ITT: We Have All Become Pokémon

Finley looks at the Orb, then at the others.

Is this a joke? She can't even touch it to return to normal...

Finally, everything sinks in and tears begin rolling down her new form.

I'm Huney B now. Okay?

Sure is! (I say, spotting the library myself and pointing it out to the others.)

All right! (June says, running up to it.)

Whoa there, kid, wait for us! (Benji says, grabbing June by her antennae.)

Hee hee, sorry... (June says.)

(The five of us follow Marlon up to it at a more casual pace.)

---

(Meanwhile, Darnell takes note of the shortcut pointed out to him and continues following Rich and Morty.)

"Lucian, don’t be afraid, we’ll make it through this."

July too follows, then continues interrogating, being sure she can cover every possibility she can.

"So... say we find her. What if the Orbs did something else to her? What do we do then?"

I'm Huney B now. Okay?

*I look on a tad impatiently at Don's poor attempt at fixing Finley's problem.*

PJ: "Oh for the love of christ, just touch her with it! She's the one waiting on you, man!"

Are you ready? Go live!

Sorry!

(He carefully moves the orb in such a way that he touches Finley with it. A small glow can be observed by the party as it begins to take effect.)

---

Ah, surface dwellers. Come here to sample some fine Agartha literature?

Uh, you could say that..

(An Excadrill librarian asks us as I walk in first.)

---

(A third Exploud awaits the return of the others at the warp point site. He notices some shaking underfoot.)

Huh?

---

(Rich says to July and Darnell as they continue walking along the road, sighing before saying:)

The councilmen have Reset Orbs. If your relative was hit by an orb, they will use them to help her.

Tell....everyone....

Finley too begins glowing as again she reshapes.

Growing, growing more and more, up to three feet. Then, her scales melt away, revealing her orange fur once more. Her body reshapes to that of a Braixen again.

After the glow fades, Finley is her again.

"Is... it over?"

I'm Huney B now. Okay?

June, we need to do what we did before and try to act like each other in front of people we don't know, ok? (I inform June before we walk in.)

Right! (June says.)

(We walk in and are greeted by the Excadrill librarian.)

Heya! (I say, shaking the Excadrill's digger claws.) Nice to meetcha! Can't wait to read the stuff ya got here!

Howdy! (says June.)

(We catch up with Marlon.) So what do you think the books they have here are like? (I ask him.)

edited 22nd Sep '17 7:11:56 AM by kablammin45

"Lucian, don’t be afraid, we’ll make it through this."

Warp Plaza (unfinished)

*the Exploud (Hudson) who felt the shaking may notice it getting stronger and stronger (though not even close to "attack" levels by any means), as a certain female Dugtrio — the Mayor of Agartha, shuffles her way inside. For a moment, she could easily be mistaken for an Alolan Dugtrio, but upon closer inspection it clearly appears to be a wig. with a strong aura of irritation, she states* DonALD! *she declares, not really knowing if that's Don's full name and still out of view from Hudson* It has been three days now and no word of progress — are y'all just sitting on your hands when you SHOULD be...

*finally in view, the mayor realizes that Don is nowhere to be found. She reverts to her indoor voice as she continues* Oh, it's you, Hudson. Well as far as I'm concerned, y'all are working together and are just as much equally responsible. *sternly she looks down Hudson as she continues* First it's gone over budget, and now it's woefully past schedule. I have citizens to please, other business to attend to — what in tarnation is taking so long!

*Hudson may notice the shaking hasn't stopped. Luckily, the structures are somewhat earthquake resistant and they laugh at the mayor's "warning" quake*

---

Doug's House

*Jani just watches in awe as Finley's transformation takes place, rarely able to see such a spectacle — let alone in a controlled environment*

*when Finley shifts, she can only cheerfully say* Welcome back, Fin!!

edited 22nd Sep '17 7:38:30 AM by sarysa

Current WHABP alts: Jani (Sarah) the Purrloin, Hudson the Togetic. Tilly/Lilly (Digletts) are being Put on a Bus.

(Well, that's one down, I guess...)

If I don't clash, I don't change. The world ends at my borders, and the best moments slip away.

[I cover my eyes from what little light I'm already letting through, then I turn my head towards the sound of Finley's voice.]

"...yer...not a muh, Metapod, I don...I don tink...they don haff, uh...uh, mouths...I don think..."

Yes, miss. Now.....

(Don pulls out a map of Agartha, beckoning the party members to come closer before he begins his spiel.)

---

Nice to meet you folks. I hope you enjoy what we've got to offer here.

(The Excadrill librarian graciously says.)

I honestly don't know, dude. Maybe some things about the history of this place?

(I say to Goobert and the group.)

---

(Hudson jumps back in shock at the sudden appearance of the Mayor.)

Shit! Sorry, miss Mayor. We've got problems here. See, two Whismurs went missing with our schematics. We're working with a party of Pokémon that landed here to help find them. Once that's done, miss, we'll be back on our way.

Tell....everyone....

I bet there are a few books like that here. (I say.) Let's look around!

(The five of us go to separate parts of the library in search of something interesting to read, though I stick with Marlon.)

"Lucian, don’t be afraid, we’ll make it through this."

"Reset Orbs... okay. But what if something comes up? Like, it's a Swap Orb and we lose the other person? Or someone stole the Reset Orbs and hid them somewhere"

I'm Huney B now. Okay?

Kid, they've got tons of those Orbs! No worries at all.

(Rich exclaims to July.)

---

Hmm.....

(I stick close to Goobert as we walk through one aisle of the library. I see a book called Agartha: A history.)

Bingo.

(I pull the book off the shelf.)

edited 22nd Sep '17 7:38:35 AM by Team42Larson

Tell....everyone....

It'll be interesting to learn about how this place ticks and where it come from... (I comment, looking at the cover.) Should we go sit down somewhere?

---

July, please calm down. (says Darnell.) I'm sure that wherever June is, she's probably fine. She may not even be affected by an Orb for all we know.

"Lucian, don’t be afraid, we’ll make it through this."

PJ: "Hallelujah, problem solved! Now then, before I negate this stroke of good luck somehow..."

*I take a gander at the map Don just whipped out.*

Are you ready? Go live!

Warp Plaza (unfinished)

*the shaking intensifies slightly (though again, nowhere near attack levels) as the Mayor rolls her eyes* Yes, yes, I am quite aware of the Whismur situation — Don informed me but three days ago. HOWEVER... *giving Hudson an intimidating stare, she continues* A city doesn't operate on promises and status reports — it operates on timetables! The voters demand accountability, consistency! These delays affect more than y'alls bottom line, they affect my approval ratings!

*the shaking subsides somewhat as the Dugtrio mayor laments out loud* ...which are already taking a hit ever since my daughter ran out on her obligations... *though she steels herself once more and the shaking resumes its prior intensity*

I need promises — in writing — that this warp plaza will be finished no more than three days past schedule. I figure it's fair and reasonable, y'all are three days behind as it is. *she sternly states, adding* I have been generous so far as to waive the penalties in our contract — this plaza is just as important for our town's development as it is for y'alls bottom line, but this can go on no longer!

---

Don's House

Fair's fair, huh? I'd be happy to help...plus it'll get me out of here *Jani states, then moves in toward Don to inspect the map of Agartha*

Current WHABP alts: Jani (Sarah) the Purrloin, Hudson the Togetic. Tilly/Lilly (Digletts) are being Put on a Bus.

"What...?" July sends a glare to Darnell.

"What do you mean 'calm down?!' My sister is who knows where, probably scared out of her mind, confused as us, and I should calm down. Arceus above... Why do I feel like I'm the only one who actually cares about her safety right now?!" She tells him in the most bitter tone she can manage.

"... How close are we?" She asks Rich, deadpan.

---

Finley wordlessly turns the tables and hugs Mila tight like a teddy bear. She still needs to really mentally recover from what the hell just happened...

edited 22nd Sep '17 7:53:36 AM by Beverly

I'm Huney B now. Okay?

Yeah, let's. I'm sure Delilah and the others found things of their own as well.

(I say.)

---

Here,

(Don points to a place on the map with a red X on it.)

Is a warp orb point. As you may know, this city is on the up-and-up, and what we hope to achieve here is a more accessible place for residents and tourists to go from here to the surface and back, and vice versa. We've got a slight problem though..

(Don trails off to let the party think this through before he continues, but he can't help but notice Milly(?)

Miss Milly?

---

Trust me, miss! I'll even write my promise down now!

(Hudson writes this on some paper:

Miss Mayor, we will resolve this issue before today, the third day behind schedule, is over.)

---

A few hours out. Once we see signs, we'll need to go down a ramp that takes us to Agartha. It's near Orichaclum, by the way.

(Rich says.)

edited 22nd Sep '17 8:08:36 AM by Team42Larson

Tell....everyone....

(Darnell rubs his temples. So much for trying to ease July's nerves...as well his own. If he is honest with himself, he was saying that to calm himself down along with July. He doesn't know what state they'll find June in.)

Okay...oh dear, several hours... (Darnell grimaces.)

---

(I walk over to a table and pull up a seat. I pull out a seat for Marlon as well.)

(A moment later, the trio and June join us at the table. I observe the books they have. Marsha is reading what appears to be a mystery novel called "The Meowth Who Aimed For The Horn". Benji is reading a book about boating. June has a large stack of a series of humor books and immediately begins reading one entitled "I Was a Teenage Snorlax". Delilah is the last to come back, and I notice that she is reading what I assume is some sort of autobiography entitled "Life as a Dragonite: A Memoir".)

(Delilah's reading choice intrigues me, but I don't really take much notice and turn back to Marlon as he walks up.)

edited 22nd Sep '17 8:11:19 AM by kablammin45

"Lucian, don’t be afraid, we’ll make it through this."

Warp Plaza (unfinished)

*the shaking subsides gradually as the binding promise is written down, and then stops completely as the Mayor's tone suddenly shifts* Well that's mighty kind o'ya! *she briefly slips fully into her native accent as she accepts the note, before (partially) suppressing it once more* Now, I DO expect you folks to honor what's been written down here. Just to seal the deal, I'll need you to shake on it. *the Dugtrio mayor creates a dirt tendril from the earth, not unlike when Jani dirt-waves to people or gives dirt-hugs, intent to shake hands/paws with Hudson*

---

Doug's House

*Jani takes in what Don is saying* That's pretty cool, kind of like in video games, huh? *but then when Don calls her Milly, she clams up a bit...gets notably uncomfortable before saying* Uh, you're thinking of someone else. All Digletts look the same, huh? *she holds a nervous expression all the while*

Current WHABP alts: Jani (Sarah) the Purrloin, Hudson the Togetic. Tilly/Lilly (Digletts) are being Put on a Bus.

Thanks. Now, let's see what we can learn..

(I say to Goobert, while also noticing Delilah's curious choice of book. I open to chapter 1, Founding. I read some of what's on the first page.)

Agartha was founded some 200 years ago by Zipper T. Bunny, a Diggersby. This city always had a Democratic Approach, but recent developments have turned this city into more of a freedom-oriented, laissez-faire type of government.

---

(Don takes a closer look at Milly(?) before waving it off.)

Just a hunch. Now, the problem is...

(He turns to the party still inside.)

Two Whismur went missing with our Schematics for this very warp point. If you can aid us in finding them and getting the schematics back, we will reward you with Reset Orbs that will set your afflicted party members back to their previous states. Sounds like a deal?

(He asks.)

---

We can double time it from here, sir. I know the exact way there from here.

(Rich reassures Darnell.)

(He turns to July.)

Nobody will be hurt, miss. Trust me.

---

(Hudson shakes the mayor's "hand.")

edited 22nd Sep '17 8:51:18 AM by Team42Larson

Tell....everyone....

She pauses as a look of shame covers her. "... Sorry, Grampa. I'm just really freaking out. What if she's hurt or something?"

edited 22nd Sep '17 8:27:26 AM by Beverly

I'm Huney B now. Okay?

Well, things do seem a bit different here compared to the other places we've been... (I comment.)

---

(Darnell gives July a hug.)

Don't worry, July. I understand. (Darnell says.) If I'm quite honest with myself, I'm every bit as worried as you are, too.

edited 22nd Sep '17 8:38:33 AM by kablammin45

"Lucian, don’t be afraid, we’ll make it through this."

Indeed. This place is quite interesting.

(I read on.)

Once a normal above-ground farming community, by some fluke the town ended up being settled entirely by burrowers. Over time, their dwellings shifted underground simply out of preference — then necessity, as the town grew, it needed more land for farming. About 150 years ago, these systems of underground tunnels were properly excavated into a full fledged town. The discovery of the light bulb some 40 years ago under some mysterious ruins revolutionized the town — allowing it to be fully lit at all hours, no longer relying on the use of oil-based light sources that made the air toxic to surface dwellers.

---

Let's double time it, then.

(Rich says.)

Tell....everyone....