@Pirouette

Erika’s question of who they were triggered a little giggle from Chimecho’s trainer, while the guy in the gas-mask crossed his arms and the red-haired lady put a hand on her hip and probably smiled under her mask.

‘Yeah, we were keeping the details light just in case you decide to run off and tell the cigs all about us,’ the red-haired one said.

‘Trying to send spies to infiltrate the teams stealing from them would not be beyond the nobles,’ gas-mask guy said.

‘I’m Chime~!’ Chimecho’s trainer immediately stuck a hand up and happily announced. The other two immediately turned to stare at her, after which the gas-mask guy put a hand on his mask akin to facepalm and the red-haired chick snickered.

The leader looked to Erika.

‘We won’t tell you our names. But, as a team, we’re the Night Owls,’ she said.

‘Featuring zero actual owl Pokémon!’ the red-haired one kept snickering. ‘Anyway, call me Yoink!’



‘As said, I’m Chime~!’ Chime still held her hand up.

‘Yepp, the Chimecho trainer calls herself Chime,’ Yoink is still snickering.

‘Chiiiime~!’ Chime positively beamed as she spoke like a Pokémon saying their name.



‘I’m Geewee. As in, G-W, two letters,’ the guy in a gas-mask said…



‘Uh…’ The big guy that had commanded Quilladin earlier spoke for the first time since the battle. ‘I’m Block,’ he said, before awkwardly looking away.



‘And I’m Hush, founder and leader of the Night Owls,’ the leader said.



‘We originate from the Sunset Slums, and we’re trying to bring fairness back to Bigfjord City, one way or another,’ she continued, ‘which at the moment is by robbing company-owned stores and bringing the money back to the Slums where it’s actually needed. Along with bringing the noble families down, somehow.’

‘I can share numbers with you,’ Hush continued, in case Erika wanted.

‘Cooldome City, huh… Does that mean you’re good at Pokémon Battle?’ Yoink asked, peering over.

‘… The building over there is the HQ of Rukh Group Corporation, the Rukh noble family conglomerate. They handle logistics and trading and vehicles… but also got their fingers in everyone else’s pies in Bigfjord City. They’re the biggest sponsors of the city, and the ones with executive control. They’re the ones that fund the City Guardians. If you’re looking for the biggest fish to fry, that’s them,’ Hush said, looking at that tower.

‘Which of course makes them the best defended in the city~!’ Chime called.

‘Kinda like having the final boss just looming in the background at all times,’ Yoink chuckled, joining them in looking at the tower.

‘And the big boss himself has his office somewhere in there,’ GW continued on that particular likeness.

So what does Erika make of this?

❄Erika Olson❄

---

---

Erika frowned giving them a look as she turned over her hand to expose her palm signaling her annoyance at the secrecy but in the end she supposed she understood. At least now she had something to call them.

"Well, you will all feel silly not trusting me fully." Erika muttered, crossing arms. "But at least I get to call you by names of some kind, now." Erika eased off as she considered everything else. "And yeah, I learned a lot from my mother who was almost Isson Champion. Plus a lot of people battle in Cooldome... Erika trailed off, bashfully. "...But I didn't start my Pokemon journey until recently and from Pureplain City." Erika admitted, knowing she wouldn't exactly be a top threat in the city like some hero.

Although maybe she had the right idea on how to approach this. She just needed a big bad on their side. Though it was a question of how to go about that. It sounded like a really big ask to go after the 'biggest fish' in the city on a whim. Although she did feel convinced by the idea of it...

"Okay so." Erika tapped the goggles on her forehead. "I got these from an inventor in Worldedge and he didn't know what they do so I took a job to find out what they do. Now one thing I do know is that they lead to the center of Worldedge where I have heard some Legendary Psychic Pokemon may be located to give the mountain its floating properties." It was fairly common to hear that rumor spread but nobody knew for sure if it was true. They didn't even know the Pokemon that could be in there.

"Anyway, I suspected if I left Worldedge, they would point me to somewhere else. Here in Bigfjord City, I see two destinations." Erika pointed at Rukh HQ. "The Rukh HQ building." Then she pointed to the Northeast. "Then somewhere over there. I can't tell where as buildings are in the way, but the point is I think they lead to a Legendary Pokemon."

It dawned on Erika that maybe admitting that she had a device to lead people to Legendary Pokemon might not be wise. Bad people might be willing to do anything to get their hands on such a locating device. Erika frowned. "Uhh, please don't tell anyone that. My price for helping you..."

Erika shook the thought from her head. "Anyway, I don't know if it is true or not, but I have to find out. We could go to Rukh or the other Northeast part of town to find out. If I am right then maybe we can ask a Legendary Pokemon for their help. That is a lot of strength behind the movement." Erika said, before tapping her chin in thought. "Either that or we convince Renaud which I think is possible. I believe Chime when she said Renaud is a good person. He is a Gym Leader! They are supposed to be models for trainers like me and you."

Erika shrugged. She didn't sound super convincing but surely Renaud realized that this city stunk for Pokemon trainers. "He might be difficult to convince but maybe secretly he doesn't like how this city is run? I dunno but I would like to check out what the goggles point me to. What is in the Northeast part of town, by the way?"

With that Erika would finally conclude and put it up to discussion.
"So what do you all think we should do?"

Where was he? For a moment, he had no concept of where he was before or why; he was just in a void until it began to take shape. White, sterile and lifeless. Basil glanced around and saw people that resided in this room, people in long white coats. Doctors? Scientists? Was this a lab? Then what in the world were those men dressed in black?

His eyes fell upon a tube filled with water and... a girl was floating in it? Why was she there? What the hell was this and why was Uxie showing him this? Was this real? The only thing for certain was that this girl was not here of her own volition; this was her prison.

Uxie had manifested in front by his side and asked him a simple question. Without any hesitation, Basil asked a question in return. "Where do I start?"

@Pirouette

‘Sorry~’ Chime said to Erika saying they should feel silly for not trusting her. ‘I could tell you my name when there’s just the two of us~’

‘Oo, almost the champion, huh,’ Yoink noted, crossing her arms. Looking like she was considering something.

Erika went on to explain about the goggles she had. And that they maybe point towards…

‘Legendary…’ Yoink stared at her in shock.

‘… Pokémon…!?’ GW finished, as so did he, too.

‘Wooow~’ Chime called in, arms raised in amazement.

There was a moment of silence as Erika went on to tell them to please not tell anyone about that.

‘Yeah, no duh!’ Yoink sounded out.

‘If anyone even slightly shady hears about that, they’re gonna waste no time at all plotting how to steal them from you…’ GW said. Hush nodded to that, definitely agreeing. Erika continued what she was saying…

‘We’re not equipped to head for Rukh’s HQ,’ Hush replied quickly. ‘If he’s got a legendary Pokémon in there, then it is likely out of our reach and in a very secure position, possibly in a Pokéball for all we know. We’re not making it past the reception without getting the entirety of the cigs on us,’ she stated plainly.

‘So, we could examine what it is you’re seeing in the north-east. In fact, if it is something that could help us, then I say it would give us a stronger case that we’re worth being invested in if we’re bringing something legendary. So I would say going north-east first.’ So the leader of the group says.

‘Right, uh. But you’re not heading there alone. Right, what’s there, you have no idea about anything…’ GW said, as he started walking towards Erika while taking something out of his bag. It was a large folded piece of paper that he unfolded and held over to Erika. It was a map.





‘Pffth, paper,’ Yoink made a noise over there. ‘Things are supposed to be technology nowadays. Keep with the times.’

‘They’re not gonna be able to send a Porygon to hack my paper map, Yoink,’ GW replied, unimpressed. He then started pointing at the map.

‘Anyway, were here, Sunset Slums. The parts ruled by the cigs are Gemstone Skylines, Brighttown Boulevard, Evergreen Avenue and Safehouse Docks, and also parts of Foxhole Foundries and Steppingstone Streets. Sunset Slums, Afterthought Abodes and Tightrope Allies… all look like this, and we’re usually not bothered here,’ he gestured at the state of Sunset Slums.

‘But if you’re saying north-east, then that’s-’ he pointed. ‘- Lovesick Lane. It’s, uh. Lots of weird people there,’ he said.

‘Lots of people who believe in fairies~’ Chime chimed in.

‘Right. Most famous for Maledy’s Menagerie, which is a circus… and the participants of the circus are one of the teams doing just like we’re doing and robbing stores, and for them it’s to distribute money to the people of Lovesick Lane,’ GW said.

‘… Which they all then spend by going back to their circus,’ Yoink looked uneasy. ‘I swear, something feels off about the people there…’

‘Just because it’s magical doesn’t mean it’s distrustful~’ Chime called happily.

‘Right,’ Hush stepped forwards to also look at the map. ‘Besides, Lovesick Lane does feel like a place where one might find something mystical.’ She then pointed at a couple more places on the map. ‘Most factories are in Foxhole Foundries, warehouses in Safehouse Docks next to the actual docks. Rukh’s HQ is there, right between Gemstone Skyline and Brighttown Boulevard. Renaud’s gym is in south-east Brighttown Boulevard, and his influence spreads over Foxhole Foundries. We met you in Steppingstone Streets, then here in Gemstone Skylines we saw the fight between Daybreak and the Clovers, where Daybreak is a team of mercenaries hired by the noble families, and the Clovers are a team from Afterthought Abodes…’

‘Hey, by the way. Whatever happened to the friends you had, back in Steppingstone Streets?’ Yoink suddenly asked.

‘Given where they were, I would assume the cigs met up with them in front of the store. They’ve likely received the other side of the story by now,’ Hush said, very simply.

What does Erika do now?







Connected areas:
Route 12. A long, peaceful plain stretching far west towards Redcoast City.
Route 13. A route of eternal night, leading east towards Worldedge City.
Route 26. The calm waters north of Bigfjord City, leading towards Ironcliff Town.

_______________________

@Remram

Basil asked his question and awaited his answer… then he remembered said answer. As if he knew it all along. But as further affirmation…

The vision transported him out of the facility, through the walls, and he saw the grey, not particularly noteworthy building… completely surrounded by the billowing smoke, deep within the Industrial District of Worldedge City, among the city’s many factories and warehouses. Bottom section of the southern side of the city. This would be the front entrance of the facility.

There was a second entrance, which Basil was suddenly brought past routes to be shown. In Mt. Strength, there was a secret tunnel that went down, far down, until it was no longer Mt. Strength at all. There was an underground system of tunnels, and one path there led to an elevator surrounded by a small encampment. That elevator also led to the same facility.

Regardless of the path taken, there would be guards trying to oppose any sort of intrusion. These were bad guys. However, a note of caution was requested. For there are those who support the darkness of Isson, and should too many allies be called, then the bad guys would catch wind of it before any rescue operation could take place.

There was also a request which he remembered, despite never being told. Do not tell anyone what hides here in Ancient Stillwood. For that is exactly what it is doing there… hiding. From what, it couldn’t tell.

…

Basil could suddenly blink awake, back in the forest. In front of him was Uxie, whose eyes definitely hadn’t been closed a moment ago.

Anise also stood here, and judging by her gasp she was also just shown something. Regardless.

What would Basil do now?

❄Erika Olson❄

---

---

Erika figured it would be a stretch to go after the Rukh HQ this early. Besides, confidence wasn't always her strongest trait and invading the headquarters of a powerful corporate family tycoon who control a whole city seemed high on that 'requiring confidence' thing. Again, there was the whole hunch thing that she believed these goggles located legendary. They just might lead to powerful stones or something, too.

Was Erika about to head off on her own? Maybe. She was still hanging around masked strangers. Plus, where would she be going...
"Oh, hey! A map!" Erika sounded pleased as she scanned it.

Then GW said something about Porygons being able to mess with computers. "Don't tell me that... now I'm scared to even check my PokeDex." She muttered just as they got into the directions.

It was nice to see the city laid out. Though a little foreboding about Lovesick Lane... the place she most wanted to go to next to discover where her goggles were leading that wouldn't immediately result in her getting arrested or something like that if she tried the Rukh HQ.

"So something feels off there?" Erika scratched at just under the prim of her hat. "I'm trying to think of Fairy types but I do not know many. Especially ones to enchant people. Maybe it is the Legendary there? I guess I didn't even know if there was a Fairy type Legendary."

That's when Yoink mentioned her friends. Oh yeah! Joshua and Ewan! Poor boys must be worried sick!
"Oh! I'll message them and maybe meet up with them in Lovesick Lane..." Erika felt her head sink between her shoulders. "But I don't know how Ewan feels about your gang. We only jumped in to stop you because he was so passionate about doing the right thing. If I tell him I am working with you then he might be mad."

That's when Erika suddenly perked up. "But I think Joshua may cover me. He is a bit of a goof but he didn't want to really get involved. I thought he even said something about us not knowing how it works here or something. Seems pretty smart to say now."

Erika messaged Joshua: Joshua. I am safe and sound. Please don't tell Ewan yet. He may not like what I am doing or who I am with. I may need help eventually but I can explain later if I need to. Keep you posted.

"Okay that covers that. I don't think I'll ask them for help quite yet if what you say is true."

Erika clenched at the hems of her shorts as she took a deep breath. "Alright so." She began, thinking about how all this can work. "I will go to Lovesick Lane. If you really think I'll need someone to watch my back then maybe one of you can join me. I will find the source of these goggles and at least answer that question. Meanwhile, I think someone that is good at talking with people convince whichever gangs and people you are friendly with to see if they are willing to do some big heist on Rukh HQ or something. Actually don't even say Rukh HQ in case the word slips. Just see if we can stir interest with just a big heist. If I am successful in whatever is in Lovesick Lane, I might go on to talk with Renaud..."

Erika paused to consider her words carefully. Not that she felt the situation was delicate but because she just had a feeling about him. "From what I know, and I suppose that really is less than I'd like, you don't become a Gym Leader because you want to run an empire. It is because you love battling. That is at the core of Trainers and Pokemon, right? So what Renaud is doing, I feel like he is doing it because it is just the system and he is caught up in it. Bigfjord just feels so cold and lonely for passing trainers that I feel like quite a few don't stay. That is less serious battles and challenges. I'm sure there is probably some chart that keeps track of all the gym battle challenges but I feel like Renaud doesn't get a lot. So basically, I think freeing Bigfjord City might be a way to appeal to more trainers coming here and more challenges."

Was that childishly naive? Probably. But Erika was raised to believe Gym Leaders were dependable and pillars of communities. Was Renaud just a victim of the circumstances or an instigator? Erika truly didn't know but she hoped for the best.

"Well I'll try to say all that to him at least." Erika muttered. "Even if my goggles don't lead to a Legendary and even if Renaud says no, I'll find something to help!"

With that determination, Erika set off.

Now Erika had no way of knowing but she would quickly stop at the PC in the Pokemon Center to swap Kay for Poli. Then she could only be lucky as she made her way to the North-east, passing along the docks to find a sailor willing to trade a Poliwag for an Impidimp.

Then she'd carry on towards Lovesick Lane!

It was a trippy experience to ask a question and then suddenly remember the answer as if he had known it all along. There were many paths to reach their goal, but many obstructions and many ears to the ground. That meant really, besides a few trusted allies, that they were on their own. Another task to struggle against, but one that he welcomed if it meant someone could be saved.

"If our foes are strong and we're on our own, then where shall we seek strength?" Basil asked plainly.

@Pirouette

Erika sent her message to Joshua. It did not take long at all before she received a response. A decently long one, at that.

Oh, thank goodness! :D
We’ve been held up for a bit by this guy called Bladestorm, apparently a member of the City Guardians of Bigfjord City. He found us in front of the store, initially assumed we were the robbers and fought us, but now we’ve explained ourselves and now he’s leading us to their HQ and telling us all about what’s going on in this city.
I feel a bit uncomfortable, but Ewan seems determined to help out with the criminals in the city. I kinda just want to continue my Pokémon journey and have fun? This serious stuff can wait until my team is stronger. :3
Ah, but if sweet lady Erika says that she will need my help, then I will of course stop at nothing to come to your aid! Just tell me when! I’ll watch Ewan in the meantime! Good luck!

Then, Erika told her plan to the rest. Part of which included a big heist on Rukh HQ. As long as they didn’t mention that it was an attack on Rukh’s HQ. Hush brought a hand to her chin as she considered.

‘… The biggest players would be Naiad of Silver Scale, Static of Neon Dream and, well, Maledy of Maledy’s Menagerie. And Granite of the Automatons,’ Hush murmured. ‘Then numerous smaller teams like the Clovers, Mammoth Squad or the Vices…’

‘Or us!’ Chime raised a hand and exclaimed happily.

‘Yeah, the Night Owls are unfortunately not a major name with not a lot of contacts,’ she admitted to Erika. ‘but we can make an effort. Yoink, you know the guys at Neon Dream,’ Hush said, turning to their red-haired member.

‘Er, well, I do,’ Yoink scratched her head over her beanie. ‘But they just mainly hate the Agni group in specific.’ The members of the Agni noble family, that is.

‘Try speaking to them. Gauge interest in meeting. We have a big target,’ Hush said. ‘Myself, I know Onyx of Mammoth Squad is good friends with Naiad, and I have partnered with Onyx in the past. So I can work myself up. If I were to get Naiad to join us, plenty more would join for free,’ the leader continued. ‘GW, try to come up with a plan. That’s your area of expertise.’

‘It sure is…’ GW sighed, as he crossed his arms and gazed off at the tower, the weight of his new task apparent in his tone. ‘Hm. I should also be able to contact the Automatons… and some more. I have a couple contacts, actually…’

‘Good. As for Maledy…’ Hush turned to look at Chime, who was positively beaming through her mask. ‘Chime, I think you’d match her aura. Would you like to go make the request?’

‘Leave~! It~! To~! Me~!’ Chime chimed with a melodic tone to her voice as she spun around. ‘Aaah, it’s a dream come true! I’ve always wanted to have a reason to meet with Maledy myself~!’

‘It seems we all have tasks to do, then. Chime, escort Erika to Lovesick Lane. I wouldn’t like her heading there alone,’ Hush said. ‘I’ll contact you later. I… don’t want you heading to Renaud without us nearby to possibly bail you out, just in case,’ the leader said with genuine concern in her voice. ‘Regardless of what may have been on his mind, he has fought against our kind so far…’ And that was reason enough why he could be their enemy, and Hush wanted Erika to have some form of cover.

With that, their plans were made.

‘Alright. Then, until we meet again,’ Hush would say, because she’d now go off and try to negotiate with other teams. Block, who hadn’t said much, would head with her simply to make sure the leader of the Night Owls wasn’t heading somewhere alone, either. Yoink and GW had their own tasks… but Chime was sent to Lovesick Lane with Erika. So…

A couple of steps after separating, Chime just gladly pulled her mask off and smiled with her real face to Erika. ‘’It’d be weird to be seen walking with someone in a mask, right? So, hi! I’m Rosemary~ Call me Rose~’ she happily presented herself, waving to Erika. Also, she let Chimecho out, and the Wind Chime Pokémon dangled along with them on the way.

They headed across the city again, walking across most of the city. They crossed Gemstone Skyline, which was a lot of tight streets with plenty of shops around and lots of blinking lights, and the whole time Rosemary was chatting. Talking about various things. The shrine they briefly visited? She worked there, for a measly sum, but she likes the place and as such doesn’t mind. She then went on to ask Erika plenty more, like about the journey she was going on, what she likes, etc, and far more things that would cover the entire screen if it was written down.

After following the lines seen with the Goggles, and passing by a lot closer to Rukh’s tower, they could head by the perimeter of Safehouse Docks and arrive towards Lovesick Lane.



What does Erika do now?







Connected areas:
Route 12. A long, peaceful plain stretching far west towards Redcoast City.
Route 13. A route of eternal night, leading east towards Worldedge City.
Route 26. The calm waters north of Bigfjord City, leading towards Ironcliff Town.

❄Erika Olson❄

---

---

Erika appreciated that everyone seemed so eager to roll with her plan. She wasn't exactly confident. She never was, but at least it seemed like they believed in her and that was enough to encourage her to really try. Anyway, they were all set and Erika felt optimistic as she set out with Chime. Though the nickname thankfully didn't last long because as soon as they were alone, Rosemary properly introduced herself.

"Nice to meet you, Rose." She waved back, smiling. That was nice. She couldn't shake the feeling of being such an outsider and apparently untrustworthy but at least one person trusted her enough. Well aside from all of them agreeing to her plan. Erika indulged Rose in conversation. Telling her all about Cooldome City and her aspirations of being a Champion because her mom tried to be one. She recounted her adventure so far, starting in Pureplain City. Traveling through the Wet Caverns and emerging out in Lakewatch Town. How she got chased around by dragons. Competed against the Trickster and his wind challenge. Challenged the gym leader in Stillwood and conquered with Chic evolving. Then her adventure in Mount Strength where she rallied the Fighting types to battle against some noble who wanted a Dawnstone like her. Then heading to Worldedge with her friends and all separating since. Then there was the Inventor that Erika talked about but by that time they had reached the borough they were looking for. Lovesick Lane.

It seemed like a nice place but Erika could feel that same sense that the others told her about. Erika watched as one Purrloin approached someone snacking on a bun and nuzzling him, purring very loudly. He took his attention off of his bun for just a moment and the Purrloin snatched it and ran off with the man looking sad that his meal had left him. It seemed even the Pokemon adopted thievery mindset. Tough place.

Finally though, the goggles revealed where they were headed. Dream World. Erika gave a friendly nod to the Drowsee but paused as she considered what Rose told her. "So I don't think I'll be trying this place like that. You don't think I'll get sleepy in there, do you?"

Erika frowned. Surely she wouldn't be put to sleep but then again, maybe. This whole city was a little bit shady. Rather than chance it, she drew a Pokeball. "Tara." She announced, summoning her Swablu. Tara chirped with her headpiece which was the EXP Share. "Swaablu~"

"Uhh let me get that off of you first." Erika said, taking the EXP Share off and placing it in her bag for now. "Now, Tara, just to be safe, Safeguard." Tara cast Safeguard, a shimmering barrier briefly appearing before vanishing around the forms of Erika, Tara, and Rose. "That'll keep us safe from falling asleep. Not saying they would put us to sleep but maybe."

Then Erika considered something. "You can come with unless you'd rather head to the circus thing. I should be fine but I guess who knows what is in there."

Erika was going in regardless. With Tara acting as a Safeguard, literally, to status conditions, she thought she might be safe enough.

@Remram

There was a moment of silence as Uxie considered what Basil was asking. The legendary Pokémon tilted its head somewhat forward, and Anise looked between them, seemingly holding her breath.

Then, Uxie ope

osed its eyes. The eyelids definitely were open a moment ago, but Basil had no memory of it. He did have new memories, however, that he didn’t have before.

For one, he’s not in a rush. The people down there in the building were trying to get something from the girl, but they were working with a mistaken assumption. They would not make progress anytime soon, so if Basil wanted to, he could take his time and train to become stronger, until the day when he would so feel ready to take it on.

For the second. Simply progressing his journey would be plenty in order to grow stronger. To grow in levels, challenge strong opponents, learn new moves… it would all help in simply growing stronger. Most people didn’t get strong enough Pokémon to challenge the Pokémon League, simply reaching that strength would put him above most common bad guys as well.

But, there is one more thing he can do. Other than getting experience through battle, they could also train specifically to get stronger. One can get better at deflecting attacks, or dodging under an incoming blow. There is more a Pokémon can do than simply their moves. Many Gym Leaders have practice doing this, where their strongest Pokémon are able to battle on their own if so needed, because they’ve trained to be creative during battle and have the experience to do so. A more experienced human should be able to teach Basil how to do so.

Or, if he wanted a more experienced Pokémon, then there was another option. Four different locations were recorded in Basil’s memory. A hidden cavern in Gold Cave. A dangerous section in Unforgiving Cavern. A glade in Sparse Forest, located west of Route 19, south of Route 18 and south-east of Cycling Outpost. A pond in South Silent Forest, west of Highhill Town. In each of these locations was a skilled Pokémon, who might assist his Pokémon, to train them in ways beyond what humans could.

This was Uxie’s answer.

@Pirouette

Rose’s eyes practically glew with excitement as Erika told about her journey.

‘Wow, there’s so much one can see and experience outside this city… I’ve been missing out!’ Rose giggled. ‘Sure, what I’ve been doing has been important, but still!’

Eventually they arrived before the Dream World, and…

‘Huh, maybe. I haven’t heard of them putting people to sleep just for entering, but maybe!’ She then gave a curious look at the EXP Share Erika took off from Tara, and then when she used Safeguard. ‘Ooo, that’s handy!’

‘Maledy can wait!’ Rose said, despite being so excited about seeing Maledy before. ‘They told me to escort you! If you were to walk in there and end up in danger on your own, how would I live with myself? C’mon, let’s go!’ she said, definitely not hiding that she really just wanted to accompany to see what the goggles were actually leading towards.

So, entering the building…

There’s a decently sized reception area, with three doors and stairs, up and down. The door to the left was to the sleeping rooms on the first floor, the door to the right was to a cafeteria, while the door straight ahead was to the staff area. Up the stairs were more sleeping floors, down was staff only. There’s chairs and tables for waiting around and talking, or perhaps napping straight here by the entrance. There were a substantial number of people in here, sitting or standing around, waiting, looking happy for no discernable reason. If Erika equipped the goggles, she’d see the lines going down the basement. A round Pokémon was standing on the reception next to the staff member, smiling at all customers.



‘Hello, and welcome to Dream World. Here, we promise you nothing but the deepest of sleeps, regardless of how stressed you may be,’ the receptionist bowed. ‘You can order Dreamless Sleep to simply wake up refreshed. A Happy Dream will bring you joy for no discernable reason. Adventure Dream is a special option; it will allow a Hypno to manipulate your dream to let you experience whatever you wish. You could also order a Nightmare, but it costs more because our Pokémon enjoys it less. Also, why would you?’



‘Oh, but if you’re just here for Sleep O’Clock, then you’re just in time. Simply wait five minutes, and it’ll be upon us,’ the receptionist said. Jigglypuff winked.

Rose was looking around excitedly for now. What does Erika do?









Connected areas:
Route 12. A long, peaceful plain stretching far west towards Redcoast City.
Route 13. A route of eternal night, leading east towards Worldedge City.
Route 26. The calm waters north of Bigfjord City, leading towards Ironcliff Town.

This has been an enlightening experience though it was a borderline unpleasant experience to suddenly have his brain flooded with information as if it was just dormant knowledge that needed to be dug up. However, it was reassuring to know that whatever was going on with the kid that were not making progress though he worried for her regardless. Even if they were going off an incorrect assumption, she was still being held against his will.

And then there were the avenues of becoming stronger. So, they were not on the wrong track to find a more experienced trainer to help them. As tempting as it was to seek out these Pokemon, they may not even give him the time of day if they deemed him too weak.

Basil looked back at Anise. "Do you have anything you want to ask?"

@Remram

Anise looked between Basil and Uxie, and frowned as she considered. Now, the following questions she’s already received sort of an answer to, but having it be answered by the god of knowledge was fundamentally different.

‘Alright, so I…’

Then she went ahead and explained at length the quest that she and Basil had departed on, following the prophecy, finding Landorous, getting Lorette’s explanation. That they had received the berries from Landorous, and what it had done in Stillwood Village. That her current quest was to find Landorous and bring him back to the Deepforest Shrine, and that she intended to become stronger first, then somehow find Landorous. Despite this being the “god of knowledge”, it appeared that she didn’t want to assume Uxie just knew all this.

‘… So, I wanted to ask. Do you know how to find or summon Landorous when the time comes, and how I should prepare myself for when it happens?’ Anise eventually answered.

Uxie patiently waited during the story. And, after Anise had finished, it didn’t need any time to consider. Uxie o

sd its eyes. Once again, there was a hole in Basil’s memories, so he couldn’t recall how the eyes had looked. Yet, it seemed Uxie had seen fit to share the answer with Basil.

Landorous can sense whenever an Abundance Berry is planted, and will then make the decision himself if he wants to head there or not. It was likely he decided not to show up when it was planted in the midst of a village. However, plant it somewhere with significance to the Pokémon, say, a shrine, and he is more likely to see it as a summon.

But Anise is correct. When he appears, she should be prepared to prove herself. And to do that, there is nothing else to it. Get stronger. And, as an additional note, an answer to a question Anise didn’t even ask, Landorous will respect someone who holds true to their beliefs far more than someone who intentionally built their team to counter him.

Anise winced a bit from having received her answer, but then her expression steeled itself in determination. She stood up straight, and did a proper martial artist bow to Uxie.

‘Thank you, Master Uxie. My mind has been cleared of all doubt,’ she said.

In response, the Psychic Legendary did a bow of its own, albeit flying in mid-air.

In the time of the story, Chikorita had more than enough time to run back into the area, and happily present Uxie to Crocus again… and then just want to play some more.

What does Basil do now?







Connected areas:
Stillwood Village. Behind you.

❄Erika Olson❄

---

---

Tara roosted on top of Erika's head as they hashed out their plan before walking in. Well, plan, as in they were just going to walk in with safeguard and see what happens. Though it was nice that Rose was going to be her backup after all. Erika had never done anything like sneaking around before. It seemed like this could go wrong in so many ways so maybe it was nice that someone who did have experience, whatever length that may be, was joining her.

"Thank you, because..." Erika muttered, "...I kind of don't know what I'm doing and making it up as a go." It was rather scary to be so sneaky. "I've never done anything like this."

"Swaaa~" Tara chirped in reassurance, fluttering her fluffy wings. Erika's eyes shot up, but were just able to look at the brim of her hat. "Thanks Tara, speaking of actually, I think Tara will cover Chimeco, too, but I guess I don't really know for sure. Safeguard might have limit so I'll keep Tara out to keep that up."

Then without further ado, they entered.

Erika lowered her goggles and analyzed the lines leading her downstairs. Okay, so they had to get downstairs somehow but she doubted she could just walk there. She stepped up to the receptionist and got the explanation on everything.

She did her best to hide her frown. Did people really come here to sleep more in their lives? Maybe if you struggled to sleep but what if these people just slept all day? "Oh, right, Sleep O'Clock..." Erika uttered, nodding as if she knew what that was. She could guess considering the people and the Jigglypuff primed to sing, she imagined. How would she work her way to the basement, she wondered. There was no way they just could go walking down there.

"No thank you on the Sleep O'Clock. I actually have a weird sleep condition that prevents me from sleeping." Erika furrowed her brow as she tried to spin her sudden comment to something useful. "Unless I sleep somewhere underground. All that rock overhead just feels like a warm blanket that puts me right to sleep! So I was wondering if I could maybe use your basement. You do promise nothing but the deepest sleeps and I juuust happen to sleep only deep in the earth."

Erika wasn't sure how her improvised story would sell the receptionist but she did have an ace in the hole in that regard. Safeguard would prevent her from sleeping when Jigglypuff sang so as long as the receptionist didn't know about Safeguard, this might appear convincing enough.

@Pirouette

‘Oh, that’s ALL of us!’ Rose claimed whole-heartedly about Erika saying she didn’t know what she was doing and was making things up as she went. ‘Those who claim they know what they’re doing, they’re the ones truly living in fantasy land!’ So she said, and clapped on Erika’s shoulder. So they went in…

Erika described her “condition” to the receptionist. Her eyebrow twitched, and stared at Erika. A moment later, she spun around and ran, and a quiet but fast-paced conversation took place between coworkers. A pair of the coworkers then went running and ran down the stairs, while the receptionist ran back to Erika.

‘Alright, ma’am! You’re in luck! We’re preparing a room for you as we speak! Though, I think you’ll find that, with our Pokémon, it wouldn’t matter where you were for them to be able to put you to sleep!’ the receptionist boosted, and it might have sounded a little bit more like a threat than she meant it to. The preparations took more than five minutes, and five minutes later the Jigglypuff started to open its mouth…

‘Not yet!’ the receptionist put a hand over Jigglypuff’s mouth. Jigglypuff looked startled. ‘I know it’s Sleep O’Clock, but this young lady must get her room, first!’ The receptionist then glanced over at Rose… ‘And who’re you supposed to- I mean, are you also here to sleep?’

‘I’m just my friend’s escort~!’ Rose declared. ‘She was so frightfully worried about coming here, you see! So I’ll be coming along!’

‘Uh-huh,’ the receptionist nodded, raising an eyebrow at her. Yet, it wasn’t time for that, there were some slightly irritated people waiting for Sleep O’Clock that wanted to know why it hadn’t happened yet, and it was clearly stressing the receptionist somewhat.

Finally, the two coworkers came back up, and waved. ‘Finally!’ the receptionist sounded, then hurried over to escort Erika down. Assuming she followed…

She got to follow down the stairs. There, the atmosphere changed somewhat. It was a sterile environment that would remind someone of an abandoned hospital wing. There was a big open door to the left, but they’d clearly hurriedly covered it with curtains so Erika couldn’t see through it, and two other coworkers stood in front of it, all smiley, their arms crossed as if guarding it. The receptionist led Erika and Rose past them, and past another set of doors similarly covered, and then through another door…

The room looked like what might have been a doctor’s office, with one of those firm beds for a patient to briefly lie down on as the doctor talks to or investigates them, and then a computer for a person to sit by. The room was clearly not actually meant for customers of the facility, but they’d put a fancy bedspread and pillow on the patient-bed.

‘Here! This place!’ the receptionist called. ‘Please, feel free to sleep here. And stay here, both of you, and don’t move around!’ she said, despite there clearly being nowhere for Rose to sleep, too. The receptionist took out a Pokéball, which opened and a yellow-brown tapir-like Pokémon took shape…



‘Our attendant here will ensure you go to sleep!’ she said, gesturing at the Drowzee. She then leaned in and whispered a couple words to the Drowzee, which quickly got a sharper look in its eyes, nodded, and then moved a step or two to be more in-between the door and the two. ‘Well, good night! We’ll be taking your payment in the morning! Now I gotta hurry to Sleep O’Clock…!’

So the receptionist said, and then hurried out of the room, closing the door with just a bit too much force. The Drowzee that remained gave a small smile behind its trunk, and then used one hand to gesture at the bed…

What does Erika do now?









Connected areas:
Route 12. A long, peaceful plain stretching far west towards Redcoast City.
Route 13. A route of eternal night, leading east towards Worldedge City.
Route 26. The calm waters north of Bigfjord City, leading towards Ironcliff Town.

❄Erika Olson❄

---

---

Erika was quite surprised by the turn of events. Needing to sleep underground? That seemed so silly and yet...

"Oh! Th-thank goodness! I haven't slept a wink since I got into town!" She announced, continuing the act at the offer that they were, indeed, going to arrange something for her. She wasn't sure why though since they were going ahead with the arrangements. Maybe it was her own disbelief gnawing at her.

Erika took a cursory glance around the room while they waited but ended that abruptly after feeling the eyes of disgruntled customers glare at her for holding up Sleep O'Clock. It was a little too silent as they waited until the receptionist got word that the arrangements were complete. Erika willfully followed her down and allowed her gaze to wonder curiously at every inch of that basement catching the curtains being closed and other details. The first room was pretty empty and sterile but the reason kind of became obvious in the next room. There was a whole bunch of laundry and linens. That made sense with the amount of people trying to sleep upstairs. Another room was storage and beyond, Erika was ushered into a small room.

"I really appreciate it!" Erika waved as the receptionist left, all too energetic. That left her, Rose, and the Drowsee. Tucking her Pokedex back after getting Drowsee scanned, she exhaled through her lips. It stood between her and door so the whispered orders were probably about preventing her from leaving.

Erika eyed the bed before turning back to face the Drowsee. Tara rose from her perch as if she could read the room. "Uhhh well... I'm sorry about this Mister Drowsee but I... won't be sleeping. I'd guess you were told we couldn't leave?"

Erika was hopeful but she was also a realist in this situation. "Probably not... Tara. Round." Erika pointed and Tara took off melodically hollering in a verse that looked to shake Drowsee!

@Pirouette

Almost at the same time as Erika apologized and then told Tara to use Round…

‘Oh! Chimecho, use Round!’ Rose commanded with sudden attentiveness. With that, Chimecho flew in beside Tara and shook herself, the wind-chime Pokémon being a wind-chime generating the sound-attack, right after Tara… and the two offensive attacks combined into a single attack that peaked directly at the wide-eyed surprised Drowzee, before said Drowzee was suddenly shook by the gathered power of the sound-attack that got stronger if more Pokémon used it together!

‘Dro-!’ Drowzee started trying to turn to avoid, but it was caught entirely unprepared. Critical Hit! … Drowzee spun around an additional lap from the sudden audio impact, and then collapsed. Drowzee fainted!

‘Oooh! We have a combo!’ Rose said excitedly. She took out a Pokéball and opened it too, and a small pink Pokémon with long ears and plus-shaped eyes looked up at them.

‘Whismur?’ the Pokémon asked quietly.



‘I taught all my Pokémon Round so that they could combo for massive damage! And Tara can join us!’ Rose said, grinning. ‘In any case, looks like the coast is clear! Let’s go!’

If they check outside, they’ll find that the guards that were posted there were only there for when Erika and Rose passed by, they’d already left. The corridor was empty. So there were only the two doors, both of them covered by curtains. Other than that, there was only the stairs back up again, the faint sound of a Jigglypuff singing up there so maybe not go closer, and also a small opening for ventilation to the top right of the first door.

How does Erika approach this?









Connected areas:
Route 12. A long, peaceful plain stretching far west towards Redcoast City.
Route 13. A route of eternal night, leading east towards Worldedge City.
Route 26. The calm waters north of Bigfjord City, leading towards Ironcliff Town.

❄Erika Olson❄

---

---

Erika watched the Drowsee collapsed and then hurried over. She looked at the tapir Pokemon and frowned, "Sorry, Drowsee, but sweet dreams for now." She said before peering out the door to make sure they weren't heard. When it seemed clear, she turned back around. Tara had airily drifted over to roost on top of Erika's head, satisfied.

Erika took in Rose's two Pokemon. That was actually really good they had a full Round team. Her mother had mentioned the hypothetical to her before, explaining about team battles. It was really strong to pump three Pokemon together with Round... but gets shut down with a Ghost Type. "That's excellent! We should be able to punch up against anyone that tries to stop us now."

That was a scary thought. Even if they had a solid team, who knows what kind of trouble they were getting in with this. What lay beyond that closed curtain...

Erika clenched her fists, trying to steel herself. It was too late now and plus, her and Rose could handle it. "Right! Let's go!"

So Erika lead the party out into the room and then into the laundry room and then back into the first basement room. It was left unguarded and the eerie, distant singing of Jigglypuff had set the tone of the sterile room. At least Erika thought, the edges of reality starting to fade away under the song like a siren's call... "Tara, Safeguard!"

Erika snapped awake as Tara raised a veil to protect the party again. She forgot that ran on a timer or maybe adding the fourth Pokemon had moved the safeguard? She wasn't really sure but her author was as she wanted the dramatic effect.

Anyway, Erika exhaled as she approached the previously guarded curtains. She lowered the goggles to peer into them to make sure the lines were going where she thought they were. Even if they weren't, she was going to see what was behind this door. "I hope I'm right about these because wherever they lead is behind this door." Unless the lines didn't lead there, then she'd not say that and just ask in both situations. "Ready?" To her Rose, including her Pokemon before trying to enter.

@Pirouette

‘You can count on us~!’ Rose gave Erika a thumbs up and a wink, as they prepared to head in through the door. Then… Erika opened the door and entered.

Past the door, she entered a room with metallic walls and a lot of computers. Rows of rows of screens showing various colorful images, both to the left and right of the room, and before each of them staff that were inspecting them closely. Many of the staff were wearing suits. Beside them stood a lot of Drowzees, and in the air floated numerous pink cloud-like Pokémon…



‘The dreams from the Sleep O’Clock participants are coming in now,’ one of the staff said. A woman walked in to stand behind the row of staff on the left side.

‘Good. Getting anything worthwhile?’ she asked. At her side stood a yellow, humanoid Pokémon, staring blankly at the screens next to his trainer.



‘There’s a girl here dreaming of leaving her company and also reporting her boss,’ one of them said.

‘Can’t have that, can we? Have a Drowzee discourage her. Have the boss give her plenty of promotions and happiness if she just tries hard enough,’ the apparent leader said.

‘Guy III of Maledy’s crew is back,’ the staff member said.

‘Excellent. Then pick his dreams apart until we can find out as much information as possible about Maledy, then send it to Rukh for processing. As for the rest…’ the woman turned around, and extended her arms with a smirk. ‘… Give them the most pleasant of dreams imaginable… positively featuring the brands we’ve been paid to advertise, of course!’

‘Yes, Director Lotus!’ the staff member replied.

‘Haha… they almost make it too easy…’ the woman said, walking with her hands in her pockets to stand in the middle of the room, facing the thing in the back of the room, and her Hypno walking with her. Likely the first thing Erika had actually noticed, there was a giant Pokémon in the back of the room. It was tied to a lot of cables, and blowing pink mist into glass containers that were being analyzed by fancy parabolic gadgets, with cables from those going to the computers, becoming images for the staff to look upon. If Erika were to put on her goggles now, she’d find the goggles pointed in the direction of this Pokémon. It was not legendary… but it was also far bigger than this Pokémon was supposed to be.



The sleeping Pokémon appeared to be tied up in scientific-looking cables. As it was asleep, it wasn’t clear if it was aware of being restrained or not.

‘Come on, Musharna. Make their dreams visible to us, so we may exploit them further!’ she said, almost a bit manic in her smile. She looked a little sleep-deprived.



‘Also, someone close that door. For some reason we have guests in the basement, wouldn’t do for them to look in-’ she said, turning around to look towards the door that Erika just opened, her Hypno turning with her.

What will Erika do?

She can act first. Or, she can let Rose do something first, because Rose absolutely does want to.











Connected areas:
Route 12. A long, peaceful plain stretching far west towards Redcoast City.
Route 13. A route of eternal night, leading east towards Worldedge City.
Route 26. The calm waters north of Bigfjord City, leading towards Ironcliff Town.

❄Erika Olson❄

---

---

Erika had gotten her wish. She almost wish she hadn't.

Everywhere in life the peeling back the curtain on some mysteries had ruined the magic in the best case or worst case, revealed a disturbing truth. This one was the latter and would be etched in her brain as the moment where Erika lost her innocent view of the world. The very one Erika would recant often later in life as the moment she understood that there were bad people.

As her eyes went wide staring at the control room environment of peaking into dreams of the poor people upstairs, she caught every word of those dreams being manipulated. She couldn't help but think of the poor people who just wanted happy dreams... being manipulated like this! It made her angry but she wasn't an aggressive person to really show it. Besides, she was more shocked than anything.

Her baleful eyes tracked Director Lotus as she moved about the room settling in front of Musharna, her Pokedex muttering details that Erika had mostly missed aside from the mentions of eating dreams or making them. She wasn't sure which, but she didn't care. Lowering her goggles, they lead her right to that Musharna and she wasn't really sure if that was a Legendary or not. She hadn't seen that kind of Pokemon but it did look like the evolved Munna.

Great. Her hunch was wrong but what then did the goggles take her here for? A question for later as her goggled gaze drew to the turning Director as she and her Pokemon noticed the intrusion.

Erika would have liked to think she was the best secret agent and acted immediately but she froze. The pressure of what she was doing had stayed her feet and she instead stared at the Director through her goggles until Rose made the first move.

Chimeco and Whimsur blared in unison prompting Erika to cover her ears. Painful as it was even covering her ears, it was just the wake-up call she needed. She needed to act now and decide what she would be doing. Fleeing was certainly an option but given Rose's gang and the discovery of all of.. this. Erika wasn't going to let it stand any longer.

Her mind went into battle mode but this wasn't something to draw out. She needed to break up the operation and get the heck out of here!

"Sno, you're up!" Erika shouted as she flipped a Pokeball out from clip and out came her Froslass. "Froosss~" Sno chirped, emerging and not seemingly bothered by the Round. Of course that was because she was a Ghost type which Erika had calculated. "Icy wind Hypno and slow them down!" Erika hollered over the echoing Round. Now with a cold, icy wind blowing through, Erika tried to take advantage of the chaos as she made a break down into one of the rows of computers and ran towards the side of the room where the giant Musharna was. Tara still sat perched on top of her cap while Sno turned to soar ghastly behind her.

"Sno, Tara, we are grabbing Musharna and going!" She said, now a bit further away from Rose and her Pokemon making a ruckus.

@Pirouette

Erika called out Sno, and then unleashed an Icy Wind at Hypno. Hypno lifted an arm to shield itself from the chilling wind, but nonetheless felt its limbs grow cold, more stiff, slower. But, the one part of it that needed to be able to move still did, which was its psychic mind.

‘What an awful ruckus. Some people are trying to sleep here,’ Lotus said, staring at Rose and her Pokémon. ‘Hypno. Psychic,’ she commanded. At the command, Hypno lifted its pendulum and instinctively aimed for the target that would take the most damage, Rose’s Whismur…

But just before impact, Rose picked up her Whismur and leapt behind a set of computers! The psychic attack instead cracked the wall behind where Whismur had been standing a moment ago, showing the power in Hypno’s mind. Chimecho flew after Rose and Whismur… but this unfortunately meant the Round wasn’t being as loud anymore. The other staff were trying to recover…

‘Hm,’ Lotus glanced to her left and right, as Erika and Rose split off in different directions. ‘I need more Pokémon,’ she plainly said. She lifted a Pokéball and opened it in Erika’s direction, and a large squid took shape…



‘Hypno, get the noisy cretin. Malamar, get the pink-haired wretch. Hypnotise them, and we’ll have them tell us all about how they knew to break in here,’ Lotus commanded. With that, Hypno started taking heavy, slowed steps towards where Rose was hiding, while Malamar started drifting in the air towards Erika. Even if she freed Musharna, that Pokémon would be there, and it was starting to flash lights of Hypnosis towards them… but Safeguard was protecting her and her Pokémon from it for now.

There were about a dozen office workers currently recovering from Rose’s attack, six on each side of the room. Musharna was tied up in cables and glass items, but nothing too sturdy to possibly not be ripped off or sliced by hand or Pokémon attack.

Erika would reach Musharna first, but now with Malamar floating behind her. What would be her strategy now?









Connected areas:
Route 12. A long, peaceful plain stretching far west towards Redcoast City.
Route 13. A route of eternal night, leading east towards Worldedge City.
Route 26. The calm waters north of Bigfjord City, leading towards Ironcliff Town.