earth
Stormchaser, With the Truants
Mukon: "Uhhh... Well, when I first got there I made that mistake too. But no, apparently it's Jubilife Village."
The prospect of 150 years having passed doesn't seem to phase her, for some reason.
Mukon: "Hm, what did Ginter say again... It was like... Um, Bunsei..."
She starts doing math with her fingers.
Mukon: "6? I think?"
off the shits
Oliver tipped the tank over and let Hoops flop into the water path. He gave Stylus a thumbs up gesture, Stylus returned it... despite lacking thumbs.
<Alright then, what do we want to see first?> Ribbon asked.
Stylus looked at a map stuck at the entrance and tilted his head. <Call it typing-stereotyping, but I want to check out the dojo for fighting types.>
Person, or Idea?
Christine peers at the map Stylus was looking at. Though her literacy had improved drastically in the year since her capture, she has trouble understanding the glyphs marked on the map. <Mitchell,> she asks, turning her head to see him, <could you have a look...at...> Her voice trails off, as she is flabbergasted by what Mitchell is doing.
Namely, he is chasing spots of light reflected from the koban on his head onto the ground. Again and again, he pounces and grasps empty air. <Come on!>, he complains. <Hold still, you little->
<MITCHELL!>, Christine yells at her Trainer-turned-Meowth.
Mitchell springs in the air and yowls, before recovering his senses. <How long was I out?>, he asks.
<Too long,> Christine replies, scooping up Mitchell in her lower body and pointing him at the map. <Now, would you please read this?>
<Uh, sure,> Mitchell replies, staring intently at the map. <Lessee here, what's this "Mini Coronet" thing?>, he asks, pointing a claw at a conspicuously mountain-shaped illustration on the map.
<Oh, my!>, Christine exclaims. <It's like my birthplace in miniature! Let's go there!>
<Alrighty, then,> Mitchell says, awkwardly leaning in Christine's grip to face the others. <Anyone want to come with us, and check how much this Mini Coronet is like the full-size thing?>
Stormchaser, Truants Three
Oganesson and Krypton were not familiar with the calendar Mukon used (blame their old guardian's blatant disregard for cultures other those of Galar and its neighbors). The detail that she didn't even use the same calendar was all they needed to know.
Krypton wordlessly moves to a cabinet, as if beckoned by the ship itself, and proceeds to come back with a first aid kit.
Astatine, however, does know what calendar it was, which only made him connect the dots faster. That said, he notices a hint of uncertainty in Mukon's words, indicating that her memory itself may find it difficult to pin a real date.
Astatine: 1824-ish. Definitely back when Jubilife was still a sparsely populated settlement, yes. Geez, you two. Does the doctor only ever keep books that have the dates in [Gregorian].
Oganesson: Sometimes the dates are in [Julian]. Calendars of non-[Western] cultures aren't something Circhester thought was worth studying.
Astatine: I knew Circhester and his ilk liked to keep us in the dark but this is a whole new level of information control.
Oganesson: Enough of that. Go assist Jordan; he needs the extra pair of hands.
Astatine: Don't have to tell me twice. Are you sure about this?
Oganesson: Dr. Circhester only fed us antiquated books on culture, but my Porygon has helped me sneak in a few modern things here and there.
Astatine: That's convenient. Hope you know what you're doing.
And he pedals toward Krypton. Oganesson approaches Mukon. The "bleeding out" had him and Krypton worried ever since she blurted it out.
Oganesson: What is it about bleeding out?
Astatine: In that time period, regular people would probably die if they bled out profusely.
Edited by MasterJayAM on Aug 23rd 2023 at 7:44:46 PM
Poké Park
Hoops makes a big splash as they're tipped into the water. They stay under the water for a few seconds before emerging.
<Well, that was not very dignified. As a side note, breathing water is weird.>
They take a look at the provided map. <I'd like to check out this lake> they say, vaguely gesturing with the bandage whisker. <Give me a chance to get better at swimming in this body.>
Meet The New Boss
Floraroma Meadow
Mog: "Must be an effect of that rift... Like how I turned human when I came here."
"...I guess we're like kindred spirits. And it's not a Fighting type but it certainly has a. Fighting spirit...
-The Rowlet seems to ca;lm down a bit and nestles by Mog's leg-
"I'm going to call him Willow."
School Wilhelm Scream House
-Tsukuyomi Intercepts the attack and continues Bug Buzzing-
Justice: "We can't hold on like this... There's gotta be a better way..."
Crown City
-Risky eventually arrives-
-A very nervous Jade follows-
Autumn Mountain
-Indeed, moving closer to the shrine, the gang finds a Magic circle with an at the very least familiar-looking Pokemon-y shape on it-
Olivia: <Yessss! We're on the right track! If I can harness the power of this Water Vellumental and activate this Magic Circle we'll fill that lake up in no time!>
-On the way to the temple is a golden field of very tall grass-
Outside The SATWHUL
-The currently-unnamed mass of Umbra characters is gathered here-
-Umbra, Merlin, and Owen are up on a podium-
Alex: "So what did we get called here for again? It better be good, Oran OS, I was in the middle of a fantastic invention when one of your little notifications interrupted me and everyone else!"
Owen: "Now now my sworn nemesis we're getting to that..."
Locke:' I hope you all are ready for an unforgettable trip!
Merlin: "Because we're going to..."
-A map of Paldea appears on the screen behind them-
Merlin, Locke, and Owen all at once: "WE'RE GOING TO PALDEA!"
-The sound of Nearby Kricketots chirping is audible-
Owen: -"...Did we mess this up?"
Locke: "We most definitely essed this up."
Merlin: -to the Kricketot- Hush you!
-The Kriketot go quiet-
Contact Me!
Battle Academy, Keter Floor
-The door shakes.-
-It cracks.-
-It splinters.-
-Eventually, it caves in.-
Cassidy the Perfected: Meager defenses. Fan out. They'll have defenses at the ready soon.
-The Yellow Eye commandos of the Reindeer squad, denoted by their antlered helmets, fan out and cover corners - as many corners as there are on a bridge, anyway.-
Cassidy the Perfected: The same bridge described in the scouting report... but no furnace. There only appear to be books.
-Cassidy looks out into the distance. There are books in every direction - piled to the ceiling wait where the hell is the ceiling? Where is the floor?! There's literally nothing but piles of books below and beyond.-
Cassidy the Perfected: This is not a normal Palace...
???: Right you are.
-The Reindeer hold up their Psyshock staves.-
Reindeer Team Member: Contact! Twelve o'clock!
-Cassidy looks over, and sees a man in a black suit. He really isn't notable aside from his attire, and his attitude, considering that he has his hands stuffed into his pockets like he were loitering in a sandwich shop or something.-
Cassidy the Perfected: Is this all the vaunted Battle Academy could muster to stop me? One man?
???: Yeah, well, I lost my helpers in the last transition, so, yep. It's just me.
Cassidy the Perfected: You stand before Cassidy the Perfected. One of the three greatest creations of the School. And the last thing you'll ever see.
???: Hm, you boast big. Name's Roland. Adjutant of the Faculty Head here at Battle Academy. I manage her meetings, answer her mail... and turn away solicitors.
-He pulls his hands out of his pockets and straightens the gloves on his hands.-
Roland, the Black Silence: I'm gonna have to ask you to leave.
Phenac City, Mementos
-Ludmilla turns around. Something was coming.-
-An ominous whistling can be heard from up the tunnel.-
Ludmilla: If you're trying to do the whistle from Shinx In Boots, you messed up the pitch.
-The purple edge of a psy-bladed knife whips past Ludmilla's head in response.-
Ludmilla: ... You.
Tanya: I finally found you.
-Tanya flips the knife in her hand as she enters the light.-
Ludmilla: I'm a lot better prepared for you this time.
Tanya: Good. The anticipation for this was unbearable.
-Tanya grabs the knife out of the air and lunges at Ludmilla. Her counterpart pulls out her trench knife and catches the blonde's blade in the hand guard.-
Tanya: Show me a good time, Wolfram.
Ludmilla: Fuck you.
Tanya: That's the spirit.
School Safe House
-Ding!-
Angelica: Oh!
-She looks down at her blade gauntlet.-
Angelica: It's time to go! How exciting!
-Angelica hops off of her bunk and skips outside. There should be some J-Teamers around here somewhere.-
Fwomph
Battle Academy
The Owl: <It was the best we had. Regardless, the mission must be completed. There is no other purpose.>
The Girl: Egh! Can you just like... Render judgement on this bird already? Or at least drop the pacification field...
-Pent still looks like he's puzzling things out-
I really want to know how you got your hands on the Infinite Forest and you think you can control it.
The Owl: <If indulging your curiosity will make this decision easier to make: We were advised as to its existence and current inaccessibility by the expert we then recruited for their existing experience. The machine itself was extracted from a prior point in the timeline and cowed into accepting the expert as administrator level access.>
-Something in Pent's expression shifts when he processes that-
Wait. When did you recruit him?
-The girl is absolutely beaming, she knows-
The Owl: <When you stole the metafract during a machine invasion on the primary human settlement.>
-The girl starts laughing loudly-
The Girl: Please call this farce to a close so I can use this held action!
Glimwood Cabin
If the theories are true, then what talked to him is... Weird. Maybe malevolent. Anyway uh... Yeah, maybe I should... Not that I think they'd be useful for this stage but more eyes on this would be good.
Angela: <Hm... If he turns bad I'll punch him.>
... Angie, thank you for the sentiment but you don't need to. We're going to avoid that.
Autumn Mountain
-Gale whistles from her spot at the back of the pack-
Tall grass like that's probably riddled with wild 'mons. Or worse, if Ollie's stationed troops up here. I think we should buddy system up, or at least have any non-trainers and loose 'mons be led through by one of the trainers!
Pokepark
-The Murkrow follows the group from a little bit above them, though given how much it's circling it is definitely keeping a sharp ear on the conversations-
-The remark about the Guild was definitely a little concerning, especially if word got out that the J-Team just letting Pokemon off the leash at the park, even if those Pokemon were in fact the J-Team members themselves. Eventually though, it appeared the group was splitting up to pursue type-orientated entertainment venues. Gale herself, acting through the proxy, didn't really have much interest in hanging out with Dark or Flying types owned by another trainer so instead the bird just flitted down near Christine and Mitchell-
Gale's Mystery Bird: <Mmmmmm... I could come along. Yes yes. No connection to the mountain, but you and I have not met, I think. Hmmmm?>
-The bird paused for a moment-
Gale's Mystery Bird: <... That was odd phrasing. Apologies.>
It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.
The Pen shrugged. Up to you bud, I'll keep quiet on this for the most part. Let you handle the spam, but I may step in. After all...
It grinned, a wicked grin that spread across its inky face. I'm the only glitch entity allowed to be housed in your soul... I think. It's kinda roomy in there, wouldn't be surprised if you hold more or not.
Isaac put out his cigarette and looked over, he waved to Risky and Jade. "So you two must be the ones looking for more on the mystery man."
~Really gonna play up the noir factor?~ Deckard asked.
"Yes."
Deckard let out a sigh and chose to let it pass. Isaac was the investigator on this case after all.
School FUNhouse
Hebe, Hygieia and Magnesium are knocked backwards. Magnesium extends another vine to pull something else into the room.
Asclepius: You won't take us down that easily! Aceso! Floral healing!
The Comfey wrapped around Hygieia glows and grows more chains of flowers. Hygieia gets back up at full strength.
Hygieia: <That was nothing!>
Aceso: <Yeah! Together, we're invincible!>
Asclepius: I'll admit, this is rather amusing. But all you're doing is prolonging the inevitable. Hygieia! Get that trainer!
Hygieia charges towards Justice again, preparing a slash instead of a stab this time.
School safehouse, templar medbay
Templar 1 is able to levitate her phone over. She starts texting someone.
Edited by QuantumMelody29 on Mar 18th 2023 at 10:37:09 AM
I used to plug my deviantart here but turns out the link was too long.