[@Typical][@Goggy] Kapoc looked at the two tardy young women with a tired gaze before he heaved a sigh. [color=ed1c24]"Alright, I'll just let it slide for now. Just don't be late again."[/color] The good professor placed the over-sized coffee mug on the table with a hefty 'clunk,' his gaze was focused over their shoulders. It was as if he was waiting for something to happen. [color=ed1c24]"Three, two, one..."[/color] And the sliding glass doors slid open right on cue and two women walked into the laboratory. A dark skinned woman with black braided hair and buzzed sides, wearing a red bomber jacket with a white tank top underneath and with black jeans and black boots. Her golden eyes curled up as she grinned at the two girls. The other woman had vibrant ginger hair and bright amber eyes. She had an air of professionalism and authority about her, someone that could get things done while also having a casual, yet friendly air if her attire was anything to go by. The dark skinned woman gave the professor a casual wave. [color=e0b143]"Sup Cedric. We came back down as quickly as we heard they arrived."[/color] [color=f7941d]"You practically flew out of the meeting. You really can't stand budget meetings can you?"[/color] The ginger said with a smirk and her arms crossed. [color=e0b143]"Ugh they're so boring! I don't even know how you're supposed to stay awake through it! Cost of licenses there, move resources over there! I just want to battle strong opponents!"[/color] She threw her hands up into the air in unapologetic frustration while the ginger just rolled her eyes. Professor Kapoc took a very audible slurp from his comically sized coffee mug as he just stared at the two women with very tired eyes. [color=ed1c24]"Claris, Vivian. The loud one over there is the founder of the Evig League and the current champion, Adriane Brand. The red head giving her bedroom eyes is Evelyn Beck, the director of the Evig Pokemon Leaguue. One of your coworkers is also named Evelyn so please refer to her as Director Beck."[/color] [hider=Director Beck] [img]https://i.pinimg.com/736x/d0/58/e9/d058e947b6b5588310c24d755e827bb8.jpg[/img] [/hider] [hider= Adriane Brand] [img]https://i.pinimg.com/736x/55/17/ae/5517aedc85ea75279527100444a3c104.jpg[/img] [/hider] [color=e0b143]"I'm not loud!"[/color] [color=f7941d]"And I'm not giving her bedroom eyes! Quit saying weird things in front of impressionable trainers!"[/color] Professor Kapoc looked indifferent to their protests. While Vivian could have been completely unaware about how important these three were, Claris knew exactly who they were. They were key members in the rebellion in the Cipher Crisis though Adriane Brand was the leader of it. Claris would know due to her older brother's role as one her allies in the conflict. One would have had a very different idea of who these people were. Very, very different ideas. After all, they were very powerful trainers, but reality often proved to contradict preconceived notions. Adriane walked and slung her arms over both girls shoulders and pulled them in close. [color=e0b143]"Just ignore that grump! Aren't you two excited? It's your first step to become a trainer!"[/color] She said with a wide grin. [color=ed1c24]"Ignore me and you won't get your Pokemon."[/color] [color=f7941d]"Really, ignore him. He isn't as scary as he wants you to think he is."[/color] Director Beck gave the professor a knowing look to which he scoffed at. [color=f7941d]"Also, Adriane you really should practice your personal space."[/color] The champion removed herself from the two trainers to be. [color=e0b143]"Sorry, sorry![/color] She clapped her hands together loudly. [color=e0b143]Anyway, how about we get this ball rolling huh?"[/color] Professor Kapoc quietly looked at the group before he shrugged. [color=ed1c24]"Follow me."[/color] They were led through the lab with the champion and director in tow to another set of glass doors that opened out to a wide open space that could only be described as the world's largest terrarium. There were various environments as if to accommodate as many Pokemon as possible. There were screens that captured all of the other zones, some being icy wastelands, some deserts, some tropical forests, and so on. Everyone was in a zone that looked like a pine forest. This explained why the building was so damn big. There was a metal table with Pokeballs neatly lined up with name tags in front of them. He motioned towards the table. [color=ed1c24]"Well, go meet your partners."[/color] How does their first interaction with their Pokemon go? [hr] [@CitrusArms] [b]"You know what, done. Payment is after you complete the job. Here are the keys, they'll get you access to wherever you need to go."[/b] [center][i][color=6ecff6]Regan received Custodial Keys![/color][/i][/center] So, thus begins her side gig! To start off she went to the basement area of the apartment, a place divided up into closets where people could store their belongings though that was not important. What was important was the breaker box that was located there and it, well, it looked normal. Except that it looked slightly scorched as if something was drawing power from it and had electrical sparks flying everywhere. Then she decided to go up the roof for some reason to explore any possibility that there were clues up on the roof of the apartment. So, she most likely took the elevator because unless she felt like walking many flights of stairs just to prove a point and get her day's worth of cardio, the elevator was the most immediate option. When she got up there, well, it was certainly a rooftop. There were some Pidove and Pidgey standing there going about their own business. Whatever the receptionist was talking about earlier wasn't there. Kaebe like most Pokemon have superior senses than humans. So the Tyrunt took a whiff and the smell besides the smell of char was metal though it was very different from the one of the circuit breaker. The circuit breaker itself smelled burned, but the other metallic smell wasn't. So the little dinosaur could lead her back down when she was ready. [hr] [@Xaltwind] Deciding not to engage with whatever else was around Route 4 for the time being, Evelyn decided to continue to make her way through the route towards the forest. Occasionally cars and trucks would drive by on the road by the dirt path, but otherwise it was peaceful. The Pokemon lived their life in a way that was independent of that of humans while the fisherman just sat by the edge of the river waiting for something to bite at their hooks. Then there were the ruins that sat by the river and from the distance they were just mainly dilapidated stone buildings covered in moss being reclaimed by nature. Not like she would ever be caught dead going in a place like that. Totally not a thing for a fashionable girl such as herself. Now, there is a common rule in perspective: things get bigger when they get closer and things get smaller when you get further away. Crazy, but it was true. However, as Evelyn got closer to Starbor Forest she would not be wrong to think that her mind was playing tricks on her. The trees got bigger, but they kept getting bigger and bigger to sizes that were impossibly large. They were less trees and more like actual skyscrapers that cast shadows for who knows how far. She takes the foot path and enters the forest. [hider=Welcome to...] [center][img]https://i.pinimg.com/564x/6d/f2/4b/6df24b636529ae3c86c0a637c2dd1a8a.jpg[/img][/center] [center][h1][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlxMRSum3fo]Starbor Woods[/url][/h1][/center] Before you lay a forest of impossibly large trees. Even when you craned your neck to look all the way up, you would soon realize that you cannot see the end of them. Where the sky should be was a thick canopy of leaves with beams of light piercing through that would act as the light source for the woods and that is not even acknowledging the sheer width of these trees. While varying in width, on average they looked like they could be buildings. It would take a few minutes to walk around even the thinnest of the trees. The roots were massive as well, some protruding the ground in towering arcs with large patches of moss growing on them. You do see some trainers and others walk through, but you specifically were finding a lot of Bug-Catchers and Bug-Maniacs around and that is not without reason. There were small bug-type Pokemon crawling about the trees. On the ground were a variety of small grass-type Pokemon as well going about their own business as well. Not only that, but there were a number of people in harnesses climbing up the trees It would make anyone wonder what was up above in the trees. However, there was something unusual that had caught the attention of the bug enthusiasts. Trees were covered in deep, straight gash marks. They were very clean cuts, made by something quick and strong. They seemed quite ecstatic though wary at the same time of others. There was, surprisingly, a road going through the forest and another dirt path that offered a safe path through the woods though whether or not you follow it is entirely up to you. While it may be a bit dangerous to get off the beaten path, perhaps there are things that people miss? What could be seen right now were a couple of caterpillar-like creatures skittering around the ground and along the massive columns of trees. [center][img]https://www.serebii.net/scarletviolet/pokemon/new/664.png[/img][/center] [color=6ecff6][i][center]Pokedex Entry #664-Scatterbug, the Scatterdust Pokemon. When under attack from bird Pokémon, it spews a poisonous black powder that causes paralysis on contact. The powder that covers its body regulates its temperature, so it can live in any region or climate.[/center][/i][/color] [center][img]https://www.serebii.net/swordshield/pokemon/265.png[/img][/center] [color=6ecff6][i][center]Pokedex Entry #265-Wurple, the Worm Pokemon. Using the spikes on its rear end, Wurmple peels the bark off trees and feeds on the sap that oozes out. This Pokémon's feet are tipped with suction pads that allow it to cling to glass without slipping. Pearl. It spits a white silk thread that turns sticky when coming into contact with air. The silk is used to immobilize foes. [/center][/i][/color] Scurrying around the ground were these grumpy looking mushroom Pokemon, watching those passing by curiously. [center][img]https://www.serebii.net/scarletviolet/pokemon/new/285.png[/img][/center] [color=6ecff6][i][center]Pokedex Entry #285-Shroomish, the Mushroom Pokemon. Shroomish live in damp soil in the dark depths of forests. They are often found keeping still under fallen leaves. This Pokémon feeds on compost that is made up of fallen, rotted leaves. If Shroomish senses danger, it shakes its body and scatters spores from the top of its head. This Pokémon's spores are so toxic, they make trees and weeds wilt. [/center][/i][/color] Connected Areas: Route 4 Corrupted Marsh Starbor City [hider=Suggested Actions] 1. Find Pokémon. [i]Can be specified what kind of Pokémon is being searched for, and how you search.[/i] 2. Train Pokémon. [i]With this command, we can jump ahead in time and skip posting about grinding.[/i] 3. Seek trainers. [i]There should be some trainers among those walking back and forth in the area.[/i] 4. Talk. [i]There’s plenty of travelers around. Maybe seek answers to any burning questions you have.[/i] 5. Move along. [i]Move along normally, letting any events that may come happen naturally.[/i] 6. Hurry along. [i]Intentionally avoid confrontations and try to get safely to the next destination.[/i] 7. Specify. [i]If you specify what you want to do, the GM will take it into account and tell the result.[/i] 8. Trigger random event. [i]Force the GM to use his imagination to make a scenario for you.[/i] 9. Area Specific: Climb Trees. [i]Arborist Gear or Pokemon required.[/i] [/hider] [hider=Starbor Forest, Known Pokemon] Common: #265-Wurmple #285-Shroomish #664-Scatterbug Uncommon: Rare: [/hider] [/hider] [hr] [@Crusader Lord] Ever had déjà vu before? Like you've done something or been somewhere before even though you know that logically that this was your first time experiencing it? That was exactly the same feeling that Clarissa had as she roamed the expansive network of tunnels. Was it because of the red rocks that made up the structure of these caves reminded her of hometown, Pyrite Town, and by extension The Under even if all she knew were the stories about that den of ill repute? Or was it something else, something that she could not put her finger on? It was something to ponder on as she made her way through, her steps echoing against the cavern walls. The glow drifted along air and surfaces like mist, translucent in nature and yet still glowed with enough luminescence to make the cave visible despite being far underground. A curious thing though her main focus was to find the mysterious crying. Just how loud would something have to be to be heard from all the way from the cave up on the surface anyway? Clarissa correctly deduced that it was the best option to avoid as much trouble as she could. After all, she only had her newly caught ragtag team and her strongest Pokemon was poisoned and already damaged. However, that did not stop her from throwing her punchy bunny at the sentient rock that looks like a pencil sharpener. We know the drill by now. Power Up Punch or bust. In a panic, the Roggenrolla that was simply just vibing with existence used Harden to increase its defenses in order to brace for another attack, but at that point enough damage had been done for her to throw a Pokeball at it and it was absorbed into it. The ball landed on the ground and began to shake. It shook once... It shook twice...! It shook thrice! [hider=Result] [color=6ecff6][i][center]Clarissa caught a Roggenrola![/center][/i][/color] [center][img]https://www.serebii.net/swordshield/pokemon/524.png[/img][/center] [center] [b]Gender:[/b] ♂ [b]Type:[/b] Rock [b]Personality:[/b] (Up to player.) [b]Quirks/Talents/Aspirations/Other:[/b] (Up to player.) [b]Level:[/b] 5 [b]Moves:[/b] Tackle, Harden, Sand Attack [b]Ability:[/b] Sandforce [i]Boosts the power of Rock-, Ground-, and Steel-type moves in a sandstorm..[/i] [b]Held Item:[/b] [b]Health and Status:[/b] Currently at half hp. [/center] [color=6ecff6][i][center]New Pokémon caught! Clarissa earned 750P! [/center][/i][/color] [/hider] As she picked up the Pokeball, she sensed something. There was something big, something very, very big coming her way from one of the tunnels and she did not need her ESP to tell her that. Hide. [hr] [@Shazamrock] Meanwhile, Nils decided to go look around for what was giving him the feeling that was staring at him. Actually, his instincts were on point because as soon as he walked off toward the direction of where he got the heebie jeebies from, he heard a very audible, [color=#a1f542]"Shit!"[/color] followed the pounding of footsteps away from a corner. Well, the chase was on! Nils pursued after the thumping of boots that echoed in the unrealistically large sewers, snaking through the twists and turns of the labyrinth of waste. However, he then heard a very panicked [color=#a1f542]"Whoa!"[/color] followed by a very unfortunate sound of a splash and a groan of disgust. It gave the fledgling trainer time to catch up only to find a very scruffy man with a big black mustache and mutton chops, wearing a grease stained jacket and white shirt that was very much worn with a loosely tied orange tie. His pants and a flannel tied around his waist were unfortunately covered, in well, waste. [hider=Scruffy guy] [img]https://i.pinimg.com/736x/66/f3/e2/66f3e2dc2804831c1d3b6bce05aeb37f.jpg[/img] [/hider] The man looked up at Nils while he sat in a pool of refuse. [color=#a1f542]"Now I know what it looks like. An older dude skulking around the sewers who was spying on kids, but that part was totally by accident! I'm not a weirdo... I mean, I am, but not the bad kind!"[/color] He said as he slowly stood up as to not startle Nils, cautiously holding his hand up between them. [color=#a1f542]"Look, I'm not here for kids. Never for kids. I'm a private detective. I have cards with all of my contact information."[/color] His gloved hands shuffled around the interior of his jacket and he pulled out a business card. What does Nils do? [hr] [@Joshua Tamashii][@Crimson Flame] Actually, they would not have to look very far because the ghost type Pokemon was in this very Pokemart! They would walk around the aisles once again looking for the little specter, eventually ending up in an aisle that exclusively sold Poke Dolls of all kinds of Pokemon to act as bait while trainers ran away. But everything looked so normal! There was a Charmander one, a Squirtle one, a Clefairy one, a Pikachu one, a Bulbasaur one, a creepy looking Pikachu with shadowy claws in the process of ripping the head off a Pikachu Doll, an Eevee on... Wait a minute. The creepy looking Pikachu looked at both the medium and prince, its head dangled slightly. In fact, it looked more like a crude drawing of a Pikachu on an old rag with a wooden jagged club for a tail. "Mimu?" [s]He looks at me. I look at him![/s] The Rotom Phone hovered in front of them and read the following entry: [center][img]https://www.serebii.net/scarletviolet/pokemon/new/778.png[/img][/center] [color=6ecff6][i][center]Pokedex Entry #778-Mimikyu, the Disguise Pokemon. A lonely Pokémon, it conceals its terrifying appearance beneath an old rag so it can get closer to people and other Pokémon. Although it's a quiet, lonely Pokémon, if you try to look at what's under its rag, it will become agitated and resist violently.[/center][/i][/color] "Mimu mimu!" It hopped off the shelf in a panic and made a mad dash to run out of the store. "Hey! Someone catch that Pokemon!" The Pokemart cashier yelled out. [hr] [@Lunarlord34] [color=#a32c21]"Then show me what you got."[/color] Jean said with an assured grin. He watched with great interest as she brought out all of her Pokemon and had a brief pep talk though was her team okay? The Wingull was burned and the Wimpod was, well, a Wimpod that looked at its trainers as if she was a loony. Well, she was the one who challenged him, not the other way around. Still, he was pleasantly surprised at her tactics. A cloud of exhaustive fumes poured out of the candles' mouth towards the metal beast. Jean grinned and said, [color=#a32c21]"Oh ho? Can't damage Metagross with Smog, but you can certainly limit our field of vision. Nice instincts!"[/color] He grew even more curious to see what kind of plan Steph had in store for him. Jean and his Metagross just stood there as Steph barked orders as her plan took shape. An attack through the smog and supporting fire to lock the Metagross in there. [color=#a32c21]"Oh nice plan, nice plan. You're going to have to do better than that though. Metagross, Hammer Arm on the ground."[/color] The Metagross slammed its metal arm against the ground. It sounded like a bomb went off, debris flew everywhere. The force of the attack pushed Glory back as well as dissipating the smog that had rolled in. Meanwhile the debris of the attack shielded the Metagross from the series of embers that Dusk shot towards it. The Metagross then grabbed a large chunk of the debris with its claws and spun back, using the chunk of cement as a shield from the stream of water shot by Steve the Wingull. That was attempt one. [hr] [@Zarkun] Slayer was surrounded and raised by kind humans and came to this world with the help of a breeder named Ruey. Up until now, he would have no experience with humans that only take or even know that many Pokemon that were impacted during the Cipher Crisis.. However, the Riolu seemed quite bothered by Slayer's words as if it already knew what the Ralts said about Jason to be true. Perhaps it was conflicted with the beliefs that it held and its own ability currently conflicting with said beliefs? The Riolu stood back and glared at Jason, pointing its paw at him. [color=0072bc]"Lou rio lou!"[/color] Jason certainly did not need to understand Pokemon to get the general gist of what it said. He would understand its intentions just by that challenging defiance in its eyes. Jason was being challenged to a battle! At this moment, he understood that this was a test. How does he respond? [hr] [@GremlinAgain][@baraquiel] Basil quickly glanced between Archie and Audrey with a look of realization. [color=5549bf]"Huh, now it suddenly makes sense how two rookies kept a cool head during battle. Kapoc does have an eye for talent."[/color] He muttered to himself. A sheepish smile formed on his lips unbefitting for someone with a tough guy, edgy appearance. [color=5549bf]"You could say that I'm acquainted with the professor through the champion. While we haven't met, maybe you've seen me on TV before? I did get a lot of interviews last time I was here."[/color] Now that he mentioned Adriane Brand and being on television, something would have clicked for them. Earlier in the lab slipped in during Adriane's vomit vomit of an explanation as to why she was late, she mentioned that someone named Basil had just arrived in Evig today. And then there was the matter of him being on television. Now, they both had seen him on television. Audrey once saw him on television back in Kalos playing his heart out live at a concert while Archie once watched this same man in an exhibition match dominate his opponent in a Pokemon Battle. However, they both saw the news headlines that intersected both the world of musicians and trainers: [i]Evig League's Confirmed New Elite Four Member...[/i] [color=5549bf]"Let me introduce myself properly. My name is Basil Rivens, a member of Evig's newly formed Elite Four. A pleasure to meet you two."[/color] He said with a nervous smile. This man was one of the few in the region that was a step below Adriane Brand and as Archie would know given that he was basically her number one fan that she personally sought each Elite Four member herself. [color=ed1c24]"Dar!"[/color] The Darmanitan said with feigned offence. Basil chuckled at his partner Pokemon. [color=5549bf]"And this is Cecil, my first and most trusted partner."[/color]