ITT: We Have All Become Pokémon

Outpost

(Is there some significance to the spots these guys are wearing? Maybe it's just to show that they're part of Glastone's army or whoever these guys are.)

(And...they think we haven't been dealing with the VA well? Why is that...? ...Well... we haven't been able to actually stop a VA vector before they unleashed it in the towns they were in yet. We weren't able to stop Yamaropu in Silversand before he did, we didn't stop the old Chairgon and Bella in Hoard either, and as far as I know Anastasia's still out there somewhere, too. I'll just take a shot in the dark and ask them if this is what they mean by us not having a good track record.) Is that about us not being able to prevent the outbreaks in Silversand and Hoard from happening in the first place?

(Staying close to the back of the party while waiting for an opportunity to talk to everyone else about the Serris situation, Delilah is a bit surprised to see Addie trying to come in.) Huh? Addie? What are you doing here? (She asks the Houndoom.)

Glastone Outpost

The Houndoom is briefly surprised to see not only the fact that someone did answer but it was Delilah who did. Of course, Addie was still trying to deal with her cousin's nightmares in the days after they had reunited, similar to Delilah, so to at least see someone decently familiar is a relief.

Listen t'me, I'm jest tryin' t'get in an' meet up with me parents. Their inn is in this town an' I wanted t'stop by. I do also need their help with tryin' ta rebuild the inn back on Whisperin' Pines. What's goin' on 'ere? How're yer friends holdin' up?

Edited by Team42Larson on Jun 30th 2020 at 4:33:33 AM

Outpost

Having been following along with the rest of the group rather silently up to this point, with Autumn doing her best to support an already dozing-off Mila, the Braixen has to pipe up to make her voice heard from further in the back of the assembled mons. She tries to stand as tall as she can to meet the gaze of the Galvantula, though it's far from an easy task after a late trek like this.

"Well that's a surprise," she offers, hoping the sarcasm is more than self-evident, "since we're not exactly cut out for it. It's been more of a... recurring issue that we seem to keep running into. Anyways, it's not like you're the ones paying our bill, you already know who's managing that. We just need to find a place to sleep, before this girl here puts my arm to sleep."

"...zz...muh...?"

Outpost

Despite still being in the middle of that present conversation with Delilah Addie tries to step forward some more, making her appearance to the party (and guards) that much more apparent.

Do ya think they'll recognize me, Delilah?

She tries again.

Uh, hello?

Silversand, the home of Dr. Theo

The doctor arrives home after ironing out some things with assistants. He knows that he might have his biggest undertaking to date ahead of him tomorrow. He knows only the fact that he's going to be dealing with a patient that has had a major injury to the leg—his area of specialty.

The things I did to get this job...wish I could've just followed Grandpa's footsteps...

He sighs and pushes his initial report on to the desk in front of him. He combs through it quick.

Dr. Theodore Allison

Silversand Hospital

Initial Report—Marlon Redfield

Patient is a 19 year old Male Gallade who suffered a major injury to his left leg. I have not been able to meet with the patient yet, although I will be able to do so by the next morning as of the time of this writing. From what I have been able to gather thus far, patient already had a surgery on said leg. Thus, I will approach this appointment I will have with the patient as if it were a follow-up, while making my own conclusions based on what I have thus far and what I will surely learn tomorrow.

Hope Angelo was right about this kid...he seemed to give a decent review on him when we sat down for lunch the other day.

And with that he heads to sleep.

Edited by Team42Larson on Jul 3rd 2020 at 10:51:12 AM

Outpost

"That probably exists somewhere. But yeah, no," Dana whispers back to Royal.

Turning her attention back to the present conversation, Dana decides to just keep her mouth shut. She wasn't at the forefront of all the VA stuff, aside from what happened to Nyquil so it's not like she could really say anything about how that was handled.

Glastone Army Outpost

"I-it's not like we—" "Katleho."

The Galvantula, Katleho, makes himself a little smaller. "We do got those benders we barely use," says Lungile.

"Mind my friend," says the Kricketune. "And, well, if I'm supposed to represent Glastone properly, our relationship with the Musketeers has been somewhat amicable—"

"Can we stay here or not?" [I hold back a yawn. It's late, and there's still the matter of Serris we need to discuss. The as-of-yet unnamed Kricketune stammers before us before composing herself.] "Outside. Though the common area's open for you to use for the time being, provided you aren't too loud. There's food as well, though it may need heat."

Lungile lets out a little affirmative grunt before they move towards what look to be a pile of sheets affixed to poles, the poles wobbling as Lungile goes about wrapping their body around a sum of them and bringing them outside. The Kricketune hangs back for now while that Katleho fellow shirks off upstairs.

Hey I'm sorry to interrupt but I'd be interested in joining. If someone could PM me important information, how I can join, and other things I should know, I’d really appreciate it.

Edited by VidExGuy on Jul 8th 2020 at 1:00:41 AM

Glastone Outpost

"Not the best, but... we've had worse. I hope you don't need to much help setting them up, though."

Carting Mila along with her, Autumn follows their 'host' outside to what they described as the common area. Common to what, she could only wonder, but the walk had taken too much out of her for her to bother with raising that question for the time being. Once outside, the Braixen sat down on the grass, damp from an earlier bout of weather, and let Mila rest against her shoulder. In barely a handful of seconds, the Raichu was already out cold, pushing against Autumn and breathing quietly as she got some much-needed rest.

"I'm going to have to carry you to bed, aren't I?"

Glastone

(Man, it feels like only yesterday that I slept under the stars for the first time after getting here. At least now I'm not all alone doing so.)

(As I walk out after Lungile, I'm a bit startled when I see a Houndoom with Delilah. For a moment, I think they might be part of this little squad Glastone has, but then I realize that it's the Houndoom from Whispering Pines. I wonder what she's doing here.)

Oh, hey, what brings her here? (I ask Delilah.)

She's here visiting family. (Delilah explains.)

Oh, okay. Good to see you again. (I say to Addie.)

(Once we're at the spot outside, I take a blanket from Lungile and spread it out. ...Actually, maybe I shouldn't use a blanket. I'm not sure these guys would be too enthused about having to get Goodra slime out of one of their blankets. I just set it aside for someone else and sit down on the ground. Once seated, I expectantly look in the others' direction (though particularly in Grigori's), anticipating talking about Serris and whatever it is he's up to now.)

Glastone Outpost

Seeing as how Delilah and Goobert have thus far been the only ones to immediately recognize her Addie decides to stick by them for now. Once she's settled in she looks around for a moment before looking back towards Goobert and Delilah.

Yeh, I need me parents' help with Whisperin' Pines. We still got a good way t'go with that...so anyway, what're you 'bout to talk about?

Edited by Team42Larson on Jul 11th 2020 at 11:23:33 AM

Royal, following everyone else, grabbed a blanket and made his way outside.

"Hehe, this is a change of pace", he commented as he saw the grass he was supposed to lay down on.

The Raboot skillfully tossed the rolled-up blanket at any available spot, where it sprawled out. He then threw himself on the blanket, back-first, gazing up at the night sky with his paws behind his head.

"Wow, the stars are so clear here", said Royal. "Either that or an army of helicopters."

Glastone Outpost

(Not exactly the most generous group of guards, but it's better than the streets. Before I began to talk about Serris, I noticed the Houndoom nearby, the one from around Danjor Island, but I kept to myself mostly. Considering that there were plenty of outsiders, this might complicate things, but I brought it up, I shouldn't leave them hanging. I answered her question, trying not to mention him by name out of concern for the group.) We were talking about a... "friend" of theirs.

(Speaking of whom, I asked my first question about him.) What was he like when you were with him?

Glastone Army Outpost

Outside

As the others move outside, Lungile is over setting up one of the tents, sticking one end of either of the poles into the soft soil before using their weight to bend over the other side and push it down. The tent's fabric sags and swells from perturbations by the night breeze, and there's enough room for a decently-sized mon to slide in without much hassle. They're about to snatch another tent from the pile and set it up before noticing the others and simply grunting out an, "Ehh," before leaving the pile behind and heading back to their original spot.

Inside

[As soon as the Kricketune lady opens up the floor for food, I am all over that pot like Crisco on a...saying. I scoop out a bowl of porridge (looks like oatmeal, though it probably tastes better) and take a bite. It does taste better: it probably would do well not being lukewarm, but I do not have the energy right now to go from water lizard twink to fire lizard twink...]

Outpost

Addie takes the mention of a "friend" of these mons and thinks on it as she takes hold of a tent(/blanket) and lays upon the blanket. She then attempts to respond in the most reasonable way, especially considering who Grigori might be talking about. Might.

A friend? A'think I might know of who this friend of yers might be...

Edited by Team42Larson on Jul 11th 2020 at 11:25:38 AM

Outpost

Oh yeah. (I agree with Royal.)

(Then Grigori asks about Serris. I shift a bit uncomfortably.) Well...he always acted really smarmy, but he did act like we could trust him...man, wasn’t that a mistake. He stabbed us in the back when we were at Hoard.

voiding this post

Edited by Team42Larson on Jul 11th 2020 at 2:11:06 PM

and moving it here; flashbacking the scene, also moving forward to now day 36

Outpost, the previous night

The very name makes Addie pause and shake her head in disgust. She knows exactly who Serris is, and while not having done anything directly to her or her family, Serris and his cronies' influences had been becoming ever more apparent even before the incident washed over Whispering Pines.

Serris. A'don't like the mon. I've seen him and his cronies try'n force their way int' th' operations of many a mon across these islands. Doesn't surprise me he's tried to force his way int' Silversand either. I heard about what happened up there...at Hoard. Did he really try 'n keep you there?

Outpost, the next day

Addie had, for lack of a better word, as good a sleep as a mon who had to sleep in a tent could muster herself to have. It was also one of uncertainty, having been reminded of Serris and what he's done even without the existence of these mons. Nonetheless, today she's finally going to see her parents and gain their help with Whispering Pines. Or so she hopes. She stays down for now, and waits for any other signs of movement.

Meanwhile...(Day 36)

Another day, a new chance. Or so I think. I get to go see that doctor today, and only pray that my leg is coming along well. One would (rightfully) assume that I'm trying to rush into getting back to everyone else, and admittedly they're right. But, I feel like I need to know where I am overall with the progress of this. My vision fades in on what appears to be a cloudy day in Silversand, but more noticeably Marsha, stirring awake.

eeeeeeeyarrrrrgh... mornin', Marly. How ya feelin'?

I'm feeling fine, I guess. Just hoping this doctor can deliver more good than bad news, you know?

Yeahs...wanna go see if Mom 'n Pop are awake yet?

I think on this for a moment. We both got fairly busy days ahead of us, but obviously before that I'd rather at least head out on a full stomach.

Yeah, you think they'd make anything for us for breakfast?

Of course dey would! Even if they're already at the Town Hall they'd probably leave somethin' for us. They always did for Benji 'n I when we were kids.

Alright, I'm convinced. Help me up?

I carefully move myself into a seated position to let Marsha through. After she does, she grabs my hand and after mentally counting to 3 she lifts back off the bed, and I do the same. After gaining balance on both legs I allow Marsha to lead the way to the door, which she opens. I follow her out to the main room of her parents' house.

Mom? Dad?

Edited by Team42Larson on Jul 11th 2020 at 3:10:56 PM

Outside Glastone Outpost (Last Night)

(So she knows. Well, at least that's one thing I don't have to worry about. Also, the mention of him betraying them and keeping them in Hoard piqued my interest. Considering that the place is buried under tons of rock now, they dodged a firing squad let alone a bullet.) Why? What did he have to gain by betraying you?

Outside Glastone Outpost (Today)

(Another night with no nightmares or any interruptions. Good. Last thing we want is any more interruptions. But given that the rest of us are still asleep, I kept quiet.)

Outpost

Suddenly, a vaguely fox-shaped rift in reality manifests just long enough to spit a lanky, bespectacled Absol onto the ground. He bounces and tumbles across the grass, yelping each time, before finally skidding almost cartoonishly to a stop. He just... lies there, dazed and confused.

Glastone Outplost

A fox with very messy fur, with a weird pointed-hat on her head, seems to be peacefully asleep. She seemed to snore with little bits of fire puffing out of her snout, unaware of the predicament she's found herself in.

Outpost (Day 35)

He wanted to force us to give him our ideas and what we remembered from... (Hang on, not everybody here knows about our big secret.) ...where we came from. The only one who was going to get any benefit from it was him, though. We were pretty much going to be in jail when we weren’t helping him.

Outpost (Day 36)

(I hear Delilah starting to move around and stir awake. Doesn’t seem like a bad morning today. The only ones who seem awake right now aside from me are Grigori and Seth.)

(Hey, wait a second, I don’t remember seeing that Fennekin in the funny hat with us before.)

Morning, guys... (I say, groggily sitting upright and stretching.) Hey, uh, was that Fennekin over there here before?

Silversand

(Phyllis and Angelo have left already, but have left a basket of Poffins on the table. There is a note attached to the basket. It reads as follows: “Marlon and Marsha, had to leave early. Got you two some Poffins. See you this afternoon if not before! Mom and Pop.”)

Edited by kablammin45 on Jul 12th 2020 at 8:50:11 AM

Roland seems to be awake. He is sitting near everyone else and watches them wake up, one by one. Despite it being morning, he looks rather tired.

Outpost (Previous Night)

Crikey...like a'said, always knew that mon was up t'nothin' good but t'think he tried to leave yeh lot as nothin' more but prisoners...mon, I can't imagine, not at all. So what would ya do if he ever showed up again?

She asks, letting out an audible yawn. She's probably going to just sleep soon anyway.

Outpost (Now)

Addie finally saunters her way out to find that indeed, that not only is there a Fennekin she swears she hasn't seen before, but, that Absol who showed up when that weird Yamask appeared..

Oh...Seth, right? Been wonderin' where ya were. Is that Fennekin okay?

Meanwhile...(Day 36)

So mom 'n pop did leave...huh. Eh, I guess that was ta be expected. Wanna hang here for a bit or should we take these ta go, Marly?

Well, I guess the earlier we hit the ground running the better, right? How many Poffins are in there?

I scan the basket and make a quick mental count.

Uh...looks like 10 in there. Let's split them up evenly, no?

She nods in agreement and we take five each, emptying the remainder out. Before we leave, Marsha decides to write a note of her own to her parents.

"Mom, Dad-"

"Thanks for da poffins! If the both of yas happen ta get here before we do, meet us at Malcolm's, we'll head dair for lunch aftah we take care of our business."

"-Marsha"

Malcolm's? Haven't seen the guy since the first days we were here. How's he been?

He's been ai'ght, still holdin' down his shop. Besides havin' ta have Madeline and her kid as his tenants, of course.

After I pop a few poffins into my mouth we head for the door and step outside. After eating another of her own, we discuss the plan.

Alright, first the doctor, then the business for the Mayor. Then afterwards we'll meet back here, then head for Malcolm's. Sound good?

Yeahs, sounds good ta me! I'll probably go look fer Max again until Madeline gets ta da beach. Hopin' things go smooth for yas, and for me teachin' Madeline. I think she'll have a handle on things aftah I teach her 'bout lifeguardin'.

As soon as we hit the front of her parents' property Marsha gives me a quick peck on the cheek before splitting off to the beach.

See ya soon, Marly! Good luck!

You too, we'll meet here in a few hours!

And thus I split and head further into town.

Silversand, to the doctor's

As I head off deeper into town I finish the rest of the poffins. Along the way it just feels surreal to be walking these streets with normal life going on as opposed to the circumstances we had to face the first time around. Well, somewhat normal life. Some signs of rebuilding have been going on, specifically to that one building I pass by where...oh yeah, for some reason two wrestlers nearly died, had it not been for Jani and...as we knew her at the time, Finley. Fuck was that all about? I still don't know.

Nevertheless, it's just weird. Reminders of just what we did when we were here the first time are still here around us, but subtly hidden in the throes of a town rising from metaphorical ashes. After more time walking I enter the hospital. Here we go.

It's still relatively early but signs of a normal busy day pepper the waiting room of the hospital. Mothers and their children, mons who appear to be part of the rebuilding efforts, you name it. I step in and head for the front desk. The nurse at the station greets me.

Marlon, right?

Yep, here to see...Theo, right? Is he in yet?

She sighs.

Not yet, sorry, honey. Though I'm sure he'll be in soon. Go ahead and take a seat, I'll call you when he's ready, okay? Even though Theo knows what's going on with you I'll still need you to fill out some papers, alright? Won't take you too long.

I take the papers and limp over to a nearby bench where I lay out the papers before me as I carefully lower myself down.

Paperwork. Why must paperwork still be important?

Edited by Team42Larson on Jul 12th 2020 at 5:16:24 AM

Glastone Outpost

With a yawn the furry mess becomes animated. Her eyes saunter left and right, trying to figure out why she felt many eyes on her body.

Where am I, anyways?

Magi noticed a larger shadow on the ground than her stature and tried to feel above her head.

With a yawn, Royal awoke. He looked to see the Absol reappeared.

"Oh, hey uh... Seth, right?", the Raboot said, sitting up. "Good to see you again."

He then turned to spot the Fennekin in the large hat.

"Uh... Where'd you come from?"