@Remram

The opponent trainer watched blankly as Glory used Detect. The move that embodied the way a martial artist could predict any attack from the opponent when they focused, and enabled them to avoid any blow, once. The Espurr fired, a phenomenally powerful beam of pure Psychic power that Glory would have been too low-level to avoid… yet the Hawlucha moved at his own blinding speed, unerroneously bypassing the beam with a swift sidestep, allowing him to dash parallel with the beam… to run straight past the Espurr, directly for its trainer. The beam struck the ground next to Basil, where it severely tore up the ground.

The opponent had also heard Basil’s command. Showing no surprise, he picked up Espurr’s Pokéball and curled an arm around it to protect it… yet Aerial Ace never misses.

Glory leapt up next to the trainer, and slashed with his talons; somehow completely avoiding the trainer’s attempt limbs yet landing a perfect hit on the Pokéball. Unable to be held back by human strength, the ball was launched back behind the trainer and into the wall of the building behind him, several meters back.

Espurr spun around, eyes widening at the confusion that was Glory’s attack not being aimed for it. It wasn’t the only one confused, the villagers that stopped to watch the battle were also very confused. That wasn’t how a Pokémon battle was supposed to be fought!

Then Basil shouted to the Espurr…

The bipedal cat spun back to look at Basil, its tiny little mouth hanging a bit open. It wasn’t expecting to be addressed like this, and it looked like it was taking its time to process what it had been told…

‘Espurr.’

The one word from the opposing trainer and the Espurr flinched, in a manner one might associate a child being caught behaving badly.

‘Use Psybeam on the Hawlucha.’

‘Es… purr…’ Espurr replied, turning around away from Basil, and lifted its shaking paw again, charging another beam intended for Glory’s back. Even without the Pokéball, it seemed the trainer’s words had power in the Espurr’s mind… albeit. Basil’s own words had clearly done something, as the Espurr hesitated, giving Basil and Glory time for another move.

What are Basil's next words, or his next action?



________________________

@Pirouette

‘Lance, Aerial Ace the bag the man is carrying! Sven, Icy Wind! Freeze the path they’re running!’ Ewan commanded his Pokémon, intending just like Erika not to allow the robbers to get away with anything. However, in that moment, with a slight electrical bolt from Thunder Wave making a little zap, the Fearow was forced to land. Lance was fully paralyzed!

Meanwhile, Sven the Swinub was debating how to throw that Icy Wind, because he couldn’t see a way to cast that without striking the robbers themselves with it… and the Swinub got dizzy from Golbat’s earlier Confuse Ray and rolled over on his back. Ewan grunted. Neither of his Pokémon would be doing anything this turn!

Erika, through, sent her Combusken, Chic, forth as a ball of flame. As the Quilladin was in the midst of the group of robbers, this meant they had to part ways to not be in the way of Chic as she charged, but way before she reached her target…

‘Vine Whip Jump!’ came the command of the big guy who previously hadn’t said a word.

With no hesitation, the Quilladin launched two vines upwards, both attaching themselves to lamp-posts, and then pulled with enough force to pull the Quilladin into the air, pulling it over Chic and launching the grass-type flying into the air like a projectile, over both Chic and Erika!

‘Keep running, you know where to go…’ the big guy kept saying… when a pink flash suddenly flew right past him, making him flinch as the bag in his hand was suddenly taken from him. Standing by the side of the road was now Joshua’s Espeon, protecting the bag of goods, having used Quick Attack to snatch that bag from him.

‘Alas, I must support Lady Erika!’ Joshua said, having apparently whispered his command to Espeon beforehand. The robbers were somewhat off-balance…

‘Leave it! Scatter!’ their leader commanded, and they suddenly parted ways. The various buildings had alleys that could be ran into, leading to many different paths. While they had intended to simply dash past Erika, Chic made that a slightly more perilous quest. With that, the leader and her Golbat dashed for one alley to Erika’s left, the woman who previously had the Magnemite went for another further away, closer to Ewan who still had problem with paralyzed/confused Poémon. The one who had the Koffing dashed for a building across the street while quickly grabbing another Pokéball among those he had available. The big guy whose Quilladin was going to flee past Erika by itself also dashed after the leader, but if they got there they’d take different directions inside the alleys. The woman that had the Chimecho pranced while humming for a different alley on Erika’s right, her Chimecho pursuing joyfully.

Would Erika pursue any of them? Of all of them, Quilladin was now the only one that still had stolen goods, while the humans were heading in various other directions. Quilladin had launched itself over Chic and Erika, and was going to continue running on the other side after landing in the middle of the road and then trying to take off.

❄Erika Olson❄

---

---

"Woah!"
"Combusk?"

Erika and Chic both awed at the clever usage of vine whip to swing up above their heads. Both watched as the Grass type swung over their heads and landed with ease. She'd have to remember that one, not specifically the vine whip move, but the creativity of it. She was so geared towards battling that usage of moves outside of it had always stumped her a little. Her thought drifted briefly of the Trick Room enthusiast which Chic was certainly a reminder of.

Taking a step forward, Erika had intended on pursuit but froze the moment she saw Joshua's Espeon step up to take back what was stolen. "Nice one, Joshua!" She called out but her attention turned back to the tricky Quilladin. They weren't going to get away, not while Ewan was so adamant about stopping the bad guys! It was just kind of like a movie, Erika thought. She never watched many though. It might have done her some good because this was typically the scene where things go awry for the wannabe hero.

"Chic! Come on!" Erika said, racing off after them. "Busken!" Chic hollered and rushed along Erika's side as the pair raced into the alleyway. She was in such a hurry that she didn't look back over her shoulder to see if Ewan and Joshua were following and instead caught the direction the Qualladin was headed towards.

"That way!" Erika pointed and chased after the thieving pair. Now Erika was definitely unsure if Joshua and Ewan managed to catch the same direction in this maze as she raced to catch up. Chic was keeping stride easily with her. "You better stop and turn that stuff over!" She called out, taking another sudden turn down another alleyway still keeping up with the Quilladin and the trainer.

"Chic, give that Quilladin an Ember." Erika said, turning to leap back and press against the wall. "Combusk!" Chic sounded ruffling her feathers to cause a flare up of little ignations around her before she blew it forward in a small ember blaze aimed right at Quilladin's back!

Erika raced after the projectile with Chic following her ready to try and grab or follow up somehow!

This is gross, He thought to himself.

Basil did not look at the rainbow energy coalescing at the Espurr's hand, but directly in its eyes. There was not any fight in the cat's eyes, just fear that reflected back a very familiar situation.

"You feel trapped right? I know that feeling all too well,"said Basil, never breaking his gaze at the little cat's eyes. There was no desire to fight in his eyes either, not anymore. "No matter what you do or what you think, there is always that feeling that there is someone's grip around your neck. It's suffocating and you think that you can never get away from it, but I'm here to tell you that's not the truth. Believe me, it's scary, but you are not alone. Even when you are at your lowest, there are still good people everywhere that will reach out to you with an open hand, you just have to take it."

He could feel a lump form in his throat as his hands balled up into a tight fist, a tension coiled up his stomach like a wound up spring. That tension released and he shouted desperately, "So fight back and show that bastard that you aren't a weapon! You're alive and right here, right now you get to make the choice, not him! Your tether to him is as flimsy as the Pokeball knocked out of his hand! So fight back and know you are not alone in this because there is another little psychic-type just like you, fighting for her freedom! This is your chance!"

Glory looked back up at his trainer with a look that he was starting to get a better idea what was going on inside of his dyed white head, who he actually was. It turned to look back at the Espurr with a curious gaze. "Hawlucha. Lucha lucha? Haw, haw lucha. Hawlucha lucha. Haw?" It translated as something along the lines of, "I don't understand as much as my trainer, but it's plain to me that you don't want to fight. Why fight for your trainer if he didn't earn your respect? Basil beat me honorably and I followed him of my own accord. I haven't known him for long, but I know he wears his heart on his sleeve and right now he's fighting for you too. Maybe you're pointing that attack at the wrong person?"

---

^{Frozen Cave || Night}
Kaz’s answer was half-decided and full of momentum, which was what Eryn was learning to expect from him.

“Sounds like a plan,” she said. “Hope you find some good matches out there.”

When he admitted he didn’t have a Pokedex, her eyebrows rose. “You’re kidding,” she half-laughed. “Out here without even a Pokedex? That’s kind of impressive.” Or reckless. Maybe both.

She pulled hers from a pocket and offered her number. “Let me know how that Glaceon challenge pans out—and if you ever get an actual Pokedex.”

Her mood dulled when Kaz brought up Eri. The “Bagon” hadn’t moved since Kaz started talking again, and her first instinct was to shift slightly in front of him. Nothing dramatic, but just enough to keep him from being looked at too long.

“He’s fine,” she said. “Long day.”

Kaz didn’t seem to notice. He rallied his team, made a few declarations, and marched off into the dark like the cold wasn’t even there. Eryn watched him go, gaze lingering on the group—especially the Golduck that paused. Its forehead lit for a moment. She narrowed her eyes, not accusatory, just clocking it. Filed away. Then it turned and followed the others.

She exhaled and straightened. “Dei, take a rest for now,” she said, recalling the Charmander in a blink of red light. The tail’s motion lingered in her peripheral vision a second before it vanished.

Eryn leaned down and lifted Eri into her arms. Even in his Bagon form, he was lighter than he looked—Zorua bones, not dragon ones.

Peri shifted behind them, turning to face the slope. The Onix hadn’t made a sound this whole time, but when Eryn looked up, she dipped her head low, waiting.

Eryn climbed up with Eri in her arms and settled just behind the rise of Peri’s broad neck. “Let’s head back.”

---

The ride back was quiet but steady. Peri’s coils found their rhythm, and the cold pressed in softer when there wasn’t a battle burning in the air. The miners’ lights came up like dim stars in the ice, then the little dome shelters tucked off the tunnel—familiar enough to exhale for. Eryn returned the borrowed gear with a nod and a thanks, then ducked into the same igloo as last night and unrolled her sleeping pad, corners still curled from the last hurried pack. The Wailord husk above the camp creaked now and then; the whole place breathed cold.

Eri hadn’t said a word on the way back. She didn’t push. She set him beside the roll and sat opposite, arms looped over her knees, giving him the quiet.

“I saw how you looked at them. Kaz’s Pokémon. Him.”

Silence stretched. Eri didn’t look up. His claws tightened against the stone.

Eryn let the stillness breathe.

Then—almost soundless—a nod.

Her chest tugged. “Did you know them?”

Another small nod.

“The Heracross? Gourgeist?”

A firmer one.

“Kaz?”

A pause. Barely a dip. Admitting it made it real.

Her voice softened. “He your trainer?”

Hesitation. Then, finally, a shake.

She waited again. “Your brother?”

The slowest nod yet.

She sat with it, letting the weight settle like snow.

When she spoke, it was simple. “That’s a lot.” A breath. “I don’t know how long you’ve been looking, or what you planned to say when you found him.” Her gaze eased. “But I’m glad you told me.”

His shoulders uncoiled a fraction.

Eryn’s mouth tipped up. “It’s okay if you’re still figuring it out. I am too.” A light nudge of her elbow. “And I meant it—if you want to be a trainer, I’ll teach you. I’ll make more of an effort. Starting now.”

That earned her a glance—almost a smile.

They let the quiet come back, warmer this time. Outside, Peri shifted, stone over stone.

After a while, Eryn pulled her Pokédex and made the call home. Her parents picked up together, little sister immediately trying to shout through the speaker.

“Hey! I’m fine. Cold, but fine,” she said, laughing when her sister insisted on seeing Dei’s tail. “We trained in the Frozen Cave. Almost got flattened by a Glalie—‘almost,’ Mom, I said almost.” A beat. “I’m battling tomorrow morning.” She left out the piece that wasn’t hers to tell.

When the goodnights were done, she flicked to Phoebe and typed:

Befriended a Bagon, almost froze to death, and battling a jerk rival again tomorrow—wish me luck

Phoebe’s reply came back as a trail of half-asleep emojis, a thumbs-up, and a blurry pic of a Foongus passed out on a pile of books. Classic.

Eryn set the device aside and leaned back on her hands. “Tomorrow we fight,” she murmured, more to herself than anyone.

Dei’s ball twitched once on her belt like a snore. Eri curled in, finally letting his eyes close.

The igloo settled to a hush.

---

Morning came sharp and blue. Eryn rolled the pad tight, cinched her pack, and stepped out into air that bit the tip of her nose. Peri dipped low to offer an easy climb, and Eri took on a Charmander shape before scooting a little closer to the Onix's side.

Eryn's Pokédex pinged with the meet-up details. She’d told Oaken to text her the spot—bright and early—and he had. She smiled, small and ready, and tapped the map.

“Alright,” she said, settling in behind Peri’s broad rise. “Let’s go make it count.”

---

^{@PlatinumSkink}

@Pirouette

‘Alright, we’ll be right behind you!’ Joshua said behind her as Erika dashed into the alley and pursued their opponents. She might have barely then heard Ewan’s ‘Wait, who’s that…?’

The Noctowl flew away at some point, perhaps unnoticed in the chaos that was unfolding.

Erika pursued the big guy and his Quilladin, that rejoined shortly into the alleys. He had been running in the same direction as their leader, but into the alleys they split, and Erika followed the ones with the goods. In these allies, sparse few other people hung out, and a few Meowths and Rattata avoided them as they ran. Multiple turns were taken, to the point one could question why these alleys existed…

Combusken shot an Ember at Quilladin! It hit the grass-type square in the back, and the grass-type cried out in shock and damage! It briefly slowed down, and the big guy it was running with slowed down too in order to pick him up! It looked like Erika and Chic was about to catch up, when…

The sound of wings.

‘Wing Attack!’

Golbat suddenly swooped in front of them. As long as they didn’t keep running, they’d avoid being hit by the initial blow, but now a giant bat would be blocking the way in the alley. It was the same Golbat as they’d seen before, and the voice had come from behind them.

‘Keep running!’ the leader shouted where she stood behind Erika, having clearly decided to catch up after she noticed her ally had been the one to be pursued. Erika and Chic now had Golbat in front of them, and the leader herself stood behind them. She had a black hood and a facemask, as well as a piece of cloth over her eyes, but likely one of those one can see through. ‘If it’s just you, I can deal with you…’

What does Erika and Chic do? If they don’t deal with Golbat, it’s going to harass them, but battling it would mean the Quilladin and its trainer would likely get away…



________________________

@Remram

‘Espurr…’ Espurr made a noise as Basil kept talking to it. Talked for longer than it should have taken Espurr to fire the Psybeam, as it just stayed charging, bending space around the feline’s paw, as he spoke. As Basil spoke, it seemed like Espurr was listening. Breathing a bit heavily, paw still aimed for Glory. It’s gaze wandered to the ground as he spoke about their grip on the Pokémon, and that good people existed…

Then flinched as Basil spoke about fighting back, a flash of franticness entered Espurr’s expression. It looked shocked at the proclamation that it could, in fact, fight back. In unsurity, it looked at the Hawlucha it was aiming the Psybeam at…

‘Don’t lose focus,’ their opponent spoke, and Espurr flinched again. ‘Fire.’

… Yet, Espurr did not, as Glory now spoke to it. Espurr looked at him in surprise, clearly not expecting this, either. ‘Es… purr…?’ Fighting for… me…? the Espurr asked, at that statement. And then, at Glory’s next question.

"Maybe you're pointing that attack at the wrong person?"

Espurr blinked at Glory. A little shocked to hear it. Then… it directed and pointed the unreleased beam in the direction of the orange-haired trainer. The onlookers gasped.

‘Espurr,’ he said again, with more urgency, his knees bending slightly and hunched over…

‘-Spurr!’ Espurr fired! A purple, extraordinary beam fired with such force it ruffled blades of grass and the clothes of the onlookers, the wind itself turned as the sheer force of the beam cruised through the air, and the opponent leapt out of the way. But, he was never the target. The beam flew low to the ground and hit the Pokéball that had been sent flying behind the trainer, and before their eyes, it was reduced to dust by the massive Psychic power of the beam emerging from the tiny paw of the Restraint Pokémon. As the beam ended… Espurr sighed out in relief…

and the orange-haired trainer was booking it. Just dropping everything and dashing as fast as he could, forcing a couple disgruntled Stillwood villagers aside as he ran.

‘What was that?’
‘Looked dangerous!’
‘Are you okay?’

The Stillwood spectators were clearly quite confused about what just happened, but for now, the scene was Basil and Glory’s. Espurr stood silently, exactly where it began.

What does Basil do?



________________________

@Typical

‘Nope! Nothing of the sort!’ Kaz replied enthusiastically about not having a phone or Pokédex. He did have an issue that he didn’t exactly have a way to write down the number, either, but that could be solved if Eryn had something she gave with it… or he turned to Golduck, asked ‘You remember it?’ and the Golduck nodded slightly, ‘Great!’ Kaz called, looking pleased. Then he assured he’d keep her posted about the Glaceon, and he went off.

With that, Eryn headed back, and nothing in the Frozen Cave wanted to bother an Onix making her way through. The miners of the encampment welcomed her back, some asking how it went for her in the Frozen Cave proper, and then she could take her place to sleep for the night, and have her important conversation with Eri and then contact people. Then, that was enough for the day.

The next day, she set off for Route 5.



Trailing along the route on Peri, she would not run into any particular dangers, but perhaps some travellers would be a bit amazed at seeing a trainer actually ride an Onix. It wasn’t that common a sight, and the giant Pokémon was an impressive sight. But, for now, she was heading towards the coordinates she’d been given…

Oaken sat on a foldable chair, leaned forward holding his Pokédex in front of him in one hand and a notebook in the other, staring down reading through his glasses. At his side stood a large horse, its mane flaming, a large horn sticking out of its forehead. On the back of the horse was a saddle, reins attached to a bridle, it outfitted to be ridden.



She might know about the service where one can hire Rapidashes to ride on Route 6, depending on how well informed she is.



‘Hmph. You came,’ he said, as if it hadn’t been a given that she would. He put his Pokédex and notebook aside, standing up to face her. ‘It would seem we have a mission we will need to deal with together,’ he said, referring to what she’d been told down by the legendary Pokémon previously, that Oaken still intended to join in on. ‘We’re going to need to be strong, so it makes sense that we should measure each other’s strength. Albeit…’

He scoffed a little, as he grabbed a Pokéball from within his jacket. ‘I doubt you’ll be able to match my team as you are now.’ So he said, no shortage of confidence in his words.

‘So. Trainer chosen by Azelf… Eryn,’ he said, as he lifted the Pokéball towards her. ‘I assume you’re prepared?’

"...Glory, what did you say?" Was all Basil said as he watched Espurr point the charging beam of psychic energy literally distorting the space at the orange haired boy. Before he could say anything, he watched as it shot a destructive blast that would have vaporized his opponent though it was clear that its trainer was not its target, it was its Pokeball. The young noble watched as the Pokeball, its tether to its trainer, was reduced to atoms.

Basil watched as his opponent high-tailed out of the situation and as much Basil would have liked to give chase, there were more important things. He and Glory walked over to the tired Espurr, and Basil knelt down to be closer to its eye level. A warm, reassuring smile stretched across his face. "You're going to be okay. No one is going to hurt you ever again. I am going to make sure you are taken care of." His gaze then fell upon the crowd of confused onlookers. This could get bad very quickly; he needed to get a handle on the situation.

"Just hold on a second," muttered Basil. He stood straight up and looked at the crowd.

He cleared his throat and his gaze looked at the crowd nervously. "Uh, excuse me! He could feel their eyes on him, looking at him like he was some sort of reckless hoodlum. After all, he really did just put some people in the cross fire of Espurr's attack even if he didn't intend for that to happen. The young noble swallowed hard and lifted his Pokedex over his head to show the crowd to help identify himself.

"My apologies for what happened. My name is Basil Rivens and I am one of Professor Kalmia's assistants. While I cannot explain the details, what you witnessed was my confrontation with a criminal that is part of an organized criminal syndicate. Uh, actually, you all are witnesses so if you all don't mind could you all stay here for a bit? I am going to call some people with more authority to get some more hands on the situation."

Basil lowered his arm and scrolled through his Pokedex's contact list before he found Kalmia's. With a click of his finger he called the professor. Eventually when she did pop up, words just poured out Basil's mouth due to the excess adrenaline running through his body. "I, uh, hello Professor Kalmia. I'm sorry for the sudden call, but I need your help. Could you come to Stillwood Village as soon as possible? And could you bring Jacques? It'll be easier to explain in person than over the phone, but I think this has to do with Team Amethyst or possibly a new group. I, uh, things are a bit messy to be honest."

@Remram

‘… Spurr…’ Espurr sighed out, just so exhausted, that it just sat down where it was, relaxing where it was after Basil’s encouragement. When Basil turned to address the crowd…

‘What? Who’s Kalma?’
‘Is this guy some form of big-shot?’
‘Ooh, we’re witnesses!? This was some kind of big event!?’

There was a sudden reminder that the people of Stillwood Village are some of the people least concerned about what’s going on outside their village in the entirety of Isson. Regardless, as being the people with the absolute least going on in their lives as well, they were also the ones with the most time to stick around. Some of them ran off, though.

So, he called Kalmia. She was out on a walk with various Pokémon on the PC.

'Oh, hey, Basil! How’s it going?' she asked, before he started outlining what was going on, vaguely. 'Are you alright, Basil? What happened?' Well, apparently he wanted to tell that on the spot, so… 'Okay. I’ll call him. I’ll be right there.'

If he waited on that spot…

Suddenly a massive something fell from above. As far as Basil could tell, it fell down from the very top of the trees that cloud the skies of Stillwood Village. Looking up at what landed, it turned out that what came falling down was a giant Pokémon.



It was far, far bigger than what a Pokémon of that species should be.

On top of the Pokémon, a small boy walked up.

'Heeey~!' the boy called. 'I got a call from someone saying not to let anything happen to the boy in the market, so here I am~!'

And in case Basil wondered who that was…

‘Archie! The Gym Leader is here!’
‘Lilligiant is as impressive as ever…’
‘Huh, I guess this is the real deal, after all.’

The people around were more than happy to say.



The giant plant falling from the sky was enough to make someone else run into the scene and stop short, wondering what the heck was going on. The red-head frowned, looking over the scene, before looking over at Basil.

'… What have you been up to?' Anise asked, clearly feeling left out.



‘Excuse me? I was told there was a crime scene?’ … One of the villagers had called over the police girl from the police station that Basil visited, who had come over with her Granbull behind her, however…

'Nooope~! There’s someone else coming to deal with this! Until then, leave this scene to me~' said the young boy Gym Leader to the actual police officer.

‘Uh… I see,’ the officer said, looking not entirely convinced by that and is just going to stick around for a bit just in case.

Espurr was just content where it was right now.



Eventually, after a while of waiting… a giant prehistoric dinosaur suddenly swooped in above them, breaching through the treeline, descending down. On its back, as elegant as always, stood a man in a suit and a tophat, seemingly completely stable despite having just been on the back of a giant flying monster.




‘Basil, hm? To be summoned here without being told why, I must say. I am eager to hear what brought you to summon an Elite Four to your location, fu-fu,’ Jacques said, effortlessly stepping off the flying dinosaur onto the ground.

'Heeey~! It’s top-hat-guy!' Archie waved from on top of the Lilligant.

‘Archie, thank you for looking after Basil until I could get here,’ Jacques said, bowing to Archie.

'It’s the least I could do~' Archie replied, smiling so widely.

Not entirely as graciously, the familiar form of Professor Kalmia carefully slipped off the Aerodactyl, having arrived at the same time but clearly not as gracefully.



'Of all the ways to travel fast…' she sighed. However, she refocused on the task at hand. 'Basil! I called Jacques, and he then gave me a ride here,' she explained. 'What’s the situation?'

There was also a third passenger that had travelled on the (pretty large) Aerodactyl. Stepping off on the opposite side of the dinosaur compared to Kalmia and Jacques, was a girl with pink hair, wearing a dark dress, and had a Seviper following her every move. She watched warily at the other two directing their questions at Basil…



Anise is just going to take a moment to process this. Could be Basil told her something before the rest arrived.

What does Basil say/do?

The people in this town really had no sense of urgency, did they? Basil hung up after finishing his call with Kalmia and sighed, returning Glory to his Pokeball for a well-deserved rest. This was definitely not on his bingo card of thing he expected to happen, but there he was. All he could do now was wait. However, a look of realization spread along his face as he looked around for Stella.

"Stella? Hey, you can come out now! Where are you?" He called out, turning around frantically as he tried to catch any sight of the little psychic-type.

As Basil called out her name, Stella stepped out from behind one of the village buildings. She skipped over to Basil; her eyes fixated on him. There was a slight twinkle of amazement in them.

The young noble heaved a heavy sigh of relief and knelt down next to his little admirer. "Jeez, don't run off on me like that ever again, okay? I was so worried about you." He chastised firmly though it turned into a smile as he gently patted her head. "I told you, right? I won't let anything happen to you."

He heard rustling of leaves from above followed by a shadow looming over him and it was growing bigger. Looking up Basil saw something big hurtling towards the ground and with a shout of surprise he scooped Stella and jumped back as some big flower creature crashed into the ground. A look of shock and awe was etched on his face. Did this thing eat an Abundance Berry or something? "What the hell is that?" He muttered to himself as he pulled out his Pokedex. Yeah, it looked like the Pokemon in the picture except it easily towered over normal specimens.

Then a voice called out from above the creature, presumably its owner, a little boy with teal hair with an aura of woodsy fairy tale whimsy. Before he could even ask who the child was the village spectators conveniently mentioned that he was the gym leader.

The gym leader? Who called him? Why is he protecting me? Basil thought to himself though his train of thought was interrupted by the sight of his travelling companion rushing to the scene. She certainly did not look very happy with being left out of the loop.

"Uh, hi Anise." Basil smiled awkwardly at her knowing that he had a lot of explaining to do. "Remember that over-leveled Pokemon I caught? This is her," he said while holding Stella a little higher. His smile curled to a frown as he set Stella back down. Anger still simmered behind his yellow eyes. "It turns out that she was running away because she was being used as a lab rat and I found one of the people responsible. Things happened and I requested Professor Kalmia and the Elite Four member Jacques to meet us here and now the gym leader is here. I'll- I'll explain when they get here."

From the corner of his eye Basil noticed that the policewoman he encountered earlier. Well, it was fair that someone would have called her since he declared that the those who watched the battle were eyewitnesses to a crime. His eyes were torn away when his Pokedex alerted him with a beep, and he curiously checked it though he was even more confused than before. Level 57? But it was much higher a moment ago? Is the Pokedex bugging out?

After a long time of waiting, a very familiar dinosaur descended into the village with a very flashy gentleman standing perfectly straight as if to defy gravity. "My apologies for dragging you all the way out here on such short notice." And there was the professor who was less than graceful in her attempt to get off the Aerodactyl though she eventually managed it. "Professor, thank you for coming. I, uh, -" He stopped when he realized that there was a third person getting off the fossil Pokemon, a woman with a Seviper.

However, he focused back onto the topic at hand. He took a deep breath and said, "I uncovered an unknown organization artificially strengthening Pokemon via experimentation." "Sorry, uh, let me start from the top. This is Stella, I caught her in Lakewatch Town, or to be more accurate, she decided to join me." He motioned his hand down towards the little doll eyed psychic-type standing by his side. Little did I know that she was level 74 and that it decided to join me so it could use me as her getaway. A group of people were looking for her and I decided to book it to here while they were still unaware of what happened because, well, I thought it was a dangerous situation."

Basil then raised his hand slightly towards his redheaded companion. "I met up with Anise here as originally planned and, on her suggestion, I went to the police and clumsily gathered clues. Yeah, er, sorry about that by the way ma'am." He gave the officer a sheepish, apologetic smile before he continued. "What I found out was that Stella was the daughter of a famous Gothitelle back home in Worldedge and then I asked her some questions. I had her draw out her responses." Basil slid his backpack down his shoulders and pulled out his sketchbook to show Kalmia, Jacques, and whoever else was participating in the conversation the drawings that Stella provided during their information game. "While the drawings are crude, they do detail an account of being experimented upon to which I was able to confirm very quickly unfortunately."

He slid his sketchbook back into his bag as he continued to recount his long tale. "After asking around for recommendations for places to train, by chance I asked a man who wanted payment for information after the fact. When I asked what he wanted, he decided that his reward would to be my help to find Stella unaware that I was her trainer. Stupidly I confronted him, and he didn't try to deny the accusations of experiments performed on her; he threatened me instead to hand her over or else I wouldn't like the outcome. I didn't and he challenged me to a battle and well, also stupidly I accepted."

Basil gestured to the very tired Espurr sitting on the ground while they spoke. "That Espurr was his Pokemon and it was even stronger than Stella. I realized that it was enhanced just like her and a battle turned into a rescue mission. I was able to wrest its Pokeball away from him thanks to my Hawlucha and we were able to convince it to fight back against its trainer. Well, uh, it atomized its Pokeball and he ran away. His eyes fell upon the spot where the Pokeball ceased to be. "I decided not to give chase because I don't know my way around the village, and my priority was to make sure that Espurr was okay."

There was still that feeling simmering in him, that anger that drove him into this situation. Knowing that there were people that still treated Pokemon like this after everything that had happened in Isson sickened him. "I can't tell you who the group is or their motives, but there are only a few things that I know for certain. It's a really weird coincidence that the two enhanced Pokemon I stumbled upon are first stage psychic-types and it's even weirder that there is a group with the resources to do this covertly until now. They're probably getting help, which means they have powerful allies and traitors to Isson."

For some reason Basil started to feel a bit self-conscious. He was talking so much, sharing his own overblown opinions, and there were so many eyes focused on him. "So, uh, that's why I called you all. I figured it's better than keeping it to myself and have people that could do something behind the scenes. Um, the crowd, or whoever is still here, can corroborate what transpired during the battle and give a description of the criminal, which I will be happy to provide as well."

Basil cleared his throat as if to try and clear away whatever anxiety he was feeling right now. "Also, I was hoping that one of you could take care of Espurr. I think it would do it some good to live quietly and rehabilitate. Actually..." Basil pulled out his Pokedex and held it out "Professor Kalmia could you check this out? My Pokedex alerted me to something strange; Espurr's level dropped from 82 to 57 since the battle. I didn't even know that was possible. Is it bugged?"

❄Erika Olson❄

---

---

‘Wing Attack!’

Erika reached out a hand to grab Chic by the arm and pull her back, avoiding the swoop of the opposing Golbat as it dove just before them. She clicked her tongue as she watched the Quilladin put some distance on them. The chase was one thing but to then be harried by a Golbat would make it almost impossible.

"Really?" Erika muttered out of annoyance the opportunity to stop the last bit of theft started becoming ever more distant, deciding that instead she would focus her efforts elsewhere that was hopefully more productive. She'd have to apologize to Ewan later for letting one of them go since he seemed so determined to stop them, but Erika wasn't going to turn down a challenge from someone.

"You know ever since coming here, this whole city has just felt off." Erika turned on her heels to face the masked leader and her Golbat. "Like I just wasn't getting how it worked." She shook her head but then pointed dramatically at the masked leader. "But I get how to battle so after I defeat you, you're telling me everything I wanna hear, you got it?"

Assuming battle would be met, Erika would lead with a Sand-Attack opening before following with a Flame Charge to launch Chic right into battle!

If the battle was not accepted... well Erika would react accordingly and not aggressively attack!

@Remram

Stella nodded to his words, and then stayed by his side from then on. She then gave a little tiny wave as he introduced her to Anise. Anise kept her frown until Basil stopped talking to her.

‘Alright. I’ll wait, then,’ she said, crossing her arms, before standing by next to him waiting for the rest. Meanwhile, Stella went over to the exhausted-looking Espurr, staring at it. Espurr seemed a bit too tired to look back, but clearly Stella was observing something.

Eventually, the Aerodactyl arrived, carrying Jacques and the others, and Stella quickly ran to hide behind Basil’s leg. With that, Basil could start his explanation.

Jacques raised his eyebrows and looked modestly curious when he explained, and frowned at the drawing of Stella’s circumstances. Kalmia looked alarmed, and pulled her Pokédex to scan Stella, as well as she could as the little Gothita was hiding behind Basil yet. The woman with the pink hair pulled a notebook and started writing down, while the policewoman simply paid attention. As Basil gestured towards Espurr Kalmia also scanned the Espurr, still alarmed.

Before he was even finished, the pink-haired lady turned and walked over to the police-officer, and then held up something that looked like identification. The officer looked a bit startled as she read the card.

‘Officer. Have your Granbull follow the suspect’s scent. The remains of his Pokéball are over there, use their scent. At some point, the tracks will suddenly end. At that point, attempt to find witnesses that saw how he vanished,’ the pink-haired lady told the police officer. Said officer had overcome her surprise and struck a determined expression as she got the instructions.

‘Yes, ma’am!’ she said, leading her Granbull over where the orange-haired boy had stood, where it caught a whiff, and then the both ran off in the direction he’d ran.

Jacques smirked as he gestured to the lady.

‘May I present to you Special Investigator Sylvia, whom we all turn to when crime is afoot,’ he presents.

‘I would like a detailed description of the perpetrator,’ Sylvia turned to Basil to say, but before he could even reply she turned to Jacques again. ‘Call Dorian, Josefine and Clethra. We need more researchers than just Kalmia looking at this,’ she said. Jacques nodded.

‘But let’s hear what Kalmia says, first,’ Jacques insisted. Kalmia, still looking at her research instrument, then looked back at Basil.

‘You aren’t mistaken. This Espurr’s level is 57… what’s more, Stella’s level seems to be 72. You said it was 74… didn’t you?' If Basil were to investigate, he’d find this to be true. Kalmia frowned, looking down at the data being presented to her. 'This is unheard of. Pokémon levels don’t decrease. What’s more, if these crooks sought power, they would have made these Pokémon evolve. This doesn’t add up.’

‘Indeed, it doesn’t,’ Sylvia said, clutching a fist. ‘We won’t let them get away with this.’

Jacques, meanwhile, turned his head and looked over at Anise, who’d been standing silent staring towards the Elite Four and the others.

‘You are…’ he started saying, and Anise winced as she realized she was being spoken to. She immediately clutched both fists at her sides and stood in a prepared martial artist’s ready pose.

‘Anise! Disciple of the Fighting-type Gym of Redcoast City, sir! I am… accompanying Basil at the moment!’ she pronounced, a bit on edge. Jacques looked amused.

‘You are, huh. Keep up the good work,’ he simply told her.

‘Yes, sir!’ she replied. Meanwhile, Kalmia finished her scanning and looked to Basil.

‘Are you alright, Basil? It wasn’t my intention to send you out into danger. Do you need a break?' she offered, clearly worried. ‘You did a good job getting through this encounter, but please, don’t put yourself in danger like this if you can help it-'

‘Oh, no. Absolutely do,’ Jacques suddenly said, interrupting Kalmia. Kalmia blinked, and looked back at Jacques like what

‘If thugs learn they can just walk all over you, they will. Don’t do that. Stand up to them, no matter how futile the odds. Maybe you’ll even beat them.’ With that said, Jacques stepped forward to put a hand on Basil’s shoulder. ‘Magnifiscently done, Basil. When the moment comes, stand up bravely, and fight for what you believe in. That’s how evil is defeated.’ He looked properly proud.

‘Wh-what are you telling a teenager, Jacques!?' Kalmia asked, frowning.

‘Oh, I’m not telling him to throw himself into danger. I’m just saying that, circumstances in mind, I approve of his choice,’ Jacques said, definitely still approving.

‘Yes, he certainly made the right call,’ Sylvia said over there, writing down some more. ‘He made our foe tip their hand. We know what to look for now,’ she said, before turning to speak to several of the gathered crowd to ask them questions. Kalmia, outnumbered, sighed, and turned back to Basil.

‘In any case. Yes, I can certainly look after any of the two Pokémon. Just Espurr? We probably want to check on Stella as well. Try to figure out what they’ve done to the both of them,' she said… and Stella gripped Basil’s leg, looking up at him with concern.

What does Basil do?

Oh, and the giant Lilligant and the boy on top is still here.



________________________

@Pirouette

Erika successfully pulled Chic back, avoiding the Wing Attack. Golbat spiralled into position, blocking their way, while Golbat's trainer was behind them. Erika talked to the masked girl that had been commanding the thieves, who now stood alone facing her… and the leader put a hand on her hip as Erika finished.

‘Honestly, I could tell you stuff for free if you want. Just not here. It’s not safe. _{For me.}’ she said first to Erika, and then muttered something a bit more quietly at the end as she glanced back the way they’d both come from. ‘That is, if you’re fine heading somewhere with me,’ she said, her tone all serious.

Now, the battle still totally could start, especially if Erika says no, in which case the Golbat would quickly wave its wings to blow away the sand and then fly up into the air to avoid the Flame Charge, with intention to afterwards dive down to Wing Attack at Chic!

❄Erika Olson❄

---

---

"I-um.."

Erika's battle ready stance slowly lowered as she didn't quite expect the willingness of a thief to just explain themselves. Shouldn't she be trying to lie and cheat since they were willing to steal? This didn't seem like a lie but it maybe Erika was bad at telling liars from people being truthful. She looked over at Chic who gave a quizzical look. "Busk? Chic even sounded confused.

By now, Erika had fully deflated and even looked a little defeated. "Aren't trainers supposed to battle for information? I swear I saw this all the time growing up." She explained to Chic but then turned to the thief, pointing with an open hand. "Right?"

Though now the tension had been punctured and Erika would feel silly if she forced a battle here. Maybe things did work differently here. "Oh forget it. I really don't understand this place ever since showing up. It feels so..." Erika glanced around the alley, spotting a few Rattatta peeking their heads out to observe the pair of Trainers and their Pokemon from a safe distance. "Cold."

Erika rubbed her at her arms. "Though not like Cooldome City cold, you get it?"

"Anyway, fine. If this is a trick, I'm a pretty mean battler just so you are aware, but I will go to find out more about why this place feels so awful."

During Basil's explanation it had not escaped his notice that the pink haired woman was writing down notes and had the authority to order the local law enforcement around easily. His brow raised in surprise, wondering what sort of authority figure they had brought. Well, Jacques with his typical aura of superiority introduced her as a special investigator, which made sense given the circumstances.

She was very quick to request a detailed description of the perpetrator though before he could even give her one her attention was already turned to Jacques listing off a series of names to call in to help the professor research the matter. However, the Elite Four member gave Kalmia the floor and she not only confirmed Basil's findings but found that Stella's level dropped slightly as well.

Basil pulled out his Pokedex and scanned the Gothita to find that the professor's assessment was correct. "Huh, it's like they're charged like batteries and losing whatever is strengthening them over time." He said aloud though the idea sent a shiver down his spine. If the comparison was apt then what was charging these Pokemon?

There was not much time to focus on that train of thought before Kalmia with only good intentions offered him a break from his journey. Like a gut reaction Basil quickly said, "I'm fine!" He looked at her as he realized how intense his reaction was and his gaze averted the professor's. At the same time, Basil hid the tattered, stained sleeve that Soren had chewed up earlier on the island. "Really, I am."

This was what he expected, a lecture of how he shouldn't put himself in harm's way and prioritize his own safety. What he did not expect was the praise from one of Isson's Elite Four and special investigator. How many times had he ever been praised? When did someone show visible pride in him for something that mattered to him? Tears welled up in the corners of his eyes and he chuckled sheepishly. "I, uh, sorry. I guess I'm not used to that sort of praise." He said with a smile as he wiped his tears away.

However, there was one more pressing matter. Basil felt his pants leg tug slightly and his gaze was met with the worried look of the little psychic. The young noble knelt down to her eye level, his smile gentle as if handling a small child. "Stella, remember the professor I told you about?" He asked softly. "This is her and she's a kind woman who really cares about Pokemon. She would never hurt you, not like the scientists that did. She just wants to know for your sake what happened to you. It would only be temporary, like a checkup. You would be helping not just yourself, but whatever other Pokemon we find with the same circumstances as you."

He patted her head gently. "But in the end, what matters the most is what you want. If you're scared then you can stay with me, but if you go with Professor Kalmia then I will be right here waiting for you. That I can promise you. Well, at least one I know can keep." His gaze shifted to Professor Kalmia and Jacques as he stood back up.

"What I can't promise is that I won't put myself in danger." He unhid his wounded arm from behind his back and let it fall back to his side. "I'm fine with getting hurt. I mean, dreams are heavy right? You gotta carry that weight and sometimes that means getting a few scars along the way. Who's ever heard of a harmless Pokemon journey anyway?" He said with a laugh, rubbing the back of his head. His sleeve fell back slightly to show the bandages wrapped around his arm.

His smile turned apologetic as if he was asking for forgiveness rather than permission. "I can't let others decide on what my limits are and who I get to be; I've had my fill of that for as long as I can remember. This journey is mine and mine alone; I will see to whatever end I reach."

@Pirouette

Erika said the part about fighting for information… ‘… Sure, but not right now,’ the masked girl said as she looked away from Erika. ‘I don’t mind a fight, but right now I just want to get away.’

Then she said the part about the city feeling cold… and the robber looked back at her.

‘… Yeah, I get it. I can tell you what you want to know, and then you can decide if you want to stay or get as far away from here as you can,’ she said. She then started walking, intending to pass her. ‘Okay. Then follow after me. If you’re still unhappy we can fight when we arrive. For now, we’re going to get out of here before the Cigs-’

‘STOP RIGHT THERE!’

Further back in the alley, in the direction behind the leader, a boy with white hair was gliding down with a thin paraglider between the buildings. The form clutching the paraglider had a silver uniform with golden details, and a similarly styled silver and gold eye-mask. ‘I, Everfair of the City Guardians, have come to apprehend this criminal! Citizen, you have done an admirable job delaying this black-hearted crook, but you may now leave her to me!’ he said, letting go and landing on the ground with a practiced roll before springing to his feet and pointing a Pokéball at them.



‘I will-! … Huh?’

So, the very moment the man had called out, the leader had broken into a dash. When passing Erika, she attempted to grab Erika’s hand, clearly unwilling to stay around any longer. ‘Run with me! You won’t find out the truth from him…!’ was all she had time to say. Now, she probably couldn’t run as she wanted to if Erika resisted.

Probably regardless of what Erika did…

‘Foul villain, are you trying to drag this portrait of innocence with you on this journey of evil? Citizen! Resist her treacherous pull! Nothing but darkness awaits in whatever hole she’s slithering back to!’ he called, and lifted his Pokéball high. ‘Come forth! Dragonair!’

And his Pokéball crashed open, from it emerged a long, elegant serpentine Pokémon…



Golbat flew to cover its trainer as she attempted to make her escape, with Erika if she allowed.

What will Erika do?



________________________

@Remram

Kalmia looked unconvinced at that Basil said he was fine. When he was tearing up from Jacques and Sylvia’s praise, though, Kalmia absolutely noticed, and a slight change happened in the way she was looking at Basil.

‘Take your time,’ Jacques simply said, then stepped aside. Basil spoke to Stella about Kalmia. Stella looked at Basil, and then looked to Kalmia, who also kneeled down and gave the little psychic-type a wave and a smile. After Basil ended his speech… she leaned her head against him, clearly still attached to him, but seemingly still considering it, staring at Kalmia. That’s where she was when he then addressed them again. Kalmia and Jacques listened, and when he was done… Kalmia sighed.

‘Yes, Pokémon journeys, by their nature, have a degree of danger to them… But I feel like there’s a difference between that and…’ she used one hand to vaguely gesture at Basil’s current condition. ‘… but I see you have decided. But of course you have, I gave you that Pokédex for a reason, after all,’ she said, nodding. ‘Alright. Fight on. I’ll support you however I can.’

‘Fu-fu. Yes. Good self-realization. Now, then,’ Jacques turned to face away from the scene, in the direction the opponent had ran. ‘I need to see what I can find out to destroy those who would show injustice to these Pokémon. Sylvia?’

‘Yes,’ Sylvia came forth. ‘We’ll want to have these Pokémon thoroughly inspected for any trace of what our adversaries did to them. With those traces, we’ll be able to find out what might have been needed to do this. If we know that, we can find what resources they likely needed… and then we can find them at their source,’ Sylvia proclaimed, turning to look at Kalmia, who in turn was now looking at Espurr, standing there unmoving. ‘We will be depending on you to find that information, professor.’

‘Leave it to me,’ Kalmia nodded.

‘What should I do~?’ Archie, the little boy on the giant Lilligant that was still here, asked.

‘Just look after Stillwood Village until I call again will do,’ Jacques nodded up to him. ‘Oh, and let Basil here challenge you, if he so feels like it.’

‘Okaaaaay~!’ Archie replied.

‘… You have some friends…’ Anise stepped over next to Basil when she had built the courage to actually start walking and not just stare at Jacques the whole time.

Still, Kalmia could take Espurr right away, and Sylvia would, in fact, want that detailed description of the one Basil fought.

‘We’ll keep you posted on our progress. In the meantime…’ Jacques said, turning to look at him. ‘What will you do?’

What will Basil do?

Basil gently rubbed Stella's head as she pressed it against him. "I'll be happy with whatever choice you make."

Once Kalmia and Basil's heart to heart wrapped up with a clear understanding, Basil watched as the three adults conversed with each other and then with Archie. He glanced over at the boy and his oversized plant. Eventually, he would have to take him on though perhaps now was not the right time.

The young noble looked at Anise and smiled though for some reason felt a pang of guilt in the pit of his stomach. However, he flashed an appreciative smile though his focused returned to Jacques who asked him a question that was normal though was something Basil had absolutely given it no thought since the whole thing with Stella began.

"What do I intend to do?" Basil echoed back. He looked as if he realized he forgot that he actually had things to do. "I'll continue to explore Isson, catch Pokemon, take on the gym challenge, and I'm going to continue to help Anise with her problem, which is currently directing us Raremine Town in search of Professor Dustan. I'll keep an eye out for anything suspicious though for now I guess I should keep my head down since I've made some people angry. Above all else, I need to get stronger." He listed off with a finger.

Basil frowned as he lingered on the thought of getting stronger. "With recent events I've pushed training to the side, which is an issue since I've got a lot of Pokemon that I need to train. I guess that's a problem when you want to raise diverse Pokemon. I'm gonna have to put in some work, but I suppose I must wrap this up first."

He shifted his attention towards the special investigator. "Uh, Ms. Sylvia, correct? I'm ready to give you that guy's description." Once she was ready, Basil began to describe the criminal "Male, could be around my age or a little older, white, and about my height. Has half lidded, orange eyes and he has a ginger hair cut sort of like a bowl cut except a bit more stylish than that? He was wearing what I guess to be a black track suit with a somewhat baggy white shirt underneath, and I think he had black piercings on his earlobes. He never emoted any emotions."

Something clicked in Basil's head, and he slung his bag down his arm and rummaged through it. "Wait, hold on. Give me a minute." He pulled out his sketchbook and pencils and quickly began to draw something. It was hard to draw from memory of someone he only just met though all he needed to do was to get the general gist of what the guy looked like.

His hand tore the page out and he handed it to the investigator. "It may be a bit off, but I think this could be close enough to the guy I just fought. If I had my wits about me, I would've committed the faces of his compatriots in Lakewatch to memory too."

❄Erika Olson❄

---

---

"That's not-" Erika opened her mouth to interject at must having a battle but quickly tried a different approach. That didn't matter as opposed to finding out how off putting this city was. It just seemed like a souless expanse of corporate offices and high rises. She felt bad for the Pokemon here but maybe it was fun for them? No, she wanted to know. "-what I mean is.."

‘STOP RIGHT THERE!’

Oh great. Now what?

Who the heck was this guy in his fancy getup? The white of the uniform was spotless and the gold seemed to glimmer like it was actually made of gold. Erika shot a glance to the thief, noticing a stark difference but then again, a thief probably wouldn't want to wear white and glittering gold during a heist.

"Now wait-!"

Erika once again opened her mouth to interject in an attempt to try and figure out what a City Guardian even was or why was he arriving now. Though the grab of her wrist had put a stop to that. "Chic!" Erika motioned for the Combusken to follow. "Cooom!" She hollered, running after Erika.

She had made her choice suddenly. Someone who spoke rather plainly, albeit with strange street lingo, was probably a little more authentic than the golden peacock of a man as Everfair. Heck! Even the name sounded odd! "Sorry!" Erika called back to him as she hurried along behind the thief.

It wasn't quite the introduction to the city she had expected but somehow, she was excited for it. Something about it all so far seemed like she was just barely scratching the surface, like she was in the very first chapter of something! Erika turned her head down and hid her smile.

Adventure awaited.

@Remram

‘Professor Dunstan, eh,’ Jacques said with a light smirk. ‘That’s a fun coincidence. We’re going to want to talk to him, as well. He’s one of our best researchers, after all, and we’re going to want to ask him about what he thinks of these Pokémon. Of course, Kalmia’s going to be working on it as well, but we can always use more than one viewpoint.’

Jacques stepped forward to Basil, and handed him something. A piece of paper… and a gray phone. ‘If they give you any trouble at the lab, give them this. Dunstan otherwise doesn’t usually see visitors.’



‘And that other thing. It allows you a free call to the Freecape Ferrymen. Rukh’s little birds are awfully expensive, usually, aren’t they? Usually it’s just the nobles using them. With this, you’ll be using my command to have one of them follow your whims for free, once. Use it to go somewhere fast, or maybe if you want information. Regardless, it will summon a Freecape Ferryman to your location. They’re usually pretty strong trainers, too,’ Jacques said, looking upwards as he did.

‘I’ll check the Espurr,’ Kalmia kneeled by the Espurr, who looked up at her due to her getting so close. ‘I’m sorry for all that has happened to you. I want to do a full check on you, to find out what they did to you, so we can help others like you. I won’t let this happen to you again. Deal?’ Kalmia asked the Espurr, and then held forth a small bit of Pokémon candy for the Espurr. Espurr blinked at the piece of candy, then grabbed it and started gnawing on it. Kalmia smiled and looked pleased enough.

Sylvia, meanwhile, was listening to Basil recounting the orange boy’s appearance while writing down his words. Then, she looked on as he then drew the boy’s appearance, and finally accepted the drawing.

‘Hm,’ Sylvia sounded as she took the drawing and inspected it. ‘Thank you. I will say, if your story is accurate, and the evidence points to that being the case, you have remarkable resolve for your age. Would you like a job?’

‘Um,’ Sylvia successfully caught Kalmia’s attention with that one, who looked away from Espurr and up at Sylvia. Jacques also lifted the tip of his hat a little.

‘A few too many crooks know my appearance. I’m not able to go undercover that well. But you might not have the same issue,’ Sylvia stated, plainly.

‘If you focused on just having one job, and wasn’t also the Gym Leader of Goldshore Town, maybe you wouldn’t have this probleeeem~’ Archie called up there from his giant plant.

‘Hush, now,’ Sylvia replied, no hint of amusement at that. Archie simply giggled.

‘Hold on, right there,’ Kalmia rose to her feet next to them. ‘Right after what he just went through? Also, as he said, he should keep his head down…!’

‘It’s for him to decide what he wants, isn’t it?’ Sylvia remarked in reply, looking at Basil.

‘…’ Anise stood silent throughout it all, right at Basil’s side for now.

What will Basil say?

Oh, and Kalmia is absolutely about to tell Sylvia off for trying to give Basil more opportunities to lunge into danger, and also maybe something more about poor timing, but here’s a moment for him to speak first.



________________________

@Pirouette

‘What?’ Everfair exclaimed in a bit of surprise when Erika decided to run with the thief. But, that was swiftly followed with… ‘Dragonair! Catch up to them! Do not permit that citizen to fall to darkness!’

With that call, the Dragonair leapt through the air, heading towards the two running girls. The thief grunted and swiftly called.

‘Supersonic-!’ she told, and her Golbat emitted waves towards the Dragonair!

‘Safeguard!’ Everfair, running after them, called in return, and a swirling blue shield emerged around the Dragonair. The serpentine Pokémon looked ever proud as the supersonic waves glanced off the dragon, ineffective. The thief cursed under her breath.

‘Now, create a Twister to block their path…!’

But, while he’d given his command to Dragonair, there was ample time for Erika to make her own action if she so decided before his Dragonair’s attack could manifest.

They were still in the back alleys. There were some laundry hanging between the buildings back here, but also garbage cans and thrown away junk. They could turn right to head back to the main streets, as they’d gotten far enough that regular people still were on the streets around there, if they could get away. Otherwise, there was a set of stairs leading up a building on the left, leading around a corner, who knows where. There was otherwise mostly a wall on the left, linking multiple buildings, but it was only about two meters tall, perhaps it could be possible to jump. Or, just running straight forward like they were previously. That, or there’s always the numerous back-doors, if they weren’t locked. Numerous Rattata and one Trubbish was watching them running along…

What will Erika do?

Basil perked up when they mentioned that they were going to meet Professor Dustan as well.

"Actually, this works out then. I didn't think I'd have a use for this." Basil once again rummaged through his sketchbook and tore out a piece of paper and handed it to Jacques. It was that drawing of the Reveal Glass all the way back at the beginning of his journey when things were a tad less dangerous. "If you see him before we do, tell them that this sketch of this mirror, the Reveal Glass, has to do with the incident in Rainrock, and the Pokemon Landorus. Anise and I will fill him in on more of the details when we see him."

This was already quite a long meeting and that was a story for another time since there were more important things at stake. However, Jacques handed Basil a piece of paper and a gray phone, both incredibly valuable and Basil as a noble knew specifically how precious it was to get a freebie from Rukh. "I, um, thank you."

He was actually at a loss for words though now he had another reason. "You're offering me a job?" Wait, besides that, she was also a gym leader? That... sounded counterproductive to her other occupation.

And cue Professor Kalmia protesting though he really could not blame her. Even he said it himself he should be keeping his head down low. The smart thing would have been to say no and keep to his plan, but that meant there were crooks running about free just like that boy.

"I'm interested. I'd rather be part of a solution than remain ignorant." Basil firmly stated.

@Remram

‘Oh?’ Jacques accepted the piece of paper and inspected it, adjusting his glasses as he did. ‘Very well. I’ll make sure he’s informed.’

Then, Basil showed interest in the job Sylvia was offering. Kalmia frowned, her expression containing something of regret, but Sylvia looked nothing but pleased.

‘Good. We can’t speak about it here, though. When you’re ready, come to this address. Make sure to message me first so I will be able to be there to brief you,’ Sylvia said, writing down an address and then giving it to Basil.



‘I am going to head to find what the local police officer has found. For now, good day, sir Basil,’ Sylvia said, nodding to him and then moving off, her hair and dress perhaps a bit too eye-catching among all the green in this village.

‘I can only wish you to be careful,’ Kalmia said, looking concerned. ‘I have to get back to my laboratory in Pureplain City. That’s where I can be of the most use. I must examine Espurr thoroughly,’ she said, looking down at the little guy. ‘Of course, I am going to need you to fly me home,’ she said, turning to Jacques.

‘Fu-fu. Using the Elite Four as your personal ferryman. Aren’t you a bold one?’ Jacques seemed amused.

‘Oh, don’t you dare. The situation called for it. Basil needed us both,’ Kalmia remained unperturbed as she turned back to Basil and Anise. ‘Can I trust you to handle yourselves for now?’

Regardless, otherwise what needed to be covered in this meeting was done. Kalmia would bring Espurr with her for now, unless Basil had any objections.





Connected areas:
Route 4. Forest route at the base of Mt. Strength leading west to Rainrock City.
Route 5. A grassy incline connecting mountains, forests, plains, Stillwood and Lakewatch.
Route 14. The waters of Dragon Lake are also known as Route 14. It connects Lakewatch Town, Highhill Town and Stillwood Village.
Mountain Valley. A passage between Mt. Strength and Mt. Chill, a shortcut to Worldedge City.

"Uh, I'll see you around then, Ms. Sylvia" Basil said as he pocketed the address and phone number handed to him, watching the special investigator go off into the village to find out more from the local police.

Kalmia continued to be concerned for his well-being and regrettably had return to Pureplain as she was most needed there. After being unimpressed by Jacques, the professor looked for some reassurance from Anise and him. "You can count on us." Basil said as reassuringly as he could. He had no protests, or any other matters to consult with them so he just watched as they flew up to the sky.

A sense of relief washed through Basil, his shoulders sagged as he felt all the tension in his body release. "That was a lot." He felt pretty worn out from this endeavor. The battle, the ever-changing situation, reassuring everyone that he was fine, and now he accepted a new job. It was a lot.

He looked at Anise who had been relatively silent for the most part. "Are you okay? You were pretty quiet for that meeting." When she responded, Basil would say, "I think I need to clear my head. Think about what I need to do next, you know? You're welcome to join me if you want. Company is always appreciated."

Regardless of the response, Basil was going to go for a walk around the village unknowingly heading into the direction of the Ancient Woods

@Remram

‘Until next time. We will keep you updated,’ Jacques said, as he helped Kalmia back up on the ancient dinosaur he came on, and Kalmia took Espurr with her for now, and then they were off.

‘…’ Anise merely nodded along with that being a lot, and then Basil asked her if she was okay. ‘I am okay. A little overwhelmed, but okay. … It wasn’t my scene. I am used to being quiet,’ she said, then frowned a little. ‘I did not get the same job offer. She didn’t even look at me. … I suppose I cannot follow?’ she asked.

‘I will accompany you. I feel like, if I were to walk away now, I’d miss something else,’ she said. As she did, she took out a Pokéball and sent out one of her trusted companions. Meditite took form, standing on small legs below her and starting to walk along with them.



So, they walked around town. The scene was the most excitement Stillwood Village had in years, so there was plenty of discussion about what happened back there going about, but few could actually place Basil as having been involved in the incident. If Basil was quiet, then so was Anise, or they could have discussions. Regardless, eventually, they found themselves surrounded by thick trees and even thicker foliage, and then Meditite held its hand up and stopped in front of them, stopping them from advancing. That was because there was a large, red flower ahead of them.

‘… I must ask. Were you aware where you were walking?’ Anise asked, sounding concerned.