ITT: We Have All Become Pokémon

"I wonder if I still know any moves from before." I jump into the air and slash with my claws twice. "Aerial Ace, and…" I zip around the area multiple times. "Oh, thank God, I still have that."

"I must say, your new form and arsenal seem rather convenient for where we are right now."

Noriaki gazes out to the distance and states solemnly, "As much as generally stable our situation here seems, I've learned to fear for the worst given our experiences. Plus, there is that Onix..."

*Tilly remarks* It's easier to show you. Once these two are done, I can lead everyone there.

"Well, guess I'm gonna have to figure out as much of my moveset as I can… I'm at a decent level, so I should know more."

Right on.

(I say, motioning the others of our small group to wait for now.)

"Indeed", said Noriaki, stroking his chin, "I'm not 100% sure if you can use Leaf Blade just yet or not... And I admit, the way I manifest it is... A bit unique to being a Dartrix."

Andy wouldn't find anything out of the ordinary by the north end of the town, save for the exit up to the surface. It's almost uncanny how little there is electrically interesting about the area. However, the walls are thick enough, though given that he only has the mass of a single Joltik to press against them that isn't really saying much.

On hearing Finley fall over, Mila rushes to help her while David steps back with tears already beginning to form in his eyes.

I'm sorry! I didn't mean it! Please don't tell him about me!

"I won't, I won't. Finley... are you okay? Are you hurt? Do you need anything?"

Mila picks Finley up in a hug, not bothering to look over towards the Pichu burying his face in her fur right now. She can barely handle this situation, with only three people to deal with. Then again, she could barely handle herself before. She just hoped the noise wouldn't alert the guards to the Pichu's presence.

Boss, I think I found where he escaped to. The new one's cell. She denied it, but I could hear 'im.

The... Raichu, correct?

Yeah. Should I punish the both of them? I told them it was coming.

No. He'll stop running if he feels safe. Pretend like you don't see him, and give them more work. If they complete it, they get enough food for the both of them. If they don't, one starves.

That's simultaneously heartwarming and soulcrushing, boss.

Get back to work. I don't pay you for witticisms.

Finley gives a small buzz, and lets Mila correct her.

She seems regretful. How could she not be when she's given front row seats to the suffering of the person she cared about most while she can't do fuck-all about it?

Pathetic...

Andy re-checked the landscape, seeing no truly suspicious things. He wasn't able to truly search with an incapacity to dig, though, so he made a note in his mind to get the others to investigate here.

He sighed. He really hoped he'd have found Mila by now. And what are the odds the others are looking for her? Slim. He decided to start walking about, on the search for any other mons who could help him dig.

*Jani looks around, notices what seems to be a clock, but she can't decipher the layout* Huh...can you guys read that? That clock(?) on the wall there? *both Tilly and Lilly look around, and simultaneously say* Precisely 8am on the nose!

So we still have an hour then.

okay, I didn't try hard writing this, but arc advancement happens tomorrow night XD

Looks like we still have a while, guys. (I say. Delilah and I sit down. Marsha sticks by Marlon's side, as usual.)

Just as well, anyway... (Benji mutters as he looks through his satchel and discovering a hole.) I think I lost my money purse during the walk to and from the tailor's. Hey, you fellas wait here while I go find it, okay?

Ok, Benji. (Delilah says.)

(Benji hands me his satchel.) Careful, there are Orbs in there. (He warns. Then he turns and heads off.)

(Delilah and I resume watching Nina and Nori's sparring.)

Alright... (Benji mutters as he goes off.) What would be the best way to find it...hmm...it has a pretty reflective surface...light'll probably reflect off the top of it...I've got it!

(Benji runs over to a merchant selling carts and buys a small metal cart with some money that he does have directly on him. Filling it with water, he goes out of sight. He turns himself into a Lanturn and jumps into it.)

Okay... (Benji says, turning on his lure brightly.) But I can't move around like this very much... (He begins trying to hail a passerby.) Hey! Could someone give me a hand?

(Eventually, a female Krokorok walks over.) Do you need any help, sir? (She asks. She seems surprised that a Lanturn has managed to get all the way out here.)

Yeah, could ya push me down the street here and help me find my money purse? I think I dropped it. (Benji tells her.) I'll even pay ya for your troubles.

Sure. (The Krokorok says. She goes behind the cart and begins pushing Benji down the street.) Don't take this the wrong way, but I'm surprised to see someone like you all the way out here. We don't get many Lanturns out here.

Heh heh, I have my ways... (Benji says.)

edited 27th Sep '17 8:08:27 PM by kablammin45

Mila is still holding on to Finley, hoping the contact at least will make her feel better, but she can't ignore David for much longer, as he seems to be on the verge of a breakdown himself. Eventually, she sets down Finley and turns her attention to the child, but not before offering a suggestion to Finley.

"Finley, I love you, but I have to take care of a lot right now. If you ever feel lonely or want me to stick with you, just make a sound. I'll be there, I promise."

So... so you're not angry at me? You won't tell him?

"No, I won't, but please be more careful next time. Let's just... finish charging that battery."

Mila picks up the Pichu and hugs him lightly as well, before returning to the battery and topping it off. She can't help but feel like recharging herself is actively draining for her physical state, but what choice does she have? She's starving. After a moment, a Diglett pops up, surveying the room and examining the battery before grabbing it and taking off in silence. Soon after, the footsteps above return, and several berries are dropped lazily through the slot, alongside another battery.

There's your breakfast, eat up. Oh, and special order from boss, you've got an extra workload to do if you want lunch. Have fun!

As Andy is investigating, he might notice a slight tremor underneath him as he moves, coming from the west and heading southeast. However, it's incredibly faint and might be missed in the commotion around him. As it moves down several blocks towards Benji, however, it becomes significantly more pronounced until the Onix shoots out of the ground once more, looking around for just a moment before diving down and grabbing Benji in it's mouth and smashing a hole straight through the bottom of the cart, mistaking him for a natural-born electric pokemon. Just a second later, and the Onix has disappeared, off to its hideout.

edited 27th Sep '17 8:52:32 PM by Cabe_Bedlam

(Before the Onix appeared...)

Aha! There it is! (Benji says, seeing his money purse shining in the light from his lure.) Hey, thanks for your help, miss...um...

Dinah. (the Krokorok says.) And it's my pleasure! Glad I could give you a hand!

(As she walks over to get Benji's money purse and hand it to him, there's a sudden tremor...one that's en route right for them.)

What's tha-

(Before either Benji or the Krokorok can react, the Onix bursts out of the ground, grabs Benji, and dives back underground with him. Dinah is knocked onto her back in the confusion. When she looks back up, all she sees is the now destroyed and empty cart with a gaping hole in the bottom of it. She looks back and forth between the money purse still in her hand and the busted wagon in shocked silence for several moments.)

(Benji was knocked unconscious from the impact and is still unconscious (and in Lanturn form) as the Onix takes him to his hideout.)

edited 27th Sep '17 9:08:11 PM by kablammin45

Andy, because he's the smallest living Pokémon, notices, and decides to follow it. He isn't able to keep up with it extremely well, but he is able to witness an Onix steal a poor Lanturn. He gasps at the sight.

So they are harvesting Electrics...

Andy, deciding to kick it into full gear, chases after the dim sense of electricity he gains from Benji disguised as a Lanturn, and track it to the best of his ability.

The best of his ability is not that great though.

Considering his untreated injuries sustained back from Merqury, and then Phil, and the recent Krokorok, his dwarfism, his level of alcoholism, his lack of healthy sleep, his lack of training, and the closed-in nature of Agartha that didn't allow for a lot of fresh air, Andy quickly was forced to slow down, breathe a lot, and vomit just a bit.

edited 27th Sep '17 9:46:29 PM by TacoBadger

(Not quite aware of nearby events, I continue sitting on the bench with Marsha, knowing that we still have an hour until we have to face the City Hall people. I hope we can resolve this whole mess in the end. I look to Marsha and smile. Least I have her now..)

edited 28th Sep '17 3:07:50 AM by Team42Larson

*the impact of two sparrers makes Jani and the sisters oblivious to the latest kidnapping as well, despite herself being quite sensitive to vibrations. In the meantime, she tries to make idle small talk with Marlon, while still watching the two battlers* Pretty impressive, isn't he...err, I guess she... not really sure which to use in this situation... A Leafeon for not even a day and...they've gotten pretty used to it, all things considered.

*despite the banality of that, Jani seems to have something else on her mind*

edited 28th Sep '17 4:40:21 AM by sarysa

Yeah, Jani. It's pretty amazing that she's been able to do this in spite of being a Leafeon for only a day.

(I say. It's here when I begin to feel that something is off. I don't comment on it yet, but I do shift my eyes about to see if I could see anything.)

And well, Nori's a pretty good teacher...credit where credit's due. *Jani continues, getting closer to the point* Come to think of it, you taught a number of mons yourself, didn't you? Marsha I think, and Delilah, plus you sparred with Goobert quite a bit too, right? And you're all the better for it... *after that last bit, she looks at the neophyte sisters, hinting as to where she's going with this*

*the sisters themselves are somewhat distant from Jani at the moment, not within earshot, while watching Nina and Nori*

edited 28th Sep '17 5:27:12 AM by sarysa

(I put my free hand to my chin.)

Huh. I could try sometime, but I don't know what I could really teach them.

(I then look around again to try to figure out just what is wrong.)

edited 28th Sep '17 6:03:48 AM by Team42Larson

Finley "nods." so to say, she raises her eyes in a nodding motion. Mila has to work... even if she shouldn't.

If she wasn't stuck like this, the entire facility here would be in-

No. Don't think like that.

edited 28th Sep '17 6:04:33 AM by Beverly

@Taco: Got an NPC coming your way. Up to you if you want to go somewhere with this.

Haha...you're pretty perceptive...though... *Jani sighs, wondering why she struggles to get to the point when it's warranted* ...it's actually kind of my responsibility. I'm the fellow Diglett here. Neither of them have a clue what they're getting into...

Meanwhile, all this time I've been more or less bullshitting. Aside from Digda and the Rhyperior oh hey, that's what he was I've been just winging it as I go along. *Jani admits, before sharing her concerns* ...I can't do it with them. I need to get them up to speed, at the very least make it so they can defend themselves — all the while appeasing their mother's many, many expectations.

*Jani sighs, realizing she needs to* To get to the point, I was wondering if you can teach me...to teach. Maybe not now, but some time soon...I don't want to be the blind leading the blind here. *looking once again to the sisters, she adds* Their safety is in my hands.

*meanwhile, Lilly is watching the sparring with Tilly, when out of boredom perhaps...she decides to look around. Noticing Delilah, she thinks of how amazing that swimsuit might look...and then it hits her* Oh Groudon — sis, I just remembered...I left my bow at the Sisters' two days ago! With all the stuff about Milly being missing and the last day and everything, I completely forgot about it.

*Tilly responds flatly* Huh, well you still have time. You have your money on you, right? *to which Lilly digs into her "storage" before saying* Yeah. I'll be back in a jiff!

*and with that, Lilly heads toward the tailor — incidentally in the same direction as the area Benji got kidnapped. If Andy's paying attention, he might notice her*

(I nod to Jani.)

I can try, for their sake.

(It's then that Delilah and I and especially Marsha begin to notice Marlon's discomfort.)

Somethin' wrong, Marly? (Marsha asks him, her smile faltering slightly.)

I don't know, Marsh. Don't you think Benji would be back by now?

(I ask.)

Come to think of it, he has been gone for awhile. Could just be an obsessive searcher, but still... *Jani can't but overhear and comment on this one. Tilly's out of earshot*