ITT: We are all Pokémon Trainers

Mesagoza, J-Con 2023

Lian would run straight through the pair, knocking them over. The two get up.

Beck: Dreadfully sorry, young madams.

Stewart: Yeah, what he said. Sorry.

A sexy shirtless and uncharacteristically beefy Lucius page was on Beck's face. He takes it off in disgust.

Beck: Oh, Arceus, these dreadful things are getting worse.

Stewart: Bummer.

Stewart and Beck extend their arms toward the two youngsters to help them up. The youngsters may notice that Stewart has purple eyes like them and is also eerily familiar, like he would resemble someone who was usually sent after truants.

Stewart: Need a hand?

Mesagoza, J-Con

Iridium: -Running after Lian- Why are you here Strontium? I actually... kinda missed you.

-She's so wrapped up in her inner thoughts that she runs past Mitchell without answering or even really paying attention to his question and stumbles upon running into the subsequent pileup, barely managing to keep herself upright-

Poise, Lydia said I should act with poise.

No thank you.

-And looks directly into Stewart's purple eyes-

He's one of us.

Edited by rmctagg09 on Sep 24th 2023 at 12:01:41 PM

???

-grief is generally unwelcome in the School-

-so Adelinde isn't grieving-

-if she wears her hair long now, like Cecilia, it's simply a stylistic choice, which is allowed. If she's shifted her focus to making her constructs durable, that's only good strategic sense-

-it's been a few years now, since she was assembled in that vat. Her compatriots, one way or another, are no longer with her. Dead on missions, or at each others' hands, or fast-tracked into dead-end positions guarding nothing important nowhere-

-it's not really that big a deal. Templars die, new Templars are made-

Dr. Farrier: Adelinde! Adelinde, there you are, I've been looking for you.

Adelinde: For some reason, or do you just miss seeing my face?

Dr. Farrier: It has gotten rarer recently. Adelinde, what do you know about the Schoolchildren?

Adelinde: The testing line?

Dr. Farrier: The very one. All the new developments. The cutting-edge, as it were.

Adelinde: Okay, I'm still not clear on how jokes work, but I don't think that was funny.

Dr. Farrier: Forgive me. Adelinde, meet Calcium.

-a child steps out from behind Dr. Farrier. She has pale skin, dark hair, and purple eyes-

Adelinde: ...Why is she so small?

Dr. Farrier: Young humans tend to look like that. We skipped that phase with you, but it's neurologically useful for the experimental batches. No offense, Calcium.

Calcium: None taken, sir.

Adelinde: Okay. What do you want me to do with her?

Dr. Farrier: Keep an eye on her. Make sure she keeps up with her lessons and her training, get her prepared for her testing. I'll supervise, of course, you won't be left on your own.

Adelinde: ...Hold on. It sounds awfully like you're taking me out of the field.

Dr. Farrier: There will be a reduction in duties—

Adelinde: I'm your best agent.

Dr. Farrier: Well, that's just not true at all.

Adelinde: I can become your best.

Dr. Farrier: You can do that on your own time. You have your orders.

-she walks away, leaving Adelinde alone with Calcium-

Calcium: ...So what am I supposed to learn from you?

Adelinde: Haven't the foggiest.

Trill is in the library, fidgeting with a pen while studying for an upcoming exam with some classmates for one of Tyme's upcoming exams.

Student B: "So, heard there was one of those J-Con things going on around here."

Student 2: "One of those, huh? I mean, I have heard that group is around the academy, some of them are teaching classes even."

Student B: "Yeah, something like that. I dunno, I kinda wanna check it out. You wanna come, Trill?"

A snapping sound is heard as both of the students look at Trill, who now has an ink covered hand.

Trill: "Oh uh..."

Quack Parade comes over with a towel and sprays water on their hand, they nod as they get a towel.

"I... think I'll pass."

Student B: "Huh, thought you'd be all over this kind of thing given the adventure side of it."

Trill: "Well, yeah, they seem nice but... I might wanna try this on my own or something?..."

Student 2: "Oh, well, I... kinda wanted to check it out."

Student B: "Yeah, could be worth a laugh and nice to see these guys in action. You sure you don't want to come?"

Trill: "...Y'know what, yeah, I think I could come on over for it. Just gimme a bit."

The two other students shrug and head off while Quack Parade looks with concern.

Quack Parade: <You don't Have to go.>

Trill: "I mean, they're already here, gotta bite the bullet sometime. Besides, it could go worse, right?"

Quack Parade: <True, yes. You're usually good at letting things like that slide off you.>

Trill gives a nod and heads out to follow the other two students.

Sunyshore, Abandoned Salon

-Angela's image cracks like a mirror.-

Angela: Rude!

-Each of the fragments of image zoom out, showing dozens of images of Angela's face.-

Angela: I'm afraid if you want out, you'll have to follow the rules~!

-The mirrors then start glowing, and fire a barrage of small Mirror Shots at Flamel.-

Angela: Or else~

South Paldea Area 1

Spree: <All right, then. Here's your challenge, human.>

Kai: M'name's Kai.

Spree: <Here's your challenge, human. If you can catch up to me, you can try to catch me. ¿Comprende?>

Kai: Uh, sí.

"Prez": <Oh, this will be hilarious.>

-Spree stretches, then takes a three-point stance-

Spree: <Ready?>

Kai: I'm—

-Spree doesn't wait for an answer before she takes off. Kai squeaks, and starts hurrying after.-

Kai: (Fuck fuck fuck this isn't going to work I should have just thrown Chi-Yu at her how am I going to possibly— wait hold on)

-Mid-sprint, an idea comes to mind, and they haphazardly dig through their bag, looking for something.-

Kai: (I didn't think this would ever come in handy but I'm so glad Diane gave it to me after she stopped needing it)

-They pull out a certain armband, put it on, and catch their footing as they suddenly have very different, very Toxicroak-y legs carrying them forward.-

"Prez": <Wh—???????>

Kai Sarashi: <...This never stopped feeling weird.>

-They hold a hand forward, and then rapidly yank it back. What seems to be a faint cord of Aura pulls taut, and Spree yelps, her breath catching momentarily as the sudden absence of ambient Infinity Energy in the air needs to be filled.-

Spree: <The fuck?>

Sarashi: <I'm full of surprises! Even to myself!>

-Spree slows down as they give Sarashi an utterly perplexed look, before realizing they are in fact catching up.-

Spree: <Wait wait wait wait fuck get back>

-Spree swings her tail at Sarashi, but they leap out of the way.-

Sarashi: <Called it!>

-Sarashi circles around Spree and decks her with a Drain Punch, earning an undignified yelp.-

Spree: <Gah!>

-Spree manages to Rapid Spin Sarashi away from her, but is already looking rather dazed.-

Spree: <Aaaaaaaaa>

Sarashi: <Aaaand now would be the time!>

-They take off the armband, then dig around for a Fast Ball. Spree is too busy being flabbergasted to try to evade, and with a single, critical shake, it clicks.-

Kai: Gotcha!

"Prez": <.............The fuck?>

Edited by BittersweetNSour on Sep 25th 2023 at 12:37:01 PM

Rory looked over the merchandise on display. "Damn, they really got everything here," he said with a sniff.

He looked over at Nico, staring at a dakimakura of one of the red-heads in the J-Team. "Really?"

"Hey, not my fault red heads are hot," Nico countered.

Rory pulled out a notepad and started to write some stuff down, as Nico bought the pillow. Rory was proud to be self described as "hot headed dumbass", but he wasn't an idiot all together. Hunting the unusual took some knowledge after all, and right now he was applying what brain-matter he had towards trying to comprehend everything.

It was near inexplicable that the J-Team was infamous as they were, the sound of the TV show playing on a TV nearby, and even more inexplicable was their ability to get into trouble.

Nico never paid much attention to it, but Rory was certain something was up... and he had the feeling he was being watched.

Edited by EchoingSilence on Sep 25th 2023 at 1:16:40 PM

???

-Adelinde does not resent her new charge at all-

Adelinde: Okay. What is it you do?

Calcium: ~Uh—~

Adelinde: Speak out loud. The doctors don't appreciate when we talk in our heads.

Calcium: Oh. Uh...okay.

-she makes a wall appear-

Adelinde: That's it?

Calcium: Should there be more?

Adelinde: ...

-she conjures a blade and hurls it at the wall, which shatters. The blade stops an inch from the very wide eye of Calcium-

Adelinde: Well. We can start by improving that.

-Adelinde and Calcium sit next to each other in meditation. Adelinde surrounds herself with an orrery of blades, which Calcium is attempting (without much success) to imitate-

Adelinde: Clear your mind of distractions. Focus on your breathing, or your heartbeats, or whatever else. Imagine that the constructs are as constant as your need for air.

You can't think of it as something you create. It's an extension of yourself. Your flesh and bone will hold up to a lack of attention, and your constructs should be the same.

-Calcium's construct flickers and fades-

-Adelinde sighs-

-Calcium walks around a corner and directly into a flying sword. She blocks it with a wall, which splinters but holds-

Adelinde: Hm. Getting better.

Adelinde: Know any jokes?

Calcium: What's a joke?

Adelinde: Yeah, I'm still working on that part. The scientists are weird.

Calcium: I like them.

Adelinde: Of course you do. Everyone likes them, that's the point of them.

Calcium: ...Huh. Never thought of it that way.

Adelinde: That's because you're...what, six months old?

Calcium: How old are you?

Adelinde: (smugly) I'm five.

Calcium: Five months? That's younger—

Adelinde: Five years.

Calcium: ...Whoa.

Adelinde: Right.

-more meditation-

Adelinde: Now, split the construct in two.

Calcium: Why do you call it a construct?

Adelinde: As opposed to?

Calcium: A wall. A sword. A blade. A...I don't know. A scale model of the facility.

Adelinde: They're all the same thing from different angles. It's simply an extension of will. Why haven't you split yours?

Calcium: It's hard to focus on.

Adelinde: That's because you think of it as two constructs. Think of it as your hands, moving in opposite directions.

-Adelinde and Calcium sit next to each other on the couch, reading-

Adelinde: Describe the themes of the story.

Calcium: Uh...lots of dead people.

Adelinde: I don't think that counts as a theme.

Calcium: Why am I doing this?

Adelinde: You're a psychic. Your weapon is your mind. Therefore, you keep it sharp. It doesn't matter what you're doing— you should be analyzing everything, and keeping it all straight.

Adelinde: —and so I said "but Doctor, I am Pagliacci!"

Calcium: But you're not.

Adelinde: I'm thinking maybe you don't have a sense of humor.

Calcium: Do you?

Adelinde: ...That is a good question.

-Adelinde and Calcium are brushing Nuckelavee together. The now-Rapidash sighs and puts up with the attention-

-the two sit in meditation, surrounded by the same field of swords-

-Adelinde flings a blade at Calcium, who catches it with a shield, then splits the shield in half and hurls the other half back at Adelinde-

Adelinde: Good!

Calcium: —and for the first time, my teeth stopped hurting.

Adelinde: ...Ha?

Calcium: One of the scientists told me that one. Then the other one told him not to tell that joke in front of a kid, but I'm not really a kid so I think it's fine.

Adelinde: I think we're getting better at jokes.

Calcium: We would almost have to be.

Adelinde: -laughs-

Calcium: Wait, that wasn't a joke.

Adelinde: And it was still funny! I think we're onto something.

Calcium: What's this?

Adelinde: Testing papers. Dr. Farrier said to report to her today. Not sure what the deal is, but I'm sure she'll be impressed by your progress.

A trio of Naranja y Uva Academy students are around, two accompanied by Quaxly and another by Sprigatito.

Student 2: "Well, come on, let's see what the people showing."

Student B: "I mean, I've heard the fandom isn't always the most accurate with them so we should take some of this with a grain of salt."

Trill: "Y-yeah... I mean, I'd be surprised if we met anyone like that here..."

Mesagoza J-Con

Atrin walks away from a food stall, Mimir and Ecto behind him.

Atrin: Was that enough treats, Ecto? Ecto?

Atrin turns to see Ecto running up to the student's Sprigatio.

Ecto: <Hello! Do you want to play chase!>

Atrin runs to Ecto and nods to the students.

Atrin: Sorry about that!

Mitchell pursued "Sally", only to slide to a halt near the spot where Lian, Beck, and Stewart collided.

Mitchell: "Oh, Dragons! Is everyone okay?"

Esmeralda: -struggling to stay perched on Mitchell's arm- <Careful, Master!>

Oliver: -clinging to Mitchell's back for dear life.-

Mitchell: "Whoops. Sorry, you two."

Mitchell smiled nervously. Moreso than usual, at least.

The Sprigatito's fur stands on end as Ecto approaches.

Sprigatito: <...I prefer hide and seek. I'll hide and you seek... somewhere else.>

And with that he returns to his ball, Student 2 blinking in response.

Student 2: "Oh, you're fine. Sprigatito's... jumpy."

Student B: "You've got a Houndstone? That's really cool. He seems nice!"

Student B attempts to pet Ecto on his back.

Trill: "Oh, hey! Yeah, you're fine. Just sorta came here with some classmates. They wanted to see what was up with this J Con since apparently some of the team is coming to our Academy."

Edited by CorvusAtrox on Sep 25th 2023 at 6:27:33 AM

Mesagoza J-Con

Ecto looks quite happy as he's pet.

Ecto: <Oh yes, that is nice! I ever so like that spot to be pet!>

Atrin chuckles a bit.

Atrin: Yeah, Ecto's a bit chaotic,but he's a good Houndstone. As for why I'm here, I just wanted to check all this out, myself. And the J-Team are going to your academy? That's pretty cool.

Mesagoza J-Con

-A voice speaks up from somewhere behind Atrin, Trill, and their fellow students.-

Bailey: ...You said that members of the J-Team will be coming to our academy?

-Said voice belongs to a girl, about fourteen or fifteen, with brown skin and long, dark hair. It's unusually quiet; quite hoarse and raspy for a girl her age. But that's not worth dwelling on. She probably just has a cold or something.-

-She also happens to be dressed in a Starfleet uniform, coloured science officer blue. That, and she seems to be stealing glances at Ecto whenever she suspects people aren't looking.-

Now it's Student 2's turn to be surprised as they hear Bailey's sudden voice.

Student 2: "Ah!..."

"...Oh hey, nice outfit. Is there a sci-fi or Trek Con going on here too?"

Trill: "Uh... yeah. At least it's what I've heard around."

Student B: -to Etran-"Yeah it is cool! Some larger than life personalities are always interesting to spice up your day a bit. Found anything good while you're here?"

-to Ecto- "You seem happy, good~"

Quaxly 2: <More happy than when you tried to mess with my do.>

Quack Parade: -Donald Duck speech- <Oh that's for sure.>

Edited by CorvusAtrox on Sep 26th 2023 at 11:35:56 AM

Mesagoza J-Con

Atrin: Yeah, Ecto's a bit chaotic, but he's a good and happy boy.

Mimir peeks out from behind Atrin.

Atrin: I'm Atrin, by the way. The Reuniclus behind me is Mimir.

Mimir gives a small nod. Atrin turns to Bailey.

Atrin: And that costume's nice!

Mesagoza J-Con

-Trill's comment about the J-Team seems to pique Bailey's interest.-

Bailey: Huh. Interesting.

-She tilts her head at Student 2.-

Bailey: ...I don't know what those are. There could be, I suppose.

-She looks back at Atrin.-

Bailey: Atrin. I see. I'm... Bailey. I'm one of the new students at the Academy.

-Her name, oddly enough, doesn't seem to come naturally to her. Perhaps she just doesn't like it.-

???

-Adelinde stalks through the halls of the facility-

Dr. Farrier: Oh, there you are, Adelinde—

-a series of blades appear in the air, hovering around Dr. Farrier-

Dr. Farrier: Oh. You have improved, I thought those were only stories.

Adelinde: Where's Calcium?

Dr. Farrier: Calcium? I think there's one in the mess hall—

Adelinde: -growl-

Dr. Farrier: Oh, the Calcium we paired with you for instruction? Weren't you informed? She failed testing, she was designated for liquidation.

-Adelinde frowns-

Dr. Farrier: Are you bothered? It doesn't reflect on you. It's simply an issue of her design, you know. We'll refine in the future.

Adelinde: But...she was improving. She didn't do anything wrong.

Dr. Farrier: No, of course not. But it's easier if we tweak the parameters next time. A little more stability, so we can get her output from the beginning. And then, well, who knows? We could get someone who's even stronger than you.

-Farrier does not mention the last time they made someone like Adelinde but stronger-

Adelinde: ...

Dr. Farrier: If you don't mind, Adelinde?

-she taps one of the blades at her neck with a pen-

-Adelinde hesitates-

Dr. Farrier: Killing a scientist is the kind of thing we have Templars destroyed for. If you want another shot at training a kid up to snuff, I suggest you back off.

-Adelinde turns heel, stalking away-

-it takes a few seconds for the blades to dissipate. Dr. Farrier waits until she's sure Adelinde is gone before letting out a sigh of relief and walking the opposite way-

Student 2 looks puzzled.

Student 2: "Well, uh, still looks good on you, Trek's a pretty good series and like when I can go back to it."

Trill: "Well, hey, new student, nice to meet you, I'm Trill."

The red-haired enby reaches over to shake Bailey's hand. Possibly having felt the feeling that she doesn't like her name.

"By the way, if you ever wanted to try a different name or something out, the Academy's pretty chill with that."

-and then turns to Atrin- "Pleasure to meet the three of you too!"

Student B: "Yeah, you seem really happy and pleasant, don't you, boy?"

The student continues to pet Ecto.

Edited by CorvusAtrox on Sep 26th 2023 at 2:40:17 PM

Mesagoza J-Con

Atrin laughs a bit as Ecto gets more pets.

Ecto: <I love you, uniformed human! You are a good human!>

Atrin': This is also my first time in Paldea. I came here with a friend, who's probably looking around a few places. I'm from Unova originally. Nimbasa, to be more specific. I gotta say, Paldea's nice.

Mimir pokes Atrin a bit, before gesturing to the school building.

Atrin: Yeah, I imagine there's a lot to learn there, Mimir. So, you said there's a few J-Teamsters doing things at your school? Which ones, if I can ask?

Mesagoza J-Con

-Bailey looks at Trill's extended hand curiously, as though unsure what to do with it, before taking it and giving it a tentative shake.-

Bailey: I... it's fine. My name is fine. I preferred my old one, but I can't use it here, so... I'm Bailey. It's nice to meet you too, Trill.

-She nods along with Atrin's question.-

Bailey: I would also like to know which of them are visiting. Is your friend with them?

-Again, she keeps stealing glances at Ecto, as if weighing up whether it'd be possible to distract her current conversation partners for long enough to get away with scritching him unseen.-

Edited by Herbert40k on Sep 26th 2023 at 10:42:36 AM

This Thing Called A 'Mesagoza J-Con'

Andrea had found a ship, true. But before we look onto their adventure there, before we sing of their deeds aboard the Stormchaser, let us cast our minds back to what had happened a while earlier.
It was a day of wandering for the young Trainer, in Mesagoza where they had gone on a trip. Money was not too much of an issue- while not a famous contestant, they did not so badly that they did not win some prizes every now and again (although that was nowhere near good enough for them, was it?).

They had never much been bothered by the weather, or at least, their choice in outfit seemed to imply so. And looking for inspiration, on a new routine for contests, on a path they could not yet see- something that would, finally, satisfy them- they had found out about a supposed convention dedicated to the 'heroes' of... well, something. They had perhaps heard of them, in passing, but had never been too sure just what these people did or had done. Apparently they had a ship they flew around in and used as a general HQ, and then... did things?



...Well!



Indeed! They do declare! It is a good chance as any to find out, is it not?
Boldly do they walk towards the convention center, swing open its doors, and realize-

This is a convention. These people have one, meaning they are famous, meaning a number of people are here, meaning that their mission will prove harder than expected. Well! No matter. No matter! They shall not give up. Their 'mons are asleep in their balls, resting up, so it's up to them to do this. They walk up to the first stand they see, and ask-

"Hello! I am MIRACLE🌠STAR, a wandering entertainer. I have heard tales of this 'J-Team', but I wish to ask... how much of it is truly reality? Do you know, o kind stranger? Or else, do you know who I may ask?"

Well, their speech patterns and mannerisms are still what they are. If there is a cute dog-like creature nearby, they do not notice yet. They simply await a response as though they had just acted in the most natural way in the world. And have they not?

Student B: "Awww, such a good puppy~ You like my uniform? I do like looking to the future. And Unova, huh? We're from here in Paldea so hope you like it."

Student 2: "Or well, the two of us are, Trill's from Kalos."

Trill raises an eyebrow at the handshake and evasion.

Trill: "I mean... fair enough. Not sure what that'd be but guess you've got your reasons."

And when a friend is mentioned they sort of pause and nervously stammer out "Uh... friend? WhatareyoutalkingaboutIdon'thaveanythingtodowiththeJTeamhaha."

Student 2: "...Trill, they weren't talking to you."

Trill: -pausing after having the most embarassing look on their face- "...Right, yeah."

Student B: "Uh... names, I know there's a Mitchell guy I heard joined up already and there's something about Kai and Tagg being guest lecturers..."

And then in comes the entertainer.

Student B: "Oh now This is what I'm talking about!"

Trill: "Oh god here it starts."

They are sufficiently distracted by MIRACLE🌠STAR's appearance it would seem if Bela wanted to go for petting Ecto Now.

Edited by CorvusAtrox on Sep 26th 2023 at 6:14:54 AM

Mesagoza J-Con

Atrin: Who-?

Atrin turns to face the voice of MIRACLE🌠STAR. As he does this, Ecto actually nudges Bela a bit.

Ecto: <Hello! My name is Ecto! I am a friend!>

Mesagoza J-Con

-Who is this "Bela" person the narration keeps talking about? Her name is Bailey. She made a whole point of telling you that, gosh.-

-Anyway, it looks like she would be about to question Trill further about their hastily-stammered statement, were it not for the sudden appearance of MIRACLE🌠STAR!-

Bailey: ...

-...-

-With everyone else sufficiently distracted, she drops down to one knee upon Ecto's nudging, and begins deploying covert belly rubs.-

Bailey: whosagoodboy

Edited by Herbert40k on Sep 26th 2023 at 4:26:36 PM