ITT: We Have All Become Pokémon

Glastone (Market)

Right now, we're running an errand for the Swords of Justice...which has lead us to running an errand for an associate of their's name Lucifuge while we're here. (Delilah says.) I don't think any of us are quite sure what this is all leading to just yet.

Gleamscape (School)

Guess they're running a little behind. (Tish remarks after a little bit.)

Silversand (Beach)

(At this point, Madeline is taking part in one of the beach games started by Dave. Seems that she's a bit more comfortable with her new job now. The Selkies and their crew are taking a breather on the beach with Benji, Dinah, and Lucy. Ed, of course, is off preparing for the trek later.)

Glastone

Huh...I like mystery. I don't know much about fighting or anything else you guys got mixed up in but I will be sure to help however I can.

Gleamscape U

Hmph. I hope these folks you assembled have expertise in what I am going asking them and you to do.

Silversand Beach

Listen to me, Marsha. Remember Vince?

Da Tangrowth from the Spittoon? Da same one who threatened ta kill both you and da big guy? Why would yas be bringin' him up?

His gang...they....they were moments away from kidnapping me.

Marsha displays the obvious shock from hearing such a revelation before formulating her own response.

Holy crap! Are ya okay? Did they do anythin' bad to yas?

No, but they were getting ready to pull me away just as Belle, Bryce, and the guards arrived. If that didn't happen who knows what could have happened...Marsha, I don't feel safe right now, we have to get back on the road.

Marsha lays her hands onto mine, giving them a squeeze.

Marly, I....can we at least talk ta mom 'n pops first? Dis is all so sudden...when I woke up taday I di'n't think yas would almost get kidnapped.

I nod.

Of course we can, but I wanna get out of town by tonight. The goons he hired could be looking for me right this instant.

Marsha takes a cursory look around the beach, noting Madeline and the Selkies, but of course not seeing anyone who could have looked like the group I mentioned before asking a follow up.

Who were these fellas?

A bunch of fairy types...guess Vince never figured out how to change himself back. My point is, Vince is here somewhere in town, and if we spend another night here he might find me himself. I know you wanted to catch up with your friends, and I will still let you do that in the next several hours, but tonight we've gotta get moving. Alright?

Marsha sighs and hits her palm into the sand, a little upset but after I give her a quick peck on the cheek to reassure her that we'll be fine.

Awlright...but we gotta talk ta mom 'n pops first, okay?

I nod one more time and we decide to get up and off the beach.

Gleamscape (University)

Same. (Tish says.)

Gleamscape

Hmm. You two, go look outside. Those friends of yours better not be late.

The professor's assistants exit the door to look out for where those potential team members Tish recruited might be.

Edited by Team42Larson on Oct 22nd 2020 at 9:28:39 AM

Glastone

(Another one. Not like there's any short supply of former humans around here. Or there is and we just keep running into them. Must be fate. I better bring her up to speed on fighting.) If I recall correctly, your species seems to have some ranged attacks. If we get to a good spot, we'll show you the ropes.

Gleamscape University

(Out in the distance, an Audino can be spotted heading towards the University, no doubt one of the Pokémon the Shroomish hired. His gait is deliberate, almost too deliberate, in order to to hide his inner nervousness. He never thought he would end up in the university, but lo and behold. When he reached the group, his voice is soft and light as he introduced himself.) Uh, hi. My name's Quinn and... it's an honor to meet you.

Glastone

Okay...I admit, I don't like to fight, but I will if my friends are in trouble. I admit, I'm actually pretty protective of those I'm close with.

Another odd statement from this Lilligant; one that Marlon would often do. What is up with this Lilligant?

Gleamscape

Milton and the Professor share cursory looks at one another in slight disbelief; an Audino? Not the first mon either man would have expected but either way, they have help coming.

Oh, hello there. We were just getting ready to discuss matters with the Professor. Come with us.

How many more are with you?

Glastone

(I still can't shake this weird feeling of deja vu I have talking to this Lilligant, but I still feel like now would be a bad time to bring it up.) Well, hey, if we have time later, you could show us what moves you know.

Gleamscape

(Tish looks around the immediate vicinity.)

Timeskipping Silversand to be concurrent with main plot as the events in Silversand had been taking place ~a few hours prior. With that said...

Silversand, a few hours later, current time

Ever hear the saying that sometimes, minutes feel like days? Well, in this instance, hours felt like weeks. Having the sense of urgency that a gang whose leader is seeking revenge on you, potenitally even wanting you dead for something that was otherwise an accident—that was why I decided Marsha and I (as well as Ed) had to get back on the road ASAP.

In the intervening hours, we talked with Marsha's parents about what had happened. They were just as shocked as Marsha was but understanding of why we had to get moving. We made the promise to be safe (as always), and after the goodbyes they had to get back to their jobs. Since we still had time to kill before meeting back up with Ed we went into the Marketplace and got ourselves a few things. Besides obvious revisions for a trip to Glastone, I made good on the promise to get Marsha that scarf—and also, for myself, I had gotten a pair of glasses. With the lessons I have learned lately I genuinely feel like I've changed as a person—and felt like an update to my attire was also needed to help physically show the changes (if my leg brace and walking stick aren't also physical signs..)

We now find ourselves at the exit of town, waiting for Ed.

So, uh...where's yer friend?

Can't imagine he had too much to get done before having to come join up with us. He should have been able to get himself ready to go in about the three hours that it took us to.

Hmph. Are ya feelin' good ta walk all dat way?

I should be okay, yeah. After what the doctor did my leg is feeling pretty good again, but I'll still be hobbled by a lot. Just be ready in case I tire out again, alright? I want us to get to Glastone in about a day or so, and we'll be stopping tonight at however far we make it and setting up there for the night.

Marsha nods as we turn to look around for Ed again.

Gleamscape, current time

We...should we get started now, Professor? We're already a bit late on discussing this—

Hmph. Okay, we will begin shortly here. Any more who do show up either you or Quinn there can provide a quick rundown on what I've said. Sound good?

Yes sir. What will you need?

There is a book on my desk in my office. Could you get it for me?

Couldn't your assistants do that for you, sir?

The professor thinks on that for a moment before simply handwaving that thought to the side.

Milton—I have specific instructions for you in that book, besides what I am already going to explain to you and your group. I rather you go get it.

If...if you say so, sir.

While you're in my office, do grab the other books—your group will need them.

And thus the Medicham descends into the halls to go grab said folder.

Glastone, current time

Uh, alright. If you say so.

Within the university, there is a Quagsire standing there. Standing on one of the walls, that is.

Gleamscape University

(Quinn nodded as he listened in on the conversation. He hoped whatever the job is, it would be done quickly. Not that he's like a grizzled mercenary of dubious sanity with a dark past. He couldn't be any further from it. Regardless, he knew a job like this would be risky, but he needed the money. A feeling came over him, like he was being watched. He looked around to see where it is and locked eyes at a Quagsire, just standing around... on a wall? Quinn furrowed his eyes at the sight and asked the Shroomish.) Did... did you hire him?

Gleamscape (University)

(Tish notices the Quagsire.) ...What the-? I mean, yeah, I did. What's he doing over there?

Silversand

(Soon enough, the heavyset Feraligatr comes jogging up to Marlon and Marsha.) Here I am! Didn't keep you waiting, did I?

The Quagsire tilts his head up at the others and waves.

Gleamscape University

The others would notice a Slowking clambering down the halls. Judging by the longer, darker cloak and purple hues here and there, it wasn't the common "Kantonian" type.

"Hoy, I cannot run very fast," he huffed in his voice fit for a stage performance as he clambered closer to the others currently in the hall.

"Ah, a Wall-Clinging Water Fish Pokemon! Reminds me of old tales of the caverns of more temperate regions."

Edited by Konkfan7 on Oct 28th 2020 at 5:37:13 AM

Silversand

Well, not really. The idea is that I want us to get there in a day or so. We will get as far as we can today, then rest for the night and cover the rest of that distance tomorrow. Oh, Marsha, this is Ed. I already told you enough about him, I bet.

Nice ta meet yas, Ed. Hope yer ready ta go.

Okay, unless we have anything else we forgot, I suggest we get moving. We got enough revisions to cover all three of us for dinner tonight and any snacks we might have along the way. Let's roll.

And with that I take the first steps out of town, with Marsha following.

Gleamscape University

Milton promptly returns with the books (having not yet looked at the instructions given to him specifically) and breathes a sigh of relief seeing that more folks have assembled and that his apprentice made good on her promise.

Oh, great! I see you have made on your promise, Tish. Here are all the books we're gonna need, per the Professor's request.

Milton and the professor team up to hand out the books to the group assembled now, taking an amount of care to ensure that the Quagsire actually receives his book. The professor decides to get started quickly, but still allows the assembled mons to relax.

Right. I asked my former student and his apprentice to assemble all of you here. Go ahead and get settled, the books have everything you need for what I am asking you to do. We have refreshments over there on that counter if anyone needs them.

Indeed there are various types of snacks and drinks splayed out on the counter some 10 or so feet away from where the discussion will soon take place.

"Ah, thank you," the Quagsire says, taking the book. He starts staring at it without actually opening it...

Gleamscape

(Tish struggles to open the book she was given, though she does eventually manage to do so using the very edges of her fronds and turns pages with her feet.) Man, I can't wait until I have hands...

Silversand

Pleasure to meet you, Marsha! (Ed says. He's a bit taken aback for a moment at how short for a Swampert Marsha is, but not wanting to be rude, he doesn't make any sort of comment about it. He begins moving out of town with the Marduo.)

"I thank you," said the Slowking, taking the book in his hands and opening it with a flourish, the eyes on his head-shell turning down to the pages.

Edited by Konkfan7 on Oct 28th 2020 at 6:45:22 AM

Gleamscape University

Thanks. (Compared to the others, Quinn had little trouble opening up the book, but he noticed the Quagsire just staring at the cover. He stared at him for a moment before he shook his head. Trying not to let the mon distract him, he reads the pages.)

Glemscape University

Milton is taken aback by the Quagsire just....uh, staring at the book without actually opening it. Before the Professor begins Milton comes over to try and warn the Quagsire.

Um....you DO have to open the book to read it, mon.

And with that the Professor begins.

Now, I asked Milton to bring me this box. Now, when I go to open this do not be alarmed: it is merely a replica of the real thing.

The Professor does so to unveil...a bell. What? The Professor has a very logical explanation.

This....this is a recreation of what I would otherwise call the very bane of my existence. Would you all like to know why?

"Hm? Oh, yes, that is true." The Quagsire opens up the book and actually started reading the contents.

Gleamscape University

(A... bell? All that fuss over a simple bell? Quinn tilted his head at the professor, not understanding why that of all things would get to him like that. Unless he's got sensitive hearing, but a part of Quinn doesn't believe that. He spitballed an idea to the professor.) ...I'm not sure why, but I don't think it's because it's loud. Could it be used to summon... something?

Gleamscape University

Well, yes. It does summon something. This bell...or the actual bell this is based on...carries a curse. I studied for months on end to figure out what curse this was, and I could not identify if the curse this bell had imbued within it. Until recently, that is. Before I go on, any questions?

Edited by Team42Larson on Oct 29th 2020 at 3:33:18 PM

"Ah, a cursèd artifact of sorts? Good think we have a Hexpert Pokemon here, I had a feeling this was something that called to me," said the Slowking, cutting himself off so he could listen to the Professor explaining. "No questions for now, please continue."

Gleamscape

Yeah, keep going. I don't have anything yet. (Tish says.)

Gleamscape University

Nothing on my end. (A curse? Sure there are rumors of Pokémon going berserk but he thought it was some sort of disease. Still, he wondered what that curse entailed.)