ITT: We are all Pokémon Trainers

Paldea, Stormchaser exterior

-Hiro regards Whitt for a long, silent moment-

-the Stormchaser's bulk looms large and low behind him—never silent, never still-

-as he, now, is still-

Hiro: ...well, that's certainly true.

-his smile gets brighter-

Hiro: I have a knack for spotting honesty, you see—and the thread of Truth in your speech shines clear as day. Being here—telling me this—does please you.

-his eyes fixed on Whitt's sparkle, as with mirth-

Hiro: If abandoning those terribly tacky monikers brings you joy, I'm in full support. And I know our J-Team would, too. Even if our fandom disagrees. Whether or not your good man sits, I may.

-he does-

Hiro: Why did you come to us, then?

"I wasn't going to say anything like that," Silas commented. "It's fairy easy for a lesson to not sink in, sometimes you have to go through things more than once."

~That is an entire conversation I missed. What about those Mandalorian Lucarios we met while in space in the parallel universe?~ Hacks asked.

"Higher meditation through drugs only does so much," Silas responded. "Did you not notice the new hand?"

Hacks only now, did. Silas turned his attention back to Halis. "I can get that, there's a weird... factor to me being a Lucario. On April Fools I became a Deoxys, and I suddenly was far more in tune with that body and its abilities way more than my own form."

He leaned into the drift, taking on a relaxed pose. "Even now it's weirder, my own form isn't quite proper ever since I became a Blank. I get entirely what you mean."

~Though self isolation probably hasn't helped regardless,~ Hacks said.

Stormchaser exterior

Whitt: It's quite simple really. It seems that the School has officially declared me persona non grata, as I believe the word is. I am apparently to be liquidated on sight - and as I'm sure you understand, liquidation is an uncomfortable word for someone who deals mostly in ice. And, in the last few months, I have been on something of a voyage of self discovery, with part of my realisations being that old saying, that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. And so, I came to find your J-Team in order to request asylum against the School's operatives, in exchange for me offering my own services in their dismantling.

This whole time he has been cutting a slice out of a large cheesecake and putting it on a plate, which he holds out towards Hiro.

Whitt: Now, would you like some cake? I confess that I didn't bake them myself, but the woman who did is a wizard in the kitchen and she wouldn't let me go unless I promised to bring enough food to feed your ship twice over.

Halis processes everything that Silas and Hacks have said so far.

Halis: "...Ok, one, what's a Blank? Two, I heard that pun. You can pretend you didn't mean it, but I heard it, Mr. Fairy Easy. Three, wanting to be a Legendary would be way, way, way, waaaaaay above any level of responsibility I'd be willing to take on, not to mention that'd be double-impossible. Oh, and four, I don't even know how we'd go about fixing this issue, so we're already possibly dealing with a single-impossible as it stands unless I'm missing something... which, admittedly, I probably am."

They start shaking their head a bit before going into a thinking pose.

Halis: "Actually wait, no, it can't be impossible could it? There has to be something I'm forgetting here..."

Paldea, Casseroya Lakeside

Ama blinks.

Ama: "I... Thank you? I think?"

Ama: "Ugh, try telling that to my Me- I mean my ex-wife."

She absentmindedly pets Vee some more.

Ama: "Ultimately this is probably more productive than trying to kill my past self. Telling people from the past not to make the same mistakes I made."

She cringes as she seems to remember something.

Ama: "... And I'd prefer you all skipped the period of my development that preceded the me of now. I've seen some of what the other me is doing right now and she's on thin fucking ice."

Paldea, Somewhere...?

-Kicking a pebble, the young man chews on the naked lollipop stick in the corner of his mouth as he walks down the road. He's whistling a song, until he gets to the part with the lyrics.-

Red: I recommend you keep your distance, I'm combustible~

Red: Keep on burnin' day and night, I'm unstoppable~

Red: I'm searing hot, I am, untouchable~

-He slides on some gravel on the side of the road.-

Red: YES I'M ON FIIIIRE~

Red: IGNITED BY A BURNING DESIIIIIRE~

Red: CAN'T CONTAIN THIS EMBER THOUGH YOU TRY, DESPITE, ALL THIS TIME YOU TRY TO STOP ME~

Red: I, DEFY, THE STORM BRINGING ME DOWN~

Red: I AM THE ONE~

Red: I'LL BE BESTED BY NONE NOW~

Red: WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE, THE DAY IS MINE~

-He starts whistling the bridge as the rack of Pokeballs on his belt clatter under his light grey traveling jacket and his Team Iron field agent emblem.-

"A blank is someone who doesn't register on the aura spectrum at all," Silas explained. "You try to detect them with auric sight, they're invisible, you try to use illusions they see past it, you try to read their mind you get nothing. It wasn't really fun to have happen because one of my enemies is a Blank, and I hate being compared to him."

~If there's anything we've learned. Nothing is impossible. Our family motto is "The universe has a sense of humor" after all,~ Hacks added.

"Yeah, what makes you think this entire thing is impossible? A friend back at Asimov once showed me a mon to mon armband for instance."

At the mention of the mon-to-mon armband, Halis suddenly leans forward with much more interest.

Halis: "I'm sorry, a whatnow? Well then..."

They stop leaning forward... and accidentally do a flip before reorienting themselves upright.

Halis: "I guess that means there's gotta be a way to solve my issue, right? Just need to figure out how, and where, and hopefully not get roped into a deal with something beyond mortal comprehension in the progress. You know, normal stuff like that."

...And then they realize they actually don't know the how or where of it.

Halis: "...Oh, right, uh... Hm. I actually need to know those places and methods first, don't I? Can't go somewhere or do something I don't know anything about, after all, so uhh... you got anything, maybe?"

School Safehouse, Paldea

-The caretaker Templar, taking a long drag of a cigarette, is startled by a three-toned beeping coming from the emergency transmitter.-

Radio: [This is Operational Command. All operatives in Paldea, there is a Code Grey Scenario in effect. I repeat, there is a Code Grey Scenario in effect. All field operations are now considered High Risk until this Scenario has cleared. That is all.]

-The caretaker Templar scratches her head as she goes to look through her manual.-

-The Templar arches an eyebrow before shrugging, happy that she isn't one of the goons going out there nowadays.-

Silas and Hacks shrugged in perfect sync, even sharing similar confused looks. "There are answers out there, but neither of us can provide them."

~We're experienced with weird sure, but not that kind of weird.~

"Think I would learned more with that year I spent stuck as a Lucario."

~Best we can suggest, is ask around the ship, get out and actually talk to people. Someone here outta know.~

"Like the Ersatz retailer."

Paldea, Casseroya Lakeside

-Vee's cold-

Vee: -tired- <Yeah, why didn't ya resort to this from the beginnin'? Don't answer that.>

-under Ama's hands, however they tremble, Vee's tension works out of her, leaving her liquid and purring-

Vee: <Dunno how much of a good word I c'n put in—honestly, I didn' expect us t' make it as far as you. Still mightn't—it ain't like we are you.>

-draped over her legs and not soaking into the soil by the thinnest of threads-

Vee: <It's what's screwin' with me—I was fine dyin' together back in Galar. Now I ain't. Dunno what that says about me.>

-that missing mischievous energy seems to fill her—she goes briefly limp, before her featureless expanse of water nips at Ama's hands, play-hunting-

Vee: <Didn' you, like, kill a guy?>

Paldea, Stormchaser exterior

-Hiro's smile, near incandescent, rises at Whitt's admission-

-it breaks into a grin as he inhales to speak—-

-then he accepts the cake-

Hiro: ...

-that imperfectly-made, over-iced mess of a slice of cake-

-his eyes flit over it—how it couldn't have been baked in fear-

-it lacks the robotic precision of an implanted sense-memory, or the strained generosity of a chef cooking to please a tyrant-

-it's overmixed-

Hiro: Who...?

-only slightly—just a little soft—as someone who has baked softer and is training out of it-

-as someone not working with restaurant-regulation mixers, curbing enthusiasm over time-

-great enthusiasm-

Hiro: -smile dimming- Who made this?

-he looks back up at Whitt-

Hiro: Where is she?

-and sets the cake to the side-

Hiro: ...Whitt, what do you repent?

Stormchaser exterior

Whitt: After the regrettable events of Artazon, I was in a bad place. I wondered across Paldea, my body failing me and my mind feeling as though it was splintering into a thousand parts. Some time ago, I happened to stumble across a small village in the Paldean countryside. It was so small as to be inconsequential, and I admit I had plans on taking the place by force, but I was too weak to do anything more than collapse in the centre of town.

The kettle whistles, indicating that it's done heating the water. Whitt carefully pours two steaming cups of tea, giving one to Hiro, before continuing.

Whitt: When I awoke, I found myself wrapped up in sheets in a bed. The woman who owned the house told me that she had brought me back to her house to recover, and that I had been unconscious for more than a week. She had considered taking me to a hospital, but apparently I had roused enough to insist that I not go to the hospital; I suppose even in that state, I had enough presence of mind to know that I had many enemies who would find me if I went to a large hospital. The woman, whose name was Ariadna, never asked me why that was.

He takes his first sip of tea. It being in his hands has long since sapped out all of its heat, but he doesn't seem to care.

Whitt: Once I was awake, it was another three days before I was allowed out of bed. Ariadna was a strict woman who took little lip from me, and so I did as she said partially because it was easier and I was still barely alive. In truth, I didn't exactly want to leave. Where would I go, especially in my state? Once I was on my feet, she had me do chores around the house. Imagine, me, one who was built to replace humans, doing household chores for one. And yet, something stopped me from simply killing her.

He finishes his tea and sets it down.

Whitt: I stayed with Ariadna for a little over a month. By then I had recovered my strength, and the wounds from my last battle were now just scars that would serve as a reminder of everything. It was then that I told her everything about myself, and announced my intention to form an alliance with the J-Team against the School. In a final act of kindness, she prepared this food for me so that I could make a good impression, and even gave me these clothes. They were her son's, apparently. So I left that village behind and made my way her.

He smiles, in a way that suggests unfamiliarity with the gesture but at least imitates a warm smile.

Whitt: And that, Hiro, is who made this cake, as well as the rest of this picnic. She'd have been glad to know you're enjoying it so much.

The GM Household

-Deziree wipes her brow as she looks at the list of testing results.-

Deziree: Are we sure this thing isn't the remains of a massive Onix? Because these results make no sense.

Mobius: <I am quite certain we would have been visited by an upset ghost if it was.>

Deziree: Really, now. Anyway, send the results over to PCU, see if anyone in the Geology Department can make sense of it. Anywho, did you look into that weird metal from Paldea?

Mobius: <Oh yes, it was quite curious. I had a talk with Heatran, and he seemed quite surprised that we didn't already know about it.>

Deziree: So what is it?

-She sits down while Mobius pulls out a chunk of striated metal.-

Mobius: <This was apparently a metallic alloy that naturally formed from metal-dense magma that's exposed to concentrated magnetic charges while forming. It's apparently very rare, due to most of the metals in it being non-ferrous and the specific metals in it being of very peculiar mix. However...>

Deziree: That's a very smug "however".

Mobius: <I know how to recreate this! It's not a fast process but I can do it!>

Deziree: ... Okay, why?

Mobius: <Because this metal has a very interesting property!>

Deziree: That being?

-Mobius picks up the metal with a claw and chucks it across the room, where it beams Bessemer the Duraludon in the back of the head, resulting in a massive flash as the metal bonds with the dragon.-

Bessemer the Duraludon Archeludon: <What the hell was that fo- WOAH!>

-Mobius puts his two front claws up.-

Mobius: <Ta da!>

Deziree: WOAH! Bessemer, you look... cool!

Bessemer: <This feels weird!>

A flash of realization appears on Halis's face as they hold the end of their still good-as-new scarf.

Halis: "Hey wait, yeah, I think it was the Ersatz place that originally helped me out with stuff like that before. I guess I'm headed back there, then... you wanna come with or are you busy with other stuff? It's been a while so I might not remember who's who there. Besides, it'll be fun! When's the last time you went on a shopping trip that didn't involve violence or treachery, after all?"

Once again, Halis makes full assumptions about things that may or may not have happened based purely on small details... their imagination is just as carefree as ever.

Silas was about to comment when Hacks tossed up a paw. ~Sure, we'll come along.~

Silas shrugged, before tossing a wadded ball of paper in his pocket, propelling himself towards the door. Hacks fired a small aura sphere that dissipated and followed suit.

Halis: "Nowhere to go but forward, then."

As for how to go forward, they realize they've been carrying around a random rock for who knows how long, throwing it away from the door to also give the slight momentum needed to reach the door... before said rock unceremoniously explodes violently, launching them like a rocket straight towards the door, easily outpacing both Hacks and Silas.

Silas and Hacks tilt off, watching Halis zoom by. "Note to self, teach them spacewalking."

~Agreed.~

"Well, here we are," Silas commented.

~That wasn't too hard to navigate,~ Hacks commented.

"Storm-chan helps people get around."

Ersatz Pocket Dimension

As the two trainers stepped out the door and gravity returned, drawing them both into standing on solid ground, the interior of a windowless, small scale store opened up to them, shelves littered with a variety of clothes and accessories and other assorted goods.

Behind a register tucked into the side wall a Zeraora stared up at a clock with no hands, seeming to daydream about something while tapping his claws against the counter before his ear flicked.

He jolted upright, sizing up Silas and Halis with some degree of anticipation. <What brings you two here? Transformative trinkets? Accessories with attributes? Or some other clothes inaccessible to those not in the know?> He asked, energy faltering midway through as he leaned onto his elbow, looking bemused.

"Stepped" is most definitely not a word that applies to Halis's entry, having managed to catapult themselves directly in front of the counter. They get up, dusting themselves off before looking at the Zeraora unceremoniously.

Halis: "Oh, hello, and don't worry, I've been here before! I was wondering if you had anything for switching a person's Pokemon form out for something else. I've been having... identity issues lately. A lack of cohesion, I guess you'd call it? Like, the rest of me is at least part-fae, but then the other half of me, that form, it's... well, not, y'know? It's felt more out of place as time has gone on, so I'm hoping we can somehow figure out a solution."

They cough, looking away as their voice lowers to a whisper out of slight embarrassment.

Halis: "Totally doesn't help my forms switched polarities from overuse so that's been my default form..."

"I'm good," Silas said. "Just helping a friend."

Ersatz Pocket Dimension

Nimbus clicked his tongue, leaning back.

<Oh yeah, I remember I had to get the boss for that. Have another epiphany?> He asked rhetorically, only to rub his paws together in a manner somewhere between excited and predatory.

<It's not exactly my place to ask, but what brought this change on?> He asked, looking down at his paw pads as they flickered with electricity.

<Mew should be here soon…> he noted.

Halis: "Yeah, something like that... though, this one is much more important, I think. Keeping a consistent self-image can do wonders for a person's ability to do... well, things other than lay in bed contemplating what they could or should be, after all."

Halis sighs, leaning against the counter.

Halis: "As for what brought it on, that's hard to say since it's a combination of different factors from what I can tell. All I know is, I need my other form to be at least part-Fairy type, even if it's not the main type. It feels... weird not having that at the moment, like a part of me's just straight up missing. Actually that might be why I get weirdly reckless and aggressive in that form now that I think about it? Hmm..."

They shrug.

Halis: "In any event, I wonder if Mew will ask me to do something beforehand? I can't imagine a service like that's just freely given, after all, else so many others would be asking for it."

Paldea, Shroedinger's Area

-Red has his feet kicked up as his Oshawott runs around picking fights with the locals.-

Red: You're doing great, Kojiro! Keep it up!

-The huffy Oshawott taunts a retreating Pawmi before looking around for another target.-

Red: Boss was right, this place is great for training Pokemon. I don't even need to do anything!

-Kojiro the Oshawott nearly takes Red's head off his shoulder as he's flung through the air. An angry Pawmot makes sparks as it advances towards its target's trainer.-

Red: Ah, jeez...

-He pulls out a second Pokeball and gives it a toss, releasing a Kirlia.-

Red: Go get'em Astolfo! Do that Fairy laser beam thing Boss taught you.

-The Kirlia turns and gives their trainer an indignant look.-

Red: What? I can't remember all those move names.

East Province Area Three

...Not a special attacker?

-Cornflower crosses her blades, keeping them ignited, and takes the blast of the Seed Bomb head-on, flames scorching away much of the incoming plant life-

...I can work with that.

-as the Fire Spin continues to rotate-

-Ever flicks their eyes up to the sun, and to the scattered seeds, and to one very quick Petilil-

Ever: Alright. Hem her in. Ghost moves, please, you have all those shadows from the smoke and fire.

-Cornflower lets out a decisive hmph-

-her blades become transparent, and she plunges them into the ground-

-making them appear from the shadows in rapid succession, stabbing at Liliaceae-

Edited by memyselfandI2 on Jan 8th 2024 at 9:10:36 AM

Artazon

-Red, hands behind his head, gives a big yawn.-

Red: I am so not a morning person...

-His little data pad gives a beep. He sighs and taps his earpiece.-

Red: Yeah boss, whatcha need?

Cid: [Nothing at the moment, merely making note of your location. You're in Artazon, correct?]

-Red looks around.-

Red: I guess. Didn't really pay attention to that part.

Cid: [Is there a big windmill in the center of town?]

-Red looks over.-

Red: Eh, I've seen bigger.

Cid: [Then you're in Artazon. If you head north out of town, there should be an abandoned town left as a habitat for Ghost Pokemon. You're to head there and test your capabilities against Ghost-Type Obscura.]

Red: Uuuuuugh, is that why you got me up so early in the morning?

Cid: [It is nearly time for lunch where you are.]

Red: ...

-Red checks his datapad's clock.-

Cid: [Anyway, there are also reports of a Pokemon you may appreciate being sighted around that village as well. A small Fire-Type named Charcadet. I figured you'd appreciate the heads up.]

Red: Alrighty then, I'm off.

Cid: [Do not forget to eat first.]

Red: ... Right. Thanks, boss.