ITT: We Have All Become Pokémon

"What's 'the Bedsheets'?" Braixen asks.

Outside the Guild

"Good, take the time you need to rest, Marlon. I know Nyquil is still busy with the guard too... At least I hope that's where he's been."

"Bedsheets... There's your mattress cover and sometimes a fitted sheet under that, then a flat sheet between you and the comforter— okay, no, enough of that. It was a hideout for a gang that one of the mons following us was part of. He's... not around anymore, thankfully. Nor is the gang... hff..."

Letting the others handle the new arrival, Mila decides to answer the other Braixen's question with a light verbal jab before providing the more serious answer. She keeps her eyes away as she thinks back to those earlier days, staring close down to the ground as her tail flicks across the cobbles almost as if sweeping for something that doesn't show up. After a second remaining there, though, she lifts her head to look back to the main throng gathered nearby.

"We can handle the rest of this as we walk, right? We should get going."

Foxfell Streets

Well, I think we're probably better resolving everything once we get there. Besides, the Bedsheets was more closer to Gleamscape than Silversand, wasn't it? I wouldn't trust being able to keep myself on two legs for such a journey. If we aren't just all going back together then I'll hitch a ride with you guys, Benji.

Autumn actually agrees with what I'm thinking. I'm both shocked yet not shocked. I'm doing this for the betterment of my own health above anything else really. When prompted to I simply keep moving to the docks.

As the group of Humons are walking along, however, a new figure suddenly appears out of nowhere! Literally, they seemed to have popped in from the aether right in front of them, complete with a 'FWOOMF' sound.

This new figure is a species they may not have seen before, but would appear familiar if they had noticed the Dreepy earlier on - they look similar, but larger and with a very wide head, upon which those same Dreepy are resting in little alcoves. It is a Dragapult.

"Mornin', all. Lads, ladies, an' bein's between an' beyond, et cetera. Might I 'ave a moment of yer time?" he said, politely but with a noticeable affect. He's clearly quite old, going from his tone of voice and slightly haggard appearance, especially compared to the Dreepy.

Foxfell

No problem, Marlon! Let's go. (Benji says. Dinah gets Lucy down from off the tree she was climbing and they prepare to head to the docks. Marsha moves ahead with Marlon. Dinah continues to look uneasy as Mila explains the Bedsheets and what happened around them to the Braixen.)

(I start to move forward myself when out of nowhere, another Pokémon I've never seen before shows up right in front of us. I don't remember seeing anything about THIS Pokémon (nor the smaller Pokémon riding on his head for that matter) when trying to catch up on the Pokémon I didn't know existed. I must have skipped over it. Is he like some sort of ghost dragon? If so then that's...really cool, actually.)

(But enough about what sort of Pokémon this guy is, who actually IS he?) Whoa! Who are you??

Edited by kablammin45 on Feb 15th 2020 at 10:31:57 AM

Foxfell

I simply nod in response to Benji accepting my request to ride back with them. Then, it's almost out of thin air that this Dragapult...that's it's name right?...suddenly appears before us—but with that guy from earlier! Now I know I wasn't hallucinating or anything. But ultimately I toss my suspicions from earlier to the side because clearly, this kindly old man has something to tell us.

What do you want to tell us? You could've just appeared in person earlier, you know. Your envoy there confused me when he just disappeared into thin air.

Edited by Team42Larson on Feb 15th 2020 at 10:37:26 AM

One of the two Dreepy looks slightly embarassed upon hearing the Gallade talk of them - the other one impishly chuckles, evidently proud at having not been seen.

"I apologise, but as a matter o' course I don't make myself be known unless I been asked. Besides, I 'ad to check if you were the ones I was lookin' for," the Dragapult said, giving a brief aside glance to one of his Dreepy. "So you saw 'Ook, then? ...Well, no matter. My name's McNab," he continues, giving a dramatic bow. "I work for Ripley, Chairgon of 'Oard - I understand she's a friend o' yours. She's sent me 'ere to deliver a communique on 'er be'alf. She says she'd 'ave sought you out 'erself, but recent events 'ave made bein' out in public dangerous for 'er."

Edited by PresidentStalkeyes on Feb 15th 2020 at 4:36:58 PM

Foxfell

My expression contorts into one of shock as this man reveals his association to Hoard. Hoard. Ripley. That slimy son of a bitch, Serris. After all this time I thought we had moved on from this. I shake my head in shame as I remember everything that happened there before addressing the Dragapult and his Dreepy envoys.

What kind of information do you have for us? Is she safe?

Foxfell, Outside Center

"Hey, uhh...can't...remember your—umm, it's, uhh, Eliot." [Wow, that was a hell of a way to introduce myself.] "You...doin' alright?" [I try and nudge my way over towards the docks, hoping he'll follow.]

Foxfell

(So they're with Ripley? Man, that's a name I haven't heard in a while. And that makes me think of Serris...mam, thinking about that guy just leaves a seriously bad taste in my mouth, knowing what he almost did to us.)

(Now it sounds like Ripley is in trouble?) Recent events? What happened? Did something go wrong?

Edited by kablammin45 on Feb 15th 2020 at 1:08:03 PM

Near Eliot

Seth shakes his head numbly when Eliot asks if he's doing alright.

"...Seth. I... I don't know. I don't know what's happening."

"I'm afraid I can't say, meself," McNab says, shaking his head. "You'll 'ave to 'ear it from 'er. That's why I'm 'ere. She's been docked 'ere in Foxfell for a bit, an' she wants to see at least one of you, if you'll 'umour 'er. You don't 'ave to, but given your monetary problems..." McNab pauses to rub his fingers together, looking more than a little smug, "...She might offer you somethin'."

Foxfell Streets

(And now, there's another Pokémon. This time a Dragapult. I was about to wonder if it's another one until he talked about a "Ripley" and an "Oard." Given how some of us seems to know these two things, I'm not sure if I could be much help, even with the prospect of money being involved. But, a little knowledge wouldn't hurt. Plus, if anything, I could fill the others in later on.) I might be interested.

Foxfell

She's here in Foxfell? She was here this whole time and we had no idea? This guy drives a bargain for us, especially if she indeed has that kind of reward for us (moreover the guild), but obviously we've got other issues to deal with.

Okay, man, that's all fine and all but....we were just trying to get onto boats to ride back to Denalsi and help the Guild in doing that very thing. If we're going to meet her, how far even is she from here?

Day 1

"I guesss... But like, what about after that? We can't be fighting stuff forever right?"

"Pfff!" McNab went, rolling his eyes. "'Scuse my informality, but you're probably not gonna get anywhere with these guild types. Ripley made the mistake o' trustin' them, an' look where that got us... but, apologies, I speak outta turn..." he continued, softening his tone as he noticed the Decidueye. He took a moment to examine him - he remembered Ripley telling him they had a Dartrix in the group before, so he must have evolved, but... could he be sure? There was something off about him...

"Say, Decidueye. Yer one o' the 'umons, too? I don't remember seein' you back in 'Oard..."

Foxfell

(I’m really not sure what to say. Didn’t Khmalidze talk about not trusting the Guild too?)

I dunno, fellas, should we go meet up with her? (I hear Benji ask.)

(Dinah doesn’t answer Benji’s question; feeling a bit offended that this fellow is putting down this Guild whom (as far as she can tell) has only been trying to help (and not being aware of the misgivings McNab and his employers have toward them), she looks at McNab with a firm expression.) Sir, with all due respect, they’re still helping us and others any way they can. (Dinah says, what they’ve been doing to help Eliot on her mind in particular.)

Foxfell Streets

Autumn takes a moment to listen to what the suddenly-appearing mon has to say, her eyes narrowing and her ears pushing themselves back as she hears their comments about the guild and the humanmons themselves. After the Dragapult's last comment, she's quick to put in one of her own.

"At least they know what not to say in public. Really, for someone who was spying on us you seem awfully glib, even if you're not going to say why we're being called for. We're not mercenaries, if that's what you're after; you'd have to ask the Swords of Justice for that one."

Edited by Cabe_Bedlam on Feb 15th 2020 at 4:08:31 AM

Foxfell Streets

No, we aren't going to help you. And Autumn is right, we aren't going to be your mercenaries or fall back into the same trap we did the first time we dealt with Serris or the Khapitani. So you could either just tell us what Ripley needed to say to us or we'll be continuing on our way.

Foxfell Streets

(Well this took a turn. Given how they were so averse to hearing this guy out, I'm not entirely sure if I should trust him. But, given how little I know about this "Serris" and "Capi-tani," I shouldn't push him away yet. I answered the Dragapult's question and then addressed my concern to the group as a whole.) We haven't met. Also, anyone care to fill some of us in?

Seemingly brushing off the comment about his glibness, McNab takes a moment to stratch his chin in thought, glancing over at his two Dreepy envoys. "I see... it's unfortunate you all feel this way, unless..." he says, turning to address the Decidueye directly. "To be 'onest with you, much of what Ripley was gonna tell you was public knowledge anyway. 'Oard is, to be blunt, completely fucked. Your friends - I assume they're your friends - are referrin' to Serris of SuperiorFarms Inc, an' Colonel Khmalidze o' the Pawniarmy. They were partnered with Ripley before the VA rolled on through, an' 'ad a rather adverse effect on the previous Chairgon. That... fell apart. I don't wish to elaborate further, but if you choose to take Ripley up on 'er offer anyways - an' I would still recommend doin' so - you can find 'er in the captain's cabin of the Tapu Koko down an' the docks. Yer'll know it when you see it."

He floated back a tad, folding his arms, with an expression of repressed irritation just faintly visible on his face. "Now, I don't s'pose the rest of you 'ave any questions, wanna clear up some misunderstandin's, or...?"

Edited by PresidentStalkeyes on Feb 15th 2020 at 1:05:38 PM

Foxfell

Wait, are you saying that things have gotten worse there since we left or am I misunderstanding you? (I ask.) It sure would explain why Ripley is over here, to be honest...

Foxfell

I mean, I'm sure Ripley will have something to explain to us, but I'm not getting involved in our next adventure regardless. I need time to recover some more from this injury I suffered to my leg not all that long ago, man.

Speaking of which I look over toward Benji and co.

I...do you guys want to head on and get going?

The moment I opened my eyes I was greeted by the sight of puffy clouds drifting up above me and fading away into the horizon, "Huh...well, I gotta say, this is a nice change of pace from my usual lucid dreams..."

I let out a content sigh and went to stretch back and enjoy the ride...except that's when I noticed something wasn't right. Namely, that my arms felt a lot more...flimsy than usual, "Huh?" A glance side-to-side showed that in place of my normal human arms were masses of pink goo, "O...k....?"

Needless to say, this "dream" was quickly taking some weird turns...or at least, weirder than they usually did for me. My worries only increased when I looked down and saw that I was quickly falling towards a patch of land. "Um...ok, I'm ready to wake up now!!" I went to try and pinch myself but I had no control over my new noodle arms at all!!

As the land below came up to face me, I squeezed my eyes tight and hoped that the impact would at least jolt me back to reality...

"Ohhhh dear, you don't even know the 'alf of it, lads..." McNab answered Goobert, turning back to Marlon. "But 'ey, suit yerself. I s'pose I'm finished 'ere, then. 'Opefully I'll see one o' you at the Tapu Koko, but until then I bid you ad-ai-ee-u," he says with another bow, completely mangling the pronounciation. It seems one of the two Dreepy passengers manage to catch... something rapidly approaching them from above, and with a quick poke, McNab uses Phantom Force to 'FWOOMF' back into invisibility.