[@Pikmin Eye] Martin gathered some supplies from the Team Virtue storage, and then headed out. Noting the sounds of the door opening, he made his way to the elevator to the Underground and pressed the only option, down. The elevator door closed just about exactly as the door to the testing labs opened. The elevator headed down at a steady pace, a sizable area made for perhaps some cargo as well as personnel to travel down at once. And it… went far down. How far down were they going? Perhaps just as one would regularly start wondering just how deep this hole was, the elevator started slowing down. There were voices right on the other side of the doors. They opened automatically. [hider=place][center][h3]Vast Underground[/h3][/center] [center][url=https://i.imgur.com/d9gfw1G.jpg][img]https://i.imgur.com/xfK6viD.png[/img][/url][/center][/hider] … He’s back in the underground, no clear idea of where in it. Except, here was an outpost of Team Virtue’s. The caverns carried on in three directions, right, left and straight forward, all directions had barricades and Virtue guards standing with varying Pokémon scanning into the dark depths. There were tents with supplies and people running around in considerable speed. There were a large amount of wagons on wheels standing about, grey boxes layered on top of one another revealing nothing of what they contained, very much like the one he had seen the woman earlier escorting. With the people placing them in lines, around twenty people or so on seven carts, it seemed they were preparing to move. Since the last he had seen had apparently needed five to be pushed, twenty people on seven would be stretching it. Of note, none of the grunts were actually wearing Team Virtue uniforms, they were in completely casual wear. [color=ad8b66]‘MOVE, MOVE! We haven’t a moment to waste!’[/color] In the midst of them, stood a light-brown haired twenty-ish man in a white suit waving what appeared to be a large polearm around to inspire the men around him with his commanding tone of voice. He certainly had the grunts running scared. He had what appeared to be a blue crustacean Pokémon on his left shoulder. And… because the elevator had arrived with a large “pling-plong” sound of having reached the right floor and the doors of the elevator opened on their own, he now turned and saw Martin in the elevator opening. [color=ad8b66]‘YOU!’[/color] he shouted, spinning to point his polearm at Martin while his crayfish pointed one oversized claw at him as well in a very threatening manner. [color=ad8b66]‘… are late! You’re also new, so let me tell you right now! I’m Team Virtue Elite Anton, and I’m no big softie like Jonas above ground! Down here is MY command, so you’ll follow MY orders, got it!?’[/color] [hider=Elite Anton][center][url=https://i.imgur.com/GotKVFh.jpg][img]https://i.imgur.com/GotKVFhl.jpg[/img][/url][/center][/hider] On his shoulder was a blue crustacean Pokémon, pointing its claw as threateningly as Anton did his polearm… [center][url=https://cdn.bulbagarden.net/upload/f/fb/692Clauncher.png][img]https://i.imgur.com/fOgD4DQ.png[/img][/url][/center] [center][color=6ecff6][i]Pokédex Entry #692 – Clauncher, the Water Gun Pokémon. Its massive claw is a water-pistol firing compressed water using controlled expulsions of internal gasses. The shots it fires can shatter rock at close distances, it uses this to shoot down flying prey. It is known to use this expulsion to travel fast, jetting water out behind it to accelerate.[/i][/color][/center] Anton spun his head to look around briefly before looking at Martin again. [color=ad8b66]‘We’re getting ready to move! These things are to be transported to the West Base! Lady Ivory already went ahead with the more urgent package, and she’ll have our heads if we dawdle! Find an undermanned carriage and get ready to move! And- and PLEASE tell me you remembered to bring your uniform in your bag? Because I’m ABSOLUTELY NOT going back to get it if you forget!’[/color] Anton frowned angrily at Martin at the last. Well. What would be Martin’s reaction? __________________________ [@Pirouette] Erika travelled and found her way to the gym. It was a large building wrapped around one of the trees of the forest higher than the ground, a staircase leading up to the oversized treehouse. It was large like a mansion, a serene air surrounding it, yet there was clearly room for multiple arenas within it. Down by the end of the staircase was a sign. Stillwood Pokémon Gym - Minor League Leader: Archie “The Woodland Wanderer!” Indeed a Minor League Gym. So, asking a couple individuals about the Gym Leader, was it? There was a pair of very chatty Aroma Ladies nearby, that could give quite the amount of information. [color=yellow]‘Oh, you want to know about our Archie, do you? He’s the pride of our village! He’s a natural wanderer and people say he can somehow navigate any forest, no matter how difficult, including Endless Forest! How is that possible? Though, he never tells what he finds. But, we’re confident he isn’t lying! He brings back so powerful Pokémon, after all!’[/color] [color=pink]‘Archie only became a Gym Leader very recently. Stillwood Village always had the problem that it developed very few powerful Pokémon Trainers. We never really go on trips, after all. But then, Archie wandered by himself into Endless Forest, and came back with a slew of [i]powerful[/i] Pokémon… The whole village immediately voted him Gym Leader! He was only allowed to become a Minor Leader, but Stillwood Village has a Gym Leader once again! We are all very proud…!’[/color] [color=6d80ab]‘Eh-hem.’[/color] A man approached Erika, who had also stood near the entrance of the Gym. He had a kind smile, glasses and an utmost confidence that he got this correctly. [hider=This guy][center][url=http://i.imgur.com/6B7u7Dx.jpg][img]http://i.imgur.com/U6Kq8aq.png[/img][/url][/center][/hider] [color=6d80ab]‘You’re a new trainer, aren’t you? Are you perhaps even our newest champ-to-be? If so, let me be your guide! Ask me any questions that relates to Gyms and the Pokémon League!’[/color] Now, Erika was a bit more knowledgeable on these things than the average newbie due to a variety of factors, but if she wanted to hear it, this guy was happy to do his job! … Otherwise, she could leave him behind and do whatever she wanted. [hider=Explanation][color=6d80ab]‘So, this is, as you no doubt understood already, a Pokémon Gym! The Gyms of Isson is divided into two categories, Minor and Major League Gyms. Each official town and-or city has a Gym waiting for you, which is one of the two! Defeating the challenge of the Gym earns you a Gym Badge, and there are nine Minor and nine Major League badges in Isson. You need eight badges of one kind to compete in the Pokémon League, against others of the same level! The winner of the Pokémon League then gets to challenge Elite Four and potentially the Champion!’[/color] [color=6d80ab]‘The Minor League is primarily for people to grow as trainers, compete in the League and learn more as they complete their Pokémon journeys, as well as for those who find they can’t beat the Major League Pokémon Gyms. The Major League is for those who wants to become the very best! It’s definitely recommended to start with the Minor League, and there’s plenty of rewards for competing in it, too! Good luck!’[/color] [color=6d80ab]‘Winning at the Pokémon League isn’t the only way to get to do the Champion Challenge, though. Any individual the Elite Four or the Champion judges worthy is allowed to fight the Elite Four and possibly the Champion for a chance to take the title! … But the normal way is most certainly to do well in the Pokémon League. Sometimes they even let multiple people who did well in the Pokémon League take the challenge, because the Elite Four aren’t immune to itching for a fight, too. Haha. But that’s for the future, back to the present!’[/color][/hider] [hider=analysis][color=6d80ab]‘Archie is a user of the Grass-type! He’ll quickly drain the essence of any of your water- or rock-type Pokémon! But, the Grass-type has plenty of weaknesses, too! Fire, Flying and Ice-types all do a lot of damage to it, and you could find Flying-types in the nearby Mountain Valley or Ice-types in the Frozen Cave! The means of victory is close at hand! … But watch out. Archie isn’t known to hold back, despite being Minor League. He might use Minor League level Pokémon, but he’s going to try to win with all he’s got! So, you better give it all you got, too! I know you can do it!’[/color] [color=6d80ab]‘Oh, and. This is a traditional Gym. It means you’re gonna have to fight some Gym Trainers before finally fighting the Leader. But that’s not a problem for a champ-to-be, is it? It’s simply a means to ensure the leader isn’t swamped with weak challengers. Go show them you’re worthy, then heal and come back to face the leader!’[/color] So the Gym Guy enthusiastically explained if allowed to.[/hider] Then she called Kalmia and asked a couple questions. Kalmia happily answered. [hider=Conversation][color=82c6cf]‘Oh, hi, Erika! Nope, not troubled at all, call me whenever you want to! Oh, by the way, Poli’s doing fine. The first Pokémon sent back to me because one of my trainer’s party was full! I’m so excited! I’ll take good care of her while you’re not using her! Oh, how to evolve your Pokémon? Hang on, let me just load your Pokédex data over here, and… yeah. Let’s see. Hm. Okay. Torchic, Gible and Lileep are just to level. Pikachu will need a Thunder Stone, but using stones too early means losing moves the Pokémon would learn at a later time. Same is not the case for Dawn Stone and Snorunt. Poliwag evolves to Poliwhirl by level, but then it’ll need one of two items. Either a Water Stone or a King’s Rock. Your choice which~! Right. Inkay. That one’s a bit famous among researchers. See, first it needs to reach a certain level, and then, as you heard, Inkay needs to be turned and held upside down. When held like that without letting Inkay right itself for a bit, something inside the Pokémon spills over and Inkay evolves! So, heh, you don’t need to do a handstand yourself. Don’t fret that. To make friends with Pokémon, it’s often simply a matter of spending enough time with them, and they’ll slowly come to like you. It certainly helps if you offer them berries or treats or things they might like and maybe play with them, depending on the Pokémon. Each individual Pokémon is different and needs a different kind of attention! It’s all a part of being a Pokémon Trainer to figure it out! … And if all else fails, try a Soothe Bell. Their calming sound is very therapeutic for Pokémon to listen to and can make Pokémon more friendly! You should be able to get them from- uh. Not sure actually. But the Worldedge Department Store would be the most likely place, there are few things they don’t have!’[/color][/hider] That’ll do. Now what? [hider=Suggestions to actions, Stillwood Village]1. Find Pokémon. [i]Can still search for Pokémon in cities~[/i] 2. Talk. [i]In cities, there are considerably more people one can talk to. Talking can give you info on local rumors and such.[/i] 3. Exit. [i]Exit the town to any of the connected areas.[/i] 4. Specify. [i]If you specify what you want to do, the GM will take it into account and tell the result.[/i] 5. Trigger random event. [i]Force the GM to use his imagination to make a scenario for you.[/i] 6. Notable Places. [i]Visit any of the places in the city![/i] 6.1. Pokémon Center. [i]Heal all your Pokémon.[/i] 6.2. PokéMart. [i]Go to a store and buy things.[/i] 6.3. Pokémon Gym. [i]???[/i] 6.4. Herb Store. [i]Selling bitter medicine that is very good for your Pokémon![/i] 6.5. Flower Shop. [i]For decoration and for pleasant smells, the flower shop has the best selection in Isson![/i] 6.6. Berry Garden. [i]Allows trainers to rent earth to plant their own berries. New trainers gets a kit to start them off![/i] 6.7. Treehouse Arena. [i]Even forest-people want to battle it out sometimes. Lots of berries as prices~[/i] 6.8. Ancient Woods. [i]An older part of the forest. Dangerous, but said to hold a link to the past. There are large old rocks here. What more could they hold?[/i] 7.1. Joshua and Ewan. [i]Where they supposed to meet here? Then Erika can search them up. Or, like, she could ditch them and run, if that’s more appealing.[/i][/hider] [i]Connected areas: [/i] Route 4. [i]Forest route at the base of Mt. Strength leading west to Rainrock City.[/i] Route 5. [i]A grassy incline connecting mountains, forests, plains, Stillwood and Lakewatch.[/i] Route 14. [i]The waters of Dragon Lake are also known as Route 14. It connects Lakewatch Town, Highhill Town and Stillwood Village.[/i] Mountain Valley. [i]A passage between Mt. Strength and Mt. Chill, a shortcut to Worldedge City.[/i] [hider=Stillwood Village, known Pokémon]Common: #44 Oddish #187 Hoppip #188 Skiploom #285 Shroomish #315 Roselia #406 Budew Uncommon: #45 Gloom Rare: [/hider] __________________________ [@Eklispe][@Joshua Tamashii] Both women turned their heads to look towards Dawkin when he suddenly decided to step forth and announce his presence and opinion. Kristy tilted her head slightly and her look had somewhat of a curious and surprised look, she being the one that actually didn’t know he was there. Leila gave a sigh and turned her head to look at him with slight pain in her expression, seemingly not at surprised. Claydol and Rapidash were just idly spectating the scene, Rapidash tense and ready to move while Claydol simply hovered without movement. When Dawkin was done, Kristy let out an amused laughter. [color=f75423]‘Ahahahahahaha! Hey, a kid’s lecturing us about fighting. Can you continue that attack of yours with that? Indeed, the fault doesn’t lie with either of us, some criminal is operating under our noses, right? So let’s not fight.’[/color] Leila frowned, glaring back at Kristy. [color=fce2a4]‘You say that after you’ve conducted an attack and promise to attack again? It’s only right that I get to-’[/color] [color=f75423]‘[sub][i]SHE HIT ME FIRST![/i][/sub]’[/color] Kristy interrupted Leila by putting words in her mouth, smiling widely and making a high-pitched child-like tone to accompany. [color=fce2a4]‘…’[/color] Leila paused with her mouth hanging open, feeling herself ridiculed. [color=fce2a4]‘I see age didn’t bring you any maturity, “Princess”,’[/color] she finally settled on. [color=f75423]‘Oooh, that’s a jab. Hahaha!’[/color] Kristy didn’t look insulted. Leila snorted before looking at Dawkin. [color=fce2a4]‘Fine. No fighting. So, I’ll settle for just taking back the ancient Pokémon that you brought with you from the-’[/color] [color=f75423]‘Nope!’[/color] Kristy interrupted. [color=fce2a4]‘… That Pokémon belongs to us and is-’[/color] [color=f75423]‘Nope!’[/color] Kristy smiled widely. A very annoyed Leila glared at Kristy, before turning her Rapidash around, looking back but briefly to word a couple venomous words. [color=fce2a4]‘[i]I’ll be in touch.[/i]’[/color] With that, unless Dawkin or Amelia stopped her, Leila kicked off and Rapidash dashed off with her, and they vanished out of sight beyond the hill moments later. … And that’s when Kristy slid down from Claydol and turned happily towards Dawkin. [color=f75423]‘Phew! Don’t actually know if I’d have won that. Of course I probably would have just fled through a hole in the ground, but hah. Minor Gym Leader of Raremine Town, “Desert Princess” Kristy, is thankful that you helped avoid an unnecessary battle. Ahahahaha!’[/color] Kristy laughed, as if forgetting that the whole thing was because she attacked the truck in the first place. Claydol still hovered ominously behind her… While all that was happening, Amelia was holding on to Tyrunt, who was very curious as to what was going on over there and a bit sour because Miltanks apparently couldn’t be nibbled. So, that’s that. Now what? __________________________ [@Rune_Alchemist] Claire got a lot of eager looks from the Pokémon around her when she looked around her. Then she got a message and decided to answer it, getting fairly confused and anxious looks from the less patient members of the crowd during that was happening. Then… Ralia indicated her pick, and Chimchar blinked a bit and pointed at himself, still seated on top of Timburr’s log. Then, a smile spread on his monkey face as Claire waded over and offered him a place on the team. [color=e69947]‘Chimchar!’[/color] He called out happily, reaching over. [center][color=6ecff6][i]Claire got Chimchar![/i][/color][/center] [center][url=https://cdn.bulbagarden.net/upload/7/76/390Chimchar.png][img]https://i.imgur.com/VaOHUt7.png[/img][/url][/center] [b]Gender[/b]: ♂ [b]Type[/b]: Fire [b]Personality[/b]: (Up to player.) [b]Quirks/Talents/Aspirations/Other[/b]: (Up to player.) [b]Level[/b]: 4 [b]Moves[/b]: Scratch, Leer [b]Ability[/b]: Iron Fist. Increases the power of punching-based moves. [b]Held Item[/b]: None. [center][color=6ecff6][i]New Pokémon caught! Claire earned 3000 P![/i][/color] [color=6ecff6][i]Would you like to give a nickname to Chimchar?[/i][/color][/center] Quite a distance away, leaning on the wall over there, Infernape stood with arms crossed watching his son being accepted into a trainer’s team. He was totally fine with that, simply standing there watching over this important moment in the young one’s life. But, for Chimchar anyway, he’d probably note that his father was over there, watching as this happened. And, well, numerous siblings perhaps peeking about here and there, but he had been the one that was brave/adventurous enough to apply to join Claire. Note, Chimchar here is pretty young, so, yeah. There is still a crowd of fighting Pokémon around Claire, possibly hoping for if she wants one more or so, but others seems to be disappointed not to have been the first pick and moved on. She might note that somewhere else in the same room, Anise attempted to talk a Riolu into joining her. This resulted in Lucario appearing from somewhere and challenging her, probably partly because he saw Pangoro brawling earlier and got excited. Anise accepted the challenge, and is now being completely overwhelmed by Lucario who isn’t holding back in the slightest with pinning her, the prospective Riolu watching on curiously as Anise is desperately trashing to get back at the superior combatant. What’s Claire’s next cause of action?