[@Pirouette] [color=ea4c4b]‘Oh, Renaud?’[/color] the red-haired one replied to her question about the Major Gym Leader here. [color=ea4c4b]‘Dark-type Gym Leader of Bigfjord City…’[/color] While the girl was wearing a mask, she definitely grimaced under it. [color=ea4c4b]‘Yeah, we figure he’s not on our side.’[/color] [color=d7bf83]‘He’s not a noble, but he’s actively cooperating with them,’[/color] the gas-mask wearing guy said. [color=d7bf83]‘He heads the Renaud Syndicate, a cooperation between a bunch of companies with shared bosses. Some in construction, distribution of power, security…’[/color] he then sighs. [color=d7bf83]‘… 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…’[/color] [color=e090b8]‘But, but~!’[/color] the Chimecho trainer chimed in. [color=e090b8]‘I met him, and he was super nice to me! He protected me from some ruffians!’[/color] [color=d7bf83]‘That wasn’t while you were fighting on this side,’[/color] the gas-mask wearing guy inserted. [color=e090b8]‘He was a gentleman!’[/color] the Chimecho trainer insisted. [color=e090b8]‘Me and Chimecho agree! There is nothing wrong with his heart!’[/color] she insisted, crossing her arms. [color=ac705c]‘… It could be worth a shot,’[/color] the leader ultimately mumbled, having considered Erika’s implied suggestion. [color=ac705c]‘While it doesn’t sound likely, were it to work…’[/color] 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? [hider=Sunset Slums][url=i.imgur.com/1RguN5t.jpeg][img]https://i.imgur.com/gaW7NK1.png[/img][/url][/hider] [hider=Bigfjord City][center][h2]Bigfjord City[/h2] [url=https://i.imgur.com/nnyLDfS.jpg][img]https://i.imgur.com/nnyLDfS.jpg[/img][/url][/center] Bigfjord City. The center of industry in Isson. If there’s a company, it likely has its headquarters in this city of commerce. The city of Bigfjord is famous for needing a lot of hands. The storehouse of Isson, the city is riddled with countless cheap apartments for the many objects of commerce that are shipped across the land. The ships of Bigfjord sail by the sea to Pureplain, where it is traded to the rest of the world. Inside the city hundreds of companies grow out of nothing and employ the population, and that is the draw of the city. The city itself are just skyscrapers after skyscrapers, modern and organized as far as the eye can see, with the larger companies growing out of the bunch with spectacular structures showing of their wealth and power, lording over the workers who move to Bigfjord for a chance at an easy life working for the big boys. As you enter the streets of Bigfjord City, the night of Route 13 does not leave. Where the roads of Worldedge City might feel magical, the streets of Bigfjord City feel unforgivingly real. Cars drive around causing long lines of traffic, and uncountable workers and humans tarry about, going to or from work. What perhaps stands out the most is the sheer lack of Pokémon-themed marketing. In Bigfjord City, it is like they look down on the premise of Pokémon driving the world. The only Pokémon you see are the Murkrows sitting on the street lights, hunting for their next meals and trinkets, as well as the Rattatas lurking just visible in the various alleys, doing very much the same thing. Unlike basically everywhere else in Isson, the atmosphere was not welcoming. It was stiffeningly uncaring.[/hider] _______________________ [@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. [color=e04f4f]‘I can’t believe it…’[/color] Anise muttered. [color=e04f4f]‘What are you…’[/color] 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. [center][h3][i][color=f5d584]h e l p[/color] [color=2E2C2C] _ [/color] [color=f5d584]s a v e[/color] [color=2E2C2C] _ [/color] [color=f5d584]h e r ?[/color][/i][/h3][/center] So it asked him. He was free to answer in any way he saw fit.