ITT: We are all Pokémon Trainers

Paldea, East Province Area Three

-unfortunately, shadows are faster than light-

Liliaceae: <Waugh!>

Phone!Wisp: <—trips on blades from the shadows. Still coming, from all angles, the smoke—>

Abilene: Get rid of them! La lumière!

-in a blur, between the stabbings, she pats down the pockets on her tiny frame-

Liliaceae: <Ow, ow, ow...>

-and procures...some seeds-

Liliaceae: <Ow!>

-which erupt into blinding light-

-the flashbang banishes the dark—and, she hopes, its blades—yet characteristic of a Hidden Move, the light somehow stays-

-Lilia doesn't-

-in a burst of motion, a blur of dark chews through the sunlight clinging to the smoke, and the only sign left of her is the echo of tiny feet-

Phone!Wisp: <She's vanished from sight.>

Abilene: -adjusting her glasses- Well. While everyone blinks the stars from their eyes, take a moment to gather y—

-and the shape that comes hurtling at Cornflower, from behind-

East Province Area Two

Chiyo: -Walking down the road- Levincia shouldn't be too far now.

Lehua: <I'm bored, we've barely done any battling.>

Dactyl: <Nicky and Kendra said they ran into your kid around here, do you think we'll see them?>

Iridium: -Having stopped training for a bit and is sitting in front of a tree when she spots a certain figure in the distance- Wait, is that?

Now's my chance.

-Standing up, an intense look in her eyes-

Let's go Bulbal.

Chiyo: -To Dactyl- I'm not sure if we'll be ready for that one.

-Stops for a second-

Actually Dactyl, did you hear that?

Dactyl: <Yeah. It sounds like...>

Chiyo: -Finishing- ...Hoofbeats.

Iridium: -Rounding the bend behind Chiyo and co, riding atop Bulbal's back as they rapidly begin to close the distance- There you are! Bulbal, let's get her!

Bulbal: -Starts to pick up speed as he goes for an Aqua Jet-

Chiyo: That must be the mon they said she caught.

-Instinctively puts up a barrier to block, before her more rational brain takes over and she sidesteps at the last second-

Bulbal: -Barely manages to stop himself from careening into a tree as he slides and turns around, Iridium staring down Chiyo directly-

Lehua: -Angrily- <You wanna fight, let's go!>

-He starts firing off Bullet Seeds-

Chiyo: -Blocks the Bullet Seeds with a barrier before they even get close enough to connect- Lehua, no.

Lehua: <But Chiyo, they attacked us first an->

Chiyo: -Serious- Lehua-kona.

Lehua: <Okay fine.>

-He settles for glaring, a look returned by Bulbal-

Chiyo: -To Iridium- I see you've been doing well since we last met. Your Tauros looks tough.

Iridium: -Continues to glare, saying nothing-

Chiyo: I'll give you some advice though hun, it's better not to announce your attack and just do it.

Iridium: -Dismounting Bulbal- This time 1.0, I'll show you who's the better one of us, when your friends aren't around. Then the School will quit comparing me to you, maybe I'll even become Valedictorian.

Chiyo: -Expression turns from neutral to something Iridium isn't sure how to describe-

Iridium: Okay, I've got her now. But that look... it can't be right. Sad... about what? Obviously that she knows she's met her match in me.

Chiyo: -Switching to a smile- Alright kiddo, since I don't think I'll be talking you down, let's play a game.

Iridium: Huh?

Chiyo:' -Lifting one finger- If you manage to land one (1) hit on me, I'll declare you the superior Auric. I won't even attack or lay a hand on you. What do you say?

Aurum: -On Iridium's shoulder- <I'm not sure about those conditio-

Iridium: -Stepping forward- I'll take it. Get off me Aurum, I don't want you getting hurt.

Aurum: -Reluctantly hops off- <I don't think I'm the one who should be worried...>

Dactyl: -To Chiyo- <Are you sure about this? I mean, she's your, you know?>

Chiyo: -To Dactyl- Yes.

-To Iridium-

Cute little guy you've got there, I thought you couldn't catch that sort of Gimmighoul in Paldea.

Iridium: I didn't catch them, they just stick around me. But why should I tell you that?

-Forming a knife construct as it starts to "spontaneously" rain-

With all the training I've done since the last time we met, I'll prove victorious.

-Taking a battle stance very similar to her current teacher-

Get ready to eat dirt 1.0!

Chiyo: -Odd expression returns- Of all the things I've eaten, that's one that I haven't done.

Iridium: -Launches herself at Chiyo with a battle cry-

Edited by rmctagg09 on Jan 30th 2024 at 4:34:21 AM

East Province Area Three

-Ever winces, but the goggles do actually do something-

Cornflower: <You fight bravely.>

Ever: Please actually know Astonish, behind you!

-Cornflower spins, and meets Liliaceae head-on, blades out-

Cornflower: <Boo.>

-Ever checks the sunlight again, plucking at their collar-

-between that and the flames ringing the battlefield, they're kind of wishing they'd brought a water bottle-

East Province Area Two

Chiyo: I didn't notice the last time, but this rain feels funny...

Iridium: -Slashes at Chiyo with her knife construct-

Chiyo: -Pretty casually dodges- Is she mixing her Aura into the rain?

Iridium: -Stabs-

Chiyo: -Parries with a barrier, the move sending Iridium stumbling- I don't know if it's a conscious thing though. Pretty impressive either way.

Iridium: -Regains her balance and sends out rainbow Aura chains-

Chiyo: Tagg's little trick.

-Blocks one, and parries others-

No blades though, figures he wouldn't teach her that yet. Not while she's under her current situation.

-To Iridium, having clearly not broken a sweat-

You learn that from someone?

Iridium: -Sending out more- It's my thing!

Chiyo: -Sending out more barriers to block and parry, smiling- You're not going to get a hit on me if you keep being this straightforward kiddo, I've been fighting for a very long time.

Iridium: -Angrily- Shut up!

-Swings with an Aura staff-

Chiyo: -Brings up a barrier-

Iridium: -Is sent back by her own force working against her and lands on her butt- Ow...

-She immediately gets back up and takes on a battle pose as if that didn't happen-

Chiyo: Well she's definitely got our determination, that's for sure. I hate that it's being used for this purpose though.

Edited by rmctagg09 on Jan 11th 2024 at 6:13:12 AM

Silas and Hacks looked to each other. "That, may explain a lot."

~I remember reading that lagomorphs generally don't have very good eyesight. Decent enough but lacking in cones for red colors.~

Silas shot Hacks a look, daring to remind the hound what he was. ~There are exceptions for everything...~ he protested.

Silas shook his head. "We should still probably get you a proper prescription for glasses," he said to Halis.

Ersatz

As rabbit and jackal contemplated eyewear and the possibility for what Halis could be, the Mythical idly brushed the back of his paw against his face, yawning as he mulled over how they could find what they needed without the direct intervention of his boss.

They were talking about him being lagomorphic as though it were an absolute, he noted. But the intersection of lagomorph and Fairy was only two Pokemon, as far as he was aware.

He shook his head, shrugging as he idly crackled with a little bit of power, mind drifting back to that other J-Teamer who looked like that hunter from 80 years ago…

Stormchaser Deck

Kendall leaned over the edge of the railing as he looked up at the sky, the fog of his breath illustrating his heavy sigh before he took another drink, noticing his empty can with a grimace after it tapped out on him.

"You're not going to find purpose out here," a voice behind him spoke up, one Kendall recognized as he turned to look at the purple hair of the Schoolkid. Initially blanching, he blinked the lights out of his eyes and recognized the familiar Bismuth.

He said nothing, knowing that she already knew what to say regardless of what he did.

"That's exactly it," she observed. "Staying back and waiting for something that you can influence? If all you care about is the impact you'll leave in the world, the most you'll ever leave is a grave," Bismuth added with a sullen shake of her head.

"Bismuth, the first time I tried to live for myself, the very team that saved Unova stole what could have been my thunder in the same breath," he explained. "I spent years reclaiming what I once had, but the only thing I learned was how to be a cog in the machine. Now that I'm out, even after all this time, all I can do is that which I'm told."

As the words left his mouth, Bismuth lowered her glasses from the bridge of her nose with a bemused expression.

"At least you had something to escape from and a motive to escape. You saw everything and felt none of it," he scoffed, refusing to meet her gaze, only to be face-first with a purple flash and the Timekeeper Twin's cold gaze.

"And when you saw the chance to get involved with the same team who robbed you of what could have been," she countered. "did you give any thought to the possibility that others just like you would have the same grudge against you from your actions?"

Kendall could only blink.

"That's what I thought. Either you were under-equipped for Team Plasma and are so confident that you would do something so dumb, or an organized team of Trainers such as this one are better suited than you ever were."

"Well-"

"Is an individual link in the chain any stronger because it has the rest of the chain tugging on it from both sides?" She preemptively countered. "You're no better than the cog you once were. And as long as you continue to wait for further orders, you never will be."

With that remark, Bismuth blinked away to parts unknown, leaving Kendall with his empty can and heart full of feelings.

…

Halis: <You know, you say I'm a lagomorph like it's an unchangable fact, but to be honest, I think that might actually be part of what caused this issue, it feels like I've kinda been... pigeonholed into it? Like, don't get me wrong, I do like bunnies, but at the same time, does that necessarily mean I have to be one as well? If anything that makes it kinda weird... and I mean like, weird in a bad way.>

Halis sighs, getting a bit frustrated as they twirl the glasses around a bit, looking at their two current companions.

Halis: <Like, imagine if people looked at you and all they saw was a Lucario fanatic and basically nothing else. I can't imagine that'd tide over well with you, either. It's assuming someone's entire character based on an ultimately superficial detail like that.>

They stop, looking at the glasses again.

Halis: <Also, the eyesight problems extend to my human form too, now that I think about it, so that's not exclusive to this form.>

Battle Academy

Dune: So he just walked up...

Xavier: And ate my bait.

-Dune taps his chin.-

Dune: Hhhhhhuh.

Xavier: I don't get why, it doesn't taste that good.

Dune: No it doesn't.

Roland: How the hell do you both know that?

Angela: Not relevant. So you're saying we have a wild child wandering the desert?

Xavier: Well, I guess they would be around my age...

Dune: I'm gonna find'em.

Roland: Uh... do you have an idea as to where to start...?

Dune: Yes. I'm gonna lay out bait.

-There's a distinct -twung!- sound as Roland's brain hits a wall.-

Roland: ... Right. That makes sense.

Angela: "The Black Silence", everyone.

-He grumbles as he walks off.-

Angela: Anyway, I'll leave the matter to you. You know the desert better than anyone.

-Dune gets a lightbulb over his head, metaphorically.-

Dune: Not... anyone, per se...

East Province Area Two, yesterday

Chiyo: -To Iridium- Would you like to take a break?

Iridium: -Beating on Chiyo's barrier with both her staff and two Aura chains- I'm not losing!

-And beats-

-And beats-

-And continues to beat-

-Until she falls to her knees, panting, utterly exhausted-

Chiyo: ...Just like Yttrium.

-Dissipates her barrier-

I think we're done for today, you fought well for your inexperience, but not enough to surmount me.

Iridium: -Grumbling- It's not fair...

Chiyo: Huh?

Iridium: -Still a bit too exhausted to get up, so she sits up to glare at Chiyo, tears in her eyes- It's not fair.

-Beating her fists on the ground-

They hate me, because of you, and even though I trained, I'm still not strong enough to beat you. Rid myself of your taint. That's what the scientists said, when they weren't afraid of me, that I was tainted.

Chiyo: -Understanding exactly who "they" are- Kiddo, they're not worth your time. I don't think you've been training that long, you can't expect results that quickly.

-Walking towards her, slowly—

The School, they're-

Bulbal: -Immediately steps in between Iridium and Chiyo, snorting-

Lehua: -Jumps between Chiyo and Bulbal-

Aurum: -Seeing how things could easily escalate to an all-out brawl between the teams- <Let's all keep calm her->

Bulbal: <Quiet!>

Chiyo: -To Bulbal- I'm not going to hurt your Trainer. I don't hurt kids. Especially not this one.

Bulbal: -Angrily- <Why should I move?>

Iridium: Bulbal. Aurum. I want to hear what she has to say.

Bulbal: -Reluctantly steps aside, though he's still glaring at Chiyo-

Chiyo: -Bending down to Iridium's level after a look has Lehua clear off- The scientists who told you that? They're scum. Whatever they have to say is utterly worthless.

Iridium: I know they're scum.

Chiyo: -Reaching out her hand, smiling- How about we call a truce for now and just head for Levincia, I'm sure you're headed in the same direction.

Iridium: -Smacks Chiyo's hand aside as she looks up at her- This isn't over, between us.

Chiyo: -Keeping a neutral expression- Fair enough.

-Chiyo can tell by her body language that she's clearly not about to try attacking again anytime soon, however-

Del Lurra: -Releasing herself and curling around her Trainer- <Let's just forget about all that for today and listen to what she says. No point in getting into any more fights~>

Iridium: -Frowning, as she hugs her Clodsire- I guess.

-She sniffles-

Okay.

Edited by rmctagg09 on Jan 12th 2024 at 2:09:27 PM

Quack Parade: <Ooh, well, you sure are fast, dear Tauros, I might like to see your prowess a bit more here.>

He and Trill rush to try and catch up to the Klawf, who, running from Bulbal, smashes open a rock and retrieves a pink herb from inside, starting to eat it.

Trill: "Wait, is that-"

And with that, the Klawf powers up, being surrounded by a sort of aura having gotten her strength back.

Trill: "Well, definitely glad you showed up, Sally, don't think I was fully prepared for this."

Quack Parade: <Still gonna give it our all!>

Trill: "...Let's play it safer, Growl!"

Quack Parade: <Hm, alright, fair...>

The Quaxly puts on a cutesy look and makes a sound to disarm the Klawf as she sends another set of Rock Tombs coming down.

Paldea, Schrodinger's Area

Apple Slice is once again knocked on their back.

They open their mouth and pant like a dog. ... Are crocodilians supposed to do that? Like, they mouth gape but Apple Slice is panting like they're an exhausted mammal and-

Eh, it's probably fine.

Nanaka: "Fuecoco has Blaze right? Uhhhh.... Does this mean their fire moves are better now? Worth a try I guess.."

Nanaka: "Incinerate!"

Apple Slice, completely bereft of guile, wanders up to Darmid, sniffs around for berries, gets something caught in their nose, and sneezes a gout of flame at him. It is neither bigger nor smaller than their usual flames.

Paldea, Shrodinger's Area

-Darmid, not having any berries on him, just kinda... stares at Apple Slice.-

-And then he's sneezed on.-

-At first, he's covered in soot. And then he blinks when he realizes that he suddenly feels really good.-

Darmid's Flash Fire activates! Power of Fire-Type attacks has increased!

Darmid: <HOO YEEEEEEEAH!>

Red: Woah! Someone's got some pep in their step now! Use Flame Charge!

-Darmid plants one foot in front of him as his reignited flame sparks into a respectable flame, followed an instant later by a charging dead run at Apple Slice.-

"Superficial characteristic? Yeah my J-Show counterpart is still wearing the mask, and speaks with a robotic tone of voice," Silas commented. "I get it, Hacks?"

~...Sorry.~

"As for the glasses, I was referring to your human form, we're gonna need to get you a prescription in general," Silas finished.

~As for those glasses, if they're in the reject pile... put em on. See what they do to you,~ Hacks said.

Ersatz

-Meanwhile, in the back of the store, a trio of Pokemon(?) are arguing with each other.-

Laharl: <NO!>

Flonne: C'mon, Prince, it's fun! Don't you think it might be good for our emotional development to try out being human for a bit?

Etna: Yeah, c'mon, Laharl~ You know you wanna try out opposable thumbs~

Laharl: <Okay fine! But I'm not wearing the one you picked out for me.>

Etna: Aw, why not?

Laharl: <Because you two are wearing normal ones, while this one has a bunch of eggs stitched into it! What does that even mean?>

Flonne: It means it's egg-cellent!

-The pun is so expected that both Etna and Laharl completely ignore it.-

Etna: Why does it have to mean anything? C'mon, give it a try!

Laharl: <No! It could turn me into a chicken!>

Etna: You're already a chicken, you big fat chicken!

Laharl: <What?!>

Etna: Bgawk! Bgawk bgawk BUH-GAWK!

Laharl: <Alright, fine!>

-The Tyrantrum snatches the armband from Etna's hands with his tail before slipping it on.-

Halis looks at the glasses they've been holding nervously before taking a deep breath.

Halis: <Alright, let's see where this gets us...>

They awkwardly try putting on the glasses... and suddenly ends up shrinking about a foot in height, their scarf now looking more like a cape due to the size difference... although more importantly they've ended up as a Kirlia, with the glasses adjusting to be a perfect fit for the form.

Halis: <Uh... which one did I end up with?>

They look at their hands, clearly confused and unable to tell which form they've gotten.

Halis: <This tells me like, literally nothing. Why am I looking at these?>

They try walking forward and promptly almost lose their balance, deciding to just stay where they are instead until they know.

Halis: <Well, good to know my sense of balance is completely out of order again. It's just like the first time all over...>

Ersatz

-Flonne and Etna just... stare.-

Laharl: What?

Flonne: ...

Etna: ...

Laharl: What?

Flonne: Why are you... female?

Laharl: I'm a girl?!

Etna: Y... yeah... unmistakably...

Laharl: How can you tell?!

Etna: Y-your... chest...

Laharl: But you two don't have this!

-There's a quiet simmering of highly negative emotions for a moment.-

Flonne: S-so that's what the eggs stitched into it meant...

Etna: I am regretting so much right now...

Laharl: Hey, so why am I so tall compared to you two?

Flonne: Hnnnnng...

Etna: I think it's time to take the armbands off...

South Province Area Three, past

Iridium: -Seeing the Klawf eat the herb- Is that a Herba Mystica?

Bulbal: -Is hit by the Rock Tomb but doesn't take much damage- <Hmph.>

Iridium: I guess the real battle begins now.

Okay, Dr. Tagg taught me this one.

Naranja y Uva Academy, some time ago

Past!Tagg: -To Iridium- It's time I taught you a nifty battle trick, to chain your moves together.

Iridium: Oh?

Past!Tagg: It's a decently advanced technique that takes a bit of practice to use, but the faster you can pull it off, the faster the returns, even if it is a bit... volatile. Being able to quickly buff and then smack an opponent before they can do the can easily make or break a battle.

South Province Area Three, "Then"

Iridium: -To Bulbal- Bulbal, Work Up into Aqua Jet!

Bulbal: -Paws and snorts before launching himself at Klawf while wreathed in water released from his horns-

Levincia - Go-For-Broke Grill, today

Chiyo: -Taking a bite out of her Paella de Paldea- ...You know you haven't touched your food yet, right?

Iridium: -Arms crossed as she stares directly at Chiyo from her plate of Klawf al Ajillo- ...

Chiyo: You look just like Tagg when you're doing that...

-To Iridium, jokingly-

If you keep that face on any longer it might get stuck that way. Also, you certainly can't beat me on an empty stomach.

Iridium: I guess.

-Proceeds to take a bite-

Tastes good.

-She has still not broken eye contact-

Chiyo: -To Iridium- Do you feel a little better with some food in your stomach?

Iridium: I'm gathering intel.

Chiyo: That's an interesting way to say "eating" kiddo.

Iridium: It's what Ms. Lydia taught me.

-Doing a decent Lydia impression-

"Even in the most dicey situation it's best to act with poise."

Chiyo: -Snorts- That sounds like something she'd say.

Iridium: -Eyebrow raise- You know her?

Chiyo: We've met before. Biggest pain in my butt who hasn't tried to kill me, you should be careful around her, she-

Iridium: -Angrily- Don't talk about Ms. Lydia that way! Yeah the scientists are dumb but she... She wasn't afraid of me like they were, didn't treat me like something gross. That creepy scientist and his Templar weren't either, but that was different.

Chiyo: -Eyebrow raise- A creepy scientist? Was he bald? Did the Templar only have one eye?

Iridium: No, he had hair but-Quit changing the subject!

-Angrily-

Anyway, Ms. Lydia has been nothing but good to me, like no other adult has ever been. Taught me things no one else bothered to do, before I met my other mentor. Told me things about her she said she's told no one else.

-She says this with a hint of admiration-

Chiyo: One could call that manipulation, you know. Lydia does seem to have given her a very long leash for whatever reason, even with what Tagg told me.

-To Iridium-

Okay, I won't talk about her anymore.

A bit of a sore spot obviously...

Iridium: -Crossing arms- Good.

Chiyo: But be careful if you ever meet people like that, they're bad, even by School standards.

Iridium: -Speaking again- Are you going to steal me away now? It's not like I can get away from you...

Chiyo: Like you said, this is a truce, so no.

-Smiling-

Also, unlike the School, I believe in giving people choices, so I wouldn't do that to begin with.

Iridium: -Taking another bite of Klawf- When I finally beat you, they'll stop hating me. Ms. Lydia will be impressed. Maybe I'll get to Stront-Lian sometime, with a proper name.

Chiyo: I don't think even Lydia wants you doing that exactly...

-Serious-

If you manage that, it's not going to change anything. They only see tools, not people.

Iridium: It's all I've got, the only way to prove myself. It's like Ms. Lydia said, if you're not useful, you're dead.

Chiyo: That's not true, there's so many people who'd like to show you a better life than this...

-To Iridium-

Prove yourself to them and you'll still be a tool. And tools, they only exist to be discarded once they've outlived their usefulness.

-Softly-

Be a person, a good person, not their tool.

Iridium: -For the first time she looks away from Chiyo rather than directly at her- ...

Chiyo: But perhaps that's enough talk of personal philosophy for one day.

-Taking a bite of her food-

Let's just eat.

Iridium: Okay.

-And the meal continues in silence-

Edited by rmctagg09 on Jan 12th 2024 at 2:17:12 PM

Silas picked up Halis and walked over to a mirror. "See, Kirlia."

~A good line honestly, very powerful psychic might,~ Hacks noted. ~Evolve and then you can generate micro-singularities.~

"Probably not the idea," Silas noted, setting Halis down. "Walking with a new form is always difficult. Honestly you think these things would come with muscle memory or something."

Paldea, Area Zero

-Dr. Previa both loved and hated this place.-

-On one hand, this is one of the most bizarre locales he has ever set foot. The crystals, the Pokemon, the atmosphere itself...-

-It all felt off. Which, for Previa, was exactly how he always felt his surroundings were like, so this didn't feel all that different to him.-

-But the fact that his team could barely maintain their camp perimeter while superpowered Pokemon(?) attacked on a regular basis was doing his nerves no favors.-

Raines: [You sure you don't want me to come and help? Apollo and I can help!]

-Previa's teeth ground together at the mention of Raines's Celesteela. Why the hell does he get a Beast?-

Previa: It's fine, Raines. Everything. Is. Fine.

Raines: [... Alright! Send me a postcard!]

-Previa snaps the communicator shut.-

Previa: Who uses postcards nowadays?

-From the edge of the camp, a pair crescent, blue eyes watch the hunched, twitchy man goes back into his tent. They disappear when one of the sentries turn their head to the outcropping.-

Cortondo

"Are... are you sure you're still hungry?" the woman working the counter at the patisserie pales a bit as the person in front of her places another order of chocolate cakes.

Hoops wipes a crumb off their face. "Listen, Sara, I know my own limits. As long as you keep the cakes coming and I keep paying for them, is there really a problem?"

Sara hesitates. "It's just, last time someone ate this much they went into a diabetic shock and then sued us afterwards."

"Ah, let 'em eat." The local gym leader and owner of the patisserie sticks her head out of the back room and smiles at Sara. "After that gym battle, I'm not surprised they have an appetite."

Hoops shrugs. "It's hardly related. Beating you wasn't a whole lot of trouble for me."

"You'll be getting a lot more trouble if you talk like that," Katy says.

"Yeah, okay." Hoops sips their tea. "You are pretty strong, after all."

"Thank you," Katy says. "Sara, take their order."

Hoops returns to their table, Sud is busy stuffing cream delicacies into her mouth. <These are so good!> she says.

"Uh huh." Hoops takes a seat next to her. "Any word yet?"

Sud nods. <Cof said that the message went through. Now we just have to see if it gets answered.>

A chill wind blows through the room. The lights flicker. Hoops looks up and sees Morrigan sitting across the table from them. "I think it got answered."

Morrigan glares at Hoops. <I know why you summoned me, but I would ask how you found me.>

Hoops smiles and remembers the conversation they had with Malacostra in her warehouse. "A little bird told me that you joined a crew in Zapapico, and the job went wrong. As it turns out when stuff like that happens, it makes it hard for you to disappear without someone in the criminal underworld knowing about it. I don't think you're all that useful without your boss."

<Whitt is gone> Morrigan hisses. <Not that he was anything more than a tool, anyway.>

"Uh..." Sara approaches the table. "I have your macaroons... do you want to order anything else?"

Hoops looks at Morrigan and raises an eyebrow.

<Are they pistachio flavoured?>

"Yes."

<Then I'll be content with those.>

Sara deposits the food on the table and returns to her place behind the counter. She doesn't like to eavesdrop on customers, but it's hard not to watch this pair.

"Just so you know," Hoops says. "I have a few members of my team around the building in case you try anything. They're also making sure that the people looking for your share of the money from said job don't get here until we're done talking."

Morrigan scowls. <You told them where I am?>

"It may have gotten to them. And they are upset. But as for the reason I wanted to talk to you..."

<As I said, I know.> Morrigan smiles. <You want to know where I sent the Ledian and Salazzle. Well, I'm happy to crush your spirits. They're in the Distortion World!>

She watches Hoops for a reaction and gets nothing. <I have to say, I expected more despair from the news.>

"I expected something like that," Hoops says. "Can you send me there?"

That, Morrigan thinks, was unexpected. <You want to go to the Distortion World? Surely you realise that there's no coming back from there. It's an endless abyss of torment and darkness.>

"Yeah. And it's where my friends are."

Morrigan's eyes widen. <You already knew.>

Several Hours Earlier

"So, that's the gist of it," Hoops finishes. "If this works, I'll be diving into the Distortion World."

On the other side of the video call, Xaster shakes his head. "No. Absolutely not. I won't let you."

"That's very sweet," Hoops says. "But it's kind of adorable that you think there's anything you can do to stop me."

"Then I'm coming too."

"No. You're not. And unlike you, I have a means of stopping you from going."

Xaster scowls. "I know that you think this is best, but maybe there's another way."

"And while I spend time searching for it, Led and Sal are there," Hoops replies. "Cof thinks that undead side might protect me a little, so it's not like this is a dead end. But I need a favour. I'm only taking Vul, Sud, Tot, and Cof with me. I need you to look after the others."

"Wow." Xaster sighs. "I'm surprised the others didn't volunteer."

"Well, I didn't tell them I'm going," Hoops says. "They'll probably be made at me when I get back, but that's life. I'm only bring Cof because I need his ghost powers, and the other three wanted to get those two back as much as I did."

Xaster's face darkens. "So you're even lying to your pokémon," he says. "I'd even say leaving them behind."

"It's what I have to do," Hoops says.

Xaster shakes his head. "You don't have to. You're choosing this, because you think you can actually survive the Distortion World. You can't. I'm surprised that you think you can, since you were raised with it as part of your religion."

"This isn't a discussion, Xaster," Hoops says. "I just called to say goodbye."

"Then it's a goodbye," Xaster answers. "I'll look after your pokémon. But if you do this, then I won't be waiting for you when you come back."

That actually shocks Hoops. "You mean that?"

"I do. When we met, I was falling towards the darkest point of my life, and you helped me pull myself back. If you won't let me pull you back, then what are we even doing?"

Hoops takes a deep breath. "Fine. If that's what it takes." They press the hang up button. Hundreds of miles away, Xaster screams in frustration.

They complete the operation to send their pokémon to Xaster, and also include a note for him to read that explains the situation.

<They might not stick around either> Tot warns, as they grab their jacket.

"I know."

<Do you want to call Kec?>

"Nah. He'll understand."

Annoyingly, they're right.

Present

Morrigan laughs. <Very well then! I'll do as you wish!>

Hoops recalls their pokémon. Once they're in the Distortion World, they'll have to be careful about bringing them out for more than a few minutes at a time. This could be a lonely trip.

"Do it," they say.

Morrigan grabs a sugar dispenser. She uses it to trace an intricate seal on the floor of the patisserie, and becomes for Hoops to stand within it.

<You know, you're an annoying J-Teamer> she says. <I should go to the School after this. I think they might be very pleased with me.>

"Do what you want," Hoops says.

<Well, here we go!> Morrigan yells. <Enjoy your one way trip to eternal damnation!>

Sara leans over the counter. "Hey, you can't mess around with the sugar like tha-"

Darkness erupts from the seal. It fills the room and envelops Hoops, who begins to scream in agony as their body is torn apart. They should pull away. But no. In order to reach their destination, they have to dive in.

Hoops enters the Distortion World.

Pokestar Studios

Napping in an office, Kec rouses for a moment as a chill goes down his spine.

Edited by theoncominghoop on Jan 13th 2024 at 10:32:10 AM

Halis just stares into the mirror as Silas picks them up like a child.

Halis: <Kirlia... I think I remember that being a part-Fairy type. Huh, yeah, this could work.>

As they're put back down, they unsteadily remain standing, still getting used to the new form.

Halis: <I don't think anyone wants a micro-singularity to happen... after all, last time I checked, those are for special events, not just everyday use.>

They start looking around nervously as they realize something.

Halis: <Ok, this is way too convenient, where's the catch? Is there a camera crew hidden somewhere?>

Paldea, Casseroya Lakeside

-the rumble originating in what would be her chest may at once be both numbing and…stimulating-

-thrumming energy, tuned to affection, turned to attention-

Vee: <Yeah, just gaugin' how many red flags deep we are. Figure we're fine for now.>

-she nuzzles into Ama's palms, forgivingly-

-if some other her might take issue with this woman, let her bite them bite them bite them-

Vee: -giggle, biting- <I eat pain fer breakfast.>

-Vee gives a weird look at the mention of Ghosts-

Vee: <...huh.>

-she scrunches her face up, quizzically-

Vee: <Y'know, that hadn't even crossed my mind? Figure any part of me strong enough t' come back would've been strong enough not t' leave t' begin with. Might be burnt out by the time I hit afterlife.>

-she muses a moment more before settling infinitesimally back into Ama's ministrations-

Vee: <...yeah, dyin' don't scare me much. It's becomin' somethin'...terrible, first.>

<Empty space is pretty terrible.>

-and then she just sits, content to let the purr of her heartsong fill the silence around them-

Vee: -casually- <...speakin' of which, why do ya smell like Psychic tot?>

-Megan, dozing on a picnic table, blinks blearily-

Megan: …feel like Ever's let down the council of blue people.

Pollen: <...what?>

Megan: -zzz- 'lways bring a drinky, 'ver…

Paldea, East Province Area Three

-Abilene, despite wearing a full two-piece suit, looks fine in the heat-

-if you asked, she'd put it up to style^* Abilene: Who has the time to sweat. and flex and not the vial of girlfriend juice wafting into the air around her-

Phone!Wisp: <Hehe.>

Phone!Wisp: <Fakeout got counter-fakeout'd.>

Liliaceae: <Waugh!>

-she bonks off Cornflower's blades—having turned her headlong charge into a frantic parry, apparently-

Phone!Wisp: <Close range, off-balance, weapons out.>

Abilene: Shit.

-for an instant, it becomes clear what she's parrying with—a set of dual-wielded wooden pistols, sized for a Petilil-

-they and a pair of matching bangles on her tiny legs gleam with greenish light, refulgent in the Sun-

Well, in for a penny.

Abilene: Your moment, Lilia. Full barrel.

Liliaceae: <You fight—annoyingly!>

-still recovering—Liliaceae dives between Cornflower's legs, looking for the blind spot behind her-

Liliaceae: <Why can you stab things everywhere?? You don't have hands??>

-her weapons pulse-

Liliaceae: <You're so tall.>

Paldea, Stormchaser Exterior

-Hiro listens intently, accepting the cup-

"Regrettable events", he says?

-his eyes shine:-

-not one shred of dishonesty-

-something in his gut sours-

Hiro: And she's just…left there?

-he sets the tea, undrunk, next to the cake-

Hiro: Whitt, you know as well as I that the School would harm Ariadna to get to you. And if opposed to a disturbance as showy as Artazon, more likely than not they'll have been hunting you this whole time.

-he hisses-

Hiro: Especially if you told her everything. The School prides itself on good opsec, doesn't it?

-his anxiety is plain to see on his face-

Hiro: -standing- She may be in terrible danger.

-he pulls out a Pokéball-

Edited by Asterisk395 on Jan 13th 2024 at 3:26:55 AM

Stormchaser exterior

Whitt looks at the pokéball like it bores him.

Whitt: Is that for me? Because if you're wanting a battle, I'm kind of sans any pokémon right about now.

Paldea, Stormchaser Exterior

-Hiro looks at him, bemused-

Hiro: What? No, I'm suggesting we make sure she's okay.

-his brow furrows-

Hiro: I'm sorry if that was unclear.

Stormchaser exterior

Whitt: Oh, well no worries, chum.

Somehow the word chum in his mouth sounds less like the word for friend and more like the scraps of meat one would throw to a shark.

Whitt: Regardless, I wouldn't worry about the School finding that village. It was completely in the middle of nowhere. I just came from there and I'm honestly not sure I could find my way back.

He makes a show of examining his nails.

Whitt: Besides, cakes aren't the only think I brought to sweeten my greeting. Wouldn't you like to know the location of a templar hideout?