ITT: We Have All Become Pokémon

Holstown Inn

What I yelled to that metal bastard's face when he hurt her. (I explained to Nori, with some twinge of hate in my voice.)

Holstown Inn

Slowly, Dana's eyes creak open. She sits up, only to wince as her wounds stretch. They're healed, for the most part, but they still ache a little. She takes a quick look around the room to find Nyquil is gone.

Hm.. He must've woken up before me. I hope he's doing okay..

...

.. I wasn't strong enough, again.

[Inigo's Inn]

"Ah, yes... Now I recall", said Noriaki, moving in to take a seat in the other bed, "The sight of Notte attacking her sent you in to quite the angered state."

[Forest, Outside Holstown]

"   Oh me oh my...   ", the Vespiquen said with a posh laugh, "   You seem quite jumpy. Are you simply not used to speaking to women? Ohoho, you should get more used to it with an adorable face like that.   "

She laughed to herself more before answering, "   Oh but I am being a bit rude, thinking on it, apologies.   "

"   You should be honored...   ", she said, making a slight curtsy-like motion before striking a rather proud pose that brought her hand close to her face, "   You may refer to me as L'Arachel, the Empress of this world!   "

She chuckled a bit, going back to a more casual pose, "   But simply L'Arachel is fine, as much as I appreciate Lady L'Arachel.   "

Holstown Inn

(Okay, here comes the hard part.) I think part of that was... that other side of me. It might not have been much, but I'm not sure if that outburst just fucked up my chances. (I prayed to whatever god in this world that I didn't, but I don't think they'll answer.)

(Oh, okay, flirting. It's nothing big, just the last thing I expected. Gah, no, focus, you fuckstick!) "L-L'Arachel, huh…? That's, uh… a fancy ass name you got there…" I chuckle nervously. (I can't remember, is that a name I should recognize?)

Holstown (Inn)

( Reaching an empty room, I go in and wait for Eliot.)

I wasn't ready to be involved in something like this... ( I confess to him once he's in here with me.)

Blissparce (Inn)

(Maran and Sunny somberly fly down from the roof of the inn just in time to find Cortez crying on the ground.)

Bzz? Boss? What happened? (Maran asks Cortez.)

It's...it's gone...

What is, Monsieur?

MY INN! (Cortez squeals.)

Bzz?? The Board in Hoard izzz history? (Maran asks, surprised.) What happened?

Some idiot Ditto or somethin' took my place, scrammed, and then Wendy and Shiela ran it into the ground! (Cortez bawls.) Everything I had there is gone!!

Bzz...I'm really sorry, boss... (Maran says, trying to pat Cortez on the head. Cortez bats his arm.) I hoped the inn would still be standing by the time we got your curse lifted.

I ain't gonna bother gettin' my curse lifted anymore. (Cortez snorts.) Everythin' that I wanted to go back to when I got ridda this curse is gone. What's the point now?

But, Monsieur Cortez, you cannot give up now, we are almost zere! (Sunny says.)

Yeah, bzz, we can still get your curse lifted. (Maran adds.)

And then what, Maran? Then what? Live homeless on the streets of Gleamscape?

No, boss! Bzz! We'll...we'll think of something....

Oui, this is not ze end of ze world, Cortez. (Sunny says.) We will find something else for you to go to, perhaps something where you will be better off zan before!

(Cortez snorts.) Yeah, sure...

Well, bzz, are we going to join the others inside and go to sleep? (Maran says.)

Oui... (Sunny says.) We probably should not share a room tonight, Maran.

Yeah, bzz...

You two lovebirds aren't sharin' a room? (Cortez asks, confused.) I'm expectin' to see Palkia to dance down the street in drag any minute now...

...I will explain to you later, boss. Bzz... (Maran says, sadly looking to Sunny.)

(Cortez snorts again as the three head inside.)

(After some time was spent hunting down our rooms, I'm surprised to see Maran and Sunny back already with Cortez in tow.)

You guys are back already? (I ask.) Did...uh, did something happen?

I do not wish to talk about it... (Sunny says.)

[Inigo's Inn]

"Hm... An understandable concern", said Noriaki, stroking his chin, "However, it could be possible she may have been unaware to the exact circumstances and maybe only saw it as you being incredibly protective?"

[Forest, Outside Holstown]

"   Well?   ", L'Arachel said, "   Are you not going to introduce yourself to me?   "

Edited by Konkfan7 on Jul 14th 2018 at 7:45:30 AM

"Oh, that's fine, matey. Sorry somethin' apparently went down, though."

June and I were having a great deal of fun. We ran through the fair, and were just about to reach the big exciting part everyone was talking about...

“Hold your horses! I want to get some candy,” declared June. So I followed her and patiently waited while she surveyed the candy.

”Hi! I’d like some of this, she said at last.

“Sure, young lady,” said Marsha who was running the stand.

After the purchase, June giggled. ”Thanks for waiting!” she told me. Then we continued onward...

...and were greeted with two stands next to each other but still somewhat far apart. “Step right up, any of you who have the time and the courage! Our ‘Super Dimension Warp’ is the invention of the century!” declared Goobert.

He walked to the left side of it where Dana was making some last-minute adjustments. “To use it, jump up here...”

He walked to the right side. “And you’ll get teleported here! It’s the masterwork of my beloved companion, Dana.”

I approached the contraption’s left side which Dana was on. She seemed surprised. “Cas!” she exclaimed. “Where have you been!? No one wants to try the Telepod. How about you?”

“It looks like fun! I’ll watch while you try it out!” cheered June.

Dana came down. “Just hop onto the left pod!” she instructed me.

I did so, and then Gooby pulled down a switch. “All systems on!” he called.

“Begin energy transfer!” said Dana.

I spun around and around... then I wasn’t on the left pod anymore. I rematerialized on the right pod.

“Oh wow. That was GREAT!” said everyone in the audience at the same time for some reason. I stepped down.

”What a kick! I want to try it, too!” said June happily.

“Huh?” said Dana. “Hey Cas, how did you pick up a cutie like her?”

I would have taken the time to explain that June wasn’t my date, but this particular dream didn’t allow me to speak.

June stepped toward the teleporter. ”Hold on, Cas! I’ll be right there!”

“Behold, ladies and gentlemen, as this vision of loveliness steps abroad the machine!” announced Gooby.

”Don’t go away. I’ll be right back!” June told me. And maybe the rest of the crowd. I don’t know.

Gooby was still a little hesitant. “You’re sure about this...? There’s still time to change your mind!”

”No way! Throw the switch!” said June confidently.

Gooby addressed the crowd. “Okay, everyone, let’s give her a great big hand when she reappears!”

He and Dana returned to their respective places in front of the machine. “All systems on!” Gooby said.

“Begin energy transfer!” Dana called.

They got it started... then June’s purple scrunchie started to glow. She turned around. ”What’s happening? My scrunchie... it’s...”

“Huh?” Dana hastily stepped back from the machine. Gooby followed suit, then above the right pod, a portal opened up sporting blue of various hues. June’s physical form became cyan sparkles that went into the portal, before those sparkles decomposed into her... and then the portal closed, leaving the scrunchie behind.

Gooby was in shock and ran up to the disaster site. “Dana! Where is she?!”

He decided to clear the area. “Shows over, folks! Let’s head along now!”

The rest of the crowd left, but Dana, Gooby, and I stayed.

Gooby didn’t calm down. “What’s going on Dana? WHERE IS SHE?”

Dana pondered. “The way she disappeared... It couldn’t have been the Telepod! The warp field seemed to be affected by her scrunchie...”

“What are we going to do now?” Gooby wondered aloud.

“She’s so familiar! I KNOW I’ve seen her somewhere...” added Dana.

I wasn’t going to just stand by. I stepped onto the left pod and picked up the scrunchie.

“Cas!” exclaimed Dana.

“You’re actually going to do it?! What a fine lad!” remarked Gooby.

Dana addressed me: “Listen! I don’t know where this machine is going to send you, but we haven’t any other choice.”

“Won’t they both be lost?” asked Gooby.

“This is our only hope! That scrunchie seems to be the key, so hang on to it Cas, and brace yourself!” shouted Dana.

Gooby threw the switch. “All systems on!”

Dana resumed her position. “Begin energy transfer! Power to full!”

“Roger!” replied Gooby.

“More! Give me more power!” commanded Dana.

“Roger!” replied Gooby again.

Blue sparks flew everywhere. “There! We did it!” cried Dana.

The same thing that had happened to June happened to me, and there I was, visible in the portal, about to end up elsewhere.

“I’ll follow you after I know what went wrong. Good luck, Cas!” Dana told me.

The portal closed up with me inside, and I was sent to...

~~~

...the bed I had fallen asleep in.

‘Oh. Well, that was anticlimactic,’ I decided in disappointment.

Edited by TheCastawayPariah on Jul 14th 2018 at 1:52:28 PM

"… N-Nyqui- Niles."

Edited by shrubBird on Jul 14th 2018 at 7:50:51 AM

Inigo's Inn

You may be right, but I felt like I scared her away all for just a cut on the cheek. I just didn't want it to happen again... (Another slip. Get a hold of yourself, idiot! She's not gonna love you like this! Just stop focusing on the past and look at now! I sighed as I looked back at Noriaki.) What are we gonna do tomorrow?

Edited by Ore-O on Jul 14th 2018 at 8:03:37 AM

[Inigo's Inn]

"Well... I am not sure if you heard, but it seems our scuffle in Narcia earlier sent Dorian in to high alert, his men are roaming the streets and patrolling more vigilantly", Noriaki explained, "This may sound bad upfront, but it does also give an opportunity, as his men's numbers are limited and they now are being spread thin all across the city, which should also leave his actual office building mostly unguarded, so we should be able to confront him upfront. Achilles also believes this should allow him to bring the fight straight to Hector early rather than wait for him. Aside from keeping our commitment to helping this village's situation, defeating Dorian may open up Narcia as a resource for us as well as call the attention of L'Arachel and her men, possibly drawing them out to be defeated individually, at least weakening the defenses of L'Arachel's manor."

"The morning, though, is mostly free. We intend to use it to dicuss strategy even further and maybe train."

[Forest, Outside Holstown]

"   Well, Niles...   ", said L'Arachel, giving the Quilava a bit of a sultry(?) look, "   I overheard your spiral of self-hatred right there. It was a tad... Concerning. But interesting as to how one may be led to view themself in such a manner.   "

Holstown Inn

Dana wanders out of her room, lost in thought. She seems to be idly playing with a piece of ice she formed. It floats in midair next to her, shifting between various forms.

"Ohh, you know…" I begin to ramble. "It's nothing, just the fact that I'm a liability in battle, he group I travel with either forgets I exist or they hate my dumbass, and minor issues with romantic endeavors!" (Why can't I stop talking?! Why won't I shut up?! WHY?!)

Blissparce (Inn)

It is fine... (Sunny sighs.)

Better hand you two yer keys!! (Rich says, holding the keys out to Maran and Sunny.)

Thanks, bzz...but I think Sunny and I are going to sleep in separate rooms for a while. (Maran says.)

Good gosh, guys, what happened out there? (I ask, a bit surprised given that these two had been practically inseparable since we met them.)

All you all need to know is zat Maran and I need some time to evaluate our feelings towards each other...which means time alone... (Sunny says.) Monsieur Goobert? Do you mind if I sleep in your room tonight?

Well...Cortez was already going to bunk with me... (I say.)

Meh, I can go with Maran... (Cortez snorts.)

Well...okay... (Maran says.)

Welp...let's git some shut-eye, eh? (Rich says, a bit somberly.)

"Well, that's fair. Good luck workin' it out."

"But, yeah, I'm beat. Let's head to bed, Rich."

Holstown, Inigo Inn

"Yea..." [I close the door behind me.] "I read ya. Honestly, I...a'don't really know why you wanted t'come with us."

[I sit down on a bed, throwing my satchel and shawl onto the nightstand.] "...so what was it, t'get stronger? To...get learned how to make threats more...awayer?" [I smile...it's an old..."Earthen saying".]

Blissparce, Mayor's Office

Higgins' heart sinks. "Another one." He lets the knot on his tiebag unravel, the thing sliding off his back and onto the ground.

He shakes his head. "...what are we going to do about this? This makes...how many now, seven?" He slithers over towards a window, looking up at the moon.

"...I don't mean to keep bringing it up, makes me sound superstitious, but...I still can't help but think of that legend...the one my mother would tell me, about the spirit who'd eat farmers for desecrating..." He sighs. "No, you've heard that maybe a hundred times now, but...I just want a reason for all this, Amy."

Holstown, The Pink Wooden House...

"So my mother did come through here."

The Froslass stirs some sugar in her tea. "Yes, but...she didn't stay long. She ran off the very same night she got here." She huffs in annoyance. "Why'd she have to leave, I was her best friend in the whole wide world, I would have never ratted her out. What was she so afraid of..." She regains some self-control. "...sorry about that, I'm just...antsy. It was the first time I've seen her in years, of course I'd be offended if she just up and left."

"No, no, ma'am, I understand." Woodruff glances down at the tea cup sitting in front of him on the table, still untouched. It smells horrid...like someone had dunked a rancid old berry into boiling hot water and called it a day. The Froslass glares at him.

"Aren't you going to have some tea, dear?"

Not one to disappoint, Woodruff uneasily brings the cup to his lips and takes a sip. It takes all his energy for him not to spit it out, and after a moment, he finally manages to swallow it. "It's...it's good." He replaces the cup. She doesn't seem to buy it.

"Is there something wrong with my tea?"

His eyes light up, and he immediately gets on the defensive. "N-no, ma'am." He taps his hand against the table. She glares at him for another moment with crossed arms before conceding and taking a sip of tea for herself.

Holstown (Inn)

Yes, that's it. I thought that maybe you all could teach me how to fight. ( I tell Eliot.) I want to learn how to defend myself so I can protect Lucy and myself if I absolutely have to.

Will we even have the time to, though? With Noriaki's old enemies and this Dorian fellow wanting to come after us? And will we even be any match for this bizarre magic that L'Arachel has...I think that's what is scaring me the most about this... ( I say.) I keep thinking that this was all a terrible idea and I should have just stayed with Benji and Lucy.

Blissparce (Town Hall)

I have, sir... (Amy sighs. Higgins seems too old to be believing childhood stories his mother used to tell him. Nevertheless, she joins Higgins at the window.) I'm sure the reason for all of this tragedy is out there, sir. Once we find out what it is, we'll do what we can to rectify it...

Blissparce (Inn)

Aye. (Rich agrees.) Pleasant dreams, mateys.

(He heads into his and Salty's innroom.)

Well...good night, guys... (I say, heading into my room myself. Sunny sighs and follows me in.)

(Maran stands there silently for a moment before turning to Cortez.) Well...come on, boss...bzz... (He walks into his room.)

Sassafrassinnightmare... (Cortez grumbles.)

Inigo's Inn

(I nod as I heard the news. I gave my two cents about a possible strategy.) Dorian's men might know who we are judging from his connection with that noble. Stealth might be our best option on getting the former to spill the beans on the latter. (I lie down and look up.) But that's for tomorrow.

[Inigo's Inn]

"Yes indeed", said Noriaki, "Stealth is something I have some degree of experience in. My role in the battlefield even, was either staying hidden and throwing daggers at enemies from range to weaken them. Of course, there was also that period of time I was digging around to find out more about L'Arachel's hidden agenda... The very house that I served in became a labyrinth for me to slip around through the shadows."

"And yes, when tomorrow comes it shall be."

Noriaki also gazes at the ceiling.

"Good night, then."

Outside the rooms, a familiar Whirlipede girl has wandered out of her room, spotting Dana.

"Hm?", she muttered, rolling closer, "You're standing again, huh?"

[Forest, Outside Holstown]

"   Hm... That does sound quite troubling   ", said L'Arachel, "   But... Are you sure all of those are your fault, truly?   "

"It's gotta be right? Can't blame anyone else for my own inability… or my lack of social skills…" (or the fact that I repel women like the plague…)

Inigo's Inn

(I slightly chuckle as I lay my head down.) Night. (I close my eyes as I drift away into sleep.)

Meanwhile at the Outskirts of Nifel

(The sound of bagpipes echoed throughout the icy night, despite the cold winds trying their damndest to drown it out. A Beartic carrying bagpipes trudged through the snow, patrolling the mountain range. It would have been any other night, long and boring, until he saw a peculiar object in the distance. Said object was large and blue, and it took the shape of a pincer. On each of its sides were two long yellow lines protruding from the object. It soon became clear that this object was actually a Clawitzer. The Beartic hustled towards the Pokémon and checked to see if he was still alive. After a minute or so, he carried the Howitzer Pokémon over his shoulder and made his way back to the city. It's almost familiar, seeing a fellow mon show up from out of nowhere and pass out in the mountains. He just hoped this one didn't have a death wish as bad as the last one.)

Edited by Ore-O on Jul 15th 2018 at 9:01:09 AM

Holstown Inn

"Hm? Oh, yeah. Whatever you guys did to fix me worked pretty well. My injuries only hurt a little now, haha." Dana laughs awkwardly.

[Inigo's Inn]

"Yeah, the local curate, Ana, is one we're pretty lucky to have. I remember meeting her a long time ago when Soten found me as a little Venipede", said Nephenee, "I think I was snared in a trap or something... I was pretty lucky he found me and brught me here to get patched up. Guess that may be why I do mercenary work under his wing, it's hard not to look up to someone after that."

"But I gotta ask; what're you doing out here at this hour, especially if you're still in pain?"

[Forest, Outside Hosltown]

"   Well, if you ask me... I think it is the fault of the group if a member is ignored and forgotten   ", said L'Arachel, "   Regardless of performance. But even so... How would you seek recognition?   "

(Their fault? What's the point in blaming people who know what's decent and what's garbage?) Speaking of… "If I was to seek recognition… be less useless, I guess. More likeable. Stronger. Approachable, maybe. I've been told by people in the past that I'm difficult to approach…"