The Inn

I mean...yeah, it will get better with time but just—I think knowing just how much that pillar smashed through and the result of it. Back home, I would've been on an operating table within the hour of it happening, you know. Our ability to do medicine? You'd be shocked at how far we managed to get.

I hop up to the door to our room and face it, looking back toward Marsha and then down to identify the key pouch currently laying against the door. I stop to reach over for it but elect to hand off the pouch to her.

After you?

There was an accident with a Serum that nearly turned a turn a professor into a Clamperl. She snapped after she got kicked from the University, and got sent to jail for it. That was the last time I saw her, five years ago.

Edited by Team42Larson on Sep 11th 2019 at 8:39:13 AM

"Hmmm... think it was... half an hour, 20 minutes or so?"

The Inn, Room 17

I sigh heavily.

"It's alright. I'll use your name from here on out. At least we're in the same boat."

I chuckle.

"Heh. Get it? Cause I'm an anchor?" I close my eye.

"G'night ki-Igni."

(...I heard that. I heard it almost come out, but... oh, who cares, that's just what people think of me by this point. I'm just going to have to accept that.)

I get it... goodnight.

(I close my eyes and drift off into sleep, slowly but surely.)

Judy's

Heh, thanks Marly. (Marsha chuckles, stepping inside.) Hey, pretty nice place. They musta really tidied up in heres.

Okay, great! (Benji says.) Figure this should only take us about...hm...two hours at the very most?

Alright. (Dinah nods.)

Well, meetcha guys here when we get back! (Benji says.) Or g'night if both of yall are asleep by then!

(Lucy yawns again.) Bye, Papa...

Please stay safe out there. (Dinah adds. The two of them begin heading toward their room.)

(Benji turns back to the Poliwrath(?).) Welp, let's git goin' then! Don't wanna keep 'em waitin' too long, just sayin'.

(I bring Mother to her room.) Mama, I'm sorry I got so worked up about you, I was just nervous that Phoebe had gotten you.

Oh, Della, dear, I understand. (She says.) Though I do wish that you wouldn't worry as much about me as you still do. I'm just fine.

(I guess she's right...still, I can't help but feel like it's my responsibility to keep an eye on her after I accidentally crippled her, though. Nevertheless, I nod.) Right...good night, Mother. Love you.

I love you, too, my little Della. (Mother pulls me into a hug.) Now I hope you can focus more on saving Goobert than on just helping me and making sure I'm alright. That's the biggest reason we're both here now. You can focus on helping me after.

(She wheels herself into her room. I look to June and begin heading to our room.)

Ohhh, I can't wait 'til mornin' when we can go save Gooby 'n everyone else...this is scary but excitin' at the same time... (I hear June mutter as she follows me.) I can't wait 'til everyone's back...

You and me both, June... (I say as I take the key and unlock the door. Oh, Goobert, I hope you're still okay...)

Phoebe's Barge

(Phoebe's barge sits about halfway between Whispering Pines and Danjor Island. It would have likely been at the island already had it been not for the rain.)

Blasted rain... (She groans, sitting above deck with Gerogés.) I need clear skys to complete my plans!

Erm...sorry... (The Machoke says. Inwardly, he's relieved, though.)

(She scoffs.) Well...I suppose with this time to kill, I can go speak to Rudy. Can you believe that he didn't do a thing at that village back there no matter how much we told him to?

Well, he was certainly not going to listen to me. (Georgés says.) Not after you forced me to evolve him against his will!

Well, maybe after I have a talk with him, he'll be more willing to take part in the future... (Phoebe says, slinking off.)

(What...what...what...)

(I find myself unable to think coherently after I just saw...all of that...so many Pokémon panicking, me getting yelled at constantly, I would have gone and hid somewhere if she hadn't insisted on keeping me close to her. Occasionally, I hear Gomer knocking on the door to the room and the barrel of water I'm hiding in, but I just don't say a thing because I'm not in the mood.)

(Suddenly, I hear the door swing open behind me and I about jump out of my skin. I spin around to see Mo-...Phoebe. I don't think I want to keep calling her that.)

Ph-Phoebe, wh-what's going on? (I ask.) L-Look, if it's about today, I just-

Ah ah ah ah, calm down, Rudy, calm down. (She speaks over me.) I suppose you just weren't used to what we do yet. Believe me, I'm sure you'll get used to it in time.

Oh...so what do you want now? (I ask.)

Since you're a Gorebyss like myself, I would be remiss if I didn't show you how to use my signature serum. (She says, holding it up.) Do you want to learn how?

(Learn how to use the stuff that turns Pokémon into more of us?) I-I-I-I don't know-

Rudy, do you want to be a part of what we do or not?? (She yells suddenly.) You're a Gorebyss, you're perfect for using my magic alongside me. Don't you want that?

I'm just not sure I want to-HEY!!

(She suddenly pulls me over toward her with the end of her body and forces my snout into the bottle.) It's really quite simple-HOLD STILL!! Just dip your snout in, then stick the Pokémon!

(I finally pull myself away with my long beak still dripping with the stuff. Oh man, it smells so flowery that I feel nauseated. I try to wipe it off with my tailfin.) Don't you wipe it off yet! You need to test it!

On what? (I ask.) I don't want to-

(Suddenly the door swings open again and a bunch of Clamperls march in, carrying a struggling Bruxish.) Unhand me! I demand it! Let me go! Let! Me! Go! I don't have time for this!

(I freeze. She wants me to stick him, doesn't she? I look over in her direction, and sure enough, she motions over to him.)

(I nervously inch forward toward the Bruxish. Upon seeing me, he struggles even more.) No no no no NO! Don't eat me! Don't eat me! I have a wife and kids! Let me go! (He suddenly spits out a bunch of Poké.) Take whatever you want! Just don't take me away from them!

(...He has a family...do...does everyone we take have a family? Does Gomer? Do...I? Now I can't help but imagine a family of Bruxish waiting for their dad to come home, only for him to never show up...because he's one of us now...)

I...I can't...I can't, Phoebe. (I say, fighting back tears.) He has a family. What are they going to do if they never see him again?

(I turn and see Phoebe glowering at me. That...that wasn't the right thing to say, was it? Before I can say a word, she viciously pricks the Bruxish herself.) AGHH!!

(Before I realize what's happening, I have gotten in Phoebe's face.) HE HAD A FAMILY! WHY DIDN'T YOU LET HIM GO?!! (Whatamidoingwhatamidoing-)

(All of a sudden, she headbutts me right in my face. I reel backwards.)

YOU! YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE MY PROTEGE! I TREATED YOU SO WELL! AND THIS IS HOW YOU REPAY ME?!

B-B-But he had a-...I couldn't-...I- (I can barely get the words out between my headache and just outright fear.)

IF YOU DEFY ME AGAIN, I WILL TURN YOU INTO A WISHIWASHI AND FEED YOU TO A WAILMER! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!!

(I'm trembling too hard to respond. Without a word, she turns and leaves the room. The Clamperls leave, dragging the poor Bruxish behind them.)

(Overwhelmed and terrified, I simply coil myself back up in the barrel of water in the room and cry myself to sleep.)

The Inn

I mean, of course, they definitely seem like they've run this place long enough to have assembled a crew to clean up if something like this were to have ever happened. It's a real shame that the very thing of this scale had to happen, though.

I hop over and after deciding between which of the two beds we should sleep in I decide on the one on the right. I make my way to the bed, pivot around and then sit down on the bed, inviting Marsha to come to my other side in the bed. I lay the crutches on the table so that they are perpendicular to it, laying such that I can quickly grab them if needed.

A real damn shame, honestly. This place seems like such a good vacation town, and now here we are, putting ourselves on the line once again. At least I've got you by my side in this, and everyone else too.

Edited by Team42Larson on Sep 11th 2019 at 7:50:02 AM

"Yeah, definitely." the Poliwrath(?) responds and heads outside.

"Huh, yeah, the rain doesn't really bother me as much like this..."

Judy's (Room 10)

Yeahs...much bettah than goin' this alone, yeah? (Marsha says, climbing onto the bed.) Well, I'm exhausted. Night, Marly.

(She rolls over onto her stomach and nods off.)

Judy's (Room 24)

(Dinah and Lucy reach their's and Benji's room and prepare to hit the hay. Despite looking sleepy at this point, Lucy seems antsy.) I can't wait 'til mornin'! We're gonna help save Goobert and Patch's family! (She says.)

(Dinah freezes. Lucy wants to go to the island that could potentially explode? She understands that Lucy wants to help out, but worries about what might happen if the party fails to stop Phoebe, especially if Lucy is over there with them.) Lucy...I would really rather you stay here.

(Lucy looks in Dinah's direction.) But why? I wanna help out!

I understand, Lucy, it's just...it's way too dangerous of a journey this time. I've seen the Pokémon that Phoebe is trying to emulate, and if she's anything like her, then she is not going to let anything get in the way of what she wants, including someone like you. And besides...if Phoebe isn't stopped in time, who knows what'll happen to that island she is on.

(Lucy looks quite unhappy at not being able to help out.) But Goobert and-

There are plenty of other Pokémon who are going to help save him and everyone else, Lucy. (Dinah says.) We'll see if there isn't anything that we can do to help everyone still on this island.

(Lucy sighs.) Okay...

(She climbs into bed and tries searching for her plush Arbok. She looks worried when she can't find it.) Oh no, where's Ricky? I musta left him on the boat...

Don't worry, Lucy, we'll find him in the morning. (Dinah reassures Lucy.) For now, get some rest. Whether we're going to Danjor Island or not, we're probably going to have a busy day tomorrow.

(Lucy somewhat sadly tucks herself in.) G'night, Mama...

(Dinah watches Lucy as she falls asleep for a few moments before turning to peer out of the mostly boarded up window. It's impossible to really see much through the rain, and she's pretty sure she wouldn't be able to see Danjor Island anyway. She sighs, still very worried about what could possibly happen if they don't stop Phoebe.)

Outside

Hey, great! Now let's go find the boat! (Benji says.) Which way did ya fellas come in from again?

The Inn

Yeah...night.

I say, laying down in the bed and looking up at the ceiling for a bit, enough time to gather my thoughts again. What if we actually fail? A chance of failure always exists in the things we do but now? It seems that failure will bring down an entire island, wipe a town from existence, and trap scores of mons with their curses forever, including Goobert (may God bless his soul)—that is, unless they wind up getting killed first. We'd likely also get swallowed up in the aftermath, and die too. Am I in too far over my head? Let's take inventory:

-I'm on crutches, without access to full capabilities

-We don't have our full ranks

-A truly vile, sadistic, any word to describe her—bitch is our opponent

I might actually be in over my head here. No, calm down, calm down. I have many, many mons here with me to asisst the effort. Like Marsha. My girlfriend, lover, the woman I want to spend my future in this world with once we settle down—am I protecting her in this case or is she protecting me? Who knows. I don't want to let these questions eat at me all night. We have to be up and at it pretty quickly tomorrow morning. As I watch as she slowly drifts off to sleep I try to wrap an arm around her before I too fall asleep.

Eventually I do.

Good night.

Room 23

Stellan attempts to go to sleep himself, unless Daniel has anything else to say.

Edited by Team42Larson on Sep 12th 2019 at 11:11:03 AM

Inn

"... 14? Here, just give me the key. I'll go there a bit later."

Mila drifts to the counter and picks up the key to her room, hardly paying attention to the inn-keeper as she does so. Something feels odd inside of her, and she knows she won't be able to sleep easily tonight. Not just yet. Is it fear of what's to come? Loneliness with the distance between her and the ones she knows best? Resentment that all the Decidueye could offer was that he'd 'try'? A desire to make sure nothing happened at night? A push to train for what's to come? Somehow Mila suspected it was at the very least all of those things at once, but perhaps still something else, too.

Stepping outside for a moment, Mila sat under the lip of the inn's roof, and watched the storm outside. The patter of rain and splash of puddles across the streets, as well as the occasional blinding bolt of lightning and warning rumble of thunder. It would help distract her, and wash her thoughts away with the rivulets running towards the sea.

The Poliwrath looks around for a bit and then points. "Right, this way. We should get to a dock there before too long."

(Five years ago.... I woke up in this 'world' without a clue where I was.... I better get some...)

" Sieg, are ya in here?" A serpertine voice calls out, that elect to ingnore so can get some rest.

Edited by Malfar on Sep 12th 2019 at 12:31:21 PM

We are now to day 28. Whatever scenes remain will become flashbacked as for the norm

Room 10

First light. Those questions I pondered over last night feel like they have no clearer answers now than they did then. As my vision fades in I get a clear reminder of where I am at right now. This town, and its inn, were basically taken to school by Phoebe and her raiders, and we basically dropped right into hell itself. I roll my head over to the right to find out if Marsha is awake yet.

Room 23

Stellan groggily awakens after quite the restless sleep. He's pursuing his former best friend, for which he was her only friend in life, to stop her from possibly collapsing an entire island and killing everyone on it. The stories they made up while they played on the beach in Gleamscape probably could not have prepared him for this. He hops out of bed.

Front Area

Ophelius waltzes in with two of his best men in tow who can be played by others as Addie and Clayton get things gathered for the day's trek to the island.

...that all you could really get, sir?

My finest-tuned battle-ready men, Clay. The large group that assembled here last night should suffice plenty enough to where I only needed two of them to join you on your trek. Consider anything that moves on that island hostile. Her hordes are massive.

Clayton simply nods to his superior, and former commander in their platoon, but knows that part of Ophelius's plan simply won't work. Those are innocent mons that had gotten captured, Clayton cannot risk innocent lives being lost. The trio look over to either side of them to see who comes out of their rooms first.

(After an uneventful dream, and a night having seemingly gone by, I reawaken, pushing the cover off of myself and yawning a bit.)

Surprisingly good sleep... I'll have to remember this place for later.

(I get out of bed, poking my would-be companion Wreck to see if they're on the verge of reawakening as well.)

Time to wake up... it's morning and the others are getting up, I'd imagine. You don't want to be left behind, and neither do I.

Inn, Room 17

I stir. Something furry is poking me. Slowly I open my eye.

"Just had the weirdest dream..."

I see the small fox thingy.

"...I am still in it, apparently."

I pick myself up. How I do this is still a mystery to me but I am now vertical, hovering slightly above the ground.

"Wreck, huh? Good a name as ever. I guess we should go see this Marlon guy so I can get some answers."

Judy's (Room 9)

No...no, you know me...no, no, NO!

(...Oh fudge, I was just dreaming. The island hasn't exploded yet...has it? I look over to the window to see sunlight peeking through the cracks through the boards over it...not to mention June sleeping in an absolutely ridiculous position on her bed. It must be morning. I can hear some noise outside the window, but I can't tell what it is.)

(But that's not what I need to focus on now. I roll out of bed, feeling more awake than I feel like I usually am most mornings, and move to shake June awake.) June-

WATCH OUT FOR THE DINNER PLA-!! (I about jump out of my skin.) ...Oh, I was dreamin'. Didja hear that, Del?

...Loud and clear...

Oh my gosh, how embarrassin'... (June gets out of bed.) Hey, is it mornin' already? We can get ready t' save Gooby and everybody?

Yes, June.

Great! Let's see if everyone else is ready! (She says. She suddenly pulls something out of her mane and tosses it to me. It takes me a moment to process what it is, but I quickly realize that it's my swimsuit.)

Oh, I thought this had gotten left behind in Blissparce. Thanks for remembering to get it. (I tell June.)

Thanks, but it was your mom who told me t' get it. I've just been keepin' up with it! (June says.) Hope there isn't too much mane hair in it. C'mon, let's see who else is up!

(June leave the room as I pick out the few hairs I do see in my swimsuit.)

Judy's (Room 24)

(In Room 24, Lucy is the first one up. She looks over to see Benji (in Noivern form) and Dinah still asleep.) Mama, Papa?

(Benji stirs, walking up Dinah in the process.) Hmm...? (She sits up and stretches. A moment later, Benji's form destabilizes and he slides off the side of the bed, reappearing as his usual Swampert self.)

Mornin', fellas! (He says, stretching as well.) Welp, time tuh git ready ta face off with that Gorebyss, just sayin'!

Yeah! (Lucy says, jumping off her bed.)

(Dinah groggily looks in Lucy's direction.) Lucy, don't forget that we're both staying here.

(Lucy pauses.) Oh, uh huh... (She says, disappointed.)

Take it Lucy really wanted tuh go, eh? (Benji asides to Dinah.)

She did...but this journey is far too dangerous for someone her age...honestly, it's dangerous for anyone of any age... (Dinah says.)

Judy's (Room 10)

(Marsha is still sleeping like a log.)

Judy's (Front)

(By the time the party is getting ready, Henry, Tenn, and Shelley are already up and having breakfast. Rich and Polly have left their room and are just now entering.)

'Hoy, mateys. (Rich greets everyone.)

Top of the morning to you, citizen! (Henry says.)

Hello. Is anyone else up yet? (Shelley asks.)

Did hear people movin' around. (Polly says.)

Room 10

She's still sleeping away. I find that both slightly bemusing yet cute at the same time. After sighing a bit I sit up in the bed and take hold of her arm and carefully shake it a bit, attempting to rouse her awake.

Front

...I imagine you're all well. This mission we are about to embark on will be dangerous. I recommend we stay together in one large group and myself and my men will be covering your six. Consider all Clamperl and their evolutionary forms hostile...

Ophelius looks over at Clayton and the indignation the Excadrill takes on. Ophelius relents a bit.

But don't accidentally kill any of them. We don't know which ones are innocents she assimilated into the clan.

...Like I said, he'll probably pull you aside for that since it seems to be a bit of a sensitive topic.

(I open the door and leave the room, motioning Wreck to follow in due time.)

(...Of course, then I notice how many people are gathering out in the lobby and my anxiety kicks back in.)

Uh, yes... I'm awake, so... D-don't mind me, honestly...

(I promptly start hiding behind a nearby potted plant, hoping that not too many people noticed my enterance.)

The Inn, Main Lobby

I follow Igni out. There are a lot of those weird monsters out in the lobby. I guess they're people? I notice Igni is hiding behind a potted plant.

"Shy much?"

I look over the crowd, trying to see if I could spot Marlon. I decide to take the easy route and call out to him.

"Hey is there a Marlon here? I'm kind of new and need some orienteerings."

Judy's (Front)

My good mon, we had no plan to do so! (Henry tells Ophelius. Tenn nods in agreement.)

All of them are someone's friend or family... (Shelley comments.)

There is, but I 'aven't seen 'im yet. Might not 'a come outta 'is room yet. (Polly says to the Dhelmise, scanning the room just to make sure.)

(Stepping out of our room, June and I nearly bump into Maran and Sunny.) Oh, good morning! Bzz!

Hello, Maran, Sunny. (I say.) Is anyone else up yet?

Not sure. We've only just gotten up ourselves. (Sunny says.)

Well, let's go up front and see who we find! (June says, heading that way.)

(Following her, I do see Henry and his friends, Rich and Polly, and the Fennekin (why are they hiding behind the plant) and the Dhelmise who found us last night. I also see Mother in the lounge.)

Mornin', guys! ( June chirps.)

Room 10

(Marsha finally stirs awake.) Eugh, it is mornin' already?

Edited by kablammin45 on Sep 12th 2019 at 8:19:08 AM

Having already woken up and made their way out of their room, Noriaki and Hikari appeared in the lobby.

"Good morning, everyone", said Noriaki, tipping his hat.

"Yes, good morning", said Hikari, giving a curtsy. "Oh, we are having breakfast now?"

One of the Dragalges nods.

"Understood, sir. We'll be sure to save the innocents we can! Besides, hopefully we can deal with her poison with a bit of our own."

Room 10

Well, yes. Sounds like a good deal of movement outside already.

I swivel around to angle myself just enough to grab both crutches. After making sure both are secured I test the progress of my leg. I pace briefly from one side to the other, then stop just by the door, catching my breath in relief. Seems like some progress is being made.

Well, my leg definitely feels somewhat less painful to stand on. Got a long way to go if I can ever get back to normal though...

I stay there, waiting for Marsha to get up.

Front

Atta boy, Daniels, atta boy! I knew there was a reason I selected you above the others in selection.

Meanwhile, Addie addresses the others.

Oh, yes. We got started early this mornin' for all of yeh 'cause we knew what was ahead. We'll get out it for yeh shortly...

She then fields Wreck's question with a similar answer to Polly.

He should be comin' out soon. He got crutches so it ain't like he can just zip right over 'ere..

Edited by Team42Larson on Sep 12th 2019 at 10:35:10 AM

I don't handle crowds well, Wreck. So, uh... please don't make fun of me for it.

(That being said, I do step out from behind the relative safety of the plant into the open, moreso waiting for someone to talk to me directly than anything so I won't feel as awkward speaking.)

Room 20

(Another dreamless night. A part of me sort of wishes for something, whether it would be another dream about her, or about that other part of me. But, no sense in dwelling about it. I made my way outside the room and into the lobby. I addressed the group as I got here, along with a few newcomers.) Morning.