ITT: We Have All Become Pokémon

Holstown

(I looked at the leaf she gave me before she left. She's off to do her own thing. I sigh to myself. Then, yet another shoulder touch, this time by Nori to make his comment. And then, Marlon talked to me as well. I sighed to myself.) ...I guess it's true what they say: if you love someone, let them go. And if they come back to you, it was meant to be.

(I clutch the leaf to my chest and lowered my head.) One day, when we see each other again, we'll make all right.

(I raised my head to the sky. Instead of crying, I felt a sense of resolve within my heart.) All that matters is that she's still alive.

En Route to Foxfell

(Eliza looks at the arrowhead forlornly. She heard Arsene, though without the usual bitterness.) You still love him, right?

(She kept silent for a few moments before she responded.) ...Yes.

(Must have been a difficult decision, he thought. But, whatever she did was her choice. Sighing to himself, he focused on the road ahead.)

Edited by Ore-O on May 6th 2020 at 1:53:47 PM

Holstown

Y-yeah, man. You let them go, they'll come back stronger, and better, than ever. And I wouldn't be lying if I said that I'd like to see your relationship blossom.

I hobble over to the lovestruck Decidueye and offer a hand to shake.

No matter what, you've still got the rest of us. Hand to wing, let's shake on it.

Ms. Thompson

Oh, I'm not mad at you...just don't rum off on me again, okay?

A not quite shiny yet Evidently different-colored Honchkrow lands beside Kevin. She begins to speak to him.

Kevin, how's it-you actually got the kid back?

Yep, Elise..how did you even get here anyway?

Elise responds with a chuckle.

The only way I know how of course. I'm a bird, Kevin. The boys at the station would be thrilled to hear about our first success! How soon do you think you can get back home to Silversand?

Well...a day or two? Not discounting the fact that I've basically just been hailed as one of the heroes of these two towns here and probably this entire island...

Elise seems a bit confused.

What exactly do you mean? We knew you had a mountain to climb but we didn't think you'd go through hell in a hand basket to find him.

Kevin contemplates his next words.

I exit from our house that, realistically, we don't even have and head out. My stroll through the town was uneventful and nothing new. Eventually, I drew near the building that we agreed to meet at. To my surprise, she was already standing there, waving at me.
"Wow, you're here already? I thought I left my house on time..."
"Oh, no, I just got here early. Didn't have much to do today," she explained.
"Ah, okay. So, where do you wanna eat?"
"Uhhh... I dunno. I was under the impression that you had a place in mind."
"Oh." I chuckled nervously. "How about at the nearby pancake place?"
"Sure, but, um... I dunno how to get there."
"No problem, I know where it is." I reach over to pat her as an indication to follow me, when I suddenly here a wet, plunging sound.
"GGKHH-!" My eyes widen. The paw that I extended towards her is now embedded into her torso. She's staring at me with some disturbing mix of fear, confusion, and disbelief.
"What... What did I...?" I hear another similar noise. My paw is now glowing. Brick Break. The blade I recently learned how to develop tears through her body, cleanly impaling through her.
"AGH!!" We both stare at her stab wound. Her snow white fur is stained red. "N... i... l... e... s...?" Then, without a command from my body, my paw turns, twisting the blade. Her face contorts with sheer agony before I rip my arm out of her. My left paw is now coated and dripping with her blood.
"Dana...? Dana?!" I hear the terrified shrieks of passerby as the Alolan Vulpix in front of me collapses in a pool of crimson. "What the fuck...?!"
   You didn't think your term of service was over, did you, Nyquil?   
My body goes numb. It starts moving on its own. "St-Stop... You can't...!"
   Whatever do you mean, Nyquil? We had an agreement, did we not? A contract that you accepted.   
"Stop... I told you that I didn't want that anymore!" The crowd of Pokemon rushes away from me, screaming and yelling as they make a break for safety. My body walks back the way it came. Back to my house.
   Ah, yes. I told you to bring me the Braixen's head. It'd make a good waste bin, don't you think?   
The front door opens and Autumn rushes over to see who came in. "Niles, you're back alre- EEK! What happened?! Are you bleeding?!"
"M-Mom, stay back, please!" She tries to calm down and help me.
"Niles, baby, what's going on? Are you okay?"
"Mom, please, I'm not in control..." I stomp towards her, despite trying to force myself to stop. "I'm not in control, please, get away...!"
"Autumn?" I hear Mila say as she comes towards us. "What's happeni- Niles?!"
   Make that two heads, Nyquil.   
Glowing blades of energy extend from my front paws as I leap towards the frightened couple.
-
My eyes open and my leg jerks.
I'm outside. Someone's carrying me. "... Huh?"

Edited by shrubBird on Apr 12th 2019 at 4:28:10 AM

Holstown

"Niles? Are you alright? What's going on?"

Though he hadn't moved too much during the walk over, Mila notices soon when he begins to move once more, narrowly having avoided his leg kicking into one of her arms. When she sees that his eyes are open, she crouches down and lies him on the ground, at the same time hopeful that he's alright and thankful that she won't have to carry him any more.

Now back at Holstown, Autumn realizes that she still hasn't heard back from Winter, and that he wouldn't have known to send a letter further than where she'd written to him from. Knowing this was the last time she'd likely be in the area, Autumn looks for a moment to break off from the group. Seeing everyone's focus on Grigori, she peels off and goes hunting for the post office from two days prior.

Sorry fer the intrusion, but Mila told me 'bout her suspicions. Ah don't exactly get it, wit' that human terminology, but could ya let me know next time ya black out? Ah could use tha chance ta figger out if her idea's right.

After sending that psychic message to Eliot, Koss returns to his thoughts and hangs back near the rear of the group. He suspects that the guild will have more tasks for him soon until the expedition is ready to go, but maybe he'll at least be able to handle this matter beforehand.

Still couldn't stop himself from trying to be the savior after so many failures, could he?

Not all of us arrrre meant to be saviors, arrrre we?

Now what are ya doin' 'round here, Uryu? Let alone list'nen in like that?

What else? Yourrrr expedition seemed like something I should be awarrrrre of, should my talents be needed, and I'd hearrrrrd of a celebration on Harnicarrrrrra on the way. It was a naturrrrral fit, and who else would I find but you? Do lighten up, yourrrrr thoughts are so sad to find amongst all the cheer.

By the time Koss can manage to determine where Uryu must be hiding to send those messages and turn around, the Espeon has already left, with only a clatter of debris marking his passage. While unsettling, Koss things little of it and says nothing as he catches up with the others.

Head's still kinda fuzzy. "Where are we…? When are we?"

Holstown

(A Pineco parts through the crowd and whirls up to the party. The reddish-color indicates that it's Anthony.)

That's why everyone was over here! (He says.) I didn't know you guys were coming back here! Man, you should have seen my folks' faces when I came back home with Tiá Alanna! I've never seen Mamá look so happy in her life...

(He looks around for Dodie and her friends among the party and is a bit disappointed that they aren't there as well.)

Holstown

(I shook Marlon's hand and looked over to the rest of the group.) Yeah. Wouldn't have happened in the first place without you guys.

(When I let go, I asked the group.) Now that we're here, what should we do?

Holstown

Well, we could...hey wait, that kid is back.

I observe as Anthony rolls his way on up towards us. What could he be wanting from us now? Well, part of being hailed as heroes again, I suppose?

Hey, kid, what's up? Didn't think we'd see you this soon.

Kevin and Elise head out to find the nearby inn, hoping to discuss matters from there.

Edited by Team42Larson on Apr 12th 2019 at 6:17:54 AM

"Hm, well...", Noriaki began before Anthony rolled along, "Ah, hello there. I am glad to hear that your family could be reunited and that there was rejoice. Hearing about that makes the harships of these past few days feel more and more worthwhile."

Hikari gazes wistfully at Noriaki.

So much has happened... I must take a moment today to ask, she thought to herself.

Holstown

"We're... we're back in Holstown. I don't know how long you were asleep, but not longer than a day. Are you alright? Does anything hurt?"

Mila remains crouched over Nyquil, trying to quiet down the fears she can feel rising around her. He's talking, he's not as upset as the day before. She can only hope that things stay on the same trajectory of improvement from here.

"Hols..." My eyes dart around to take in the surroundings. My dream is still fresh in my mind, though a little muddled. "Mama... okay? And Mom...? And Dana...?"

"Yes, we're okay. I think they should be around here, I know I talked to them earlier today—"

Mila can't help but be a little concerned that Niles isn't answering her questions about his state, but she tries her best to not make a fuss out of it as she looks around for Autumn and Dana. Surely they must be around somewhere, right?

Autumn eventually makes her way over, and spots the same Pidgeot from earlier at the desk. By the time she's about to speak, the mon has already recognized her and seems to be pulling something out from under the desk. Moments later, a crisp letter is placed between the two of them.

"Here you are, princess Autumn. The letter came in yesterday."

"I see... thank you."

Autumn is about to start tearing at the seal, before the clerk stops her with a raised wing and seems to hold out a sharpened feather.

"Please, I could open it for you if you wish."

"Thank you, but no. I need to get going, I can do it along the way."

"I see. Goodbye, then."

Holstown

(Before Anthony can get another word out, a Forretress suddenly pushes through the crowd as well, followed by three other Pinecos that seem to be around Anthony's age and a Mothim.)

Anthony, what have I said about staying near us? Do you want to be abducted by a witch Pokémon again? (The Forretress tells Anthony.)

Sorry, Mamá, it's just that the guys who saved me and everyone else are here. (Anthony says, motioning toward Noriaki and the others.)

(Anthony's parents look up at the party, and in almost no time flat they are up to Noriaki thanking he and the others for saving Anthony.) OH THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU FOR SAVING OUR BABY! We were so worried...how can we ever thank you??

Holstown

And here comes the kid's family. I watch on as she suddenly flips from scolding mother to...adoring fan?

Woah, we don't really look for much when we go about saving things from evil mons, ma'am. It was just part of the overall story of taking care of L'Arachel not like I did anything in the actual fight itself but... I don't know, what would you have in mind?

Noriaki is a bit sheepish from the sudden gushing attention, but he is quick to give a light bow with his head and respond, "We were simply doing what anyone else with the power and numbers should have and perhaps would have done, Madam. Rewarding us is not a requirement, I assure you."

Holstown

I barely respond to the ping as I start to wander off from the others. Some of them seem to be moving with me, but I feel some relief when I see them moving on in their own direction.

There's a tree over there towards the inn, by that sparring area...I'll sit there for now. The others will probably move on to Narcia, but I don't see much of a point in celebrating. At least my arms better, though it still hurts a little sometimes. Not enough to set me back, though...what were deep cuts are now just dull aching.

I lean back and let the sun hit my scales...there's something basely satisfying about it...I could honestly lay here the rest of the day and let the sun bleach my skin...

Beside the post office, and having followed her surreptitiously, the Ralts waits for the princess, sighing as they look back towards the group slowly dispersing. As much as they would want to stick around and celebrate, they were starting to worry about Zalk...though perhaps it was nothing. Perhaps he had made the trip before that they were making now, like they thought before, but...not once did they seem him amongst the others, and they found the fucking princess for Arceus' sake.

Woodruff's parents and him had keep mostly to themselves for the duration of the trip to Holstown. The long haul would occasionally be peppered with light conversation, sometimes from his parents, sometimes from the others...Woodruff had to explain to his parents that the large Salazzle was truthfully a Smeargle, all the while you could just about hear Eliot grit his teeth as the conversation spun onward into repetitive explanation.

"Hey, Koss—" he starts, thinking it would be wise to introduce his friend to his mom and dad, but the Raichu seems distracted. "Koss, you alright?"

"Koss?" Pauline eyes the Raichu with a hint of judgement in her eye. "So you were the Pikachu Woodruff met at the beach that day...I really thought he'd be younger..."

"Ahhhh, Pauline," Lyman retorts playfully. "The boy said he was a teenager..." He turns to Woodruff for affirmation. "Right?" Woodruff nods, already shrinking a little from where his parents seem to be taking this conversation.

Blissparce, Town Hall

"Ahh, shit!" Taylor's head spins as the chain binding Amy D is ripped out of her hands, leaving her to fumble around before ultimately toppling over.

"AMY! THEY'RE—" Once again, Higgins can't push himself to speak any further as the assistant major is in the process of being whisked away by the two interlopers. He can't help but gawk uselessly, pushing himself further and further into a corner, feeling once more like a frightened child after all these years.

"...guhh..." Managing to push herself up a little, and realizing how quickly all this is happening, she Whips out a Vine from her back that grabs tightly around Amy's leg.

A Vileplume, one of the belligerents at the ceremony two days before, peeks into the town hall. He had been watching it these past couple days, watching it for his old friend's sake, probably the first time he's afforded him a lick of attention in at least a decade. However, as he had been absent-mindedly watching the town hall, he'd seen two mons who he's certain weren't supposed to be there entering in briskly.

Rave's over in the corner looking like he's about to wet himself. A gaggle of mons are fighting with the two mons he'd seen enter the building over the assistant mayor, who's currently wrapped up in a cuff chain.

The Vileplume sighs, figuring he might as well intervene with this. Holding the doors shut for now, he starts drawing in the energy of the sunlight streaming down from behind him, hoping the accosters remain in front of the accostees before he can pull off his attack.

Holstown

Nonsense, you saved my baby boy and everyone else captured by that witch, there has to be something we can do for you all to thank you! (Anthony's mom insists.) Yes, we'll treat you to a meal at our family's restaurant!

Blissparce

Dole, Cedric, it's over-

No it isn't! We need to finish what you started! These guys are just trying to stop us from saving the town! (The Carnivine shouts, trying to bite through the vine Taylor A sent around Amy's leg.)

(Taylor R hops up to the two Pokémon to try to intervene, but the Kadabra kicks him in the cap and leaves him rocking back and forth uncontrollably and trying to regain his balance. As this happens, Mrs. Dos Santos tries to disarm the Kadabra by taking away her spoon, but the Kadabra simply rockets it toward her with Psychic, looking like she means to stab Mrs. Dos Santos with it. Before it can hit her or any of us can intervene, though, Mrs. Dos Santos looks at me for a split second and quickly turns into a Goodra herself, resulting in the spoon bouncing off her stomach without doing much damage.)

Goobert, get Amy away from these two loucos and back towards you and Amaranth! (Mia suddenly shouts at me. I look to Amy. My first instinct to getting Amy away from them is to quickly wrap both of antennae around her and try to pull her toward me, so that's what I do. Meanwhile, Mia goes to tackle the Kadabra to the ground, but before she can do that, the Carnivine turns and suddenly clamps his jaws down on Mia's head!)

Mia! (I yelp.)

HEY! LET GO OF ME, BABACA!! (She shouts in a muffled voice as she tries to pull the Carnivine off her head with all four arms, but the Carnivine keeps jerking around back and forth and preventing Mia from getting a good grip on him.) HEY, GIMME A HAND, SOMEBODY!

Keep at what yer doin' matey, I'll help Mia! (Rich says, running toward her.)

(I nod at Rich and begin pulling Amy toward me, but the Kadabra tries to pull her back toward herself, even after Mrs. Dos Santos (still as a Goodra) grabs her with her own antennae. Soon it becomes increasingly clear that she's now trying to fling Amy out of one of the building's windows instead of towards herself. I pull as hard as I can. Good grief, this Kadabra's abilities are strong! Either that or I'm not that strong at all...) Taylor, keep pulling her back! (I tell Taylor A, remembering that she also still has a vine around Amy as well.)

Owwwww...!! (Amy grunts as she's pulled in two directions at once.)

(Meanwhile, Mia manages to pry the Carnivine off of herself just as Rich arrives to lend a hand, but then the Carnivine simply leaps onto and bites down on Rich's head instead.) OH BLOODY HELL, DON'T JEST GO STRAIGHT T' ME! (Rich shouts as he tries to get the Carnivine off himself (something harder for him do to given he has only two arms as opposed to Mia's four). Mia grabs the Carnivine by his vines and tries to pull him off Rich's head.)

Edited by kablammin45 on Apr 13th 2019 at 1:14:46 PM

Holstown

I look over at the others after hearing this woman lay down such an enticing offer such as this.

Hey, come on guys...after that walk back from the manor I'm hungry again. So I'm up to taking this offer. What about you guys?

Blissparce

Tiff, still in the Police Station with presumably her father, is roused by something outside.

Dad, what's going on out there?

Holstown

Mila picks up on the end of whatever conversation the others were having, and looks off to the side for a moment to confirm the topic at hand. Sure that they're discussing meals, she looks back over to Nyquil, who still seems to be on the ground.

"Do you want to get something to eat? And can you walk by yourself?"

As Autumn leaves the post office, she doesn't notice Jules; instead her efforts are in opening and reading the letter from her father. Once the letter itself is freed from the envelope, she unfolds it carefully while keeping the crumpled envelope tucked in with an elbow.

My dearest Autumn,

While it saddens me to hear that you are experiencing such difficulties so soon after having left us once more, I cannot help but to be somewhat heartened by the fact that you have not forgotten about us and have turned to me for aid. If what you say is true, then I encourage you to think deeply about what is most important to you. Consider why you chose to avoid conflict, noble as your goal was. Please also think, however, about the role of the Foxfell guard in keeping peace. Your mother and I may not fight, but do we not still command a group capable of destruction if used improperly? Furthermore, in dealing with this, I encourage you to talk to your companions, the Raichu in particular. It is only through open discourse that we might come to understand ourselves and each other more fully.

Take care and write often, Your Father

Autumn mulls over the text as she returns to the group, considering how much she's willing to accept, and why Winter thought it necessary to write in such a pompous tone to his own daughter.

"Hmm... eh?"

Koss' focus remains on Uryu and Eliot for a moment still, wondering what both of the two were doing and where they'd gone, but eventually the repeated mention of his name from the Striblings breaks him out of his earlier worries. Turning around to face them, he only catches the final part of Lyman's response, though he does notice Woodruff's reaction to the comment. Wanting to set a good impression, Koss tries to take up a jovial tone, washing away the worry on his face and replacing it with the good humor he'd learned from the guild to treat new mons with.

"Ah, yes! Ah'm Koss, Koss Dejarin. If'n yer wonderin' 'bout when ah met Woodruff here, ah'd say ah was maybe... seventeen, or sixteen was it? Either way, all of us 've had time ta grow since then, ya know?"

Edited by Cabe_Bedlam on Apr 13th 2019 at 5:53:03 AM

Holstown

Take a wild guess as to who just curled up under the tree besides Eliot. Go on, guess!

If you said "a certain Helioptile who's basically been gone for like a year out-of-thread," you would be correct!

"Fffood sounds nice, but so does dying, ahahaha…"

Holstown

"Now, I'm wondering something," Lyman says. "Son, you said he was with the Guild, wasn't he?"

Woodruff doesn't answer; instead Pauline, realizing what her husband means to ask, pipes up angrily, "Lymie! We agreed we wouldn't do this yet!"

"Ahh, I'm sorry," the mister replies nervously, and Pauline cools herself. "I'm just trying to scope out our opportunities is all."

Finally, Woodruff manages to get a word in edgewise. "Just keep it outta mind, dad. Everyone's out partyin' in Narcia, we should be joinin' 'm!"

He looks over to Koss with a friendly smile. "You should come, too."

"...could that be from her parents," Jules wonders aloud. Nevertheless, they follow behind the princess just as surreptitiously as they did before.

"...if I am not being rude by asking this," they finally say to try and puncture the silence—and of course it was rude, but they've already committed, haven't they. "Is the Raichu your lover? You seem very close, at least..."

...no, this isn't gonna do. I end up rolling over—

"—!" I hit my back against something. Recoiling like a cat at a snake, I manage to turn myself around and look at whatever the hell...just...

"...PJ..." I'd thought he was gone, gone the same way as some of the others. I know now how stupid it is to worry, they're likely off getting by somewhere out there just fine, probably doing better than us considering all the shit we ram ourselves headlong into...and yet seeing PJ here...I can't say I didn't miss him...

I stand over him on all fours...would I frighten him the way I look now? Imagine being brought up from rest and the first thing you see is a hulking lizard almost four times your size. The form's novel, but its novelty's worn off. Pulling myself up onto my two hind legs, I begin to shrink, light-headedness blurring my vision a little as I'm forced to lean against the tree. If the bump doesn't rouse PJ, my myriad grunts and grumbles likely would.

Blissparce, Town Hall

"On it, big guy!!" Another vine flies out of Taylor's back and joins the first around Amy's leg, managing to snag the chain along with it as she tried to pull Amy closer to her side.

"Phew..." Empowered by solar energy coursing through him, leaking out in small, harmless flares of light, the Vileplume throws open the door and, briefly taking in the scene, takes aim at the Kadabra: he would've liked to get both of them within a single attack, but just the one will do.

"...Lenton!" Just as Higgins realize who's come in to assist, the room is filled with light as the Vileplume fires off a solid beam of sunlight right for the Kabadra. Taylor ducks to remove herself from the laser's path, and Higgins continues to cower.

Edited by BlackMageAnolis on Apr 13th 2019 at 7:44:38 AM

Holstown

*My rest is disturbed, and I rub my eyes as I stand myself up. I stretch out my tail as I open my eyes, finding myself greeted by the sight of...*

PJ: "El! Yo! 'Morning, man!" *I glance up at the sky quickly.* "Well, afternoon. Good morning-in-the-afternoon? ...Good something."

*Nailed it.*

Holstown

"Afternoon." I continue to rest against the tree. The sunlight still feels nice at least, though it won't help me recuperate myself.

"So. Where have you been?"

Holstown

I'm freaking starved, I'm all for goin' ta dair place. (Marsha says.)

Blissparce (Town Hall)

(I quickly hit the dirt myself as the Solar Beam being fired by the Vileplume I hadn't realized was there until now flies up and scores a direct hit on the Kadabra.)

UNGH!! (She grunts as she's knocked down onto the ground and lets go of Amy...wait, oh crap-)

OOFFF!! (Amy slams into me and potentially Taylor A as well? as the force pulling her away from Taylor A and I disappears. I end up falling backwards into the receptionist's desk, ending up with the stunned Amy laying on her back on top of me.)

(The Kadabra gets up and glares at the Vileplume (is that the Lenton the mayor was calling out to?), preparing another Psychic, but Mrs. Dos Santos grabs for her before she can unleash the attack. With a look of anger in her eyes, the Kadabra grabs her spoon and lifts Mrs. Dos Santos off the ground. Given the way Mrs. Dos Santos's form and facial expression suddenly begin to contort, it looks like whatever the Kadabra's doing to her is painful.)

(Mia notices this and is horrified.) MOM!! (She desperately looks back and forth between Rich and Mrs. Dos Santos.)

Go help yer mum if she's in trouble, lass, I'll take care of this scallawag! (Rich says.)

(Mia runs to the Kadabra and smacks the spoon out of her hand, breaking the Kadabra's concentration and releasing Mrs. Dos Santos. She follows this up with a punch to the Kadabra's face, sending her rolling across the room but not knocking her unconscious yet.)

Stand down, you two! It's! Over!! (Amy shouts from her spot still on top of me. It still doesn't look like they're interested in listening to her, however, given how the Kadabra gets right back up after being decked by Mia and the Carnivine doesn't let go of Rich.)

Blissparce (Police Station)

(Mr. Dos Santos does notice that the noise outside seems to have gotten considerably louder.) What's going on? I hope it's not...

(He looks out the window and notices a crowd is starting to gather around outside the town hall.) Grr, that's what I was afraid of...

   What is it, Papa?    (Izabel asks.)

Looks like she isn't coming quietly... (Mr. Dos Santos growls. He decides that, heart problems or no heart problems, he needs to help. He moves out the door.)

(Izabel looks at her sister in worry before starting to follow her father out the door, nervously clacking her wooden claws together.)