Royal stumbled in somewhat spastically and scrambled upright.
"Ah, I'm up, I'm up!"
The Raboot stabilized his stance as he took a deep breath in and out.
"Sorry, I'm used to sleeping in when there aren't alarms haunting me. We need to go see the addresses we were given to check for some sussy mons, right?"
He doesn't seem fully awake.
Edited by Konkfan7 on Jul 12th 2021 at 9:32:16 AM
Glastone Inn
I want us all together on this. Despite everything else that's happened to me, I still haven't changed my philosophy on that. Besides, the last time we tried splitting up it nearly got us all killed. Now, let's be on our way...
Wait, Royal? That Raboot dude sure came down here in a rush, huh? Not so much rush as maybe still trying to fully wake himself up?
Woah, woah, you good, Royal? We have a Shaman to go to first. It should be close by to some of our addresses.
I step forward to the door and hold it open for whoever else is coming along. Once all are through, Cindra would begin to take us to the Shaman.
Shaman, a few minutes later
An innocuous looking building stands before us. Blends in well with the other businesses in town, but still has the air of mystique around it...maybe that's how you can tell that it's a Shaman's office?
You sure this is it?
The business card and map pointed us in this direction...
Maybe someone'll come out soon? Do we just go in? Not like either of yas got an appointment ta go in dair...
Edited by Team42Larson on Jul 13th 2021 at 8:52:45 AM
June 27thO'Hare Inn
(Well, at least he's up and about now instead of being left behind. On the topic of splitting up, we at least have people that most likely know the ins-and-outs of the town so that option's somewhat possible. The Vector could also know them too, so I shouldn't be so quick to jump on that option. Regardless, anything's better than just sitting around and waiting the Vector to pop out.)
Shaman's Abode
(Not exactly the kind of place I would think of for a "Shaman" but whatever. I nodded to the others as I took point and entered the place. What I saw was... something.)
(The place had all sorts of weird of things hanging off the ceiling. Bunches of berries and mushrooms in a net, burnt incense sticks off in a corner, and at the end of the room is a desk with purplish jar right beside a sack of what I assume is money. The air has a haze of incense all around it, almost like someone's been replacing the oxygen with some sort of scent. Occupying the stand is one Pokemon in some sort of hat, but it almost looks... natural on them. Then I remember that this is what they call a Hatterene. The shaman spoke to me.) Wassup, buddy? You here for the festival?
(Okay, this is rather unexpected. I thought I would be dealing with one of those mystical types, not someone who's practically a stoner. Might as well answer her.) Not exactly. Is this the Shaman?
Where else? Welcome to Alana's Abode! Home to all sorts of mystical stuff that you may need. So, what can I do for you?
We've got someone who could use your services.
Well, what are you waiting for, Ho-Oh? Bring 'em in!
(I looked at the others with some confusion. If this is some illegal op, I think the most that it is might be drug use. Hopefully this doesn't end up a trap, even if it smells like one that's been left out for too long.) Door's open.
"I treasure every day with you, darling." "No need to be so sappy, love." "You know that's how she is, Nia." - AU!Pyra, Nia, MythraGlastone (Alana's)
(Delilah and I exchange glances for a moment before moving inside. Ed isn't too far behind.)
Uh...interesting place you've got here. (Ed remarks, looking curiously at the objects dangling from the ceiling.)
(Something in here is tickling my snout and it's taking every ounce of my being to not have a sneezing fit. I'm not even sure what it could be.)
"Hey, least I didn't lose all my artistic talent when I crash landed in the arena here."Alana's
This lady is a stoner. The smell is almost too obvious, but that isn't really a concern. Just shake off that problem and focus on the real one. I start asking the questions right away once we follow inside.
Uh...yes, we need to be able to find out if the Lilligant over there and I basically two Pokemon split off from the same soul, if that makes any sense?
Now this would be an equally weird question, but are you familiar with the legends of humans?
Edited by Team42Larson on Jul 15th 2021 at 8:12:00 AM
June 27thAlana's Abode
(Noticing the look on some of their faces, she apologized.) Wasn't expecting customers today 'cuz of that whole VA scare. Sorry 'bout the smell.
(Then she looked at the Gallade and the Liligant with a curious eyebrow raised. She saw that they have the same eye color yet the question needed further exploring. The talk of humans also interested her.) Plenty of Pokemon have been under some weird magic stuff lately, so that I can help out with. And I've heard of humans before. Heard they once kept us in tiny little balls for safe keeping. Weird, huh?
(Alana waved her hand-like appendage around the two, as if to probe their thoughts.) Let's start with a few questions. What's your favorite foods, music, memories, all that stuff.
"I treasure every day with you, darling." "No need to be so sappy, love." "You know that's how she is, Nia." - AU!Pyra, Nia, MythraGlastone (Alana's)
Really weird, yeah... (Ed says, looking down at himself and trying to comprehend how even a Feraligatr of normal height and weight could fit in such a tiny ball, let alone a tall heavyset one such as himself.)
(I cover my snout with one of my antennae (man, I'm starting to wish I had waited outside) and wait for Marlon and Cindra's respective responses.)
"Hey, least I didn't lose all my artistic talent when I crash landed in the arena here."Alana's
Yeahs...sure is weird ta think about...
Marsha shoots an aside glance in my direction, trying to gauge my next move. I'm not exactly looking to reveal how most of us in this room were in fact former humans. Remembering the words of Phyllis from the first time I met Marsha's parents, namely, (I mean, yas aren't a human anymore anyway. You're a Gallade!)
Well, uh...as weird as it sounds, I just met Cindra today. She just seemed to be able to know the same things I have known. Like she is another version of me somehow. But, if you must know, I've grown a taste for Kelpsy lately, don't care for what music I listen to, and some of the folks in this room can attest for what our group has done.
Which I guess is why I feel like we both came from the same uh...soul. I’ve been able to see some of these events that Marlon and his friends have been involved in even though I was never there physically. I also don't care for what music I listen to.
Edited by Team42Larson on Jul 15th 2021 at 9:04:42 AM
June 27thAlana's Abode
(Being forced inside a small orb does not sound like my idea of fun. I've heard of humans from this world every now-and-again, but I think plenty of them sound like just myths. Still, being captured in that for who knows how long must be hell.)
(Ugh. Damn this scent's overpowering. I know birds aren't known for their sense of smell, but this must be some serious shit she's on if it can affect me. In my third tongue, I replied to the Raboot.) Maybe it'll be strong enough to knock out the Vector.
(The Hatterene can only "hmm and huh" at the response. She didn't seem overly concerned despite the problem at hand and the one outside. The questions did enforce the connection, but not by much. The part about "seeing events that they never been to" intrigued her.) What can you tell us about these events? Anything specific?
"I treasure every day with you, darling." "No need to be so sappy, love." "You know that's how she is, Nia." - AU!Pyra, Nia, MythraAlana's
We both quickly answer the next question.
Well...I have been able to see all of the Vectors this group has been able to take on...all of the bad guys they've taken on, everything, really, as if I was there. The fact that one of my eyes is discolored in the way that it is couldn't be some random coincidence, could it? At least in your perspective.
That was why we were called here, actually, to help the Elders find their suspect before the festival begins.
June 27thGlastone (Alana's)
You too, huh? (I aside to Royal right after he sneezes.) I've been trying to hold a sneeze in ever since we got here.
I was going to say it was strong enough to take down two at once. (Delilah remarks.)
Whispering Pines
(The group known as Team Bugtrio, currently consisting of Henry the Flygon, Tenn the Scizor, and Shelley the Golisopod, are just finishing up planning for the day, sitting in the lounge of the inn at Whispering Pines.)
As our first act of the day, I say we should check and see how that Marshtomp that apparently fell and hit her head is doing. (Henry suggests.)
(Tenn rubs her chin and looks to Shelley.)
Alright. But after that, we should get back to finding some clues about Jamie and where he could have ended up as soon as possible. (Shelley nods.)
(The three Bug-types get up and start heading for the door, and Henry nearly bumps into a sour-looking Runerigus covered in scrawled, chaotic-looking runes.)
Oop-! Pardon me, sir! (Henry says as he and the girls go by him.)
(The Runerigus moves into the lounge, and is soon enough followed by another Runerigus, one that looks much less sour than the first and is covered in paint splatters.)
I suppose I should count my blessin's that I don't still look th' same as I did last time I was here. (Silas says as he looks around the lounge.) Th' way yeh found me was how I looked when I was here last.
You were here before? (Vinci asks.) What did you do?
...I don't need t' tell yeh. (Silas growls. He feels that Vinci wouldn't keep his mouth shut if he told him about what he did in Whispering Pines (as well as what he had been doing beforehand for that matter).)
Why not?
It's just none of yer business, alright? (Silas hisses.) All I know is that we need to go as soon as we can. I spent all night looking and there is nothing left for me here.
Oh, do we have to leave so soon? (Vinci asks.) I heard they were going to put a local art display in the town hall starting tomorrow.
(Silas glares at Vinci.)
...Well, erm, suppose we could...come back another time... (Vinci sighs.)
"Hey, least I didn't lose all my artistic talent when I crash landed in the arena here."Alana's Abode
(The shaman nodded her head at Cindra and Marlon's answers. They seem legit to her, but she wanted to be sure for herself.) Last things last, I might have to read your minds to check to see if it's all true. If you don't me to, just let me know, alright?
(Before she did, the topic of the Elder's search got Alana to ask another question.) Am I looking sus to you guys? I mean, I gave them my address and all, but I don't think I'm that much of a threat.
"I treasure every day with you, darling." "No need to be so sappy, love." "You know that's how she is, Nia." - AU!Pyra, Nia, MythraAlana's
Mind reading is about the one thing I would have never thought would be used on me. Or, wait, I guess the signal jamming...thing...from the Manor would be the closest thing to that? I certainly hope that whatever this lady is about to do it can solve our problems.
If you have to, go ahead and read our minds.
Uh, you really wouldn't seem like a suspect for Viral Aggression, because if my knowledge is right then there's a chance the suspect might not even be in town right now. But please, do go ahead and read our minds.
Whispering Pines
Clank
Clank
Clank
The steady thumping of a tank is otherwise the sign of a Sharpedo, Bruce, moving in closer to the Bugtrio on their way out of the Inn. Since the incident, the Sharpedo had a new tank made for himself, one that is much sturdier and also one he can push around on his own; he still needs to have the cart under him so he can actually move forward.
Aye, I heard ya fellas were goin' to visit that kid who bonked her head, right?
June 27thAlana's Abode
(The Hatterene raised her appendage to the two and both it and her eyes glowed a purple energy. She peered through whatever thoughts and memories both Marlon and Cindra have to see if anything's the same. Whatever may prop up in their minds could give them the confirmation that they need.)
"I treasure every day with you, darling." "No need to be so sappy, love." "You know that's how she is, Nia." - AU!Pyra, Nia, MythraGlastone (Alana's)
(I don't have much else to say; I just wait to see what else happens.)
(Delilah and Ed wait for the result as well.)
Whispering Pines
(Henry, Tenn, and Shelley turn to see Bruce.)
Ah, good morning, Bruce. That is exactly what we're doing. Did you want to join us? (Henry asks him.)
"Hey, least I didn't lose all my artistic talent when I crash landed in the arena here."Royal watched and waited, though internally he could not get over the fact that the shaman actually said "sus". With paws clenched in his pockets and sweat rolling down his face, he held back on commenting on that which was not made much better as he noticed the shaman's upper body was oval-shaped with a semi-circular face opening.
Alana's
Hey, what are you—
Ow—
I feel an explosive headache wash over me in the moment, and Cindra also feels something similar. As Alana begins to sift through both of our minds she should be seeing one concurrent memory: The nightmare from the day I let Finley...uh....Autumn get hurt like that. That first nightmare is being replayed in my mind again. That cat again. WHY AM I RELIVING THIS?
From page 362, re-made to fit the context needed.
I begin having another vision. This one is basically a 1:1 copy of that nightmare from that night. I'm home, in Silversand, but something feels....off. I'm just outside of town, but something isn't right. I turn to investigate, when all of a sudden, the cat has appeared....again. This time he's back in the form I only vaguely saw him in. All of this time, he sat in the shadows, waiting for me.
I've been waiting for you....
shit shit shit shit SHIT!
I start turning back towards the house and begin running away, but yet it seems to get further and further away....but why? Despite my best attempts to get away from him, he pins me down, ready to strike...
then the vision ends.
Back in reality....
What the hell...I thought I forgot about that cat!
Marly?
Cindra is in Silversand in her own vision. She steps forward a bit, hears rustling, then....completely loses control of her own body and merges into mine? Except for the fact that she can look down and still see her own hands, she is seeing the exact same vision. Two bodies, two souls, are viewing the exact same event.
This will tell Alana one thing: we are in fact one in the same.
Whispering Pines
Yep! Without Addie 'round, I can't let myself laze around, ya know?
Edited by Team42Larson on Jul 19th 2021 at 8:09:25 AM
June 27thAlana's Abode
(What goes on through the Hatterene's head is an enigma, perhaps even to her. Most likely due to the fact that she's baked out for half of her waking hours and rarely does most things snap her out of that state. One of those rare times just occurred when she saw what they both thought: the nightmare of a homicidal Delcatty. Seeing it happen from both of their perspectives caused her to shake her head in response. Her voice is shaky, but still tried to carry that sense of usual casualness.) W-whoa! Heck of a way to confirm it! Sorry if I awakened some bad memories.
(I muttered to myself outside of the shaman's earshot.) Huh, I thought it was just smoke and mirrors. Emphasis on the smoke.
That cat had a real murderous vibe. Like that Decidueye guy except even more so.
(Do I really give off that energy? Admittedly, some people would see me as a bit of a hardass, but I'm not trying to come off like that intentionally. I hope. I tried not to look directly at her so I don't end up confirming that part.)
"I treasure every day with you, darling." "No need to be so sappy, love." "You know that's how she is, Nia." - AU!Pyra, Nia, MythraGlastone (Alana's)
...Oh Dialga. (Delilah mumbles.)
...Whoa! (Ed simply says.) ...Wait, what cat?
S-So you guys really are two Marlons? (Maybe it feels hypocritical for me to be so weirded out by this because of all the weird crap that's already happened to me alone since this all started, but this is still way new even for me.)
Whispering Pines
Ah, fair enough, fair enough... (Henry nods.)
Well, um, what are we waiting for? Let's go. (Shelley says.)
(The hospital is still bustling like it was the previous afternoon and evening, though it's easy to get up to the front counter. The Chansey receptionist looks up from what she's doing (briefly grimacing upon seeing Henry) and goes up to greet the small group.)
Good morning, Bruce. And good morning to you three, too. Y'all here to see someone? (She asks.)
We were going to check on the Marshtomp who was brought in here yesterday. (Shelley says.)
Oh, funny you should ask, because I just got word back about her. (The Chansey says.) The bump on her head aside, she's awake and doing surprisingly well for someone who apparently fell out of the sky. No signs of any internal injuries, no concussions, or anything. It's kind of surprising how well off she is considering what apparently happened to her, but it's better than the alternative, I suppose.
Oh, fantastic! (Henry says.)
BUT... (The Chansey continues.) ...she seems to have somehow lost all memory. Couldn't tell the doctors her name, where she was from, or anything else. All she could tell them was that apparently, APPARENTLY...she used to be a human. But she didn't have any memory of what she was like as a human, only that she apparently was one, so we're currently taking those claims with a grain of salt.
(Tenn has an expression on her face that seems to say: "Knew it.")
Edited by kablammin45 on Jul 20th 2021 at 6:27:34 AM
"Hey, least I didn't lose all my artistic talent when I crash landed in the arena here."Alana's
What didja see?
That cat...thought I had long forgotten about him or that nightmare. Last time any of us saw him was before we left Silversand that first time. I still feel like what happened to Fin...Autumn...was partially my fault....man....
I feel Marsha's hand on my shoulder as I work to shake off both moments of whiplash. Wait, moments? She IS another one of me?
I knew it all along! We did come from the same hu...soul.
I...well...I guess I have no choice but to believe you at this point. For as much as I don't want to believe it, you really did exist somewhere all of this time.
After a few moments to let the reality of the situation sink in Cindra speaks again.
What do we do now?
Well, since we have to adopt you into this group for real now, the least we can do to cover who you really are is...uh...why don't we just say that we are brother and sister?
I scan around the room to try and garner opinions on the subject.
Anyone think otherwise?
Whispering Pines
At the hospital, the Chansey nurse delivers the bomb: that this Marshtomp might be a former human. Before the incident, he definitely would not have believed in the idea. But considering the mon he is dating definitely believes the idea of former humans....
Uh...Ma'am, if I may, my Addie definitely believes in the idea of former humans bein' Pokemon. Remember that group that saved our skins from that Gorebyss? She is almost certain they are also former humans, and I believe 'em, too, she even went back t' her hometown to help 'em out. If we can just see this Marshtomp to know if she is tellin' the truth, I can have a letter written and sent to Addie within the hour so that the group knows.
Edited by Team42Larson on Jul 20th 2021 at 2:52:39 PM
June 27thAlana's Abode
(I shrugged as I responded to Marlon's question.) I don't really mind that much. I've heard and seen stranger things than what you have.
Don't worry about paying. First timers are free, but boy do I need to hit something strong for that. Hopefully you'll find that sussy mon soon!
(Hopefully with all that settled, this did not take too much out of our time. Nodding to the others, I spoke to them.) The first house shouldn't be too far. Let's hustle.
"I treasure every day with you, darling." "No need to be so sappy, love." "You know that's how she is, Nia." - AU!Pyra, Nia, MythraAlana's Abode
Grigori is correct. If you were to check the first four addresses against the map, they make a clean sweep northwestward striking across the whole of midtown. The route to the shaman gives your more or less a straight shot to this first address, and you can even swing by the Sanctum or Mothgomery's home on the road there if you wanted to.
Past the first four, however, the last four addresses are much more distant from one another, and the final address makes no sense with the road map you're given.
Edited by BlackMageAnolis on Jul 20th 2021 at 10:35:02 AM
Glastone (Alana's)
(Gosh, what is it about "sus" and "sussy" all of a sudden? Did we wander into a YouTube Poop or something?)
No objections here, I reckon. (I say.) Figure it's as good an explanation as any.
Thank you for helping figure this out. (Delilah says to Alana as we move out.)
Welp, you guys lead the way. (Ed says.)
Whispering Pines
Well, if you have reason to believe her claims of formerly being human are true and want to try to confirm that, be my guest. (The Chansey says.) I'd be careful around her, though. She's...a bit surly.
Duly noted! (Henry nods.)
Third door down that hallway. (The Chansey points to the hallway to the Bugtrio and Bruce's right.)
(Going down the hallway and entering the room, the wooden walls inside are quite clean and sterile, and a table with a large vase of flowers sits across the room from a soft, cozy-looking bed. And it's in this bed that a Marshtomp with a bandaged head and ice-pack lays facing away from everyone.)
Greetings, ci-! (Henry cluelessly starts greeting the Marshtomp in his usual cheerfully hammy way, but is halted by Tenn gasping and quickly slamming one claw shut around his mouth. Embarrassed, Henry meekly tries to finish his greeting through his pinched-shut mouth:) Grrpptszzpt, cippbtizppt...
(Of course, it's too late for a quiet greeting at this point and the Marshtomp sits up, startled.) Ow, gosh, what was that? Ugh, what a bad dre-
(She then sees the three six-foot-tall insect-like creatures and the shark in a tank standing in the doorway.)
AAHH!! (The Marshtomp dives under her blankets.)
Oh my goodness, please, we didn't mean to scare you! (Shelley says, walking over to the bed.) We aren't here to hurt you!
Away with thee, food nightmare! (The Marshtomp replies.) Oh, wake up already, me!
"Hey, least I didn't lose all my artistic talent when I crash landed in the arena here."

Glaston (Inn - Day 37)
Ready if the rest of you guys are. (Right, eight addresses.) Are we gonna have to split up?
Split up for what? The addresses we need to go to after this? (Delilah asks.)
Yeah, that's what I meant. (I clarify.)
Edited by kablammin45 on Jul 12th 2021 at 9:10:22 AM
"Hey, least I didn't lose all my artistic talent when I crash landed in the arena here."