Basil could tell that she was a bit hurt to not have been considered for the job, or to not even be acknowledged at all. That she may be left behind. "I wouldn't take it personally. You didn't get a chance to show her how capable you are or perhaps she knows from Lorette the purpose of your journey and doesn't want to burden you with more than you're already dealing with." Basil smiled reassuringly and then said, "But I won't complain if you want in. We're partners, aren't we?"

Basil went silent for a second and then looked mildly embarrassed. "I, uh, that sounded less cringey in my head."

Before they walked, Basil glanced down at the Meditite. He couldn't remember if that was one of the Pokemon she had out when they first met, or rather, the time she almost jumped him. It was kind of crazy how the situation flipped from nearly being attacked by her to now travelling side-by-side.

As they walked Basil decided to share what was going through his head. "I'm thinking we may need to make a pitstop when we leave the village though I'm not sure where to go. If we stopped by Cooldome we could get some guidance and training from strong trainers, and it would at least be on the way to Raremine. On the other hand, if we stopped by the Private Palace, I could maybe get us a couple of favors from David Strickland to help us with tracking Landorus." He grimaced at the very thought of using any of his connections for his personal gain... But he could not deny that if there was anyone that could help Anise and maybe help him circumvent the six Pokemon limit so he could keep Stella on his person.

"Though before we leave, I really need to check out the herb store again... Oh right you weren't there for that. Long story short me and an herbalist named Earl, like Earl Gray, helped the store develop products. Well, I offered some berries I had, and he did the work, but I did some advertising. Kinda wanna see how that worked out." Basil blinked a few times before he realized he was dominating the conversation. "Sorry, I'm rambling again. Do you have any thoughts on where we should go?"

As they talked, Basil had realized that this part of the village was more overgrown with a higher pollen count. Luckily, her Meditite kept them from stepping on a flower that was actually a Pokemon. Of course, Anise was concerned and for understandable reasons.

With a sheepish smile he said, "Honestly, I think I just instinctively headed towards the quietest part in the village. It's beautiful though, isn't it? It's so much different than back home." He walked slightly ahead of Anise and looked around at the Pokemon that made their home here. He chuckled nervously. "Albeit one wrong step and we're cooked, but I don't think we need to worry. Just be a polite guest, watch your step, and we're safe... probably."

He looked up at the trees to see some Jumpluff were lodged in the trees. "Although it looks like some of them are stuck. How about we do a good deed?" Basil grabbed a couple of his Pokeballs from his belt and tossed them to reveal Crocus, the Bulbasaur, and Glory the Hawlucha.

"Bulba!" The Bulbasaur cried out happily. Crocus seemed to love how green and pollenated the forest was.

"Haw!" Glory struck a pose, flexing its birdy muscles.

Basil looked down and smiled at them. "Hey Crocus, hey Glory. Mind lending a hand with getting those Jumpluff out of the trees?" His Pokemon nodded in response, and he knelt down to give them a gentle head pat.

Looking back up at the Jumpluffs in the general vicinity, he called out to them. "Um, hey Jumpluffs? We're gonna help you out so be cool, okay?"

Basil would have Glory nimbly try to help to dislodge the Jumpluff from the trees and if needed use a Karate Chop on any branches if they were too stuck. Crocus would extend its vines from its back and try to tug them out if possible though if it were not the Bulbasaur would try to break them with vine whip.

@Remram

‘I know,’ Anise said. ‘To her, I was just a bystander.’

She looked a little surprised at Basil’s “partners” line, looking up from having been looking down into the ground and towards him with a slightly raised eyebrow. ‘Heh,’ she made a small noise of amusement. ‘I suppose we’ll just simply have to see if she throws me out the door.’

Then he talked about where to go next.

‘Hm. I’m not sure I want to go ask for favors until I’ve trained my Pokémon. I must make sure I am ready for the encounter, when it is time. So perhaps Cooldome City would be good. I also feel that perhaps, since my goal now is to become stronger, challenging the gyms is a natural continuation. I do know there’s a Pokémon Gym in both Freecape Town, Raremine Town… and here. Albeit, I saw that giant Lilligant. I am not sure if we’re its match,’ she commented. Then the part about the herb store. Anise looked a little curious. ‘I’m fine with that.’

Then, when they’d arrived in the new area, a much wilder area, Anise merely gave a mock sigh at Basil’s excuse. ‘I clearly did the right thing, following. Still, I suppose it is pretty,’ she nodded. At suggesting helping the Jumpluffs, Anise nodded.

‘Alright,’ she said, and cast out another Pokéball, and another Pokémon joined Meditite before her.



‘Froakie, Meditite. Climb the trees. We’re helping the Jumpluffs get free. Cooperate with Crocus and Glory,’ she said, gesturing to Basil’s Pokémon.

‘Juuump!’ called a happy Jumpluff in reply. It should be noted that, despite being stuck, the Jumpluffs were all smiles. Still, through united effort, Glory cutting some vines, Crocus using his own vines to pull them loose, Meditite using some psychic power to remove obstacles and Froakie using some frog-hands to help pull them free. With their united help…

The Jumpluffs came loose. They gently drifted to the forest floor, avoiding the flowers. Being constantly all smiles, they called. ‘Fluuff!’ as they then floated up into the air again, drifting off into various directions in the forest, looking all happy… and one of them drifted immediately into another mess of vines and got tangled. Luff?’ it asked.

A childish little laughter came as one boy, that had apparently been watching them, approached. Basil, of course, had seen this boy before, very recently.


‘The Jumpluffs here get stuck all the time. They like hanging out with their various friends here, but this forest really isn’t suited for their flying needs. Buuut, they’re strong enough that they can free themselves whenever they waaant~’ the boy said, smiling.

‘Buuut, they recognize when someone wants to help them, and they accept your kindness! As do I, so as a thanks for your help, I’d like to give you these!’ he said, and handed something to both Basil and Anise.



‘Um, thank you,’ Anise said, frowning just the slightest. If Basil took a close look, looks like she got the TM115: Bullet Seed.

‘I hope you’ll continue to be kiiind~’ he spread his arms, then turned around with the intention to dash back into the forest…

What does Basil do?





Connected areas:
Stillwood Village. Behind you.

A satisfied smile stretched across Basil's face as he watched the Jumpluff... only to see that once free one of them began to drift into one of the tree branches and lodge itself in again. "Nononono- Dang it..." His shoulders slumped in disappointment though he straightened up once he heard a child's laughter. He turned to see that it was Archie who probably watched what Basil and Anise did. Truth be told, if it wasn't Archie's laughter, he probably would have booked it lest he had some grisly end like in a B movie horror flick.

Basil was less disappointed to know that they could just get themselves out though now he just felt silly for assuming they couldn't get out whenever they wanted. Still, it was nice to know that they appreciated their efforts and apparently Archie did to. "Oh, uh, thank you Archie." He said as he examined the disk. It was strange, Archie's request for some reason sat funny with him.

He had nothing to ask Archie. Sure, he was curious about this part of the village, but he figured he could just figure out the gist on his own Basil had returned Glory to his Pokeball though left Crocus out seeing that the Bulbasaur was enjoying this pollenated environment.

The young noble glanced down at the TM that Anise was holding and then back up at some of the grass-types that resided in these woods. "Huh, you know, those Breloom sound like they're up your alley. Maybe you should catch whatever they evolve from and use that TM?" He suggested. She was agonizing about building out her team more and these certainly looked like fighting-types.

"Well, I doubt that there is anything we could reasonably catch here, but let's keep an eye out anyway. There could always be something else." Basil stepped forward with Crocus by his side as he intended to go deeper into the forest. He and his Bulbasaur would keep an eye out for anything unusual, Pokemon or otherwise.

As he walked, he kept replaying everything that's happened on his journey: discovering Landorus, his trip to Dragon Lake, and Stella and the mysterious boy. Beneath those thoughts was an undercurrent. Why did Archie asking him to continue to be kind bothered him?

"You know, you're honestly kinda amazing." Basil randomly said to Anise while he was looking around though he realized just how weird it was to randomly just say that. "Sorry, that was out of the blue, wasn't it? I guess I've just had a lot to think lately."

He looked like he was struggling to find the right words to convey the mess in his head. Eventually he said, "In my part of the world, you're exceptional because you're born into an exceptional family. You never have to try because really, what do you have to prove? You're a noble, you're number one among other number ones trying to get one up another. Well, not all of them are that bad, but there's enough to make you nauseas."

Basil focused on Anise and said, "You're different; you're earnest in everything you do because you care to put in the effort and because you care about the people around you and the region. It's admirable, I like that about you. By comparison, I'm much more selfish. My goals are more for myself than for anyone else."

@Remram

Archie ran off, and Anise was looking at the TM in her hands when Basil suggested catching whatever evolves into them. That’s when Anise gained a sudden focus in her gaze and made up her mind.

She advanced on a Breloom. The modestly large kangaroo-mushroom wasn’t so inattentive as to not notice, and turned to face her.

‘I am going to be facing a legendary Pokémon. I am going to need the strength of strong Pokémon. I’d like you to come with me,’ Anise stated to the Breloom, her tone serious.

The Breloom inspected her, the seriousness of the tone getting into its expression. After a second’s consideration, Beloom raised its claws and spread its legs, taking on a fighting-stance against Anise.

‘You want me to prove myself?’ Anise asked. She took a deep breath… and then took her own fighting stance, looking ready to square off, fists raised, legs bent. ‘Alright! I’m ready!’

Utter confusion entered Breloom’s expression. The Pokémon looked over to various companions a bit further away, and they had no answers. It lowered its fighting stance, apparently no longer intending on fighting.

‘Hey! I’m serious here!’ Anise called out, sensing that she was not being taken seriously. She took a step forward… when the Breloom simply spun around, swinging its tail. As the tail did, it released a cloud of spores. ‘Uh-oh,’ Anise skipped backwards, having to spin around and dash away a couple meters, avoiding a Vileplume flower as she did. She then turned around, met with Breloom just looking at her with a neutral expression through the cloud of spores, before it turned away and just walked back into the forest.

Anise took a moment to just stare back at Breloom, contemplating, before walking back to Basil.

‘Alright. Fine. I’ll catch a Shroomish,’ Anise told him, this particular venture apparently having ended in failure. ‘It was worth a shot.’

In any case, at some point there Basil started talking about that Anise was kinda amazing. She looked surprised at that, and then returned to her default expression as Basil continued his story. At the end of what he was saying… she crossed her arms.

‘… But unlike the rest from your world, you’re out here proving something. What with that gnawed-on arm and helping me and whatever you did with those Psychic-type Pokémon,’ she said. ‘But I’ll bite. What are your goals, then? So I may judge them for myself.’

What does Basil do? Having this conversation in the midst of these old buildings in this old forest holding Pokémon with a higher level than anything they’re currently packing.





Connected areas:
Stillwood Village. Behind you.

Basil carefully considered his words, trying to fit what felt like a large concept to squeeze in just a phrase or a sentence.

However, Basil eventually settled on this. "I guess at the end of the day, all I seek is freedom."

Basil rubbed the back of his head and chuckled nervously. "It's vague, I know, and I'm really not sure what that looks like, but all I know is that I want freedom to live my own life and face the day with a brave face." Basil felt Crocus nudge his froggy little head against his leg and looked up at him wanting attention with its big red eyes. He smiled at the little grass-type and knelt down, rubbing his head gently.

"There's nothing wrong inherently with those kinds of goals, I know that. However, one can become self-indulgent when chasing after them." Once the Bulbasaur received an adequate amount of head scratches, the noble straightened up and looked at Anise. "I've been thinking about that encounter with that trainer, the one with the Espurr. I can't imagine that he started off like that, you know? I think it's easy to become blinded by your goals and not consider anything or anyone else."

There was anxiety behind Basil's eyes as he seemed to wander into a downward spiral of negativity. "I guess I'm afraid that I could become like him. I've been reckless, putting myself and my Pokemon in harm's way and I have to ask myself if what I've been doing is okay. Am I really kind or have I been more selfish than I'd want to admit? Or does it even matter as long as everyone is happy with the outcome in the end?"

He seemed to have some self-awareness as he looked like he realized he just talked her ear off about some heavy thoughts. "Sorry, I really just dumped all of that on you. You don't need to answer any of that. Maybe I just need to get out of my own head. Like I really just watched you stumble around with that Breloom and didn't think to help though I doubt that's what it wanted."

@Remram

Anise stood and stared at him as he started explaining himself, crossing her arms as she did. Froakie stood next to her, saw how she stood, and also crossed his arms next to her. And then…

‘I think you’re worrying yourself too much,’ she stated. ‘And if that’s too shallow an answer for you…’ she closed her eyes to think a little first.

‘I don’t see you turning out like him. Granted, I can’t see anyone ending up like him, but still. Despite your bleak outlook, you’ve broken out of your cage and challenged this world. You’ve given yourself a choice, and you’re fighting for it. I’d say you deserve to be a little selfish. If you being “selfish” is just you being nice to people, then who cares, really? As for the being put into danger part…’ She smirked the slightest.

‘Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think your Pokémon are alright with being put in danger for you. They want to grow stronger, too. If you’re really seeking affirmation, then I think you should ask them. If your Pokémon approves, then what can you be doing wrong?’ she said, shrugging.

‘That, and had you actually intruded on me and the Breloom, I’d have been mad. That was my scene to prove myself in,’ she continued.





Connected areas:
Stillwood Village. Behind you.

He chuckled and said, "Believe me, I wouldn't dare to dream to draw your ire again. I've never met someone who was so ready to kick my head off though I guess I deserved it." His expression softened as
the tension in his core was washed away with relief.

Basil glanced down at Crocus rubbing his head against his leg. He smiled gently at the Bulbasaur and before looking back at Anise. "Thanks, I needed to hear that. I guess I'm still my own worst enemy. Maybe that's typical for everyone." His expression turned more thoughtful as he looked at her.

"You know, I know you said that it was your chance to prove yourself though I can't help, but to think that you're getting in your own way too. However, this is your journey, and you have the right to come to the realization on your own. You can't grow if someone hands you the answer and besides, I get the feeling you're the kind of person who doesn't like to be handed one either." He said before turning his focus back on the trail of the overgrown forest.

"Well, we've made it this far. May as well see what's on the other end. Shall we?" He asked.

@Remram

Anise simply nodded with satisfaction on the first two things that he said. Then, though…

_{‘… Getting in my own way?’} she repeated what he said in a mutter while looking down into the ground, mostly to herself. Though, she then looked back to him as he kept talking. Then, on that she’s the kind that wouldn’t like to be handed an answer… ‘Darn straight,’ she said with another nod.

‘Yeah, let’s go,’ she agreed, before telling Meditite to keep an eye out for them with Psychic powers as they advanced through the woods.

They wandered, stepping beyond old ruins of rocks and tightly grown forest. Still, beyond minding not to step on Vileplumes they were ignored by the denizens of the forest. So, when they had walked far enough, the trees opened up to clearing.



In the otherwise tight woods they’d passed through, here there was plenty of room. A sense of peace could be felt around this area. In the center stood a single, great, moss-covered rock. It extruded some form of magnificent energy. Before it, rested a single, large Pokémon, and two lower evolutions of it. The big, green dinosaur-like Pokémon with flower-petals around its neck lifted its head to gaze at the newcomers, and the two playing smaller version of it with leaves on the top of their heads stopped to look towards them curiously.



Confirming they weren’t looking like threats, the bigger Pokémon put down its head again and continued resting.

‘Oh. I’ve heard about this place,’ Anise made a noise of sudden realization. ‘It was considered sacred by the people of Stillwood’s past… a gathering spot, but also said to house a mystery…’ Anise said, as she tried recalling something she might have been told or read somewhere, frowning a little as she did.





Connected areas:
Stillwood Village. Behind you.

❄Erika Olson❄

---

---

Erika had kinda made her bed with the thief. It might be wrong but she can always work that out later, right? For now, she had to see how deep this went. What was wrong with how weird Bigfjord was. She probably wasn't going to get that straight answer from the guy who talked about someone falling to darkness like he was from a storybook. Then again, if he was a good guy in the end, Erika will have to find some way to apologize. Maaaaybe he won't be mad.

"Chic!" Erika shouted as she continued to let herself be pulled along by the other. Chic, who was easily keeping pace next to her glanced up at her. "Sand-" She started but would that even work? An accuracy penalty to the Dragonair? She needed something bigger to pull their attention away. A little out of the box thinking...

Her eyes caught a dumpster full of trash. Surely an over-the-top good guy like the Guardian Everfair wouldn't allow a dumpster fire in his city. "Ember the trash in that dumpster, get it roaring on fire!"

"Combusk!" Chic sounded, blasting a fiery deposit of well.. flame onto the trash. Something in there must have been flammable because it started to light up and stink, too.

Erika covered her nose as they passed. "Sorry Ever..guy but can you put that out? Thanks!"

Hopefully that was enough to take the heat off of them as they continued to run.

Basil could only look at her when she told him that this place, this random place that he stumbled upon, was some sort of holy land once used by the villagers long ago with a look of disbelief. "...A sacred place that houses a mystery forgotten by time. I am getting a crazy sense of deja vu. Either I have a knack for finding these things or they find me."

He glanced around the serene surroundings. "Well, at least it's pretty."

Meanwhile, Crocus, the little Bulbasaur waddled around and then saw one of the Chikoritas and looked at it with heart eyes. Basil felt his arm being tugged at his arm with one of its vines and he saw a look of a little bulb frog looking for guidance from his trainer.

He looked back at Anise as if to ask her what to do before he looked back at the Bulbasaur. "Crocus, I'm flattered, but you are barking up the wrong tree... Just, just be yourself okay?"

"Bulba!" It nodded at him before waddling over to one of the Chikorita nervously, experiencing its first bit of puppy, er, froggy love?

"Bulba." It greeted the Chikorita nervously.

@Remram

‘There could just be a bunch of sacred places. Stillwood Village can have its own ancient mythology. I just remember hearing about it while researching my own ancient mystery,’ Anise said with a shrug. ‘You don’t have to solve this one,’ she remarked, sounding almost like the first step in an intervention.

She did look the tiniest amused by Crocus being infatuated with the Chikorita. She crossed her arms and watched curiously.

The specific one Chikorita that Crocus approached looked at him curiously as he approached, and made his noise… then smiled happily and called.

‘Chiko!’ it called, and then bounced forward at him before starting to try to run in circles around him and then just generally wanting to play. Skipping around through a bunch of flowers or so. Not a romantic gesture, just wanted to play. Meganium just rested peacefully. The other Chikorita was also curious and wanted to play, really.







Connected areas:
Stillwood Village. Behind you.

@Pirouette

Erika gave her command, and Chic sent a fireball into a nearby trash-can, setting it utterly on fire. They ran past, and Erika shouted her thing back at Everfair… who stopped short.

‘How could you! Dragonair, put it out! Use…’ Everfair stopped short again. Dragonair spun around, stopping its effort to cause a Twister to impede their advance. Unfortunately, this was the moment where Everfair was confronted with the reality that his super-cool dragon-serpent that lives in water does not learn any water-moves until level 39. He instead resolved to stand helplessly as he picked up a phone from his pocket and dialed a number.

‘Hello? I’d like to report a fire…’

Of course, this bought the two of them far and away enough time to turn a corner and run away from their pursuer. The thief looked behind them and there were no signs of their pursuers.

‘I’ll have to remember that one, good job,’ she said, sounding a bit impressed. Golbat made a noise, and she quickly looked up… ‘Don’t look up,’ she then quickly told Erika as they wandered on…



They kept walking, snaking through several back-alleys and walked through several dark streets. In one spot, the thief stopped, as there was noise nearby. Looking out by a corner… there was a Pokémon battle going on. A band of four was fighting another band or four. There were various Pokémon, primarily fire on one side, a variety on the other side. The combatants were all wearing masks, albeit the four on the fire-type side had gone all the way and were wearing fiery red complete suits. The other side were also covering their faces, but their masks were just black, but with the classic card suits on them for some reason. Clubs, hearts, diamonds, spades.





Fire was flying, which the Breloom was trying to dodge as best it can, and the Alomomola sent sprays of water back, and the battle continued, with the trainers on both sides intense in their commands. What few regular people was left were running for cover. Still, the ones with the fire-Pokémon seemed like they had the edge…

‘The Clovers and Daybreak,’ the thief muttered. ‘We’re taking a detour.’ With that statement, she turned around and they took a different route.

With that, the thief escorted Erika through what felt like it must have been half the city. If Erika knew her directions, she would be able to tell they were heading roughly north-west. Eventually… the buildings started to look a lot less fancy.

Despite this being the main street, the main street looked dirty. The buildings grew far more closely together, the street smaller and more claustrophobic, and it felt like a lot less care had been taken in lumping these buildings together. Darkness found its way naturally into the corners, as the buildings themselves were covering for any overhead light. There were people walking around, and few of them looked well-off. They looked dispirited, simply accepting that this is the way life is now. To the west, the buildings were getting shorter, indicating the end of the city. In the distance the sun could be seen, as if making its descent.

‘Welcome to the Sunset Slums,’ the thief said in a dry tone.



Eventually, they arrived in front of a building. In front of it stood the other four robbers. A girl in a beanie with some red hair under, black sunglasses, the one that had used a Magnemite. A girl with brown hair and a cheery expression, the one with the Chimecho. A seriously big guy, the one with the Quilladin. A lanky guy with a gas-mask, the one with the Koffing. All were wearing black and some form of masks. Only Quilladin of the Pokémon was still out.

‘You brought one of the freshies?’ the guy in the gas-mask asked.

‘Ssh. Let’s just show her what we do, first,’ the thief said. In the building, there was a counter and they brought the stolen goods to said counter… Where a purple Pokémon with gems for eyes suddenly peeked up.



The Pokémon took the goods, inspected them very, VERY closely, and then dove down behind the counter. Then, it skipped up again, and put a bunch of money on the counter. The thief picked it up, and…

‘… Geh. It would have been more…’ the thief muttered.

‘It would have been more, but a gallant hero got in our way~’ the Chimecho trainer called weirdly jovially in Erika’s direction.

‘I mean, it makes sense, we look like bad guys,’ the guy in the gas-mask said.

They stepped out, and the five of them journeyed a bit more. Eventually, they stopped by a new building. They knocked on the building’s front door… and eventually, an older woman opened the door. The leader of the thieves held forward the money to her.

‘This should cover the rent of those two families we couldn’t pay for last time, right?’

‘It will. I’ll feed them, too. Thank you for your service,’ the woman nodded to them, and the door closed.

They then stopped at a couple more places of various sentimental value. A day-care with both kids and Pokémon, a home-bakery, a little shrine…

Eventually, they’d distributed all the money they’d received, and then headed for a place where they could look back east towards Bigfjord City proper.

There, the thief turned back to Erika.

‘I’m going to ask you one more time. Do you truly want to know what’s going on here? I warn you that, when you’ve heard it, you won’t be able to unhear it. You can always leave this city, go back to your blissful life as a normal person. Are you sure you want to know?’



What will Erika do?

"...Why are you talking to me as if I have a problem?" Basil asked with an arched brow. However, his indignation was swiftly replaced with a feeling of defeat as he watched Crocus and the Chikorita go behind the rock. He hid his face in his hands and with heavy, muffled shame said, "My own Bulbasaur has better game than I do."

His fingers ran down his face, and he just exhaled in defeat. Looking around, he started to actually explore the place. He walked all the way down to get there; it would have been a waste to not at least take a moment to look around though it was a pretty plain to say the least. The only thing of note was the Meganium with her children and the big mossy rock that Crocus and the Chikorita ran behind.

Well, he had a surplus of berries that he may never really need, and they may just go off. He just grabbed a couple of oran berries from his harvest and offered one to the Chikorita that wasn't with Crocus and one to the Meganium. He called out to Anise, "You know, it's not like I am actively seeking for strange things to happen to me all the time, you know? I'm not saying that weird things happen to me for no reason, but Landorus was one time! Even you didn't know what to expect. It's not like I come here, make an offering, and expect another Legendary Pokemon to just show up out of the blue."

@Remram

Anise looked away at his question, she didn’t really have an answer for him. When he lamented the second part… she raised an eyebrow at him, but then deigned not to reply.

Meanwhile, Crocus followed Chikorita behind the rock, where it stopped, spun around and…

‘Chiko!’ it called, gesturing proudly at a being floating in mid-air, behind the rock so that the humans couldn’t see it. The being looked down at Crocus, and held one of its arms over its mouth, indicating to stay quiet. Chikorita was all happy, feeling like it had shown a cool thing to Crocus.

Anise followed along as Basil stepped over. When offering the berries, the Chikorita excitedly jumped to grab the berry, smiling with the little leaf twirling a little as it enjoyed the berry. Meganium looked over towards him with a gentle look, then also ate the berry offered with a single chomp before resting its head again.

Basil spoke all that to Anise, and, from Crocus perspective, the Pokémon behind the rock appeared to be listening to the conversation, and then…

"It's not like I come here, make an offering, and expect another Legendary Pokemon to just show up out of the blue."

Like on cue, the Pokémon flew up a couple of meters, stopping just above the rock.

‘Fair,’ Anise said. ‘I’m just taking precautions beca-’ and she stopped mid-sentence because she saw the thing that just drifted up over there. A small flying Pokémon with a blue body, two tails and a yellow face and helmet-like thing on its head.







Connected areas:
Stillwood Village. Behind you.

❄Erika Olson❄

---

---

"Thanks." Erika replied, nodding as appreciated the praise. She wasn't even sure where that idea came from but maybe it was from a movie. The thought had taken Erika briefly away before the command to not look up was uttered. She almost immediately looked up and saw them. Shadow figures that looked imposing up there, some were even perched like gargoyles in fantasy. Though that could have been their Flying-Type Pokemon that they had.

"Oh! Sorry!" Erika laughed, though she didn't see the big deal. They weren't going to do anything... Right? They carried on for a bit longer until they came to a stop at a corner. Erika peered out alongside her masked friend and witnessed the battle for herself. Amazing... She pulled out her PokeDex to get a full survey but was watching the battle intently. She hadn't seen team battles like this at all, really. Sure, they were primarily squaring off one-on-one but they would influence the battle of others. A safeguard to protect their team, debuffing abilities...

"Combusken!" Chic sounded, startling Erika, turning to see Chic stepping up almost as if she were eager to plunge into the fray! Erika grabbed Chic and rounded the corner out of sight again. "Chic! We'd get squashed!" Erika sighed. "Though not for lack of effort but we simply aren't strong enough yet. One day." Erika patted the top of Chic's head before returning her to her Pokeball.

Following the thief, the pair went on undisturbed into a new section of town. If Bigfjord felt off before, it certainly stuck out in Erika's mind as they wandered the rutted out streets and cold slab and metal exteriors of Sunset Slums. "Wow..." Erika muttered at the introduction, not sure what else to say. Her eyes wandered about to see... well... nothing like home.

They'd eventually arrive at their destination with the rest of the thief gang waiting. She expected a little of the third-degree considering she did stop most of them...

"I mean, you guys really do look like bad guys..." She muttered in defense. Erika remained mostly silent after that. She watched the party shuffle on. They paid for rent and food for someone else which made Erika shrink. If she had known they were using the money for something good then maybe she wouldn't have been so quick to stop them.

They carried on and Erika paused to watch the daycare a little bit. Pokemon and kids playing wholesomely was the first warmth she felt in the city. It was something familiar. Then the bakery had Fire-Types gently stoking the flames of a fire in some earthworks to keep the bakery running as a dusty lady continued to kneed dough. She was hard at work but she looked happy? Satisfied? Erika wasn't sure which but it looked like she enjoyed what she was doing.

The shrine was some very old wood, adorned with newer ornaments and offerings that seemed to stick out. A Chimecho fluttered nearby alongside a trainer who was meditating. Different than the cheery thief that Erika had encountered. Yet again, though, Erika was reminded of well... anywhere else she had encountered in Isson. Places where there were warmth of human and Pokemon friendship. Daily activities that they would pal around to do.

Words couldn't really explain it as Erika didn't have the ability to, but this felt like what she wanted out of Bigfjord.

Are you sure you want to know?

"Yes." It was instant but Erika had to know. Surely this city could be better.

It was all explained and for once, Erika could put it all together. Erika sat down, finding a perch to watch the distant glimmer of lights from the spires of Bigfjord's larger buildings. She glanced up to see no stars, drowned out by the glare of city lights. It just all made sense why things worked this way here, but to Erika, it didn't make sense why it even existed at all. Cooldome City is novel in its concept, more of a resort in ways. Everyone was there to enjoy themselves so maybe it made sense why Erika saw Isson through rose-tinted glasses.

‘Having heard all that… what are you going to do now?’

Erika didn't really know. What was she going to do? What could she do?

"...How do you really make a difference here, then?"

@Pirouette

"...How do you really make a difference here, then?"

‘Lady, if we knew that, we’d be doing it already,’ the thief with the red hair who had used a Magnemite in the previous confrontation said, crossing her arms over there.

‘I am one of those office workers…’ the guy in the gas-mask said. ‘I have tried to change things from the inside. Still do. But believe me, the bureaucracy is built to crush any such attempt. They laugh it off, saying this is the way it is supposed to be…’ he continued.

‘So we resort to using our Pokémon~’ the Chimecho trainer inserted. ‘Unfortunately, just beating them in battle isn't going to change the system~’

The thieves had spoken in order from left to right in a half-circle, so following that the attention went to the big guy with the Quilladin… and he said nothing.

‘Our solution,’ the leader thief filled the silence. ‘is to make our teams and make robberies on noble-owned stores, and give the money to more deserving, and then to try to break into their bases and try to find anything incriminating. But if you're asking what you can do…’

‘Not much, probably~’ said the Chimecho trainer. ‘There’s a whole caste of powerful people who would try to stop you~’

‘But that's why we work together,’ the gas-mask guy said. ‘You could make or join a team trying to change things. There's quite a few of us in the city.’

‘Or, hey! There's a perfectly good team right here!’ the red-haired one said, clearly smirking under her mask as she held her arms out in demonstration towards the rest of them.

‘... If you can think of any other way to change the city, we’re all ears,’ the leader said. ‘We’ve tried to raise awareness in other cities with demonstrations, but the media always blocks it out, and it just becomes an excuse for them to brandish us as troublemakers. So for now, we do the one thing we’ve thought of that helps somebody,’ she continued, and then gripped her Pokéball again.

‘We fight.’
‘and steal!’
‘And give~’

The two later callers looked at the guy with the gas-mask.

‘I’ve got nothing,’ he stated.

‘Aw, c’mon! We almost said something cool together as a team!’

‘And so spontaneously, too~’

‘It’s because it was spontaneous that I’ve got nothing! If you want to be able to say stuff like that together, you have to rehearse it!’

‘Rehearsing is boring! We’ve got more important things to do!’

‘You could’ve said “and infiltrate”~’

… And the three of them behind the leader kept a sudden argument going. In the meantime, the leader looked to Erika.

‘No single person can be expected to change the world. I won't demand you do anything. That said…’ she steeled her voice. ‘For something to change, someone must do something. So, what will you do?’

She was asked again.

❄Erika Olson❄

---

---

Erika took it in.

What the thieves were had changed in her mind but she made a startling discovery in the process. It took all of this for her to get a different impression of them. How many people came in to see the city and saw thieves descending down on stores to rob them and flee, a scene that seemed foreign out in the rest of Isson? Yet what the thieves did was to survive and help others survive and yet...

The needle wasn't moving. The loss was within expectation of the big corporations and families. She sat back, eyes glazing over as she stared at the twinkle, not of stars, but the city lights towards the center of the city. So large. Far to big to make a difference for people so small.

She glanced at her bag, mind drumming up a theory. Only the right kinds of people could make a difference. Well, the right kinds of people or Pokemon. This place felt like it lacked any draw for a Pokemon but they still did appear here so maybe...

Erika had her theory on the goggles. The center of Worldedge was a peculiar place to lead and she had a hunch about the goggles she had been given. Among one of the rumors and gossips she had often heard was that Worldedge's floating portions were held up by a powerful and legendary Psychic Pokemon. If you used the goggles in Worldedge, it would lead you there, right. So what if she wasn't in town?

"We need the right people or the right Pokemon." Erika finally replied. She opened her bag and pulled out the pair of goggles. She ignored whatever questions came up and instead tried to ask about the only figure she probably could relate to. "What is the Major Gym Leader like?"

If she was wrong about the goggles then maybe she could find the Major Gym Leader. Surely, whoever they were didn't enjoy this. Trainers wouldn't come to Bigfjord looking for a good battle when the city just reeks of being unfriendly... right?

"I'm listening." Erika reassured them as she busied herself with the goggles, making sure they were on and then with a breath she slipped them over her head and hat to glance through them the first time...

The young noble arched his brow when Anise fell silent. "What? Was it something I-" He turned his head and saw exactly what had stricken her mute.

Basil froze in place when he saw the legendary Pokemon that was just there. Uxie, the legendary Pokemon of Sinnoh that lived in Lake Acuity... Except it was in Isson... and in a forest. Basil awkwardly returned its wave. "Um, hello there? Can we... help you?" For a moment he took a moment to consider the question he just posed. He followed up apologetically, "Actually, I suppose that's a rude thing to say when we're the ones that intruded upon your home. Just, uh, please don't erase our memories."

Once again, he took a moment and then said, "Not that you would do it out of ill-intent I mean. I just like to remember, well, my very being."

@Pirouette

‘Oh, Renaud?’ the red-haired one replied to her question about the Major Gym Leader here. ‘Dark-type Gym Leader of Bigfjord City…’ While the girl was wearing a mask, she definitely grimaced under it. ‘Yeah, we figure he’s not on our side.’

‘He’s not a noble, but he’s actively cooperating with them,’ the gas-mask wearing guy said. ‘He heads the Renaud Syndicate, a cooperation between a bunch of companies with shared bosses. Some in construction, distribution of power, security…’ he then sighs. ‘… and the promise him and his Gym Trainers will come to their aid if any of their companies or stores are robbed. Those around him also pay “protection fees”, for the same extended benefit. Which is why we generally don’t rob Foxhole Foundries in south-east Bigfjord…’

‘But, but~!’ the Chimecho trainer chimed in. ‘I met him, and he was super nice to me! He protected me from some ruffians!’

‘That wasn’t while you were fighting on this side,’ the gas-mask wearing guy inserted.

‘He was a gentleman!’ the Chimecho trainer insisted. ‘Me and Chimecho agree! There is nothing wrong with his heart!’ she insisted, crossing her arms.

‘… It could be worth a shot,’ the leader ultimately mumbled, having considered Erika’s implied suggestion. ‘While it doesn’t sound likely, were it to work…’

Meanwhile, Erika was looking through the goggles…

They were frankly hard to see through. They were pretty heavy to have on your head, as well. It was like a fog had fallen over the city. Yet, as promised, there were as if purple lines scattered in the air. Gently drifting in the air, like lines directing somewhere. And they were going… to two separate locations.

The most obvious lines were going directly to the giant tower. The one with the text saying “RUKH” on it. Following those lines would mean going directly to the heart of Bigfjord City.

Yet, there were a couple others. They were leading roughly north-east, keeping in mind that you’re currently in the west part of the city. From where Erika was currently they almost immediately went behind buildings, so she couldn’t see their ultimate destination.

What would she do?





_______________________

@Remram

Uxie’s head was turned to Basil as he proceeded with his question and then his pleading, as if staring towards him with closed eyes.

‘I can’t believe it…’ Anise muttered. ‘What are you…’ she started towards Uxie, but didn’t finish her question and instead frowned.

Uxie took a moment to look between the two of them… and then ope

Basil momentarily forgot where he was or why he was there.

It also was like he was somewhere else. He was no longer in a forest. Instead, he was in a building. Sort of. He didn’t have a body here. It was as if he was but a consciousness, presented with a room.

The room was windowless, with sterile, white walls. At the center stood a large, oval container of water. Instruments were connected to the container, cables drawn to numerous computers reading data. Numerous people in lab-coats were inspecting the data, while other, dark-clad men with Pokéballs at their belts looked much more like security. There were multiple exits, but they were all locked metal doors. And… inside the container of water…

Was an unconscious girl, around Basil’s age. She had long, flower blue hair, swirling around her head. Her eyes were closed, her limbs floating idly within the container, almost as if she was her patient. Yet, for some reason, it was clear. These people did not mean her well. She was not there because she wanted to. For her, this was a prison.

The presence that had been in front of Basil before he saw this vision appeared at his side. It looked towards him, and asked a wordless question.



So it asked him. He was free to answer in any way he saw fit.

❄Erika Olson❄

---

---

Erika listened as she peered through the goggles. She probably should have asked what was usually seen in them, aside from the Inventor's home and the center of Worldedge. Though a few lines seemed pretty straight forward. One headed towards the center of Bigfjord and the other to somewhere further afield. She couldn't tell where though but that did confirm one thing at least! These goggles did not lead Erika back to Worldedge or her home. They lead her to certain landmarks... whatever those may be. Surely there was a common thread but now she had to know what that would be.

Lifting her goggles, she finally turned to address the others. "I'm inclined to agree with..." Erika turned her gaze to the Chimecho trainer and frowned. Did they introduce themselves yet? Surely, Erika wouldn't just be calling them by codenames?

"...Chimecho. Wait can I at least know who you guys are?" Erika motioned with her hand at the group. "I guess the masks can stay on if you don't trust me but you all have seen my face." Before they got too far, "Erika, by the way. I come from Cooldome City so quite a bit different than here."

Introductions likely sorted, Erika turned her gaze to the big building that her goggles lead to. "So I'll clue you in to what these things are in a moment." She pointed to the goggles. "But tell me what that building is with the big R-U-K-H on it?"