"Snowhelm - Located on an island on the east of Eidda" - Um. On the map, the island looks very west? Or is the map upside down?
There was a small part of me who wanted to pick Trapinch before I read the characters, because I thought that'd be funny. But, heh, seems that perhaps I should abstain from that.
Wait, Lina fished up a Dhelmise!? Those things weigh 210 kilos/463 lbs! XD Well, I guess it allowed itself to be fished up, heh. I sure hope that's the logic behind it being fished up in the main games... I now realize that's the only way to get a Dhelmise in Sun/Moon. Either Pokémon protagonists are very strong, or, well, the Dhelmise's like being fished up.
The Malamar glared at Sno getting in its way as it flew forth, and Sno could definitely tell it had changed target to the one most immediately in its way, even if it was still heading for Erika. It aimed Payback at Sno, and as the more experienced of the two it was confident it could hit first, and-
-and Tara struck it from behind with Astonish. It didn’t do any particular damage, but it did cause Malamar to wince and the Payback tentacle lost its focus, and then Sno adding to it didn’t help. Malamar flinched!
‘MOVE’ Rose shouted to them, and assuming at least Tara did, she pointed at the Malamar where it was now, and shouted. ‘Jukebox, ROUND!’
Malamar spun around, preparing to dodge in whatever direction was needed… except with one Whismur having taken off to the right, one to the left, and Chimecho floating up in front, there was no direction an attack wasn’t coming from. Now, common sense would say actually moving in any direction would help take less damage, but in the heat of the moment and without its trainer’s guidance Malamar froze up. That its speed had been slower earlier could also have played a part.
The sound-energy slammed together at Malamar’s position, a very loud blast of soundwaves emerged perhaps closer to Erika’s position than those before it. Sno was completely fine, though. Eventually, the sound dissipated, and the Malamar floated briefly in the air… before collapsing onto the floor. Malamar fainted!
Sno grew to level 27! Sno learned Frost Breath!
Tara grew to level 27! Tara learned Refresh!
Then, if Erika turned back to look at Musharna, the giant Pokémon’s eyes had open to give her a very, very sullen look. Seems like it had woken up.
‘… Have you guys recovered yet?’ Lotus stood up with arms crossed and asked the question to her coworkers, who were finally getting onto their feet.
‘Yes, I’m sorry, Director,’ said one of them. Then all of them took out their various Pokéballs.
‘Good. Then catch this thief for me,’ Lotus commanded, pointing forward at Erika.
‘At once!’ the followers confirmed, and then from their Pokéballs emerged a veritable army of Drowzees, Jigglypuffs and Munnas. While individually substantially weaker than Lotus’ Pokémon, there were a LOT of them.
Rose threw one look at the army of Pokémon before spinning back to Erika.
‘Okay, time to leave!’ she shouted, spinning around to go through the door at least before turning to make her Pokémon cover the door while Erika got Musharna out of here, if that’s what she was doing.
What does Erika do?
(albeit without snow)
Alike Afterthought Abodes, Lovesick Lane is dominated by medium-size buildings and is primarily a residential area of Bigfjord City. However, unlike Afterthought Abodes, the citizens of Lovesick Lane managed to give their home a greater appeal, an identity of its own. It features its own streak of entertainment; there’s plenty of nice restaurants, there’s strange parlors and dance clubs, all employing various Pokémon. Compared to most other places in Bigfjord City, the citizens here seem almost happy… albeit that certainly isn’t due to the quality of their jobs, but more due to the community they return home to. The star attraction of the place is Maledy’s Menagerie, a circus as well as the star celebrities of the area. Of course, they’re rumored to do so much more than just entertain the people. The whole of Lovesick Lane has this dim magical sweet scent about it…
Yet even here, there’s people standing around, sitting outside various buildings looking sad, having likely spent what little remained in their pockets in an attempt to feel some happiness.
Bigfjord City
1. Find Pokémon. Can still search for Pokémon in cities~ 2. Talk. In cities, there are considerably more people one can talk to. Talking can give you info on local rumors and such. 3. Exit. Exit the town to any of the connected areas. 4. Specify. If you specify what you want to do, the GM will take it into account and tell the result. 5. Trigger random event. Force the GM to use his imagination to make a scenario for you. 6. Current location: Lovesick Lane. Everything you need to waste what money you still have. 6.1. Pokémon Center. Even here, there’s a Pokémon Center. 6.2. Maledy’s Menagerie. The biggest building, the palace of Lovesick Lane, is the circus run by the one called Maledy. She has various attractions, from mystical mazes, haunted houses, and of course the grand circus itself… 6.3. The Aromatisse Atelier. A chain of beauty-salons, employing Pokémon to at the very least make those who visit feel better about themselves. The scent of Lovesick Lane seems to emanate from this place, and its customers. 6.4. Debonair Danceclub. Just peeking in you can see a Jynx and a Ludicolo inspiring people to dance to various music. It is crowded, and it feels a bit desperate. 6.5. Bigfjord Game Corner. Apparently it wasn’t enough to be able to gamble in Worldedge City, they have it here, too. 6.6. Divination Corner. A store where people have Psychic Pokémon and people try to predict your fortune or future. Apparently quite popular. 6.7. Dream World. A big, adorned inn. A sign says; “Let our Pokémon put you to a deep, magical sleep. Wake up rested like never before.” Looks very popular… 7. Move to other areas. 7.1. Steppingstone Streets. The part of Bigfjord that most resembles a normal city. Got to keep up appearances for the freshies. 7.2. Brighttown Boulevard. The gleaming center of Bigfjord, with the bank, Rukh’s and the City Guardians’ HQ, the Pokémon Gym, and more. 7.3. Gemstone Skyline. Countless office-buildings with towering sky-scrapers and plenty of stores make a common backdrop for the city’s fighting. 7.4. Safehouse Docks. Countless warehouses loading and unloading wares from ships. Secure and orderly, for the most part. 7.5. Evergreen Avenue. The personal villas of the noble families that live here. Few stores are open here, just rich living. 7.6. Foxhole Foundries. Home to Bigfjord’s many factories and productions. Also home to many unhappy workers. 7.7. Lovesick Lane. A couple mystical streets with magic in the air, most famously surrounding Maledy’s circus, the crown jewel of the area. 7.8. Afterthought Abodes. Home to countless middle class citizens who go to work in other areas. It isn’t particularly pleasant. 7.9. Sunset Slums. A poor area where the struggling nonetheless live peaceful lives trying to survive to the next day. 7.10. Tightrope Alleys. The bad part of town. As poor as Sunset Slums, but not as peaceful. People warn you not to wander there at night, or at all. 8. Bigfjord City Trades: Dark-type 8.1. ‘I asked for a Dark-type from Alola… and I got a Grimer!? Is the pirate stupid!? It’s color is all weird. After seeing something so ugly,I want to see something beautiful now. Trade me a beautiful Pokémon.’ 8.2. ‘I got this Impidimp from an egg I got from the pirate. I don’t really want it. As a sailor, I’d prefer a Poliwrath. I’ll trade Impidimp for Poliwrath, Poliwhirl or Poliwag.’ 8.3. ‘I wanna go surfing the world. With that in mind… would you trade me a Bibarel for my Maschiff?’
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.
Interdimensional Home - The dimension has collapsed.
Blood Magic
Overcity Shift
Interdimensional Tourist - Joe.
Hammerspace Handbag
Ally - Mayra
Awareness
Absolute Direction
Sealing
Cuddlespawn - Demogorgon, the Prince of Demons.
Patron: Asengav Patron Benefits:
Creeping Doom
Reasonable
Minions
Retrieval
Mystic Might
Mana Font
Patron Drawbacks:
Quick-Tempered
Mind-Bent - Removed.
Insomnia
Bane - Candles and cracked mirrors.
Health Sapping
Mariette looked up in alarm as the skies were covered by the portals and tentacles of Asengav. He might have started finishing the ritual in secret, but his presence was not that much of a secret. The queen briefly referred to him as her husband and father of Mariette... and Mariette was seriously scared for a second that the plan had changed. But, no, the Queen had gone through the mirror, and now Mariette could but wonder if she actually had the power to do what she had intended. She had just, alone, entered the same room as an interdimensional horror, known to drive people mad by just seeing him. She wondered if she should consider it a blessing or a curse if she ended up unable to defeat Asengav.
Regardless, Lily then arrived.
‘Lilly...’ Mariette said her name with relieved eyes, and then held still as requested. Lily shattered the necklace with an impressive display of Time-magic, and the necklace broke. Mariette breathed in deeply, freed from the Queen's restraints. Oh, now she could have retrieved the pick from Penny herself, or the coin from Olivia. Lily made a comment that she said she'd save her, causing Mariette to give her a small smile. ‘Hehe. Yeah, you did. Thank you.’
Then… an inhuman scream. The tentacles in the sky writhing in pain before coming undone. Mariette needed no more confirmation, for the curse that had blinded her right eye suddenly went away. She turned to gaze at the Black Mirror. The Queen's appearance as she appeared again startled her. It seemed very much that, despite her might and the sword she wielded, she hadn't been immune to Asengav's insanity. Yet, she had succeeded in slaying him...
She really had. Mariette's mouth hung open. It had... been so easy for her. The problem that Mariette had been struggling with for so long, the problem that Mariette had gathered the means to contain for so long, gone in a flash. Despite the glass cracking, Mariette felt only minor discomfort. Her bane was gone… but so was her Mana Font and her boosted Mystical Might. Her bottomless well of mana was gone, she now could only use what existed inside herself.
And then, another impossibility. The world started unravelling. Mariette's eyes widened. Perhaps she hadn't taken the Queen's ramblings seriously enough. When the Queen had said she wanted to slay Asengav, Mariette had quickly acted to give her the opportunity, for that was Mariette's goal. But now, as a direct consequence, the world looked like it was ending. This, was it her fault? She'd made this happen. And now, the Queen was drawing the ending to a close...
Mariette was too stunned to reply to the Queen's reply of making her ending. Instead, Lily replied, and then launched her attack. And then every single other Magical Girl in the vicinity also launched their attacks at her. Mariette, however, had a different objective.
She waved her hand, a hand-mirror materializing from it, and portals opened. Despite Asengav being gone, it seemed the power he'd infused into her was not. She had some things to test out.
Firstly, open portals to the edge of the destruction. What was actually happening? How fast was it moving? Then, open a portal to the Overcity. Was it only in this dimension, or was it happening everywhere else? If so, that would be bad.
A plot-hole, Mariette thought. Because it did not make sense how the Queen could single-handidly take out a Horror. In that case...
‘That's right...’ In that case, if she fixed the plot-hole, then the world would not end, right? ‘That's right, mother. I will write my own ending.’
She looked up at the god in the sky, steeling her resolve.
She’d intended to use the Black Mirror, but it was gone. She needed a new container of suitable power. She’d be searching for one.
… Then she blinked in realization at what was going on with Mikayla right now, and turned around.
__________________
Name: Ronin and Miko. Deni and Eli. Real names, Denise and Elizabeth Walton. Age (Magical Girl): 11
Specialization: Air and Reinforcement. Weapon: The Swords. Melee/Mystic. Power: Twin Soul and Third Eye.
Stats: STR: 7 AGI: 7 VIT: 6 MAG: 7 LCK: 4
Perks:
Dual Weapon
Flexibility
Martial Training
Get out of Jail
Big Damn Heroes
Super Map
Patron: Solo Patron Benefits:
Free Agent
Genki Girl
Patron Drawbacks:
Alone
Ronin and Miko both jumped onto the vehicle in all haste, and gave their various cries of excitement.
‘This time, we're not missing the final battle!’ ‘We're making it out of this!’ ‘And Mariette, too!’ ‘Yeah! Let's contribute!’
So, they flew with Penny down as the truck was struck with lightning. The lightning of the god.
‘SIS!’ Ronin called. ‘I'M WITH YOU!’ Miko called back.
They jumped through the window of the car on the same side, as the car itself was launched as a projectile at the Queen. However, more than that, a lot of people were aiming their firepower at the Queen at the same time. Ronin deviced a plan, and Miko followed.
With Reinforcement magic, Miko created a sling to Ronin's leg, and swung her at the Queen. Ronin, in addition, manifested a hook in the shape of a swordbreaker. Their target was the Queen's blade. As they had understood it, that sword was the reason the Queen was so dangerous. Hoping the Queen was distracted by all the other things she had to dodge/block, Miko swung Ronin to intercept, and Ronin in turn tried to hook the Storyslayer with a Reinforcement-barrier shaped like a swordbreaker, intending to catch it and try to pull it out of the Queen's hand before she could slash it at their friends...!
__________________
A little bit back in time, before the Queen did silly things.
Mikayla floated slightly in midair, staring judgingly at those present. Why would Mariette call out to the rest about Asengav's presence? It didn't make sense. However, this rooftop was growing too crowded for Mikayla's taste.
She was preparing.
As the most powerful Spirit-magician, she had been able to take the souls of Magical Girls she had slain in the past. They still kept their amazing power, and they obeyed her every command. It was truly the power of the one that, in an alternate universe, was the final battle in a fight against Asengav.
Luna was prepared, a shadow killer behind the enemy. The one known as Lily appeared to be leading the charge. If her head was to be taken by Luna’s crescent-shaped glaive, then the good mood of their foes would surely plummet.
The might of Jasmine stood prepared one floor below. The blonde one whose name Mikayla didn’t know (Ani) was proving troublesome. With a punch with unmatched strength, Jasmine would send her and the entire section she was located on into the next world. So Mikayla foresaw.
The Beacon girl with the bow from the reports. Alicia, was it? Mikayla figured Barbariccia would be enough for her. The wind-mage would float up by the side of the building and storm at the Light-girl with hurricanes and wind, intent on getting into close combat faster than an archer would appreciate. Yes, that would be good enough, Mikayla mused.
And those were only three of them. She had more in store. Like the one with Third Eye behind her she’d immediately summoned when she realized someone was playing with her perception.
Not to mention, Mikayla herself would send her wights, ready to attempt to take all of their heads...
Oh, the Queen went through the portal to Asengav?
Then Mikayla supposed the spirit-master was the only remaining defender of the Black Mirror. The Queen would perish before her master, and Mikayla would be left by herself. She summoned her magical power, and prepared to send it all to attempt to execute all present, Mariette included...
...
Asengav died?
‘... Huh,’ Mikayla simply gave a surprised, maybe even disappointed noise. All form of determination wiped clean off her face, and the spectres swirling around her vanished into nothingness. None of the plans she made for her three special spirits came to pass. Even Mikayla's aura vanished. Now she was just a part ghost-girl floating in mid-air. If Asengav was dead, then there was no purpose in killing everyone else present. Honestly, then she had no reason to be here at all.
‘... My children. I must save my children,’ was all she said, turning around and intending to fly off.
Mariette, hearing this, realized where the children were right now, and waved her mirror to open a portal to the dark dimension where the children were, right in front of Mikayla...
__________________
‘What's happening!?’ Tullia screamed out. Josefin, Taihei, Tullia, Victoria, Suzette and Ronja, were located in a dark dimension linking all the mirrors, having ran back since Lea gave her sign for them to return. Despite the Black Mirror leading to the core, it also led here. However, this was a pocket world present only through Asengav's power. With his sudden destruction, the dimension was destabilizing.
‘The children!’ Suzette pointed off at Mikayla's children. Ronja wasted no time, sending a large web to catch the whole bed, pulling and making the children that were actually alive scream out as they were all pulled along. With a quick decision, they all hauled off towards the portal to Taihei's apartment, as Taihei could deactivate the traps and it was the closest one to the center of Penrose.
Victoria picked up Tullia and ran, Taihei could make herself and Josefin fly with gravity magic and gadgets, while Ronja sent a web through the mirror, grabbed Suzette and the children, and then pulled hard to pull themselves through before the dimension collapsed...
‘Wait, Lea!?’ Josefin suddenly shouted out back. The one most capable of them to escape in a flash was floating, immobile, in the middle of the room.
‘...’ Lea stared blankly at the spot the Black Mirror once stood. Asengav, her lord, her entire world... was just gone? Just like that? She'd seen the Queen go through the portal, and assumed she would die. But, instead... how? How? How could it be? She stared in the direction which would have let her gaze at the rooftop of Covington Tower, that path now gone due to the Black Mirror’s destruction.
Unable to comprehend, she'd be standing there to her death, as the purpose of her life had been taken from her for a second time...
Then a portal opened in front of her.
Lea looked at the portal. There was Mikayla, who idly observed that Ronja was saving her children for her.
But behind her.
Lea saw Mariette.
All was quiet for a second, like time stood still, Lea idly gazing at Mariette.
‘You... you led her here. You did this.’
Mariette hadn't actually heard what Lea had said from over there. She did, however, recoil at realizing Lea’s narrowed pupils. The floating sprite had the most furious eyes Mariette had seen in her entire life. And she’d seen her father.
There was a green flash. Lea blasted off with the full speed of a complete Agi build and wind-magic to further boost her speed. Mariette staggered back as she realized what was coming. Lea flew straight through Mikayla's ghostly body, momentarily dispersing her as Lea, as a cloud of butterflies, flew in single-minded rage directly at Mariette.
‘YOU KILLED HIM-!’ Lea was flashing from green to purple as her fist of dispersed butterflies became coated in vicious venom. She was coming so fast that Mariette was barely raising her hand to open a portal when Lea was already almost there.
‘Lea-!’ Mariette said, but she didn't have the time to aim a blast of light, any portal she opened would be quickly maneuvered around by Lea, and her usual trick of falling through a portal was like slow-motion compared to Lea's extreme speed. She’d be struck by Lea’s venomous punch before she had time.
What I am saying is, I need someone to save Mariette right now.
Along with Basil, Anise also started training her Pokémon against the local Pokémon. After a bit of time, however, she got frustrated and ended up commanding her Pokémon to attack one of the roaming Sawsbucks for a better challenge. Unfortunately, the Sawsbuck quickly struck down her Pokémon with various kicks and Energy Balls, showing that you’re really not supposed to attack the rulers of Route 5. Froakie dodged the confrontation and hid on Anise’s back, and she simply had to stand resolute as the Sawsbuck glared at her after all her other Pokémon had fainted, until the stag decided he was satisfied having taught her Pokémon a lesson.
‘… Okay, it’s fine. Don’t worry. Everything’s an experience,’ Anise grumbled, having clearly failed against the Sawsbuck. The Froakie whimpered, still having gained experience and a level from the experience… and then briefly glowed, before suppressing whatever was causing him to glow. Anise glanced back at him, looking a little confused as to what just happened, and Froakie just gave a small awkward frog-smile back to her. She quickly dismissed it as nothing before going to recollect her Pokémon and probably take a quick trip to the Stillwood Village Pokémon Center…
Meanwhile. Earl stood in the grass, ready to do some more training. Some actual training this time. Elgyem wouldn’t be doing much at this moment, so the next Pokémon…
‘Go, Cubone!’ Earl opened a Pokéball, and a small creature with a skull on its head materialized.
Pokédex Entry #104 – Cubone, the Lonely Pokémon. Each Cubone is under the impression its mother is dead and it wears her skull over its head, despite the ridiculous ramifications had this been true. As it never removes the skull (and is apparently born with it), it is said nobody has seen its face. When alone, it cries loudly and makes the skull rattle.
So, he faced a Pikachu he happened to find here. He pointed forward, and…
‘Cubone, use-’
And then a sudden flash of light as a different Pokémon just jumped out of its Pokéball on its own, descended on the horrified Pikachu with no warning and slammed it away with a Bone Club.
‘Marowak!’ the intruder called out.
Pokédex Entry #105 – Marowak, the Bone Keeper Pokémon. Having overcome the grief of losing its mother, it has grown tough. It seeks out special Marowak cemeteries, where it collects bones to serve as its weapons. It was once a weak creature, but skilled usage of these weapons has helped it grow ever stronger.
… Cue Cubone dropping its own bone club and falling to its knees and starting to loudly weep and two giant beams of water leaping from its eyes. The Marowak promptly spun around, ran to Cubone, picked up the little creature and started wagging him against her bosom. Earl reached his hands up, one to lift his glasses and the other to pinch the bridge of his nose.
‘Marowak, I need you to stop defending your son, or I won’t ever be able to train him…’ Earl told the Marowak that was clearly not listening. If Basil was anywhere nearby, Earl could share some info on the situation. ‘That Marowak doesn’t listen to me at all. She’s strong, sure, but anytime I try using her she just walks off the battlefield. But she’s also preventing me from actually training Cubone, who I want to train. I am not entirely sure what to do about it…’
Regardless, they eventually headed on. As they headed closer to the mountain-range, Mt. Chill towered above them. There was a hill to climb before they could reach their destination, and the temperature quickly decreased with each step. As they stood before the maw, it was as if the cave itself was spewing out cold at them. Earl looked unconvinced.
‘If this is to get to Cooldome City, you know most people use the easier Tunnel on the east side, right? Compared to going through the tough Frozen Cave…’ Earl said, Cleffa on one shoulder and a Beduw on the other, neither looking convinced with the cold cave.
‘If it’s tough, then that means it’s better training for us,’ Anise stated, her eyes practically glowing with fiery determination staring into the cave. At her feet was most of her group of Pokémon, making excited calls pointing forward into the dark.
Assuming they advanced. The cavern never really got dark, because there was light from the other side of the entrance, inviting them. At first, it was a bit of a normal cave, with some ice here and there showing purpose for the cave’s name. And then… the cave opened up.
Frozen Cave, Mines
Less than a cave, it feels like you’ve entered the bottom of a great ravine of ice. Long corridors with cliff-like walls stretch on, moving far along the western Mt. Chill mountain range. A cold wind almost constantly blows through the cavern, and looking for the source of these winds will reveal that far above are occasional holes in the cave ceiling which are letting in sunlight from above, and the light from there bounces on all the ice and brightens the entire cave in mystical light. This alone is a spectacle to witness.
However, perhaps the most curious detail is the fact these are, in fact, mines. Workers make their housing in tents, igloos and even properly constructed houses high in the mines. Human-made stairs, ladders and bridges spread across certain walls of the caverns where humans and Pokémon work to uncover the secrets frozen into the walls of the cave. For the most curious of both Pokémon and items are frozen into these walls, and these miners make a profit chopping them out. Perhaps you could join in, see what you might find?
… So, immediately upon Basil‘s entrance, he’ll stand witness to a Pokémon frozen into the ice wall before him. It’s a giant, majestic creature…
Pokédex Entry #321 – Wailord, the Float Whale Pokémon. Among the largest Pokémon ever to have been identified. It’s known to dive up to 10’000 feet deep with the air from a single breath. It herds its prey with the giant splashes from jumping and breaching the surface of the water, and can eat whole schools of fish in a single bite. The sight of one jumping is said to be breathtaking.
… It’s frozen into the wall. A sign beside it says, “The Lord of the Frozen Cave”. “don’t unfreeze!”
He appears to have been left here on purpose, because most other walls near the entrance are pretty well mined.
Then there was a small caravan of Delibirds suddenly walking by them. One of them went up to Basil.
Pokédex Entry #225 – Delibird, the Delivery Pokémon. The bag it carries its food with is actually its tail. It’s known to scourge up food all day to bring home to its chicks, but it also shares this food with anyone it comes across. There are plenty of tales of people lost in snowy mountains saved by the food of wandering Delibirds. However, sometimes said food is bugs.
‘Deli!’ The bird reached into its bag-tail and handed Basil something.
Basil received Salac Berry!
Two others gave berries to Earl and Anise, and one to each Pokémon that was out and about. (tell me if you have any out)
‘Oh, thank you,’ Anise said, a bit confused.
‘Interesting. Do you grow these somewhere here in this frozen landscape?’ Earl asked the Delibird and inspected the berry. The Delibird called happily and then kept walking.
Regardless. What would they do here?
1. Find Pokémon. Note, there are more Pokémon in the tunnels than here. Unless you’re specifically searching the ice? 2. Talk. This is basically a small settlement. They probably know a bit about mining in ice! 3. Move along. Either out of the cave, or deeper into it. 4. Specify. If you specify what you want to do, the GM will take it into account and tell the result. 5. Trigger random event. Force the GM to use his imagination to make a scenario for you. 6. Notable Buildings. Not many, but there’s a small base here! 6.1. Miner’s Base. For maps, getting info or tools and learning how to mine! 6.2. Miner’s Shop. Skip all the hard work of actually mining and buy what the miners are selling! Varies every day! 6.3. Comfy Igloo. If you just want to rest, have a chat, relax, restore health. 7. Area Specific: Mining. People here mine the ice for items and Pokémon caught in the ice. You could too!
Connected areas: Route 5. Exit the mines and you’ll be right there. Frozen Cave. The Frozen Cave proper awaits beyond the mine.
‘Hm,’ Earl gave Basil an analyzing look about potentially teaching him how to cook. ‘I’ll consider it.’ And then, nodding along to the rest of that, before finally being determined to meet back at Route 5. ‘Hm. Route 5. That is the right way to go if we’re heading to Endless Forest, one of the places I mentioned.’
‘Alright, I’ll see you there,’ Anise nodded to him as he went to make his way to the Pokémon Center.
In said Pokémon Center, he let Stella out, and the little overpowered Gothita immediately turned around to stare at him with comparatively large eyes. He explained what was going on, and…
‘Gothi…’ she sounded a bit sad, but this had been explained earlier as well, with the possibility of Kalmia looking after them for a bit. Still, she steeled herself and looked up at him with determination, understanding that this was needed. ‘Gothita!’ she announced, announcing (in Pokémon language) that she would manage and that she’d wait for him. She then skipped forward to try to give his knee a little hug with her tiny arms.
She was transferred to Kalmia’s lab, and then he could collect Titus, Super Potions and then move back.
5 * 700 = 3,500P. 19,585 - 3500 = 16,085P left.
When he did come back, Earl and Anise were standing talking about something.
‘… so she’s stuck in my party,’ Earl finished saying.
‘Huh. Sounds tough,’ Anise said, looking somewhat deep in thought. But then, they noticed Basil. ‘Oh, Basil.’
Basil said his thing about their first annual bootcamp, and then off towards Cooldome City!
‘Yeah!’ Anise called out, letting some excitement pump up through a frown of determination. ‘… Yeah… wait, Cooldome City?’ Earl reached into his bag and retrieved a map. ‘Oh, that’s gonna be cold…’ said the guy in multiple jackets and a giant scarf. And also bare legs, but still.
Regardless. Onto Route 5 to train!
Route 5
Just as Stillwood Village is the least visited settlement in Isson, Route 5 is among the least travelled routes on Isson main landmass. The route is a steady incline from Lakewatch Town to Stillwood Village, with some elements of the base of Mt. Chill nearby, the waters of Dragon Lake next to it too, sporadic forest from that surrounding Stillwood Village and some of the plain elements from route 6 as well, along with a very traveller-friendly road makes Route 5 perhaps one of the most naturally stunning routes of Isson. There are no roads for asphalt here, only travellers are explorers seeking or exiting Lakewatch Town for some reason, as well as Pokémon trainers on their journeys.
A peaceful route without any real dangers, it still offers a lot of variation. Walk on the west side by the waters of Dragon Lake to potentially encounter some Pokémon of the lake. Walk by the mountains on the east and perhaps feel some of the radiating cold of the range of Mt. Chill to perhaps see some more mountainous Pokémon or maybe an ice Pokémon that stumbled out of their caves. The route is a bit cold, attributed perhaps best to the proximity to the Frozen Cavern, and it gets colder the closer the mountain you go. Multiple rivers run down from the mountains, part of Mt. Chill that melts, but efficient wooden bridges help passage over. And of course, patches of forest here and there.
The south of Route 5 opens up towards what people call the Vast Plains, or simply Route 6. There parts of the Endless Forest spread out to make things a bit more covered in trees, but as soon as you leave this forest, all you’ll see is plains as far as you can see, and that’d be Route 6. On the other side of the route is the forest that covers Stillwood Village, you need to enter the forest to get to the village. At the middle by the lake is Lakewatch Town, resting a bit above Dragon Lake. And, of course, the passage up to the Frozen Cavern lies up that hill, for those who want to brave the range that leads towards the enclosed and frozen Route 9 on the other side.
1. Find Pokémon. Can be specified what kind of Pokémon is being searched for, and how you search. 2. Train Pokémon. With this command, we can jump ahead in time and skip posting about grinding. 3. Seek trainers. While not many, there are still trainers and explorers in the area, mostly trying to get to the next. 4. Talk. You could seek someone out to talk to them, if you want to. 5. Move along. Move along normally, letting any events that may come happen naturally. 6. Hurry along. Intentionally avoid confrontations and try to get safely to the next destination. 7. Specify. If you specify what you want to do, the GM will take it into account and tell the result. 8. Trigger random event. Force the GM to use his imagination to make a scenario for you. 9. Area Specific: Random House. Uh. There’s an excessively out-of-place red house in the middle of the route, the door standing wide-open. … Want to visit?
Connected areas: Lakewatch Town. To the south-west lies a village partially floating on top of the Dragon Lake. Stillwood Village. In the north lies the forest which hides the village, Mt. Strength lying behind it.. Route 6. Vast plains start in the south-east, this route leads towards Raremine Town. Frozen Cavern. After an incline up to the ridge of Mt. Chill, a cavern of ice could guide the way to Route 9 and Cooldome City. Endless Forest. To the south, a dark forest looms. There are no indications as to why you’d ever want to go there.
‘Alright, everyone!’ Anise called out, retrieving five Pokéballs and letting out all her Pokémon.
Pokédex Entry #656 – Froakie, the Bubble Frog Pokémon. It secretes flexible and delicate bubbles from its chest and back which absorb damage that would otherwise damage it. While it is known for a happy-go-lucky attitude, it has astute awareness of its surroundings.
Pokédex Entry #307 – Meditite, the Meditate Pokémon. It is found deep in mountains, meditating for hours on end and surviving on a berry a day. It trains its spirit, and by heightening its inner strength it somehow achieved levitation. It also enjoys daily yoga workouts.
Pokédex Entry #619 – Mienfoo, the Martial Arts Pokémon. While not very strong, it’s very fast and has mastered the art of elegant combos using claws to increase damage. As it concentrates, it grows in speed and efficiency. They have a tendency to start acting like their trainer’s personal body-guards.
Pokédex Entry #263 – Zigzagoon, the Tiny Racoon Pokémon. An exceedingly curious Pokémon which walks in a zig-zag pattern with its nose in the ground. It is skilled at finding items people have left around. It rubs its hard back hair against trees to leave territorial markings.
Pokédex Entry #447 – Riolu, the Emanation Pokémon. It can see the emotions of others in the form of their “auras”, and can also alert others using its own aura when feeling strong emotions. While small, Riolu is really strong. While sensitive to it, Riolu cannot effectively utilize aura.
‘Today, we’re going to be training! But first, we must stretch properly! So, let’s go!’ she told them, and her Pokémon were happy to stretch with her! She did various stretches to stretch various parts of the body, and Froakie, Meditite and Mienfoo were more than happy to stretch their relatively human-shaped limbs, albeit while being a frog, a mustelid and whatever Meditite is. Riolu was also joining in, but being the newest, he didn’t seem to know the whole procedure yet. Then there was Zigzagoon, who was simply rolling around in every step or dashing in a circle.
‘… Well, I won’t be doing the stretching part. Okay, let’s see…’ Earl lifted his own Pokéballs and let a couple more creatures out. Cleffa and sometimes the Budews were always out, but…
Pokédex Entry #173 – Cleffa, the Star Shape Pokémon. A rare Pokémon that only appears in mountainous regions on nights with shooting stars or meteor showers, dancing through the night only to disappear at sunrise. When meteors strike the earth, Cleffa is also almost guaranteed to be found around the impact crater. Due to these tendencies, people say Cleffa came to this planet riding meteors.
Pokédex Entry #406 – Budew, the Bud Pokémon. It is sensitive to changing temperature. In winter it closes its bud and endures, while in summer it blooms and releases its pollen. This pollen is mildly poisonous and can cause harsh sneezing. It lives near clear ponds. x 2
Pokédex Entry #605 – Elgyem, the Cerebral Pokémon. A mysterious Pokémon that only appeared around half-a-decade ago, theorized to be linked with a UFO said to have been seen crashing into the deserts of Unova. However, they appeared around Mt. Edge in Isson at around the same time. Usually friendly, they’re known to squeeze the brains of attackers with psychic power, causing terrible headaches.
Pokédex Entry #104 – Cubone, the Lonely Pokémon. Each Cubone is under the impression its mother is dead and it wears her skull over its head, despite the ridiculous ramifications had this been true. As it never removes the skull (and is apparently born with it), it is said nobody has seen its face. When alone, it cries loudly and makes the skull rattle.
‘Alright, let’s get training,’ Earl said, and then turned to face a random Caterpie crawling along, looking surprised as Earl looked at it. ‘Okay, Elgyem. I want you to try battling that. But before that, let’s see what our newest brew can do.’ He produced the Steel Potion out of his pocket, got a little of it in a separate container, and then fed it to Elgyem, who calmly drank it. Elgyem turned towards Caterpie, as grey, steel-like lines started spreading over Elgyem. Earl looked on with sharp focus, before pointing forward. ‘Alright, Elgyem, use-!’
THUNK
… and that was the sound of the floating Elgyem suddenly falling down into the ground with a substantial impact. He was weakly trying to move his limbs.
Earl kneeled next to Elgyem, inspected him, tried to lift him, then picked up his notebook and wrote a couple lines while Cleffa ran up to Elgyem and started rubbing the new metallic parts.
‘So your weight increased dramatically. Fascinating,’ Earl said, writing a couple lines in his notebook.
‘Uh… do you always try to use your potions when you train?’ Anise, finishing up stretching is going to ask.
‘Multitasking. The more things I can do at once. I can train while I experiment,’ Earl responded, still writing.
Anise stood with a slightly raised eyebrow, mostly looking at Elgyem who didn’t look like he was getting particularly much experience right now. At least, not battle experience, anyway.
Regardless. So, training at Route 5.
There was a problem here. The Pokémon of Route 5 are weak.
The most common Pokémon were Caterpie, Oddish and Scatterbug, all very weak Pokémon. A step above were the Deerlings, and the Hoothoots that were currently sleeping. Slightly stronger were Pikachu, some hidden Bonslys and Emolgas, but they weren’t many.
On the other side of the spectrum were the Sawsbuck, walking around like they owned the place, and they likely did. Compared to the weak Pokémon around them, the Sawsbuck were far too strong instead, and they would be unable to train against them at their current level.
However, for Level 1 Volta and Level 5 Titus, it was about right. Titus, of course, couldn’t attack, so he took a lot of damage for just training.
Anyways, the regular training here gave some levels, at least.
Cecil, Crocus and Glory were unfortunately too high level for this low-level route. They didn’t gain much.
Cecil grew to level 16!
Crocus grew to level 16!
Volta had all the levels to gain! Even this place is pretty good!
Volta grew to level 7!
Soren was the right level to train against the Pikachus and Bonslys around here. Not to mention, with Dragon Rage, he cleaned house easily.
Soren grew to level 12! Soren learned Headbutt!
Titus needed help from others, but he could flop into the Pokémon here and get some experience, assuming he got some support for the damage he was going to be taking.
Titus grew to level 9!
…
… Oh?
There was a choice to be made, for trainer and/or Pokémon. It could be now, or it could be saved for later. if in battle, it grants an immediate full health and some plot-armor
Light shone, and Crocus grew slightly in size. His skin-color became slightly more blue, his appearance just the slightest fiercer. The bud on his back changed color to pink, and new leafy green fronds emerged around it. When done, the light stopped shining, and a Pokémon with newfound strength stood before them.
Crocus evolved into Ivysaur!
Pokédex Entry #2 – Ivysaur, the Seed Pokémon. The bulb on its back draws energy from the main body. Sunlight adds to its strength, and makes the bud grow larger. To support its weight, Ivysaur’s legs grow strong. If the bud on its back starts to smell sweet, it is evidence it is about to bloom.
New Pokémon recorded! Basil gained 3000P!
In any case. Did Basil have any specific plan on how to train here, or something of the like?
Name: Ronin and Miko. Deni and Eli. Real names, Denise and Elizabeth Walton. Age (Magical Girl): 11
Specialization: Air and Reinforcement. Weapon: The Swords. Melee/Mystic. Power: Twin Soul and Third Eye.
Stats: STR: 7 AGI: 7 VIT: 6 MAG: 7 LCK: 4
Perks:
Dual Weapon
Flexibility
Martial Training
Get out of Jail
Big Damn Heroes
Super Map
Patron: Solo Patron Benefits:
Free Agent
Genki Girl
Patron Drawbacks:
Alone
At Penny’s suggestions, the two twins looked at one another, and then looked back. Ronin had a grin of excitement, while Miko held a frown of determination. They replied at the same time.
Miko was happier because it gave them cover in their approach. With their barriers, they could always change trajectory on the fly.
Ronin was happier because descending down on top of a ride was far more badass than going through a portal. A true hero’s entrance.
Interdimensional Home - The dimension has collapsed.
Blood Magic
Overcity Shift
Interdimensional Tourist - Joe.
Hammerspace Handbag
Ally - Mayra
Awareness
Absolute Direction
Sealing
Cuddlespawn - Demogorgon, the Prince of Demons.
Patron: Asengav Patron Benefits:
Creeping Doom
Reasonable
Minions
Retrieval
Mystic Might
Mana Font
Patron Drawbacks:
Quick-Tempered
Mind-Bent - Removed.
Insomnia
Bane - Candles and cracked mirrors.
Health Sapping
‘…’
Yeah, it wasn’t as if she had been expecting Cuddlespawn to be of any particular help. It would have been fun if he did turn out to be super smart about it, but of course he would prioritize trying to save himself above all else.
Mariette discarded Cuddlespawn into a portal and stood up. Turns out, she simply had to steel herself for what she had to do. In order to save the world, she’d have to fight her friends. So she turned, and-
And turns out mother had already sealed them all into mirrors. Huh. She’d completely stolen Mariette’s mirror theme. The mirror witch recoiled a bit, realizing Kayli. Still, with a moment to breathe, Mariette looked through her portals again. Behind her eyepatch, multiple mirrors went all around, scouting to see the status around her. Checking how the situation was at the various mirrors, for Wonderland’s army and those who fought it, and then one glance at inside the Black Mirror and the Core beyond-
Mariette recoiled, suddenly gasping as she was shocked by an unexpected feeling. She blinked in surprise, confused, then took off her eyepatch. Her right eye… her right eye had gone blind.
She’d seen something she hadn’t expected to see. Beyond the Black Mirror… He was already there. For the briefest moment, her eye had seen his form. As a result, it could now only see darkness. Despite having seen him, she couldn’t grasp what shape he’d had. But, more alarming, she hadn’t felt him arrive. While everyone was busy fighting… Asengav had gone ahead with the ritual himself. That was supposed to be the final stage. As far as Mariette knew, the ritual wasn’t nearly ready for Asengav to appear himself.
Was… was all she knew about the ritual a lie? The possibility hadn’t occurred to her until now. He could have completed the ritual while everyone was fighting, and nobody would have known until it was too late.
‘Mother!’ she called out, alarmed. ‘He… He’s already in there!’ she said, holding one hand over her blinded right eye, and the other pointing towards the Black Mirror, absolutely nothing reflecting in the darkness of its glass, protecting all who would gaze into it against what inhabited the other side. This also had the effect of informing everyone else present.
__________________
‘What do you mean you need to get to Mariette?’ Freya asked the girl who absolutely did not want to get rescued for some reason.
‘I can't fall back! Mariette told me that, when the time comes, she absolutely needs to get the thing I've been working on! A-and, the time is now, right!? I have the thing right here...!’ Olivia said, holding out an item. It looked like a grey magical coin. Over her back she carried the limbless form of Jelena's real body like a backpack.
‘For blasted sake...’ Freya shook her head as they looked around the streets of Penrose. They were now far too dangerous for Olivia to travel around. Shelyn was looking around agitated, her muscles twitching. Freya still didn't trust she wouldn't attack someone. She considered her options. If it was so important, Freya could deliver it, but that would mean needing to bring Shelyn, and leaving Olivia. She could quickly escort Olivia to safety, then deliver the coin herself.
Of course, it would have been so darn easy if Mariette would just open a portal and claim it herself, but Freya hadn’t seen Mariette open any portals herself since she returned with the Queen.
‘The fuck are you all doing...’ Jelena asked, grunting from Olivia's back.
‘Jelena. I don't suppose I can entrust Olivia's safety to you?’
‘Still suffering from massive fucking head-trauma and broken ribs over here,’ Jelena grumbled, referring to the injury she took from that explosion she took for Mariette. ‘Fuck, why doesn't transforming into a magical girl not just fucking fix that?’ she complained, her tiny limbless body writhing.
Freya nodded. Fine, then. She’d just have to deliver Olivia first, then deliver it herself…
‘Oh,’ Olivia suddenly made a noise. A portal had appeared in front of her. It was horizontal, opening pointing upwards, except the portal was blocked by the glass of the Queen’s curse. Hesitating for a moment, Olivia placed the coin on the portal’s surface.
Then the portal flew off into the air while the present girls watched.
__________________
‘I’m going to need that pick sooner than I expected, please get it to me,’ Mariette is going to open a small portal and say to a random Pennybot somewhere.
__________________
There were these portals floating above Penrose, proliferating the background of the battle that was taking place. The sign of Asengav’s influence on the place, subtly draining more and more magic from Penrose, as was his plan. Now, large tentacles were starting to emerge from them, like filter feeders reaching for more of the ambient mana, signaling Asengav’s influence growing. Should any being of magical origin go too close to a tentacle, they would reach for them to try to take their magic, albeit more in a passive manner than an outright attack. Most were in midair, reminding of that something was going on.
Chloe’s troops had lit candles and scattered fragments of broken mirrors across Penrose. That protected the surface, ensuring no portals could open close to them. Bringing the shattered glass close to a portal would shatter the portal as well, and bringing a candle would banish the darkness and tentacle inside the portals. If it had been part of Asengav’s plan to send legions of shadows on the ground, then that plan had been thoroughly thwarted, as ground-level remained safe. Still, despite this, they still floated above ground, interacting with nothing but the ambient magic, and they were growing more numerous…
Musharna indeed remained a large, sleeping round blob floating in mid-air and letting Erika push it around.
Sno darted through solid ground on the way upwards through the facility, narrowly avoiding the glowing power of Malamar’s tentacles! What Sno couldn’t see because she’d gone through rock was that Malamar’s tentacles broke partway through the roof, and it cracked open, so the Malamar descended down holding a large slab of ground and an annoyed squid expression.
Rose and Lotus were still wrestling, an act neither of the two were particularly good at as a series of grunts and ineffective pulls were made against one another where Rose had tackled Lotus down on the floor. However, Lotus was able to see behind that Erika was getting through the door towards the stairs…
‘Malamar, stop her!’ Lotus shouted out, and Rose looked up. She wouldn’t be in time, but she did manage to throw herself off Lotus to get back on her feet to try to make a run for it back to Erika.
The two Whismurs and the Chimecho that were Rose’s Pokémon were still crying their Round, and was directing the attack towards Malamar… except then Malamar threw the entire slab of roof towards them, and with cries of panic the three sound-Pokémon scattered as the heavy slab crushed the table they’d been standing around. It the meantime…
Malamar was taking the opportunity to propel itself towards a new target, Erika herself, its limbs once again glowing with Payback charged. If it was actually intending on trying to attack her wasn’t clear, but it was heading straight for her. That Malamar had to throw the piece of roof had delayed it long enough that Sno could descend to the scene before Malamar’s arrival, but that would mean she once again stood at the dangerous end of Malamar’s attack.
What would Erika and Sno do now?
Oh, and Tara went to help Rose, but Rose already threw herself off Lotus and is running back, so she could possibly help, too.
(albeit without snow)
Alike Afterthought Abodes, Lovesick Lane is dominated by medium-size buildings and is primarily a residential area of Bigfjord City. However, unlike Afterthought Abodes, the citizens of Lovesick Lane managed to give their home a greater appeal, an identity of its own. It features its own streak of entertainment; there’s plenty of nice restaurants, there’s strange parlors and dance clubs, all employing various Pokémon. Compared to most other places in Bigfjord City, the citizens here seem almost happy… albeit that certainly isn’t due to the quality of their jobs, but more due to the community they return home to. The star attraction of the place is Maledy’s Menagerie, a circus as well as the star celebrities of the area. Of course, they’re rumored to do so much more than just entertain the people. The whole of Lovesick Lane has this dim magical sweet scent about it…
Yet even here, there’s people standing around, sitting outside various buildings looking sad, having likely spent what little remained in their pockets in an attempt to feel some happiness.
Bigfjord City
1. Find Pokémon. Can still search for Pokémon in cities~ 2. Talk. In cities, there are considerably more people one can talk to. Talking can give you info on local rumors and such. 3. Exit. Exit the town to any of the connected areas. 4. Specify. If you specify what you want to do, the GM will take it into account and tell the result. 5. Trigger random event. Force the GM to use his imagination to make a scenario for you. 6. Current location: Lovesick Lane. Everything you need to waste what money you still have. 6.1. Pokémon Center. Even here, there’s a Pokémon Center. 6.2. Maledy’s Menagerie. The biggest building, the palace of Lovesick Lane, is the circus run by the one called Maledy. She has various attractions, from mystical mazes, haunted houses, and of course the grand circus itself… 6.3. The Aromatisse Atelier. A chain of beauty-salons, employing Pokémon to at the very least make those who visit feel better about themselves. The scent of Lovesick Lane seems to emanate from this place, and its customers. 6.4. Debonair Danceclub. Just peeking in you can see a Jynx and a Ludicolo inspiring people to dance to various music. It is crowded, and it feels a bit desperate. 6.5. Bigfjord Game Corner. Apparently it wasn’t enough to be able to gamble in Worldedge City, they have it here, too. 6.6. Divination Corner. A store where people have Psychic Pokémon and people try to predict your fortune or future. Apparently quite popular. 6.7. Dream World. A big, adorned inn. A sign says; “Let our Pokémon put you to a deep, magical sleep. Wake up rested like never before.” Looks very popular… 7. Move to other areas. 7.1. Steppingstone Streets. The part of Bigfjord that most resembles a normal city. Got to keep up appearances for the freshies. 7.2. Brighttown Boulevard. The gleaming center of Bigfjord, with the bank, Rukh’s and the City Guardians’ HQ, the Pokémon Gym, and more. 7.3. Gemstone Skyline. Countless office-buildings with towering sky-scrapers and plenty of stores make a common backdrop for the city’s fighting. 7.4. Safehouse Docks. Countless warehouses loading and unloading wares from ships. Secure and orderly, for the most part. 7.5. Evergreen Avenue. The personal villas of the noble families that live here. Few stores are open here, just rich living. 7.6. Foxhole Foundries. Home to Bigfjord’s many factories and productions. Also home to many unhappy workers. 7.7. Lovesick Lane. A couple mystical streets with magic in the air, most famously surrounding Maledy’s circus, the crown jewel of the area. 7.8. Afterthought Abodes. Home to countless middle class citizens who go to work in other areas. It isn’t particularly pleasant. 7.9. Sunset Slums. A poor area where the struggling nonetheless live peaceful lives trying to survive to the next day. 7.10. Tightrope Alleys. The bad part of town. As poor as Sunset Slums, but not as peaceful. People warn you not to wander there at night, or at all. 8. Bigfjord City Trades: Dark-type 8.1. ‘I asked for a Dark-type from Alola… and I got a Grimer!? Is the pirate stupid!? It’s color is all weird. After seeing something so ugly,I want to see something beautiful now. Trade me a beautiful Pokémon.’ 8.2. ‘I got this Impidimp from an egg I got from the pirate. I don’t really want it. As a sailor, I’d prefer a Poliwrath. I’ll trade Impidimp for Poliwrath, Poliwhirl or Poliwag.’ 8.3. ‘I wanna go surfing the world. With that in mind… would you trade me a Bibarel for my Maschiff?’
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.
‘Not a single one of them is going to go after the mirrors.’
With this observation, Lea, still in the dark dimension, swung her arms and over range had her insects to gesture to the other agents of Asengav, located in various parts of Penrose by the various mirrors. GET BACK HERE!
__________________
Mikayla saw her spirits flying forth, propelled both by her Spirit specialization and her Gravity specialization bending reality to make them fly faster. To Mikayla’s eyes, her gravity was stopped by the yellow one’s own gravity field, but then they were all launched anyway, and her Spirits slammed them away. A small shield was raised over the portal itself before her Spirits could penetrate, and then the portal vanished before they could break through.
But things didn’t add up. Despite her eyes seeing them launched, the gravity well stayed. She could sense it by how her spirits slightly deviated by their path. Meaning, what her eyes told her and what was actually going on did not match. There were enemies on this roof with them. How bothersome.
Mikayla made a wave with her arms, and several more spectres manifested behind her. The guard around her tightened their defenses. She now had to be wary of unseen attacks. She floated up into the air, her Powerful Aura blazing…
‘Must we do this?’ Mikayla decided to ask, just at the same time as Lily landed and started having her monologue with the Queen. She’d landed on the Queen’s side of the rooftop, so Mikayla wasn’t going to bother with her.
‘I would much rather go back and dote on my children.’ Those were Light-specialized girls Mikayla were speaking to, so they could tell she was speaking the truth.
‘If you press on, I will destroy you.’ truth ‘Believe me, I would take no pleasure in tearing you to pieces.’ lie ‘You know how it is. Horror. I can’t oppose the will of my patron.’ lie ‘I promise that I will leave any who run unharmed, just for today.’ truth ‘Don’t worry. Upon this ritual’s completion, when Asengav accomplishes his goal, we will leave. Your world will not come to harm.’ lie
… Then the Queen did her slice and mirrors emerged and things happened. Mikayla, still unable to see her adversaries, simply raised an eyebrow and then stood still for the time being. A lot of her spectres were now returning from the blast she made and were now swirling around her, like Mikayla was the middle in a ghost galaxy…
Rose understood the assignment as Erika commanded Tara to Round. She quickly stood up behind the flipped table, pointed forward and shouted.
‘All of you, ROUND!’ she commanded, and the Whismurs ran forth to stand as a pair of jukeboxes on either side of the table, and Chimecho lifted to fly behind her!
‘Hypno, Psychic them!’ Lotus commanded, and Hypno, hunching forward from stumbling in confusion, quickly flinging his arm up to focus his Psychic!
… However, he’d done it so violently that his pendulum came swinging around and struck him in the face! It didn't hurt a lot, but then he closed his eyes while trying to cast Psychic, and the energy somehow blew up in his face! Hypno staggered back. Hypno hurt himself in confusion!
And then came the sound-waves from several different sources in the room, ready to join up at Hypno’s location. Even Lotus took some rapid steps away from her own Pokémon when she realised what was going to happen.
The sound-waves gathered, and we're amplified. An explosion of sound blasted across the room, echoing out as the cries of multiple Pokémon. The workers that were not asleep due to Tara were about to recover, when once again a loud cry made them all clasp their hands over their ears and fall again. On the computer-screens, tiny figures were waking up due to the loud sound the soundproofing could not contain, much to the horror of the Pokémon that were with them. Mainly Drowzees.
Hypno himself stood in the epicenter of the noise and didn't move, eyes wide in shock… until he tumbled backwards, limbs spread in various directions and eyes turned white. Hypno fainted!
Sno grew to level 23! Sno learned Draining Kiss!
Tara grew to level 24! Tara learned Take Down!!
Meanwhile, Sno, unbothered by the noise, blasted an Icy Wind in the face of the Malamar that had turned to face her… followed by the appearance of Malamar’s eyes shining yellow through the frozen wind. The squid then burst forward, propelled by psychic power, throwing itself through Sno’s storm with its limbs glowing with purple energy.
This was Payback, a Dark-type move that got stronger after just being hit. Sno was definitely out-leveled, but had a moment of time to perhaps figure out an alternative strategy to avoid the blow, but straight-out dodging seemed unlikely to succeed as Malamar would chase her relentlessly, tentacles glowing purple with power.
Erika was trying to push Malamar through the room. It was working, the sleeping Pokémon was being pushed forward at a decent pace, albeit its substantial weight was slowing it down… and then she came to a sudden stop.
‘And what exactly…’ she could hear Lotus voice from the other side of Musharna. ‘… do you think you’re doing with my Pokémon, thief?’ an angered director had moved to block her path, pushing at Musharna from the other side. ‘I think you need to take a nice, long res-’
‘HYAH!’ … And then Rose came running across the room herself and jump-tackled into the opposing woman and the both of them suddenly rolled off to the side from the speed of Rose’s tackle, freeing Erika to continue pushing for the door. Albeit, right behind her, Sno was, as described, in a precarious position.
Rose’s Pokémon was still doing the combined Round, keeping everyone else occupied by virtue of being very, very loud.
What would she do now?
(albeit without snow)
Alike Afterthought Abodes, Lovesick Lane is dominated by medium-size buildings and is primarily a residential area of Bigfjord City. However, unlike Afterthought Abodes, the citizens of Lovesick Lane managed to give their home a greater appeal, an identity of its own. It features its own streak of entertainment; there’s plenty of nice restaurants, there’s strange parlors and dance clubs, all employing various Pokémon. Compared to most other places in Bigfjord City, the citizens here seem almost happy… albeit that certainly isn’t due to the quality of their jobs, but more due to the community they return home to. The star attraction of the place is Maledy’s Menagerie, a circus as well as the star celebrities of the area. Of course, they’re rumored to do so much more than just entertain the people. The whole of Lovesick Lane has this dim magical sweet scent about it…
Yet even here, there’s people standing around, sitting outside various buildings looking sad, having likely spent what little remained in their pockets in an attempt to feel some happiness.
Bigfjord City
1. Find Pokémon. Can still search for Pokémon in cities~ 2. Talk. In cities, there are considerably more people one can talk to. Talking can give you info on local rumors and such. 3. Exit. Exit the town to any of the connected areas. 4. Specify. If you specify what you want to do, the GM will take it into account and tell the result. 5. Trigger random event. Force the GM to use his imagination to make a scenario for you. 6. Current location: Lovesick Lane. Everything you need to waste what money you still have. 6.1. Pokémon Center. Even here, there’s a Pokémon Center. 6.2. Maledy’s Menagerie. The biggest building, the palace of Lovesick Lane, is the circus run by the one called Maledy. She has various attractions, from mystical mazes, haunted houses, and of course the grand circus itself… 6.3. The Aromatisse Atelier. A chain of beauty-salons, employing Pokémon to at the very least make those who visit feel better about themselves. The scent of Lovesick Lane seems to emanate from this place, and its customers. 6.4. Debonair Danceclub. Just peeking in you can see a Jynx and a Ludicolo inspiring people to dance to various music. It is crowded, and it feels a bit desperate. 6.5. Bigfjord Game Corner. Apparently it wasn’t enough to be able to gamble in Worldedge City, they have it here, too. 6.6. Divination Corner. A store where people have Psychic Pokémon and people try to predict your fortune or future. Apparently quite popular. 6.7. Dream World. A big, adorned inn. A sign says; “Let our Pokémon put you to a deep, magical sleep. Wake up rested like never before.” Looks very popular… 7. Move to other areas. 7.1. Steppingstone Streets. The part of Bigfjord that most resembles a normal city. Got to keep up appearances for the freshies. 7.2. Brighttown Boulevard. The gleaming center of Bigfjord, with the bank, Rukh’s and the City Guardians’ HQ, the Pokémon Gym, and more. 7.3. Gemstone Skyline. Countless office-buildings with towering sky-scrapers and plenty of stores make a common backdrop for the city’s fighting. 7.4. Safehouse Docks. Countless warehouses loading and unloading wares from ships. Secure and orderly, for the most part. 7.5. Evergreen Avenue. The personal villas of the noble families that live here. Few stores are open here, just rich living. 7.6. Foxhole Foundries. Home to Bigfjord’s many factories and productions. Also home to many unhappy workers. 7.7. Lovesick Lane. A couple mystical streets with magic in the air, most famously surrounding Maledy’s circus, the crown jewel of the area. 7.8. Afterthought Abodes. Home to countless middle class citizens who go to work in other areas. It isn’t particularly pleasant. 7.9. Sunset Slums. A poor area where the struggling nonetheless live peaceful lives trying to survive to the next day. 7.10. Tightrope Alleys. The bad part of town. As poor as Sunset Slums, but not as peaceful. People warn you not to wander there at night, or at all. 8. Bigfjord City Trades: Dark-type 8.1. ‘I asked for a Dark-type from Alola… and I got a Grimer!? Is the pirate stupid!? It’s color is all weird. After seeing something so ugly,I want to see something beautiful now. Trade me a beautiful Pokémon.’ 8.2. ‘I got this Impidimp from an egg I got from the pirate. I don’t really want it. As a sailor, I’d prefer a Poliwrath. I’ll trade Impidimp for Poliwrath, Poliwhirl or Poliwag.’ 8.3. ‘I wanna go surfing the world. With that in mind… would you trade me a Bibarel for my Maschiff?’
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.
Xaltwind
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