ITT: We Have All Become Pokémon

[At this point, I've kinda half tuned out what Jack was saying. All I need to know what that he found a job in...seafaring (a bit of a step down from piracy, but at least he's not gaming to be a goddamn criminal) and his coworker may be a vindictive blackguard who just got the prime opportunity for petty vengeance. I did say I half-tuned him out...I still don't know whether I should be impressed or perturbed by how..."clean" his storytelling is, we'll call it that until I can get a better word to describe it.]

[The part about the aura vision, and the declaration of Snaptooth not having VA, irks me a bit. I mean...would he even be able to detect it? If he were, I'm sure he'd know by now, but...would he keep it a secret? I may just have to keep mum on it for now...]

"Sooo, uhh...d'ja hear about what we got to while you were off...Cabin Boying?"

Jack turns to Eliot.

Jack: No, I don't know what you've been doing.

Before Jack could ask Eliot about that, he hears Grigori's inquiry about aura vision.

Jack: Eliot, hold still. I'm going to use my aura vision on you for Grigori and describe what I see.

edited 12th Feb '18 5:17:09 PM by TheGamechanger

Marlon > Marsha, inn

Well...after you, huh?

(I say, preparing to head down to our room. I briefly am interested by what Jack has to say, especially "aura vision"...but I think I'll try to catch up with him in the morning.)

edited 12th Feb '18 5:27:08 PM by Team42Larson

Inn

Heh heh, okay, Marly. (Marsha chuckles. She heads down to her and Marlon's room.)

Ooh...! (Lucy says, looking to Eliot.)

Inn Room

(Delilah and I get into our room and begin settling in for the night.)

Man...what a day... (I say, stretching a little.) Long boat rides, sparring on the beach, meeting a king and queen...I could sleep for days.

And that's just what we did. I can't imagine how the others feel. (Delilah says as she sheds her swimsuit.)

(Delilah then sits down on our bed and gets that ponderful expression on her face.) Goobert? About that magic spring we kept hearing about...wasn't the spring supposed to cure anything? Including injuries?

(I rub my chin. Was it?) Um...I can't remember. (I say.) I think so? Why do you ask, Del?

Because...do you think if my mother got in the spring, her legs would become better and she would be able to battle again? (Delilah asks.)

(I look up. Would she? It would be nice if that were the case. Renata would be able to walk again and Delilah would finally be able to put what she did to Renata all those years ago behind her.)

Hey, maybe it's worth a shot! (I say.) But how'll we get her over here?

I suppose we could just ask Benji about it tomorrow. (Delilah says, smiling.) I just want my mother to walk and battle again so badly...I can tell that she does miss being able to.

Well...let's see if we can work that all out then, huh? (I say.) We'll talk to Benji tomorrow.

Great! I really hope this can work, Goobert... (Delilah says, walking over to me and giving me a hug. She makes that strange purring noise again as she does so.)

(There she goes making that weird noise again.) Del...what is up with those noises you've been making lately?

I'm not sure. I mean...I've noticed it, too, but I didn't want to say anything...my mom told me that some Pokémon make these noises when they really like another Pokémon. (Delilah says.)

Huh... (I say.) Well, I've been catching myself making those noises, too. It's...kind of a weird sensation to me, but I guess it makes sense.

Yes...I guess... (Delilah says. After a moment of silence, she looks up at me. She makes another one of those purring noises, this one louder and longer than the other ones I've heard her make today.) Um...Goobert...um...do...do you...do you want to...

(I have a feeling that I know what she's about to ask me.) Do I want to...wait a minute...are you about to ask me if we should... (I trail off.)

(Delilah nods, making that same purring noise again and nuzzling against me. I find myself making a chortling noise and nuzzling back as I reach for the door to our room with one of my antennae to lock it. Hoo boy...)

Aaaaand we'll stop right there.

"U, uhh, wh, wh, wha?" [I freeze up...he can't read minds, can he?]

[Meanwhile, as Jack may soon find, the sinister secret of my aura is...nothing, actually. Small patches of darkness are strewn throughout it, yes, but that's to be expected: no one can truly claim to be perfect after all, though there's perhaps a bit more in my aura than Jack himself could be reasonably comfortable with. The aura itself pokes out of my current, smaller form, something of a clue as to my normal form. About the only real peculiarity is a strange, faint molten glow across some parts of the aura. Otherwise, everything seems about normal with it.]

"Ih...wh...what's it look like?"

edited 12th Feb '18 6:25:30 PM by BlackMageAnolis

Jack's eyes glow white at the edges, reflecting the aura he's focusing on in the center of them, which means that everyone else could see the aura through Jack's eyes.

Jack: I see... an aura: a vibrant haze of light purple, blue, and white spots.

He pauses.

Jack: You wouldn't mind changing back to a Smeargle to see if the aura remains the same, would you?

edited 12th Feb '18 6:27:17 PM by TheGamechanger

Marlon > inn lobby group, Marsha

(...So that's his aura reading? I can't help but think to myself as I watch Jack explain what he sees inside of Eliot's aura. I've always wondered what exactly Lucarios see anyway when they read into the auras of others around them. I yawn again, and watch Marsha continue down the way to our room. I turn back around and say:)

Well, that was interesting to see, Jack. I would ask you to try it on me, but I think I want to get some shuteye if you know what I mean. Night guys!

(I turn down the hall and follow Marsha into our room. Once caught up I head for the bed and say:)

What a day, huh?

Inn lobby

How do I do that? (Lucy asks Eliot and Jack.) I can lookit auras, too, right?

Marduo Room

Whew! Yas are tellin' me... (Marsha says, pretty much collapsing onto the bed.) I feel like I could sleep for a whole week...!

(I look at the projection up and down, scanning the aura of the Smeargle. I started to wonder if he could see the Frenzy as well. Before I could explore that possibility further, I followed up with Marlon's comment.) Yeah, I'm gonna go too. Have a good night. (I took my key and made my way to the assigned door to rest for the night. Who knows what'll happen at this rate, but if anything, I hope it doesn't go to hell this time.)

"Alright, just a heads up though, this one's a local one."

Hellbender clears her throat.

"So there were two Poliwhirl who lived in our quaint little town named Jeanne and Louise. They'd been living there for a while and were getting to the age where they were getting older and thought they knew a lot."

"So, one day, Jeanne tells her friend she wants to go visit the Whispering Thicket. Louise is cautious, she's heard from people to stay away. But Jeanne isn't worried. Nothing would happen to them would it?"

"After some convincing, Louise went into the thicket with Jeanne. After they had gone in for a bit and Louise was getting scared, Jeanne tried to do a little prank, tripped Louise, and ran away. She waited for her friend to come back and complain, but... she didn't come. Jeanne waited some more, called for Louise, and even went back to where she found her, but she was gone."

"Their parents were, of course, upset. They searched for a while, but couldn't find her. Eventually they gave up, unsure what to do."

"But one night, Jeanne heard a whispered voice calling for her."

"Jeanne... Jeanne..."

"It started off quiet the first night, but it came back the second and got louder."

"Jeanne... Jeanne..."

"Getting louder and louder each night..."

"Jeanne... Jeanne..."

"Until... it sounded like it was coming from her room."

"Curious, the Poliwhirl looked out."

"She saw a pair of eyes and a swirl. Like those of Louise."

"She was about to open her mouth to say something, but everything went dark and she went silent."

"The next morning, Jeanne's parents found her room empty and the window open."

edited 12th Feb '18 6:40:28 PM by CorvusAtrox

Ha! You call that a scary stor-

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Marlon > Marsha, inn room

Heh, I'll say. But I kinda have to question being able to sleep for a week...heh.

(I say as I hop into bed besides her and settle in.)

Well, good night.

(I say, trying to open my arms and wrap them around her as I begin to nod off.)

Inn

(Before Eliot or Jack can answer, Lucy attempts to read Auras like Jack did anyway, but her eyes only flash once, during which she only sees little bits and pieces of Aura material floating around everyone in the room for about one second.) Eep! (She peeps in surprise.)

Marduo room

Pleasant dreams, Marly! (Marsha says, wrapping an arm around Marlon like a teddy bear and nodding off.)

Treasure

(Cam says:) Hey, that was pretty good, HB! (But she cannot be heard over Kobayashi.)

Jack turns to Lucy.

Jack: Here, you want me to teach you how to properly use aura vision?

"Uhhh, it...shouldn't it?" [I suppose I could use the fatigue to jumpstart this night's sleep. Maybe I could—]

"YEEP!" [Lucy's own yell startles me, and my gaze darts to her.] "Did you j's...try'n..."

Inn lobby

(Lucy nods at Eliot.) I don't think it worked... (She says.) You think Jack could teach me how to use and read Aura? Maybe tonight or tomorrow?

Noriaki had already trudged his way to the room he was to sleep in at this point.

He was far too tired for anything else, he had a bad habit of staying up too late on some nights. It was rather hard for him to get in to the flow of disciplined scheduling and time management without the presence of any authority figures...

... But they are not here now, Noriaki thought to himself as he crawled in to bed, and the sooner I can accept that, the sooner I can build over those old days with new memories here. At least I hope so...

Room 213

Snaptooth was asleep wearing a Lum Berry face mask when he was startled awake.

Someone was knocking on Snaptooth's door.

He groggily gets up and answers the door, the Lum Berry slices falling off his eyes as he does so.

Snaptooth:   Who the blazes is at my door this time of night!?   

A familiar voice greets him.

???: Hello there old friend, I've take it you've been feeling well?

His eyes widen.

Snaptooth:   Von Gold!? Is that you!?   

Snaptooth opens the door to greet the Golduck. Dr. Deiter Von Gold enters the room, stroking his gray mustache. His was monocle shining in the dim light, his gold cane making a distinctive sound against the floor. He sits down on a chair, his black vest shuffling as his does so.

Snaptooth:   So, how's it been old friend? How'd you know I was here?   

Von Gold: The medical business is doing good for me these days, been getting repeat customers with them being none the wiser about my more.... "questionable" practices. As for how I found you, it's rather easy when you make a commotion in front of a restaurant I was at.

Snaptooth grinned as he listened to his old friend's success.

Snaptooth:   So I take it that you're a traveling doctor then?   

Von Gold: Correct. So what about you? How you've been doing?

Snaptooth sighs.

Snaptooth:   Not too good. I was forced to give up my pirating ways years ago just to get out of the poorhouse, but now I seek to get back to them.   

Von Gold shakes his head from side to side.

Von Gold: I know that feeling. Tis a cruel world out there.

Von Gold reaches into his vest and takes out a business card listing the quack doctor's various residences.

Von Gold: I'll be in town for a few days before moving on the next town. If you ever need my services, go to the nearest location on the card and wait for me there, I'm the best when it comes to a quick fix!

Snaptooth takes the business card and carefully puts it away.

Snaptooth:   Thanks, I'll keep that in mind!   

As the Golduck was about to leave, he stops and turns to face Snaptooth.

Von Gold: Before I go, since it's been so long....how about giving your old pal a hug?

The two then briefly embrace each other, then part ways as they say their goodbyes. Snaptooth closes the door and picks up the Lum Berry slices to complete the mask before he goes back to sleep.

[I glance over at Jack and sigh.] "Maybe this could wait...it's gettin' late." [I stand up from my chair.] "Well...good t'see ya again, Jack." [I give a warm smile to Lucy.] "G'night, champ." [With that, I walk off towards...]

[...right, I'll need my key. I approach the main counter not realizing I'm going to be asking for my key in another form from when we first got our rooms.] "'Scuce me, sir? Can I get the key t'my room now?"

Inn lobby

Good night, Eliot! (Lucy giggles as Eliot walks off. Then she turns to Jack.) Hey, tomorrow morning you can teach me how to use Aura, right?

Jack smiles as he turns to Lucy.

Jack: Sure, I'm up for that tomorrow!

Inn lobby

Great! See you later! (Lucy chirps. She then heads off to her and Lilly's room.)

Another Foxfellian inn

(Maran, Cortez, Sunny, Rich, Eponine, and Javert are spending the night in another inn across town, closer to the water. The cursed mons are all asleep.)

(In the middle of the night, Eponine is having a very unsettled rest after the events of today when she suddenly hears Javert in the bed beside her, moaning.)

(Concerned, Eponine rolls over to look at him. Javert is sitting in bed, gripping his stomach and continuously moaning.)

J-Javert...? Are you all right? (Eponine asks him in concern.)

Hurrrrgh...everything...everything hurts... (Javert growls.)

Oh no...oh no, we need to get back to the hospital! (Eponine says, rolling off her bed and rolling towards the door, despite beginning to hurt again herself. As she opens it and prepares to leave to get help, who should she find but Georgés on the other side of the door, who was just about to knock on their door. He is now wearing a shiny new navy blue tuxedo with a pink collar and silver stripes running down it, very closely resembling the colors of a typical Clamperl.)

GEORGÉS! (Eponine cries.) You're alive! Oh, thank goodness, I didn't know for sure what happened to you! Nice new tux, by the way...

Yes, Eponine, I am alive. I asked around town and found out that you were here...and please, just call me Tyrell. (Georgés says.) Now, there's something I have to tell you-

No time, Georgés! Can you hear Javert back there? He's very ill! We have to get him back to the hospital! (Eponine says. She tries to roll out the door, only to be surprised when Georgés puts his thick purple arms out and roughly pushes her back into the room.)

Georgés? What the hell? (Eponine says, stopping herself from rolling and glaring at Georgés, wincing in pain as she does so.) Why are you blocking me? We have to get to the hospital right now!

We cannot go there, Eponine. (Georgés says.) I am here because you and Javert have to agree to join us.

What are you talking about? Join who?

(Suddenly, about three dozen Clamperls enter the room. They hop around Eponine and Javert and surround them. A Gorebyss and Huntail, Phoebe and Gomer Meyers, come in behind them and sit in front of Georgés. Eponine immediately recognizes the lot as the very same mob that attacked them and killed Beauregard in the process.)

Join us! (Phoebe says.) You really do not have the option to leave at this point, my child.

Yeah! C'mon! It'll be great! (Gomer says, excited.)

G-Georgés? What are you...are you one of them now?? But why...? (Eponine cries in shock. Suddenly, her troupe leader's new wardrobe makes a lot more sense.)

(Georgés swallows nervously as he looks at the chattering Clamperls surrounding them all.) It was preferable to the alternative. Listen to Phoebe and join us. It would grieve me for you and Javert to have to suffer worse fates.

Alternative? Georgés, you...coward!! What would make betraying your long-time friends and joining the group who murdered one of them a better option? (Eponine asks Georgés, furious. Georgés looks uneasy.)

Hmm...why don't you look at your friend? That may answer your question. (Phoebe says, nonchalantly.)

(Javert growls loudly again. Eponine spins around to face him just in time to see him roll off of his bed, gripping his stomach. Before Eponine's eyes, Javert begins shrinking, continuing to groan all the way. As he does so, his arms, legs, tail, armor, and even his head seem to melt into his body, and his skin turns from brown to blue. In fifteen seconds, Javert has transformed into a closed bivalve. The shell opens up to reveal the Clamperl inside, who looks around in confused fright.)

J-Javert...! You...you turned him into a Clamperl...! (Eponine cries in shocked horror.)

Precisely! He is one of us, now. (Phoebe says, slithering over to the Clamperl that used to be Javert and cradling it in her coils. The frightened Clamperl calms down and falls asleep as Phoebe continues.) My love has taken him. And by "my love", I mean this, child: (Phoebe shows Eponine a flask full of pinkish liquid. Eponine recognizes it as the vial of "Seviper venom" Phoebe used on them when she and her gang ambushed them earlier...except it apparently isn't Seviper venom at all.)

It took me years, a little magic, and cost me my scholarship at Spivey University to perfect this. All I have to do is kiss you with a bit of this on my beak, like I have done for you already, and presto! You become part of my adoring family! (Phoebe says, waving the flask around on her tail. Eponine makes a disgusted expression.) Can you imagine being a part of this family, child? Having incredible adventures working under me and collecting the things that no one really needs? And all the while, I'll be taking care of you. Wouldn't you like for someone as sweet and wonderful as me to be your mother?

You'll really like hanging out with Mama Phoebe! I know I do! (Gomer says, nodding.)

I already have a mom and she's not you! You...you're crazy!! You need help! This isn't a family...this is a...UNGH! (Eponine gasps as a sharp pain shoots through her round body. In one fluid motion, Phoebe has slithered over to Eponine and jabbed her in her front, creating another small puncture wound.)

Do not EVER call me crazy! (Phoebe growls, a furious expression on her face. Then a smile that looks just the slightest bit psychotic-looking comes across her face.) Fortunately, once my love goes into full effect, which it should be as I speak if your friend is any indication, you will never call me a monster again. You'll look up to me, aspire to be like me, appreciate me, love me, as all of your siblings do. You will help give me the attention and appreciate that I need. The attention and appreciation those ingrates back in Gleamscape never gave me. I'm giving you one last chance to join me as you are, like your Machoke friend did, before you join by default.

(Excriciating pain corses throughout Eponine's body. She knows that she is about to have what happened to Javert happen to her, and she doesn't have a choice. Nevertheless, Eponine glares at Phoebe.) Never!

All right, my child. So be it... (Phoebe says, giving Eponine an unsettling victorious smile.)

(Georgés stands there behind the looters, looking like he wants to do something about this, but doing nothing. As Phoebe predicted, Eponine feels pain continuing to shoot through her body as she feels herself growing smaller, her flukes shrinking into her body, and her blubbery skin beginning to harden. She continues to stare defiantly at Phoebe and her crew as her vision fades away.)

Sooner or later someone will stop you... (Eponine groans as the serum continues to change her.) ...you'll never g-g-g-get aw-w-way with th-th-th-this, m...m...mmm..m...mother...

(The next morning, the cursed mons will find Eponine and Javert's room vacated, as if they were never there.)

Zeb has come up here and is tending to his berry plants. Unfortunately, this means he was unable to meet the other Dieter who was in the lobby for a bit.

Dieter meanwhile, thinks maybe they should try sending out some letters to the people they'd met at some point, let them know how things are going.

And with that in mind they started writing some letters, likely altering them a bit for different people...

They or Zeb would probably send out those letters sometime tomorrow when they got the chance.

Lobby

Jack picks up his book and heads back to his room.

Inn Room 211

Jack enters his room shuts the door behind him. After finishing up the chapter he was on he hangs up his clothes and hops into bed, quickly falling asleep.

Dr. Von Gold's Residence, Foxfell Office

A Spiritomb was keeping watch over Von Gold's place, making sure nothing suspicious was going on. He went to the new employees Von Gold hired a few days ago, who were reading the local newspaper after finishing their work for the day.

Malic: So how are our newest recruits doing?

The Hypno was the first to answer.

Freddy: Wonderful! This is one of the best jobs we've had!

The Mr. Mime nodded his head in agreement.

Alejandro: Yep, it feels so good to put my abilities to good use!

A flash of pink light emitted from the Spiritomb as a unmistakably female voice answers.

Malica: Well that's good to know. Hope you have a good night!

Freddy: You too!

And with that the new employees headed to the guest bedrooms upstairs for the night as Malica waits for Von Gold to come back.

Oh! Yes... err, my apologies, but did you talk to anyone else when you checked in? It might just be my memory, but I don't recall...

Charles tries to keep up a friendly demeanor, but he looks down towards the desk as he speaks and paws at the keys slightly. Mila, meanwhile, looks over to Niles and tries to put on a smile for him as they walk to their room.

"I'm sure I'll at least have the energy to explain the move to you, I promise."