Glastone
(Still trying to wrap my mind around this whole thing, I follow everybody else. It's still kind of mind-bending that the Lilligant beside Marlon is basically another him.)
(...There's a pun to be found here, but I feel like now isn't really a good time to be dropping those. We gotta get to this first house (and then...wherever we end up after that).)
What are we going to do when we get to that last address, by the way? (Delilah inquires, pointing at the last address on the map.)
Whispering Pines (Hospital)
(A pair of orange eyes peer out from under the blanket.) Okay, uh, my name is...
(The Marshtomp's eyes flick around the room until they catch the vase of flowers. A tag on them reads: "Courtesy of Ducky's Lilies, Daisies, and More; W.P.")
Name's Lily! There, you guys happy? (She says.)
(Tenn releases Henry's mouth and quickly checks to make sure she didn't actually hurt Henry when she pinched his mouth shut.)
No harm done, Tenn! Never fear! (Henry asides to her.)
Um...I'm sorry, but did you pick up that name from the vase over there? (Shelley asks.)
Look, I'm tired of not having a name to give anybody when they ask, alright? I had to come up with something. (The Marshtomp says.) Kinda has a nice ring to it, though.
"Hey, least I didn't lose all my artistic talent when I crash landed in the arena here."Glastone
The group may hear a sudden pattering of small feet as a certain Alolapix comes running up. She almost passes them, but comes skidding to a stop when she seems to recognize some of them. When she next speaks she's slightly out of breath.
"Woah, there you guys are. I got a little lost, it took me a while to find you guys again. What's going on?"
we will survive.Glastone Streets, approaching first house
The pattering of feet, signlaing the sudden arrival of Dana elicits three different responses between each of us.
Dana? Aren't you a sight for sore eyes...
Foxy? Been wonderin' where ya were. We're tryin' ta look through some houses ta find suspects for dis place's Elders.
You're Dana? I'm Sidney, but call me Cindra. Let's just cut to the chase and say that I'm uh....new here.
I jump in to cover for Cindra.
We'll uh...explain more on her later. For right now, good to see you back.
Whispering Pines
Right, Lilly...
Bruce pushes himself forward and surfaces above the waterline in his tank to get his head and fins onto the edges in an attempt to get a closer look at the still-hiding Marshtomp.
Ya might be thinkin' right now, "why trust a Sharpedo?" Well, when ya say yer a former human....I believe you. A few weeks ago my Addie made friends with a bunch of Mons who also said they were former humans. I didn't want to believe her at first, but when she showed me the legends of humans bein' Pokemon....then I came 'round. She's with that whole group right now at her family's home in Glastone.
June 27thGlastone
"Wow, you guys have been busy since I saw you last huh? What're these suspects.. well, suspected of?"
(To Cindra) "Yeah, that's me. Nice to meet you." She raises a paw about halfway into a handshake, but seems to realize that actually going through with it might be awkward given her quadrupedal.. ness. And lack of hands. The paw is planted back on the ground and Dana settles for an acknowledging nod instead.
we will survive.Glastone (Around town)
Oh, Dana! Sorry we lost track of you. You doing alright? (I ask Dana.)
Oh, hey there! Name's Ed. (The large Feraligatr introduces himself as well.) I sorta just got here, too, but I came here with Marlon and Marsha this morning.
The people we got asked to see were suspected to be carrying the Viral Aggression. (Delilah says.)
Whispering Pines
(Lily visibly shivers as the shark thing gets closer to her regardless. Being approached by what looks to her like a giant living shark mouth still makes her nervous.) "Pokey-mon"? Is that what I am? What you guys are?? They were calling me a "Marsh-stomp" or something like that.
Ah, "Pokémon" is simply a term to refer to all of us collectively. (Henry says.) I am a Flygon, you are a Marshtomp, she is a Scizor, we are all Pokémon!
...Uh, sure. (Lily says, not understanding at all.) I dunno if me not being the only one who used to be human is supposed to make me feel better, 'cause I still really, REALLY hate this. I mean, look at me! I'm some weird little fish thing, I took three showers and I still smell like a swamp, I have to use a stepstool to get in bed, and I don't remember ANYTHING. Don't remember where I lived, what I even looked like, or anything else! How sad is that??
"Hey, least I didn't lose all my artistic talent when I crash landed in the arena here."Glastone, approaching first house
Same to you, Dana.
Cindra meets Dana's nod with one of her own, and as she turns off to one side I move to fill Dana in with the remnant information about the current situation.
There's more you need to know about Cindra's exact status but...
As I watch Cindra begin to fiddle with her "hair" I continue.
...now probably isn't the time for that. We have to find this potential Vector before this town's festival begins. Last night the Elders had three suspects but as far as I can tell all three of them care likely innocent. We now have to hopefully find this guy in one of these houses...
I trail off one last time.
...but if you ask me, there's a chance that the Vector is calling the shots from somewhere outside of town, and he's going to make his arrival tomorrow, right in the middle of this festival.
Whispering Pines
Ya, I guess you could say that's pretty sad, but trust me, if we get you to that group of former humans they'll welcome you in pretty quickly, and treat ya like family. At least, from what I saw of 'em when they were here, anyway. Don't know if this helps, but, their group has a couple of allies who are natives just like us, and one of 'em is the next step of evolution above yours. She's a Swampert, and I'd think she'd mentor you especially.
June 27th"Oh uh, you're that Alolan Vulpix that's been around a while for this group, right?" a new face to Dana, an androgynous Raboot with a tomboyish voice, asked. "I'm Royal, I'm in a similar boat to everyone else here, I just got picked up recently. I got a briefing on everything that happened so far here, I think you were mentioned too. Really, there was a lot for me to digest."
"And yeah, the whole thing with the vector feels like something I'd like to watch and wait for carefully, but while we wait for the moment, we might as well see if we can scope something out early."
Glastone
Making sure we don't get surprised would be good, yeah. (I agree. I hope it doesn't come down to someone crashing the party.)
Whispering Pines
(Lily groans and grips her head.) Yeah, sure, whatever. Ow...gosh my head's still hurting. (Probably from her trying to process everything she has just been told.) Guess being around other people like me could help...and would you stop saying "former human"? You say that like I'm stuck like this forever.
Well...erm...there's no known way to send you back. (Henry says.) So...Iiiii'd be prepared to be like this for a very long time at the very least.
(Lily faceplants into her pillow and groans. Tenn and Shelley give Henry odd expressions.)
I mean, it's true, but...that was...that was kind of blunt. (Shelley says.)
(Henry looks a bit uncomfortable.) Erm, forgive me, ma'am! (Henry says.)
(Lily doesn't respond.)
"Hey, least I didn't lose all my artistic talent when I crash landed in the arena here."Glastone
(Huh, didn't expect to run into Dana, but more help is much appreciated. I throw in my two cents about the situation.) Still, that doesn't mean that the suspect hasn't been around here. If we can't find them here, hopefully we'll find some clues or something they haven't covered up. Another set of hands, or paws in your case, is much appreciated.
"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
"Yeah, I'm sure we'll have time to talk more later. If this suspect stuff is time sensitive it's probably better to focus on that."
(To Royal) "Nice to meet you! And.. yeah our group's adventures are probably a lot to process."
"I'd be glad to help, if these people are innocent like you say we should probably help where we can."
we will survive.Glastone
The First Address
As the group comes up to the first address, passing by the rows of decorated earthwork homes which nevertheless are quiet compared to the buzz of the larger streets, some small watchful eyes gazing down at you, you see two mons in front of this first house on the list. One of the mons is a Pinsir, arms folded, defensive, leaning against a dividing wall.
The other is a Yamask. Samael.
You overhear their conversation as you approach: "Don't try and get on my good side here," the Pinsir says. "Now do you really, truly care, or do you just wanna know where he kept going off to?"
"I-I do care about your brother, miss," Samael answers, perhaps trying to reassure the Pinsir, perhaps still trying, and failing, to ooze his way to her good graces. "But I'm not quite the medicine man here, I'm sorry to say. If I could cure the Aggression, I'd certainly do it!...but that is somewhat the reason why I'm here anyway."
"Well, I ain't a snitch." Her pincers chitter. "And I don't care anyway. Go bother one of his friends or something."
"And could you kindly direct me to one of his friends, miss?" Samael's voice peeks with interest.
"Like I told you, tombstone—" Her words cut into Samael. He's upset in that meek sort of way, holding his mask closer. "I ain't no snitch. Now get."
She turns then looks up. This is where she notices you. "Oh, god," she mutters, sulking in this perpetuity. "Is this more of your posse?"
Samael's eyes alight when he gets wind of you. "Oh!," he shrieks, astonished and frightened. He hovers up to the lot of you, clearly eager to assuage any initial assumptions on your part. "Fancy...seeing...you all in this part of town! This must be about that investigation, yes?"
Glastone
At the very least, some of these folks are innocent, but we can't really leave nothing to chance. With that said....
I trail off just in time to observe a Yamask with a Pinsir. Who the hell is this? Wait, that Financier they talked about, some Cofagrigus, maybe this guy is related to him?
Uh...yeah, we are. Evidently, whoever the Elders had as suspects last night were innocent folks. You'll have to forget me, we haven't met, right? And I assume you're working with that Financier my friends talked about? I'm Marlon, none of the four of us were there to meet you the first time.
I nod off to my right to point out Ed, Cindra, and Marsha. Marsha and Cindra take initiative to introduce themselves to Samael and the Pinsir.
Name's Marsha, my mom 'n pops and evr'y'one else in Silversand's council are still tryin' ta rebuild town afta the VA incident we had dair.
And I'm Sidney, but you can call me Cindra. Ma'am, is there anything you know about what's been going on with this VA stuff? And your brother...
(Not like I'd let MY brother become befallen to VA...)
She looks out the corner of her eye at me. Is she actually trying to play up the idea to pass ourselves off as brother and sister?
Whispering Pines
Bruce sighs and internally facepalms.
You'll have to forgive me, but Henry there's a bit....uh, "Eccentric." He tried to claim the throne to a place we call Slak Rock, but...we don't like talking about what happened to that place. Anyway, we can get you on the first boat outta here and get you to Glastone by day's end.
Edited by Team42Larson on Aug 6th 2021 at 8:14:56 AM
June 27thGlastone
Heya, name's Ed. (Ed says.) I'm from Hoard...or what used to be Hoard, I guess...
(He still seems a bit sad to bring Hoard up.)
Whispering Pines
(Henry looks embarrassed for his original reasoning for going to Slak Rock to be brought up.)
Erm...ahem, actually, Leonard and Wenda should be coming back through here with Genna and Harold by the end of the day. (Henry says.) Perhaps they'll allow us to ride with them?
"Hey, least I didn't lose all my artistic talent when I crash landed in the arena here."Glastone (First Address)
(The first house and already there's a scene. Not a good omen for what's to come. One of the broker's minions looks like he's having problems with that Pinsir. While some of us are introducing themselves, I asked the Bug-type.) What seems to be the problem here?
"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, MythraWhispering Pines
Wenda....right. We'll get you with Leonard and Wenda, then you should be able to meet up with that group. I'll make sure to write up somethin' quick to let Addie know you're comin'. I'd go but...I gotta lug this massive tank around with me and it'd probably break in the ocean anyway. Is that fine with you, Lily?
June 27thWhispering Pines
Yeah, sure, whatever, I'll go with Wendy or however. Just leave me alone for right now. (Lily says, waving the others off without looking in their direction.)
(It's clear that Lily wants to be left alone. Tenn turns to the others and motions toward the door.)
"Hey, least I didn't lose all my artistic talent when I crash landed in the arena here."Whispering Pines Hospital
Bruce turns to leave with the others. Once seemingly out of earshot of Lily he sighs and grimaces slightly.
Eh, at least we tried, right? Least we can do is get her t'that group as soon as we can. They'll be able t'handle it way better than a group like us can...
Once the grimace fades Bruce stops pushing and resurfaces, reminding himself of the need to write that letter.
Say uh...any one of you guys have somethin' t'write a letter with?
June 27thWhispering Pines
(Tenn shakes her head.)
Well, I don't have anything on me right now, but there is no shortage of good writing supplies at Judy's, citizen! (Henry says.) And perhaps we could ask Genna and Harold if they know where they are once we see them, too.
Should we go back over to Judy's, then? (Shelley asks.)
Absolutely! Come along everyone! (Henry says, starting to head out.)
(As the four of them leave, Lily remains wrapped up in the bed's blankets looking at the wall, trying desperately to remember something...anything about her own history, but everything except the vague memories of once being a human is a complete blank no matter how hard she tries. She feels like a total blank slate, with only her current situation sticking out in her mind.)
(The silence in the hospital room is broken by Lily crying muffled sobs into her blanket.)
"Hey, least I didn't lose all my artistic talent when I crash landed in the arena here."Glastone
(The whole time, Delilah's mind appears to be somewhere else, like something else is weighing on it, as much as she tries to pay attention to what's going on.)
Whispering Pines
Oh, Leonard is one of the quickest Lapras around the islands. I'm certain he could get there by evening tomorrow. (Henry says.)
But what about Lily herself? (Shelley asks.)
(Tenn motions up the hallway where Lily is and then toward the ocean.)
Ah, are you suggesting she go ahead and go with them, Tenn? (Henry asks.)
(Tenn nods.)
I suppose it would save them the trouble of having to come back and get Lily. (Henry says.)
She probably needs to get to the other former humans as fast as possible anyway. (Shelley adds.)
On that note...perhaps we should go ahead and go with them ourselves? (Henry asks.) It's clear that Jamie isn't around here anymore. We've looked everywhere and asked everyone. Perhaps he may be trying to go back toward Vernon's Bend. Besides, Lily might need some bodyguards between here and there.
We could also ask Genna and Harold if they've seen Jamie, too. (Shelley says.)
"Hey, least I didn't lose all my artistic talent when I crash landed in the arena here."Glastone
The First Address
"All of them? Egads..." Samael thinks on what Marlon said, a hand rubbing his chin. "And I don't think we've met either. Or we have! It's been a turbulent couple of days! My name is Samael, premier assistant to Lucifuge."
"Why should I tell you?," the Pinsir says accusingly to Cindra and Grigori. "Sounds like you're with this guy here. I'm not getting involved in my brother's bullshit just because he's down for the count right now."
"Oh, no no no no!," Samael interjects. "Th-this has nothing to do with your brother, I'm just—I was just asking for directions, you see!" He turns towards the lot of you, hands outstretched to show you off to the Pinsir. "And these fine fellows here, they're just trying to get to the bottom of this VA business, on behalf of your town's leaders even! They're really doing all of us a huge favor here."
Glastone (Town)
Yeah, we're just...you know, trying to get things figured out before the festival tomorrow. (I explain.)
Whispering Pines
Of course! Let's go to Judy's everyone! Time is wasting! (Henry says. He starts walking the wrong way up the hallway before Tenn loudly clears her throat. Henry realizes his error and starts sheepishly walking back toward the hospital entrance, Tenn and Shelley following behind.)
"Hey, least I didn't lose all my artistic talent when I crash landed in the arena here."Glastone, Address 1
Samael...right. Ma'am, all we're trying to do is catch the suspects who are carrying the VA and bring them to justice before this town's festival begins tomorrow. Do you know anything at all about any suspicious activity happening around town?
If you really don't want to tell us anything, we aren't pressuring you to, but it would help.
While this is going on Marsha notices Delilah's currently lost-in-thought expression and moves off a bit into Delilah's direction to find out why.
Del....Del? Are ya awlright? Ya look like yer thinkin' 'bout somethin'...
Whispering Pines
Bruce pushes his tank along to keep up. Already he has an idea forming on what he needs to say in his letter to Addie (and the former humans) to let them know about Lily. Yet he remains hung up on Lily's memory loss.
(Do ALL of those former humans lose their memories or something?)
June 27th

Leaving Alana's
I ain't got no problems with dat idea, it's just gonna be weird seein' two of Marly runnin' about...
I stop to lean over and give Marsha a reassuring smile, indicating otherwise that I'm still me, and this doesn't change anything. She nods, smiles herself, and we both get on with it.
Then it's about time we get going. What's our first move?
One of our first houses is just up the road from here, we go there first to check it out. Then from there, we either check in with the Elders or go to Mothgomery's place. All things considered, I think the least we can do is check in with his family before hitting the other houses.
So then if we have eight of these to hit up, then let's get out there as soon as possible. Only have so many hours to use.
Thanks again for helping us clear this whole thing up!
Cindra offers her last thanks to the Hattrene, however weird she truly was, as we spill back onto the streets.
You fellas lead da way, you got dat map afta all.
And so Cindra, with assistance from the Elders' map, begins to take us to the first location.
Whispering Pines
Bruce, being ever the more cautious than he already has to be, pushes himself closer to the Marshtomp while keeping his distance.
Hey, hey....slow down. Listen, we aren't gonna hurt ya. Can ya at least tell us your name before we get into the specifics? And, if what that nurse told us is true, then I believe you.
June 27th