RockmanPM Forums
Other Things => Off The Wall => Roleplay => Topic started by: Quickman on November 05, 2014, 06:40:33 AM
-
Seeing as how the old one died a slow and agonizing death (and has taken on quite a funk) and we got a new Hoenn with new stuff on the horizon, I feel it's high time to bury the old Hoenn in a shallow, unmarked grave and go to the new one!
It was a pleasant and sunny afternoon outside of Littleroot Town, and we find the famed Pokemon field researcher Professor Birch out with his team, doing what he does best; studying wild Pokemon in their native habitat. With him are colleagues Professors Hemlock and Mulberry, their Pokemon lab assistant, and their financial backer as they embark on a a research breakthrough of a lifetime!
Other Trainers and Pokemon Center Nurses have spoken about a new strain of Pokerus, and for the first time, Birch was able to find a wild Pokemon population with a stable infection. Such a discovery would provide a bounty of new insight into the disease and how it affects wild Pokemon, and how such a virus would further benefit the growth and training of captive Pokemon.
With his boundless excitement, Birch and his team journeyed out to Route 101 to observe a wild pack of infected Zigzagoon. The information gleaned from such intense study would be beneficial to his academic and scientific goals, and Birch was eager to get a closer look.
Perhaps, though, he was a bit too eager.
*Professor Birch snuck through the tall grass toward the back, his camera and sound recorder in hand. His colleagues watched from a fair distance, with their Hypno lab assistant taking notes and operating additional recording equipment. Birch's face flushed with excitement as he whispered into his recorder with each careful step.*
"I'm almost to the pack now... I stand about ten feet away from them, and the alpha male has not noticed me... Their scouts have not picked up my scent... The wind is from the southeast... and blowing in my face... I can smell them, but they can't smell me... The infected members appear more aggressive than the rest... We've noticed that they will frequently battle other pack members, but these aren't dominance battles... they fight in order to bite... We believe that's how the infection is spread--through salivary contact with open wounds... The outward symptoms we've noticed were a marked increase in aggression, followed by marked fatigue; they tire easily... FLIR camera thermal imaging has also revealed an increase in body temperature..."
*As Birch was concentrating on his recording and sneaking, he didn't notice the Zigzagoon that had flanked him and approached him from behind. It hung back a few paces and kept in step, sniffing at the ground and watching intently.*
*Several yards away, the rest of his team watched and waited. Professor Hemlock looked through his binoculars, and then to Mulberry. He had certainly noticed the Zigzagoon.*
"Think we should tell him?"
*Mulberry shook his head.*
"Nah. He'll find out, won't he, Mr. P?"
*Mulberry looked over to the team's financial backer with a sly smile. He then looked to their Hypno assistant, who was seated in a folding chair, with a notebook on his lap and an audio recorder beside him. In one hand, he held a boom mic.*
*Mulberry glanced up again at Birch and the Zigzagoon, and then returned his gaze to his Hypno.*
"You're in for a treat, Prof."
*The Hypno said something that Mulberry didn't catch.*
*Back in the field, Birch was still recording when he felt a sharp nip on his rear. He leapt to his feet and whirled around, finding a growling Shiny Zigzagoon. Its teeth were bared and its fur was sticking out more than usual. With a snarl, it lunged at Birch.*
*Birch screamed like a little girl and ran around in a circle with the Zigzagoon nipping at his heels.*
"SAKUUUUUURRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAA! HEEEELLLLLLLP MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!"
*On the sidelines, Hemlock, Mulberry, their Hypno, and the mysterious Mr. P all facepalmed.*
-
(I'll reply to this later, I need to think about how to respond to this
Also Hypno's aren't really native to Hoenn, most of the time they're isolated in the Johto/Kanto region maybe give him a Kirlia instead?
Also do we have a premise besides the Pokerus outbreak?)
-
(They got theirs from a Breeder. He's the mad scientist Hypno I was doodling for Inktober and he has a purpose later. And yes, there is a premise. Wily and I were plotting this for a couple days. When he gets around, he'll hopefully add a bit more. I was just setting up the initial scene.)
-
(Okay I'll just wait a bit to see what Wily is doing.)
-
A flashback... 12 months have passed... Team Flora was disbanded when Mt. Chimney erupted after years of dormancy, burying Lavaridge Town, and their headquarters, under layers of ash and lava. No one knew why the volcano suddenly erupted, since Flannery was the only survivor, and she had since moved on into the desert, but leading more of a nomadic life than as a Gym Leader.
The "zombie" epidemic that plagued Fallarbor Town had since been cured, with little sides effects. Victims can vaguely remember what happened, investigations were sketchy at best, and were swiftly abandoned.
As for Dr. Wily II... No one has heard of him since...
Present day...
*head shaking* "I have invested a lot of money into this project, and all I get so far is a native Professor being chased around by a Zigzagoon. A Poochyena, that I can accept. But a Zigzagoon...
The mysterious financial backer, Mr. P. Pretentious, or Mr. P as he preferred to be called, was dressed up like a gentleman, right down to a small tophat sitting atop his head, a monocle on his left eye, a stylish cane that he's slightly leaning on to his left, and holding a bubble pipe in his right hand. He wanted to see first-hand the outfield work, but things have... Dampened.
-
(Let me think about if I actually want to get involved in this one, I just don't know if I want to this time.)
-
*Birch's shrill girly scream pierced the headphones as the Hypno lab assistant ripped the things off his head and threw them to the ground in pain. He said something to Mulberry in a slow, disjointed voice.*
*Hemlock just shook his head slowly.*
"God, you could hear him in the next county... Mulberry, tell your Hypno to stop the tapes."
"He's not deaf. Tell him yourself."
"I'm not going to argue with you. We should've left him at the lab, but whatever." *Hemlock looked to the Hypno.* "Stop the tapes."
*The Hypno did as he was told and resumed watching Birch run around in circles.*
*In the field, Birch screamed and tripped over his own sandals. He sprawled to the ground, dropped his equipment, and kicked one of his sandals at the Zigzagoon. Scrambling to his feet, he stepped out of the other sandal and ran around barefoot, as the Zigzagoon chased him with a sandal in its mouth.*
-
Taylor walked into Slateport City with her team in tow. Which is quite interesting since she was heading in from the east on the water. As she approached the beach, it became evident that she wasn't walking on water or anything, but merely Surfing atop her Pangoro, Darunia. She walked up the stairs to the nearby lighthouse when suddenly deja vu struck. She felt like she had been there recently and yet... it all seemed different somehow. She shrugged it off and walked to the nearest Pokemon Center to relax. Almost instinctively she rubbed the top of her head as if a wound was once there, though no such wound existed, which she chalked up to the deja vu once again. Whether she'd been there before in some capacity or this was her first time in Hoenn, which she was almost certain it was, she was ready for anything.
(So yeah, same team as the old RP, same names, but different characters despite being basically the same. Also alluding to the old RP a bit just for laughs)
-
(Trak's back in Kalos, Quickie and Mewtwo are back at work and school, and the only character I'm using aside from throwaway Professors is the Hypno lab assistant with no name. I'll get to his brief backstory eventually.)
-
(I'll see how this goes but for now I'm just going to lurk the thread. Sorry for the inconvenience but I'm just not feeling this, I think I'm PokeRPed out.)
-
(Joe's moved on and no longer in Hoenn, Dr. Wily II is MIA as stated above along with Hypnoker. I'll only have Mr. P, and the new evil team to replace Flora.)
-
"So is anyone going to save poor Birch from the scary Zigzagoon? Or should we use him as patient Zero?"
Mr. P removed his monocle, and wiped it gently with a handkerchief.
-
*Hemlock and Mulberry considered it for a moment. It would certainly make studying the strain much easier. But, alas, their funding was on the line and if their project leader was infected, it could make things worse. It was bad enough that the unshaven Birch never seemed to dress appropriately for the lab, as flip-flops were not ideal footwear in an environment that could have slippery floors, hazardous materials, and things that could be dropped. Particularly since due to their Hypno's cerebral palsy, he had a tendency to drop things, which could prove hazardous to Birch's toes and exposed skin.*
*Mulberry looked to the Hypno and nodded to Birch, who still screamed and still ran barefoot in a circle.*
"Go help him out."
*The Hypno let out a frustrated groan, placed his notebook and recording equipment aside, and hauled himself out of his chair. He hobbled out to the field with a stiff-legged gait, reaching into his lab coat pockets for a Pester Ball. Once within a decent range, he threw the Pester Ball with his good arm. The Ball hit the Zigzagoon and it ran away in annoyance, with the sandal still in its mouth.*
*Birch stood there barefoot, leaning forward to catch his breath.*
"Th-thanks... (huff) I thought... I thought I was a goner...!"
-
Mr. P placed his monocle back onto his left eye, and sighed.
"Well. That was a waste of a good specimen. Not only was it infected, it was a goddarnit shiny! I thought you Professors know better!"
-
*Hemlock smacked his forehead.* "I told you we should've left him at the lab!"
"I didn't hear you suggesting anything!" *Mulberry snapped back.*
*Birch was aghast, as the Zigzagoon's coloration was the last thing on his mind when he was trying to keep from being mauled.* "It was a SHINY?! WHY DIDN'T YOU CATCH IT?!"
*Hypno glowered and emptied his pockets to show that all he was supplied with were Pester Balls. Leaving the mess for Birch to deal with, he limped back to his chair and sat.*
-
"Wow. Just wow. Of all the research programs to fund, I had to fund this motley crew. All of you are really exceling in making me doubt my decision."
Mr. P blew into his bubble pipe, and a stream of Bubbles slowly floated out.
-
After recovering her team, Taylor took out her Pidgeot and flew to Oldale Town to do a bit of relaxing on Route 103 by the water. It always was a favorite place of hers.
-
(I need to decide on what happened to Pyro. Maybe he drove the entirety of Team Flora insane and off the cliffs of Lilycove before returning to Lavaridge Gym.)
-
(Perhaps he could do that to those Flora members that managed to evade Looker. As for Lavaridge... It's like Cinnabar Island in Gen2.)
-
(Also wasn't it established that Flannery was a member of the Elite 4 in this universe?)
-
(I most likely forgotten. It HAS been a while since this was revived. Either way, Flannery being the only survivor still makes sense, since she wasn't there when the eruption happened.)
-
(Yeah that makes sense, maybe she decided to take a break and wander the world like Alder.)
-
(No point in keeping the previous Pokemon RP stickied anymore. Un-stickied that, and stickied this new RP.)
-
(Yeah, I think for now I'm going to say Sakura decided to take a vacation to Kalos, and experience the insanity of it. Probably help Mr. Zoroark go home or something.)
-
"I think I'm finally getting the hang of these video game things you love so much," The Judge handed his grandson's copy of Pokemon X back to him.
"See, I told you they're not just mindless wastes of time!" His grandson responded, "You can pre-order the next game, if you want."
"Pre.... order? Is that when you order before you order? My, what a paradox!" The Judge rubbed his beard in confusion.
"No grandpa. It just means you reserve your copy before the game officially releases in stores," He corrected him, "Here, let me type in the name for you," he typed in Alpha Sapphire.
"Hmm, ah there's a YouToo video here," The Judge nodded and clicked on it. He tilted his head at one of the comments, "What on earth does 'Flannery fap fap fap' mean?"
His grandson clicked to the previous page, "Ummm, don't worry about that! Let's just pre-order the game."
(So yeah, I'm probably just gonna do random [parasitic bomb] with The Judge. 8D)
-
"Wow. Just wow. Of all the research programs to fund, I had to fund this motley crew. All of you are really exceling in making me doubt my decision."
Mr. P blew into his bubble pipe, and a stream of Bubbles slowly floated out.
*Finally fed up with the accusations, Hypno snapped back. Talking was something he tried to avoid, as he was difficult to understand, and trying to control his spastic muscles long enough to form words was a struggle.*
"I'm just the... assistant! You didn't say to catch it... didn't give me PokeBalls... You just told me to help and I did with... what I had!"
*With a snort, he crossed his arms. He doubted his explanation would suffice, if anyone even understood him, since he slurred his words like a drunken Dewgong with lockjaw.*
-
Mr. P stopped blowing into his pipe, and turned to face the Hypno. Hr stared at it for a moment.
"Did... You just say something?"
-
"Yes."
*Hypno had spent his formative days as a Drowzee in physical therapy, which included speech and language therapy in order to help him eat and drink without choking. He was taught how to speak, as it helped him master his locked-up joints and spastic muscles a bit better.*
"I said that I ha-ad to make do with what I ha-ad!"
-
"Fascinating... A fine specimen... However, I wasn't placing the blame on this fine Hypno... I'm placing the blame on you two, Professor Hemlock and Professor Mulberry. As Pokemon Professors out in the field, I expected utter preparedness. And you provided this Hypno... Not even the bare minimum of PokeBalls?
Mr. P raised up his bubble pipe, and blew into it again.
-
(I await the day when Stan Lee dimension-hops into this RP. 8D)
-
(Well Stan Lee is still in RPMvengers, though I'm wondering if we should reboot it. Not now but later.)
-
"His job is to take notes and turn on a tape recorder. It's pretty obvious he can't do much else. I wanted to leave him back at the lab, since he'd slow us down."
*Birch finally rejoined the group with an armload of Pester Balls.* "These were my idea. I was just trying to make sure that our Hypno could protect himself out on the field. We don't take him out on field assignments too often, because of his disability. The last time we took him out, we had an... incident." *He dumped the Balls into a bag and clapped the Hypno on the shoulder.* "We'll get that Zigzagoon later. It's part of the pack, and I'll check our records and try and catch it when it's in its den."
*Hypno nodded and busied himself with gathering equipment together.*
-
(Well Stan Lee is still in RPMvengers, though I'm wondering if we should reboot it. Not now but later.)
(Weren't we waiting for Wily?)
-
(Weren't we waiting for Wily?)
(We were but at the same time I would have liked to have more people around besides you, Me, PB, Sapph, and Wily.)
-
(Yeah, that's true.
Though, even if we did reboot it, I worry that it won't last too long, either. WilyRP is like the only RP where almost everyone participates (or has participated, at some point).
And while RPM-Adventure uses almost everyone, it was created around this time, where activity of the forum has slowed down significantly.)
-
(Yeah that why I don't want to reboot it now.)
-
(If and when I decide to get involved, I'll probably still use the original Hierophant (still using his birth name, Merrick), and his usual group of Pokemon. I haven't decided if I'll include Jeff the Magician, or pick another Magical Drop character to bump into Merrick partway through the RP. I'm also contemplating whether to have the Hierophant card still be attached to WilyII's back, forcing Merrick to either be stuck with the Death card, or go back to using the Magician card, or have escaped at some point and reunited with Merrick)
-
"His job is to take notes and turn on a tape recorder. It's pretty obvious he can't do much else. I wanted to leave him back at the lab, since he'd slow us down."
*Birch finally rejoined the group with an armload of Pester Balls.* "These were my idea. I was just trying to make sure that our Hypno could protect himself out on the field. We don't take him out on field assignments too often, because of his disability. The last time we took him out, we had an... incident." *He dumped the Balls into a bag and clapped the Hypno on the shoulder.* "We'll get that Zigzagoon later. It's part of the pack, and I'll check our records and try and catch it when it's in its den."
*Hypno nodded and busied himself with gathering equipment together.*
Mr. P puffed out one huge bubble, which popped and splashed a bit onto his face.
"Fine. If we can still catch it, I'm fine with anything. Just please... Be more professional, professors. So far, that Hypno seems the most professional, despite the earlier incident."
(Sorry it took so long. >.>)
(If and when I decide to get involved, I'll probably still use the original Hierophant (still using his birth name, Merrick), and his usual group of Pokemon. I haven't decided if I'll include Jeff the Magician, or pick another Magical Drop character to bump into Merrick partway through the RP. I'm also contemplating whether to have the Hierophant card still be attached to WilyII's back, forcing Merrick to either be stuck with the Death card, or go back to using the Magician card, or have escaped at some point and reunited with Merrick)
(I say have the card having escaped in the interim due to circumstances.)
-
*Birch overlooked the comment and began gathering equipment. He muttered something about sending a robot into the den as he put cameras away and folded up tripods. Mulberry was similarly gathering equipment in silence, having been thoroughly cowed by Mr. P.*
*Incensed, Hemlock glared at Hypno and yanked the recorder out of his hand.* "Take your chair and go wait by the road. I don't want you dropping anything."
*Hypno returned the glare and eased himself to his feet. Folding up his chair, he fussed with putting it in its bag, and then hoisted it over his right shoulder. He then limped stiff-legged toward the road, pausing every few feet to pull grass out of his leg brace.*
*Birch finished gathering his things and loaded himself with bags.* "Okay, later this evening, the pack heads to their den. Ground-penetrating radar gave us a depth of about ten-fifteen feet, and it's got an exit on the other side of the hill. I'm thinking we seal off that exit and send a robot down into the den. The infected Zigzagoon are more aggressive and take point in the pack, so that Shiny one will be at the front. My robot's got a good arm, so it shouldn't take too much to catch it."
"We could get the other team out here to help, too. Maybe get some of our Trainer volunteers out here. They'd be good to have if it gets away from the bot." *Mulberry slung his bags over his shoulders and jerked a thumb toward Hypno, who had finally made it to the road.* "Hey, I'm gonna get him back to the lab, and we'll get the bot ready."
-
"Now that sounds like a proper plan!"
Mr. P blew into his bubble pipe again, as he glanced over to the Hypno. Deep in thought...
Who'd knew that a Hypno can talk. Slurred yes, but still. It will be useful in the future... I guess these buffoons are not that useless afterall.
-
*At the road, Mulberry and Hypno started back to the lab, with Mulberry taking the chair. He glanced over his shoulder at the others, who were just starting to head to the road.* "Hey, don't let Hemlock get to you. He's just not used to working with Pokémon like you."
*Hypno nodded slowly, but didn't say anything due to his concentration being focused on walking.*
"At least Mr. P seems to like you. He should see your projects. We should show him the robot."
*Hypno nodded again and grunted in reply. The robot. Birch continually claims ownership of the robot, despite the fact that Hypno had built it. Originally, he built the robot to aid his work, as it could carry things without dropping them, and hold objects still. The robot moved faster, didn't have tremors, and maneuvered easily through the lab.*
*The robot was built from a radio-controlled car, with additional mechanics built from a child's building toy. The controls were simple, with the complex motions being set on the controller for his right hand to operate. His left hand could do basic motions, such as driving and raising and lowering the arm. It wasn't very polished, but it served Hypno's needs, and he brought it to the lab.*
*Mulberry helped reinforce the robot's frame and fine-tune the electronics for better control responsiveness; something that Hypno couldn't do due to having only one working hand. Then, Birch suggested retrofitting the robot for field work, to which Hypno agreed. The robot could traverse difficult terrain easier and carry things. It was fitted with new tires, a better suspension, and the arm modified to throw PokéBalls.*
*Soon enough, the robot was no longer Hypno's robot; it belonged to Birch. Birch used it for field work, and had either Mulberry or a Trainer volunteer operate it. When not in use, it stayed in storage, no longer able to help Hypno with his work.*
*Hypno let out a snort as he paused along the road to rest. He could build another robot, but that one would be taken, too. He had tried to use the robot for its original intended purpose, but Hemlock admonished him for it, telling him not to "play with it." Every human in the lab conveniently forgot that Hypno had built the robot.*
-
Done relaxing for the day, Taylor and her team headed south through Oldale Town to check in with the region's local professor.
(Trying to run into everyone else haha)
-
(You might get there just as they get back to the lab, or shortly after they had just gotten back. Or, at least Birch and the others would be there, while Hypno and Mulberry lagged behind due to the former needing to stop and rest.)
-
"Ah, Littleroot Town," Taylor mused upon entering the town limits. "Just the same as always. And there's the lab," she added happily, heading down the path to meet with Birch. "Time to get my 'dex checked!"
-
*The team had just returned and were unloading their equipment when Mirby entered the lab. The door buzzed and Hemlock nodded to Hypno to answer it.* "Get the door."
*Hypno, who was toward the back of the main lab and elbow-deep in replacing a tire on the robot, set the tire aside and pulled himself to his feet. He limped over to the door, fiddled with the lock, and yanked the door open to see Taylor standing there.*
"Ye-es..?"
-
"Oh hey a talking Hypno, cool," Taylor said offhandedly. "Anyways, is Professor Birch here? I have somethin' to show him regarding my Pokedex."
-
*Hypno turned his head and barked out Birch's name. Turning around, he limped back to the back of the lab to finish working on the robot.*
*Birch was examining his pants and taping his blistered toes from walking back barefoot when he heard his name.* "Taylor! Come on in! We just got back from a field study, so don't mind the mess."
-
Mr. P was just walking around the lab, looking at the various equipment, and queried some of the assistants about their jobs. It wasn't long until he reached the back of the lab, and noticed the Hypno again, thus time fiddling with a robot. When it was called again to... Open the front door of all things, Mr. P went closer to examine the robot.
It wasn't long before the Hypno returned.
"Did you make this contraption?"
-
"Ye-es. I built the... proto-type."
*Hypno sat and resumed replacing the tire. He leaned his practically-useless left arm against the robot as he worked the tire back onto the wheel with his right. It was a difficult job to do one-handed, and his left hand was held rigid by a brace and tightened muscles and couldn't do much more than hold things.*
"I built to help me work." *Once the tire was replaced, he checked the other tires and adjusted the suspension on the rear axle.*
-
"Fascinating... Just Fascinating..."
Mr. P continued to admire the robot, and the Hypno, it has such a strong sense of responsibility... A perfect specimem...
"So... How has your work been with these Professors?"
-
*Hypno didn't answer for a long moment as he finished the adjustments and placed the remote control in his lap. Switching it on, he tested the responsiveness and moved the wheels back and forth. Once satisfied, he switched on the separate arm piece and tested its remote responsiveness.*
"They... don't let me do certain things. Work also... inter-feres with going to ther-apy."
*Finishing the remote tests, he pointed to the robot.*
"Could you put... it down on the flo-or, please? I can't lift it myself..."
*Moving the remote control, he placed the arm on his lap and put a wrench in his left hand to hold while he gathered the attaching brackets into an easy-to-reach pile.*
-
"Why yes, yes. I may look old, but I have the strength of a young man!"
Propping himself over to the other side to assist the Hypno, he could gauge the weight of the robot, and it indeed was quite significant.
"How long did it take you to build this? And is there any other name I can address you by?"
-
*Hypno shook his head, as he was never named.*
"They call me 'Pro-fessor'. The ro-bot was built from a... toy car and Erector Set. Took a month, but... I couldn't... work on it very of-ten."
*sliding out of his chair, he seated himself on the floor, with one leg crossed and the other bent oddly. Holding extra brackets in his mouth, he braced the robot arm against his left forearm and began attaching it with his right.*
-
"Impressive... Very impressiv-oomph!"
Mr. P slightly shifted in his position, causing a bit more weight to lean over to his side, but managed to quickly reposition himself again.
"Professor huh... Prof. Hypno... I like the ring of that!"
-
*Finishing attaching the arm, Hypno motioned for Mr. P to position the robot on the floor and back away. Pulling himself back into his chair, he took the remote control and gave the robot a short test drive around the back of the lab, picking up and moving small objects along the way. He maneuvered the robot over to Birch and picked up the man's sandal, carrying it to the trash can and depositing it.*
*Birch was caught by surprise as his sandal was stolen and junked.* "OH! I see you have the robot up and running! Great! We'll take it out this evening." *He looked to Taylor.* "Would you like to help us catch a Zigzagoon?"
*Hypno drove the robot back to the table where he was working on it and parked it, switching off the remote and putting it aside. He most likely wasn't going out on the evening excursion and would be left at the lab to do busywork.*
-
As Mr. P backed away, and saw the capabilities of the robot in action, he can't help but think that Prof. Hypno is way too under-utilitsed... He has to correct that somehow.
"Say Prof. Hypno... How about we have a short... Discussion after the professors leave for their next mission. I have seen enough of their outfield work. What do you say?"
-
*Hypno nodded and eased his index finger into his arm brace in order to scratch an itch. He could clock out early if he wanted to, particularly if he had physical therapy that evening, which he wasn't quite sure if he did.* "That would be fine..."
-
Mr. P smiled widely at the answer.
"Good... All that's left is to inform those Professors. I'll be right back."
With that, Mr. P turned towards the front door. Nearly there, he noticed a Trainer was at the front door, perhaps the one that Prof. Hypno opened for... Why does that Trainer look so familiar?
"I-It looks like you all are almost ready. I won't be joining you in your mission, I've seen enough earlier already."
-
*Hemlock shrugged.* "Fine. He needs a babysitter, anyway."
"Oh, that reminds me..." *Mulberry quickly crossed over to a bulletin board and checked the calendar.* "I'll be heading out tonight, but the Prof has PT later. Usually, I take him there and drop him off, but I'll be busy. He can show you where it is; it's in Petalburg, at the Gym. It's about fifteen minutes away. You don't need to stay there, and he'll be there for about an hour, so if I get done early, I can go pick him up."
*While Mulberry talked, Hypno took off his arm brace in order to better scratch his itch. Sweating made the brace itch abominably, and he took the opportunity to remove his leg brace and give his skin a chance to breathe. He'd be removing his braces later at PT, but PT left him sore afterward and he wanted a chance to air out, first.*
(How does I type :B *fixes formatting*)
-
"Alright, I can bring him there. I hope that the mission will be a success... For your sake."
Mr. P tipped his tophat, and made his way back to Prof. Hypno.
"Looks like it is settled. I'll be accompanying you to your PT."
-
*Hypno glanced up from stretching his wrist.* "It's bo-ring there, but... fine..."
*Mulberry dug in his pocket for the handicap parking placard and handed it to Mr. P.* "You'll need this for the parking spot. He does have a chair, and we keep that in the cloakroom. It'll fit in the trunk when it's folded up."
*Hemlock snorted as he gathered supplies for the evening's excursion.* "I still don't see why he even has to be on our team. Why did you even get that Hypno?"
"It's not up for debate. Now, where did I put that other pair of sandals..." *Birch was too busy talking to Taylor and looking for another pair of shoes to argue with Hemlock.*
-
(I hate Hemlock so much.)
-
"Anyways, I thought you'd like to take a look at these strange formes of Pokemon I've encountered," Taylor said, flipping through the Pokedex to point out what appeared to be completely monochrome variations of normally colorful Pokemon. "Obviously these are different from Shiny Pokemon, and I'm wondering what might cause this complete loss of pigment. Figured you might be interested," she added.
(Remember those reports of monochrome Pokemon in X/Y? Just gonna throw that in here cause I couldn't think of anything else lol)
-
*Birch's eyes widened at the images. Several possibilities occurred to him, including albinism and leucism. A widespread mutation could cause the presence of leucistic and piebald Pokemon. A colleague of his, Professor Palm, had written about a piebald Pokemon seen around Pallet Town. Leucism would indeed explain the complete lack of pigmentation in the specimens presented.* "Lots of things could cause this, and I think I may know what's going on. Though, I would love to have a specimen and take a look at the genes, as this mutation could be genetic. Have you seen specimens within familial groups? Have Breeders noticed this?"
-
*Hypno glanced up from stretching his wrist.* "It's bo-ring there, but... fine..."
*Mulberry dug in his pocket for the handicap parking placard and handed it to Mr. P.* "You'll need this for the parking spot. He does have a chair, and we keep that in the cloakroom. It'll fit in the trunk when it's folded up."
*Hemlock snorted as he gathered supplies for the evening's excursion.* "I still don't see why he even has to be on our team. Why did you even get that Hypno?"
"It's not up for debate. Now, where did I put that other pair of sandals..." *Birch was too busy talking to Taylor and looking for another pair of shoes to argue with Hemlock.*
*staring at Hemlock* "And I wonder why YOU are in this team, Professor Hemlock."
Taking the placard from Mulberry, Mr. P turned to Prof. Hypno.
"From what I've seen, boring is essential. And don't worry about it... For you will have company."
-
*Hemlock muttered under his breath loud enough for Hypno to hear.* "At least I have control over all of my limbs." *He gathered a bunch of PokeBalls and dumped them into his bag.*
*Mulberry ignored him and checked his watch.* "You guys can head out now, if you want. Get dinner, head to Petalburg Gym..." *He walked over and patted Hypno on the shoulder, while also reaching around him to get the robot's controller.* "PT leaves our little Professor pretty sore. There's just some paperwork to file later, and stuff to put away. It's not a big deal, and he'll be too sore afterward to do any of it. Just take the evening off, okay, Prof?"
*Hypno nodded and worked on at least putting on his leg brace so he could walk.* "You sure?"
*Birch also looked up from his discussion with Taylor.* "You're fine, take off for the night. We got this. See you tomorrow morning."
*Hypno nodded and eased himself out of his chair, tucking his arm brace under his curled left arm and starting for the door.* "Shall we?"
-
"We shall."
Mr. P picked up his cane, and followed alongside Prof. Hypno. Making one last comment...
"I wish you all the best of luck. You'll need it."
-
*Hemlock snorted again, still gathering his supplies.*
"What bug crawled up your butt? We'll get that Zigzagoon. We got a robot and a Trainer. It's as good as caught." *Mulberry turned on the remote control and maneuvered the robot behind Hemlock to poke him in the back of the leg.*
"It's not a toy!" *Hemlock snapped, moving to a different part of the lab.* "Playing around with expensive equipment... You're as bad as that Hypno."
"Will you lay off? Goodness, I'm trying to have a conversation, here, and dammit, where are my shoes?!"
*And so, Mr. P and Prof. Hypno were underway, heading out for dinner and then to Petalburg. Hypno slumped in the passenger side, watching the scenery go by. He chewed on his bottom lip and shifted in his seat in order to be more comfortable. The entire back of his left leg ached, and therapy would end up making the pain worse. He didn't particularly like doing all the painful stretches, while at the same time being told that if his joints don't loosen up, then he may soon have to have his tendons released.*
*That prospect didn't sit right with him, as he'd have to spend months with his arm and leg in a cast, and he wouldn't be able to work. It would end up giving Hemlock more fuel for his snide remarks.* "Hemlock doesn't... understand wha-at it's like..."
-
Mr. P kept his eyes on the road.
"Oh, he doesn't understand anything. That Hemlock is a bane in that team... Oh, I'll fund the team, just not that guy. Don't think too much into that guy, you just focus on your work... Oh... I'll even full-hearted support your work!"
-
*Hypno glanced over, surprised.* "You've seen... my other pro-jects?"
*He only really explained the robot, which he built on his own time. He was currently working on a glove that he could wear to grant him greater dexterity, but that project was slow going. With only one good hand to work with, it made things difficult.*
-
"I knew you'd ask for specimens," Taylor said with a grin as she pulled out several Premier Balls from her bag. "Within these Premier Balls contain 5 examples of these Monochrome Pokemon." She pressed the buttons on all balls, revealing a Spinda, a Scyther, a Luvdisc, and a Barbaracle, all of which had absolutely no color on them. "Weird, huh?"
-
*Hypno glanced over, surprised.* "You've seen... my other pro-jects?"
*He only really explained the robot, which he built on his own time. He was currently working on a glove that he could wear to grant him greater dexterity, but that project was slow going. With only one good hand to work with, it made things difficult.*
"Of course I know. I have to look into all backgrounds for whoever quips my interest into helping them funding projects. And you, my dear Prof. Hypno, is a genius among Pokemon... And among man. I can help you... Even get YOU assistants... I want to see your research flourish!"
Mr. P maintained his eyes on the room, but one can see the vigor in his smile...
-
"I knew you'd ask for specimens," Taylor said with a grin as she pulled out several Premier Balls from her bag. "Within these Premier Balls contain 5 examples of these Monochrome Pokemon." She pressed the buttons on all balls, revealing a Spinda, a Scyther, a Luvdisc, and a Barbaracle, all of which had absolutely no color on them. "Weird, huh?"
*Birch was absolutely thrilled as he clapped his hands together.* "Splendid! Just as I suspected, they're all leucistic. I suspect a gene mutation that's causing defects in either pigment production or the life of the pigment cells themselves. How often do you see these? Are they specific to a single location, or are they widespread? Have any Breeders mentioned this mutation to you?"
*Mulberry looked over while further prepping the robot to take outside.* "Oh, neat! Leucistic Pokémon!"
"It appears we won't be getting that Zigzagoon any time soon...
"Of course I know. I have to look into all backgrounds for whoever quips my interest into helping them funding projects. And you, my dear Prof. Hypno, is a genius among Pokemon... And among man. I can help you... Even get YOU assistants... I want to see your research flourish!"
Mr. P maintained his eyes on the room, but one can see the vigor in his smile...
*Hypno thought about that. His own assistants. A genius among man. No longer would he be forced to serve under humans who only saw his handicap and took his creations as their own. He could build another robot and actually be able to keep it. He could finally finish his gauntlet and work on other projects that would aid disabled Pokémon like him. Since disability among Pokémon was rare, he had to adapt to human equipment and human treatments. He wore braces designed for humans, and the wheelchair folded in the trunk of Mr. P's car was acquired from a human medical supply store. Even his premature birth was handled the same way as one would treat a premature human baby. Yet, he was still bought and sold like a Pokémon.*
*Dropping his gaze to his spastic arm, Hypno thought about other devices and equipment that he wanted to build. If he had the time and materials (and dexterity) to do so, he would design a more custom-fit brace that wouldn't itch so much. He could design more comfortable equipment; appliances that fit better and didn't cause so much pain as it forced his gnarled limbs into a normal position.*
*There were a few other Pokémon at the therapy center who were similarly afflicted. They had the same complaints as he; having to use human devices that don't fit well, aren't sized right, or are awkward to use. At least the quadrupedal Pokémon were somewhat better off—they got custom-designed wheelchairs that consisted of a hammock on wheels that was strapped to their bodies. They had full range of motion and could navigate obstacles and narrow doorways far better than Hypno and his similarly-paralyzed compatriots could do with human crutches, walkers, and wheelchairs.*
"I want to... help others like me..."
-
"Yeah other Breeders have seen these around. And some have even consulted scientists of their own. There seems to be no gene mutations causing this, according to those reports. Which is rather strange, no?" Taylor replied. "And I've seen several myself, but the reports are becoming more and more numerous within the circles I've been mentioning these in. They're mostly found in both Kalos and Hoenn here, almost evenly, with isolated cases showing up in Kanto, Johto, and Sinnoh. Though it might only be a matter of time before this spreads to other regions such as Almia and Orre, to name a couple."
-
*Birch considered Taylor's words. So, no particular gene was causing the mutation. Leucistic mutations could be caused by dominant and recessive alleles, and due to the nature of the mutation, the manner of the lack of pigmentation could vary; from the body's inability to manufacture pigment cells of any kind, to the death and decay of pigment cells as they travel to the surface. Though, with how the mutation was occurring in clusters and seemed to be spreading brought a different possibility to mind.*
"It's possible that this could be caused by a pathogen. Perhaps a virus? Were any Pokémon born with this? If it is developing in healthy Pokémon, then it could an acquired illness that is specifically attacking pigment cells. I could run some tests..."
*On the other side of the lab, Hemlock looked to Mulberry.* "If Mr. P finds out that we abandoned that Shiny, he may drop our funding..."
"I don't see why. These Pokémon are far more fascinating than that Shiny! Think about it—we're dealing with a bizarre pigment mutation that's apparently an acquired condition, with how its prevalence is spreading from region to region in clusters. That is certainly far more fascinating—and rare—than a new Pokérus strain!"
*Hemlock regarded his younger colleague as though he would an impatient child.* "You're new to this, aren't you? We can't just willy-nilly go from one project to the next without funding! I know we let our Hypno do that, but he's a Pokémon. He's not contractually obligated to work on a project! We can't just drop our research and move on! Birch needs to get his head back in the game before Mr. P gets back..."
-
(Yeah I really hate Hemlock, if Sakura was actually there she would never let him get hired. I could see her constantly caling him a jerkoff and flipping him off at every turn. I mean seriously, the monochromatic Pokemon are way more important than a Shiny Zigzagoon. I think Hemlock is the reason why Birch never had field assistants until now.)
-
*Hypno thought about that. His own assistants. A genius among man. No longer would he be forced to serve under humans who only saw his handicap and took his creations as their own. He could build another robot and actually be able to keep it. He could finally finish his gauntlet and work on other projects that would aid disabled Pokémon like him. Since disability among Pokémon was rare, he had to adapt to human equipment and human treatments. He wore braces designed for humans, and the wheelchair folded in the trunk of Mr. P's car was acquired from a human medical supply store. Even his premature birth was handled the same way as one would treat a premature human baby. Yet, he was still bought and sold like a Pokémon.*
*Dropping his gaze to his spastic arm, Hypno thought about other devices and equipment that he wanted to build. If he had the time and materials (and dexterity) to do so, he would design a more custom-fit brace that wouldn't itch so much. He could design more comfortable equipment; appliances that fit better and didn't cause so much pain as it forced his gnarled limbs into a normal position.*
*There were a few other Pokémon at the therapy center who were similarly afflicted. They had the same complaints as he; having to use human devices that don't fit well, aren't sized right, or are awkward to use. At least the quadrupedal Pokémon were somewhat better off—they got custom-designed wheelchairs that consisted of a hammock on wheels that was strapped to their bodies. They had full range of motion and could navigate obstacles and narrow doorways far better than Hypno and his similarly-paralyzed compatriots could do with human crutches, walkers, and wheelchairs.*
"I want to... help others like me..."
Mr. P grinned even wider.
"Now THAT's the spirit! Think of all the others that can, and WILL benefit from your research... You will have no restrictions, go all out... Yes... All the possibilities... For humans... And Pokemon-kind!!"
-
*Hypno finally turned and looked at Mr. P.* "But... wha-at about my current work? I just can't... leave the lab... they own me."
-
"Technicalities. I will still fund them, enough funding that they could hire additional assistants. And with even more funding... I can help... With your contractual commitments. Nothing money can't fix, I would say."
Mr. P slowly applied the brakes to the vehicle, and stopped by the side of the road. He then stared at Prof. Hypno with burning passion.
"Never again will you face discrimination... Never again will your work be treated as other's credit. Everything will be yours... And yours alone. All I ask is your undying commitment to your work, and you can benefit everyone. Every human... Every Pokemon..."
-
*Hypno stared at Mr. P in silence. The sudden change in behavior startled him, as did their pulling to a stop. He wasn't quite sure how to respond, as the request caught him off-guard. His mind was concerned with more immediate plans, such as getting dinner and going to therapy.*
"I... will ne-ed to think about... it."
*Outside of his early days at the Breeder, most of which was spent in intense physical therapy that got his mobility to where it is now, he only knew of Birch's lab. It was a comfort zone and he wasn't sure if he could leave it right away. Any other lab would need to be accessible to him, with ramps, hand rails, and elevators. He couldn't navigate stairs very well, and he couldn't walk very far without assistance. His mobility limitations was why Birch had supplied him a wheelchair to use when he needed it.*
*Also, any lab equipment would need to be accessible, as he was limited to his functional right arm, and he couldn't carry things without dropping them. He preferred to sit while working, as standing tired him out and aggravated his chronic pain. And due to therapy needed to keep his joints and muscles from locking completely, he couldn't be at the lab all the time.*
"I need to... think about it..."
-
Mr. P adjusted his monocle, before adjusting the gearstick and stepping on the accelerator lightly. Keeping his eyes on the road again...
"Ahem... Sorry about that. I tend to get a bit... Passionate about things that I... Care about. Take your time, and sorry if I had startled you."
-
*Hypno gave a nod, but didn't say anything. Talking was difficult, and when they did stop for dinner, he would be concentrating mostly on eating. He idly wished that Mulberry had accompanied them, as he often let Hypno borrow his smartphone to use the text-to-speech app on it.*
*He glanced around the car, and then loosened his leg brace to scratch at another itch. The ankle strap was rubbing and causing a blister. His brace was old and didn't fit well, as the Breeder couldn't afford to have one custom-made.*
"There is... a res-taur-rant up here on... the right. Mul-berry usually... stops there."
-
"Alright."
Mr. P turned right into a side road, and not long after, reached a restaurant. Finding a spare lot, and parking in, Mr. P got out of the car, and went to help Prof. Hypno.
-
"It will be... easier to talk here. I can get some-thing to drink."
*Getting out of the car, Hypno readjusted his brace, but didn't tighten it, as it was difficult to do so while standing up. His limp was more pronounced as he was walking on the side of his foot due to the loosened brace. He followed Mr. P into the restaurant and immediately went to a bench to sit and fix his brace.*
*Once they got a table, he followed Mr. P and their waitress, and he eased himself sideways into the booth, sitting with his leg propped up. The day's field assignment aggravated his pain, which raced down the back of his leg. After getting a much-needed drink of water, he turned to look at Mr. P.*
"Wha-at kind of re-search would you want me to do?"
-
Mr. P took a sip of Earl Grey before turning his attention to Prof. Hypno.
"It's not what you can do for me... It's what I can do for you! I am giving you the reins... Expand on your research... Do your own thing without hinderance! All I truly want is for your research to benefit Pokemon, and humankind!"
Mr. P adjusted his monocle before continuing.
"But of course, if I do have any other research to be done, you will give it your all as well. That is truly all."
-
*Taking another drink of water, Hypno nodded. He wanted to get most of his talking done before their food came, as trying to talk and eat simultaneously usually caused him to choke. Coordinating his muscles to do one thing and another sometimes confused them, and he unintentionally demonstrated that by choking on his drink.*
*After coughing and then taking a moment to recover, he continued speaking.*
"I am build-ing a glove... to help my hand work bet-ter. The others don't know that... I'm build-ing it. I fi-gured out how to... power the motor... Com-pressed air to mo-ove the gears... ke-ep the ten-sion set so I can mo-ove without... re-sis-tance, but pre-vent my muscles from... con-trac-ting. My wrist and fingers would be... floa-ting."
-
Mr. P got out of his seat, and went over to Prof. Hypno, gently patting his back.
"Slowly now... And that glove sounds very powerful... It sounds very beneficial indeed..."
-
"It's... not the most prac-ti-cal way to make it. I'm making it out of what... I can find. They don't know about it... but when I'm... fin-ished, they will see it... and Hem-lock will want to... take it..."
*Hypno waited a moment before attempting to drink again. Taking a drink, he managed to do so without choking, though swallowing was difficult, as he had momentarily forgotten how to do so. The lack of precise control over his spastic muscles frustrated him, particularly when it came to rudimentary things such as swallowing.*
*Glancing up, he could see people at other tables casting quick glances their way. They must have been quite a pair; a proper scientist and an obviously-disabled Hypno in scrubs. His species wasn't native to the region, so he stood out already. Coupled with his cerebral palsy and slurred, "thick tongue" speech, he often drew more unwanted attention, usually over the fact that he could talk. Only the restaurant's staff was accustomed to his presence, as Hypno and Mulberry stopped there for dinner frequently.*
*The place served breakfast all day. Who wouldn't stop?*
-
"Ah. Hemlock."
Saying that name left a bitter taste in Mr. P's mouth, and thus he took another sip of his Earl Grey.
"You do not need to worry about him. You will have you own lab, your own appointed assistants. You own funding, your own access to whatever you need..."
-
"I have... designs..." *Hypno took a moment to dig in his pockets for a folded wad of paper. As he was doing so, the waitress finally brought their food, so Hypno handed the paper across the table to Mr. P.* "It's... a dif-fer-rent design... for an ex-o-skel-e... ton. Based off of... strength-train-ing harnesses. It's to... strengthen... weakened limbs."
*Squirming a bit to ease his leg off the seat and sit properly to eat, Hypno fell silent in order to concentrate on chewing and swallowing without choking. While he could use silverware so long as he used his dominant right hand, his actual eating was somewhat sloppy.*
-
Mr. P took the folded piece of paper, and looked at it intently. What he saw was beyond genius. This thingamajig... That thingamabob... Prof. Hypno really took a lot of effort into designing the exoskeleton. It was a marvel unlike any other...
Deciding it's best that Prof. Hypno finishes his food first after that little choking incident earlier, Mr. P continued to examine the designs, while snacking on some scones.
-
*The designs consisted of segmented braces that were connected at the joints with what appeared to be elastic bands. The elastic held the affected limb in a proper, non-contracted position and provided gentle resistance to strengthen weakened muscles. They could further be connected to a harness, and would hold limbs in a "weightless" position. There were a copious amount of notes scrawled in any free space available, along with a drawing of a gearbox, which was most likely part of the prototype glove that Hypno was already working on.*
*Back in Littleroot, Birch had ran some tests on one of the Monochrome Pokemon, which revealed some surprising information. His initial findings showed an immune response in the Pokemon, which suggested that its body was attacking its own pigment cells. He had Mulberry and Hemlock test two other Pokemon, which were apparently caught in different areas, and their results were similar: an immune response to the Pokemon's own pigment cells.*
*With how Taylor said that other regions were reporting similar outbreaks, then Birch began to form his initial hypothesis. From his tests and anecdotal evidence, he concluded that the loss of pigment was due to an acquired autoimmune disorder that targeted pigment cells. He wondered if it could be related to the mutated strain of Pokerus that he had been studying...*
"We've been getting reports of a new strain of Pokerus that has been exhibiting with heightened aggression and an inflammatory response. These leucistic Pokemon are presenting with what looks to be an autoimmune disorder. However, in our research on that Zigzagoon pack, there's an infected Shiny, but I noticed something about its coloring--it's even lighter. I'm wondering if there's a possible link between that strain and these leucistic Pokemon..."
"So, the strain causes pigment cells to die, and affected Pokemon gradually lose their color? That Zigzagoon may be in later stages of the infection, then. It was displaying more prominent symptoms, and FLIR imaging showed a higher internal temperature than the other infected Pokemon."
"Exactly my thoughts, Mulberry. Shiny coloration is caused by a mutation that results in a different distribution of colors than normal. If a Pokemon were exhibiting an autoimmune response toward their own pigmentation, then they would gradually change colors as the cells die; generally becoming lighter. The problem is we haven't been able to yet determine a duration for this strain, nor a timetable of symptoms. We've just determined how it's spread. If that Shiny Zigzagoon is the result of that autoimmune response, then it might have been the first to be infected. It'd be Patient Zero."
"And we missed out on a chance to study it because you relied on that Hypno who probably doesn't even understand what we're doing."
*Birch ignored Hemlock's comment and looked to Taylor.* "Okay, we need to catch that Zigzagoon so we can study it. It may hold more clues to this mystery, so let's get out there and grab it! The robot's ready, and I've already mapped out their den. Finding them won't be hard, and we'll be able to catch the pack unawares."
-
(I'm trying to get into this but honestly it's a bit discouraging when it seems to just be huge post after huge post between Quickie and Wily and I'm honestly not sure what's going on and the colored text is confusing me cause pet peeve/OCD-type thing so yeah)
-
(It's moving pretty slow, anyway. I'll invite the Plot Contrivance Fairy to help. Need to get Prof. Hypno where Mr. P wants him, and the whole Zigzagoon thing can be wrapped up. I'll also ditch the colored text because it's annoying to format.)
QuickEdit: (I figured out something that'll allow us to skip ahead a few days. It'll get Prof. Hypno where he needs to be, and the Zigzagoon thing can be wrapped up. Mulberry and Hemlock won't be needed after this, though Birch may stick around, as he's going to be reporting his findings to the public.)
(Basically, the Shiny Zigzagoon is Patient Zero and there's a connection between its variation of Pokérus and the Monochrome Pokémon. As for getting Prof. Hypno where he needs to go; his type of CP puts him at a high risk for seizures. Thus, the Plot Contrivance Fairy is going to have a little fun...)
-
*As Mr. P looked over the designs, Hypno took his time with eating his meal. He mulled over Mr. P's earlier request and had to admit that it enticed him. He could benefit so many disabled Pokémon with his research. He could better so many lives. Custom-fit orthoses, advanced prostheses, mobility equipment with proportions to better fit Pokémon... Helping others like himself was one of the main reasons why he spent any free time designing and building gadgets. If only his fellow scientists were more interested in helping Pokémon than helping humanity through Pokémon. That was one of the things that bothered him; any research wasn't to benefit the Pokémon. The Pokérus research was to benefit Trainers. The Poké Ball research was to benefit Trainers. His robot was taken so that it could benefit the other humans and Trainers.*
*Prof. Hypno chewed on a mouthful, but didn't swallow it. His train of thought stopped and a chill raced up his spine. His head felt disconnected, and his mane puffed out. He went to swallow his food, but couldn't seem to do so. Reaching for a glass of water, he noticed the tremor—in his right hand.*
*His stomach bubbled and his vision blurred briefly as a wave of dizziness moved through his head and the world turned on its side. He tried to drink, but his throat wouldn't work. Coughing and sputtering, water went up his nose and he spit up the mouthful he had been working on. The tremor in his right arm got worse, and the cup spilled.*
*His chest tightened, and his joints locked. He barely got a word out before his vision was gone, and the dizziness exploded into a sensation that he had hoped to never experience again. Any connection he had to the world was gone. His muscles contracted violently, and he lost his balance, sliding off of the bench and hitting the floor in a grand mal seizure.*
-
Meanwhile after capturing the Zigzagoon for Professor Birch, Taylor went to her Secret Base on [redacted]. Logging into her computer, she opened up Fennekin, her preferred web browser, to check for updates. And it seemed like the Pokerus variant was beginning to spread to other regions. Isolated cases in Fiore and Oblivia were showing up, along with others appearing in Ransei and the Orange Archipelago. Quickly, she grabbed links to these reports with pictures and sent them off in an email to Birch. This whole thing was about to get colorful. Or not colorful at all. Either way, it would be interesting.
-
(Try text formatting on a phone. ._.)
Mr. P was still engrossed over the designs when he heard a loud thud. And people screaming. He looked up and saw that Prof. Hypno wasn't seated opposite him. With a frog in his throat, Mr. P looked under the table, and saw Prof. Hypno laying on the ground, almost motionless except for the occasional spasm.
"Anyone know where the nearest Pokemon Center is!?"
In a panic, Mr. P managed to get directions from a waitress, and with help from some diners, he managed to load Prof. Hypno back into the car. With urgency, Mr. P stepped on the gas, and sped off in the direction of the Pokemon Center...
... Or at least that was what onlookers saw...
-
(I knew the entire situation was too good to be true. XD)
-
*A few days had passed since the incident at the restaurant. When Hypno failed to return to the lab that night, Birch was informed by Mr. P that the Pokémon had suffered a seizure and was recovering at the closest Pokémon Center.*
*However, Petalburg's Pokémon Center had no records of a Hypno being admitted that day.*
*His head was stuffed full of cotton and his eyes were coated in crust that held his eyelids together. Hypno forced them open and winced as bright overhead lights assaulted his vision. With a groan, he waited for his eyes to adjust and he looked around. The walls were unfamiliar, and it felt as if a cloud hung over everything.*
*He couldn't remember what happened. He knew that at some point, he was at a restaurant, where he had stopped for dinner. Between that and him opening his eyes, it was a thick fog.*
"Hel-lo...?"
*His voice cracked and his throat was dry. His head had taken on a dull ache and he couldn't focus his vision.*
"Where am I? I... I can't..."
*He tried to raise himself, but his limbs refused to cooperate. It took him a while to dully register that he wasn't wearing his orthopedic braces, and thus his left arm and leg had resumed their contracted and twisted positions.*
"Any-one there...?"
-
"Good morning... You have finally awakened."
A voice echoed out in the darkness, the only light being on Prof. Hypno and his immediate surroundings.
"You must have a lot of questions... Don't worry... You have all the time in the world now..."
-
"Wha-at hap-pened? Where... am I...?"
*Hypno looked around to try to pinpoint the voice, but was unsuccessful. Using his right arm, he shifted himself until he was raised up on his elbows. He couldn't make out any details beyond the bed he was in, but with how the voice echoed, he assumed that the room was somewhat large and sparse.*
"Who's... there?"
-
"Don't you remember? You were doing your physical training at the clinic... And then, you agreed to my little proposal..."
The voice seemed to approach Prof. Hypno, and soon, he could see a silhouette... A familiar silhouette with a top hat.
"However, not soon after your training, you had a terrible seizure... The Pokemon Center tried their very best, but it seemed that their equipment was... Lacking. After some paperwork, they allowed me to bring you out of external help... Namely... Mine."
-
*Hypno stared at him, puzzled. He could recall leaving the lab to go to physical therapy, and he could recall the proposal. He could recall stopping to get dinner, but after that, everything was a blur.*
"How long... was I out?"
*Thinking, he could remember only vague impressions. At some point, he had that proposal under consideration, but he couldn't quite remember exactly when.*
*Testing his limbs, he attempted to sit up, but couldn't find the strength, falling back down. His left limbs ached, and he idly wondered just how long they had been left contracted without any sort of intervention. Putting his braces on was going to be extremely uncomfortable. Going without made walking nearly impossible.*
-
"You were out for days... Almost a week. I was afraid that your braces would be an inconvenience during that time... But it might seem that my calculations were... Off."
Mr. P was soon clearly visible within Prof. Hypno's sight.
"But not to worry. I have contingencies... And you would be surprised by them..."
-
"Cal-cu-la-tions...?"
*Hypno raised an eyebrow in confusion. He had lost an entire week? No wonder he couldn't find any strength to move; his only good muscles had started to atrophy!*
"Where... am I? Wha-at... con-tingen-cies?"
*He once again tried to sit up, but was once again unsuccessful.*
-
"You are in one of my previous backing's lab. He was such a genius... As for contingencies... Remember your designs for an improved harass-braces system?"
Mr. P walked up to behind Prof. Hypno, helping him to turn to face the back. There was something under a white sheet, to which Mr. P pulled away... Revealing said system... Exactly as Prof. Hypno had designed it.
-
Taylor briefly wondered if Darunia was one of the monochromatic Pokemon, but then dismissed the thought as it would be hard to tell considering Pangoros are already monochromatic.
-
(Unless his twig IS monochromatic. D:)
-
(Good point)
-
(Beware the monochrome twig... D: )
"You are in one of my previous backing's lab. He was such a genius... As for contingencies... Remember your designs for an improved harness-braces system?"
Mr. P walked up to behind Prof. Hypno, helping him to turn to face the back. There was something under a white sheet, to which Mr. P pulled away... Revealing said system... Exactly as Prof. Hypno had designed it.
*Hypno stared at it in disbelief. It was all there; his design brought to life. The arms of the mannequin were held in the perfect equilibrium that Hypno had pictured, yet they weren't restrained, as evidenced by the slight bouncing produced when the sheet was ripped away. The tension in the elastic bands were perfect to simulate weightlessness! There were so many who could benefit from it!*
"You... built it..."
*He designed it so that it could be made cheaply, and he wanted so much to be able to build it. He had to build it, as he had made a promise for someone. At the therapy center, there was a Kirlia who suffered from a type of muscular weakness that prevented the use of her arms. Her Trainer was told that she may never be able to even lift her arms high enough to touch her own head. Therapy for her was intense, but her Trainer couldn't provide the right type of therapy at home, and the center itself was ill-equipped to help her improve. The Kirlia simply could not wear human orthoses.*
*So, Hypno set to work on designing an orthopedic device that would fit the Kirlia, and that she could wear away from the therapy center. Providing her weakened arms with an exterior set of muscles would greatly help her to develop her own. Hypno designed it to be lightweight and unobtrusive—the Kirlia could still go about her daily activities without it getting in the way. The materials to make it would be low-cost and easy-to-find, with the actual braces themselves made with a 3D printer.*
*His own work had prevented him from building the appliance. But, there in front of him was his invention. His creation. He could make that Kirlia's life better.*
"I can... save her now..."
-
Mr. P smirked.
"The materials were quite easy to find... But I must say that the inner workings were a marvel to work with. Your genius knows no bounds, Prof. Hypno. And you can only benefit others... If you benefit yourself."
Mr. P slowly removed the system from the mannequin, and held it up in front of Prof. Hypno.
"All yours..."
-
*Hypno stared at it. He didn't design it for him; he designed it for the Kirlia. The device was to aid both arms. However, he wasn't in much of a position to refuse, and his braces were missing. He could use it on his left arm, but that left the problem of dealing with his leg.*
*With his right hand, he took the device and fussed with it for a few minutes to remove just the left-arm brace. Now the hard part was putting it on, as his spastic muscles and joints curled his arm into an unnatural position. After a week without correction, the limb was especially tight and painful.*
"I may... ne-ed some help..."
-
"Right, of course..."
Mr. P slowly eased Prof. Hypno's left arm into the brace. He could hear grunts of pain, it had been almost a week after all. Once aligned properly, Mr. P helped to strap the brace onto Prof. Hypno's left arm.
"It should be uncomfortable now... But soon... You will be free..."
-
*Hypno looked from the brace, to Mr. P, and then flopped backwards on the bed in utter exhaustion. He had been unconscious for a week, he had no energy, but the device he wanted to build had been built.*
*It took a moment for Mr. P's last words to finally register. Hypno turned his head toward him.*
"Wha-at do you mean... fre-ee?"
-
Mr. P smiled.
"Why... Free to do whatever research and projects that you wanted to do, but had no time for previously... Free to complete all of them without hindrance or objections... Free to explore even more revolutionary mechanics... Free from your old weak self..."
-
"Free..."
*Hypno repeated the word to himself. He could do anything now. He could build anything. He could help anyone. No longer would he be limited to data entry, running errands, and doing the busywork that no one else wanted to do. The other scientists underestimated him; Hemlock especially. Hemlock frequently admonished him for using equipment that he didn't think Hypno knew how to use, or even using the robot that he built.*
*The robot. Ever since its theft, Hypno had been working on another. He had procured a decorative animatronic figure, and had it stripped down to its endoskeleton. The hard-coded brain was ripped out, and Hypno had already installed a new core, complete with open-source programming so that he could customize its actions. He hadn't had the time to do much else with it, so the robot lay in pieces in his own lab, along with his other projects.*
"I ne-ed to... get to my... lab."
-
"That can be easily arranged. And since I have already provided the funding they need, the Professors are very busy with their... Pokerus research. Mulberry was worried about you... Can't say the same for Hemlock."
Mr. P then smirked.
"Do you want to tell them our arrangement personally?"
-
"Not that lab... My lab..."
*When not working, Hypno resided in a care home. The residents there generally ignored him, and the staff was only there to help him do things. The building was an older one, with a number of disused rooms. Hypno had found one of them and converted it into a workspace for his projects. It was accessible from the outside, so he was able to sneak his found objects inside without the residents and staff noticing.*
"My other pro-jects are... in my lab... my o-ther robot."
-
Mr. P appeared genuinely shocked when he heard that Prof. Hypno had another lab.
"Oh!? How exciting! I seriously thought that other place was just your living quarters! Well then, that makes things simpler. Once you put on the leg brace, we will head over there, and pick up the pieces!"
-
*Hypno nodded slowly and pulled himself up into a sitting position. He didn't move beyond that for a while, as he was tired. Mr. P didn't quite realize just how fatigued and weak he was. Being unconscious for a week would not result in a rested body. Without stimulation, his good muscles would atrophy, while his bad muscles and contracture deformities would worsen. His seizure also left him very sore, confused, and with memory loss.*
*After a long moment, Hypno fussed with his brace and eased his leg into it; positioning his twisted and rigid ankle into place and strapping it in. Pain shot down the back of his leg as he lengthened his contracted calf and straightened his knee. After securing the brace, he sat there, panting. Getting his projects from the care home was going to be an ordeal.*
-
Upon seeing Prof. Hypno's panting, Mr. P paused to think. This condition was underestimated... But his plan is very close to fruition... To rise again from the ashes...
"Looks like you are all tuckered out... How about I go alone?"
-
"The base-ment... behind the old fre-ezer, there's a door. My pro-jects are in there."
*Taking a moment to gather some energy, Hypno worked on flexing his legs. While Mr. P was gone, he planned to get up and start moving around. He was too weak to go on an excursion to the care home, but he could summon enough strength to work on regaining the rest of it.*
-
"Duly noted. It shouldn't take too long... But... Just in case..."
Mr. P went back to where the mannequin was, and reached for the wall behind it. With a flick, the room they were in lit up, slightly blinding the two. To a near corner, there was a treadmill, and a short flight of artificial stairs.
"You can use those equipment to try a bit of training. From you expression, you looked eager and apprehensive at the same time... But don't worry about it. I'll bring all your projects."
As Mr. P turned to make his way out, he suddenly remembered something.
"Is there anything else that you want me to bring, or do for you when I'm out?"
-
*Hypno tried to think, but couldn't seem to penetrate the fog that still hung over his mind. There was something, but he couldn't recall what. He would like to reclaim his first robot, but stealing it was out of the question.*
"Tell... Tell Mulberry that I'm... awake."
*He wasn't strong enough to speak to Mulberry personally, but he could at the very least have Mr. P deliver some good news.*
-
"Alright. You take care now!"
As Mr. P exited the room, his smirk grew wider.
"Oh... I will tell Mulberry alright... ... What... Great news I have for him..."
And with that, he got on the car, and drove his way back to the Littleroot Lab... It was in the afternoon, plenty of light left.
-
Meanwhile, back at the lab...
Meanwhile after capturing the Zigzagoon for Professor Birch, Taylor went to her Secret Base on [redacted]. Logging into her computer, she opened up Fennekin, her preferred web browser, to check for updates. And it seemed like the Pokerus variant was beginning to spread to other regions. Isolated cases in Fiore and Oblivia were showing up, along with others appearing in Ransei and the Orange Archipelago. Quickly, she grabbed links to these reports with pictures and sent them off in an email to Birch. This whole thing was about to get colorful. Or not colorful at all. Either way, it would be interesting.
*Birch sat, looking over his e-mail.*
"Taylor found more. Reports coming in from Fiore, Oblivia, Ransei, and the Orange Islands! This is more widespread than we thought, and it's moving fast!"
*On the other side of the lab, Hemlock stood and made his way to Birch.*
"How is it being spread? We've determined through the Zigzagoon pack, that transmission was done through biting. But, what about the other Pokemon? Have we been able to determine a timeline? An origin?"
*Birch shook his head.*
"The condition is viral, so it could also be airborne. It's possible that when other Trainers find these Pokemon, that they become unwitting carriers and transmit the disease to different regions. Now, I've done tests on the specimens that Taylor had brought us, but I've yet to determine a duration, as the Pokemon are different ages and due to the degree of the leucism; were infected different times. Our Shiny Zigzagoon is still in early stages of the disease, and I've been able to study the death of the pigment cells. That Zigzagoon is our timeline."
*Hemlock nodded slowly. He looked to Mulberry, who was mulling over Prof. Hypno's vacant work station. Since the news, Mulberry had been despondent and mopey, and much of his work had fallen by the wayside as he tried to fill in for their ill assistant. Hemlock snorted and walked up to the young man.*
"Get over it. We have work to do. We've found other regions exhibiting these leucistic Pokemon and we've got the Patient Zero of the Zigzagoon pack... and you're sitting here moping over a Hypno?!"
*Mulberry straightened, spun around, and socked Hemlock right in the face.*
*Birch stood and rushed between the two.* "Whoa! Whoa! Cool it! What's going on here?!"
*Mulberry glared at Hemlock and turned away. He headed for the door, stopping at the cloakroom to get his coat.* "I'm going downstairs to the break room. Buzz me when you need me."
*Hemlock rubbed his jaw.* "Oh, you're real mature. You won't even finish the fight you started."
"Lay off it!" *Mulberry snapped.* "Look, it's either I walk out, or I knock you on your arrogant ass again! Your choice!"
*Birch held a hand up.* "Mulberry, take a break. You've been stressed out all week. Go get something to drink and clear your head. And Hemlock," *He turned to face Hemlock* "Hypno was a valuable asset to our team. Cut him some slack."
-
The drive took a bit longer that expected, but there was still light, and Mr. P had arrived. Straightening his monocle and bow-tie, he slowly walked to the door, and knocked on it. This will be fun...
-
(Is he at the lab or the care home?)
-
(... How the hell did I forget the location. He's at the lab. >.>; )
-
*Having gotten a drink from the vending machine, Mulberry held the cold can against his knuckles and headed for the door. He opened it, seeing Mr. P standing there.*
"Oh, hi! I'm... on break, but Birch and Hemlock are upstairs."
*The latter's name was practically spat out.*
"Any word on the Professor? How's he doing?"
-
"Yes... About him..."
Mr. P took off his top hat, and placed it over his chest. He then lowered his head, and spoke in a much more solemn voice.
"I'm sorry... But... His condition worsened... And... They weren't... Able to..."
-
*Mulberry went white.*
"Oh... oh my god..."
*He shakily walked over to a bench and sat down, clutching his drink with both hands.*
"No... No no no... He can't be! He worked hard to get to where he was..."
*His hands were shaking as he tried to open his drink, but he ended up just dropping it. Mulberry didn't bother to pick it up, and the can rolled against his shoe. His lab partner was gone.*
-
Mr. P walked over to Mulberry, and placed his right hand on Mulberry's left shoulder.
"I'm really sorry... I know he meant a lot to you... There was... Just too many complications to address... I'm really sorry."
Standing up straight again...
"However, I have a feeling that he does not want to see you like this... Be strong... And focus all your energy into your research. It's the least you can do. In his memory."
-
"You're right..."
*Mulberry nodded and finally picked up his drink. He considered going back to the lab, but he needed a moment. Though, he admitted to feeling some sort of satisfaction from punching Hemlock in the face.* That was for you, little buddy...
*Sucking in his breath, Mulberry rubbed at his eyes.*
"The others are upstairs... I just went on break... I'm going to stay down here a little longer... maybe go outside and get some air."
-
"Alright, I need to talk to Professor Birch as well. Take your time."
Mr. P bowed, and made his way towards the stairs. It wasn't long before he reached the top of the stairs, seeing both Professor Birch and... Hemlock at the back of the room. Mr. P then made his way towards Professor Birch.
-
(Even though Mr. P is obviously evil, I really want to see him pimp slap Hemlock.)
-
(Let's get the bad news out of the way so that Hemlock can say something stupid... 8D )
*Birch looked up from his work to see Mr. P enter.* "It's been a while! I have good news and bad news. But before I get to it... How's our Hypno? Last I heard, he was still in a coma..."
-
(8D)
Mr. P lowered his head again.
"Hypno... Has sadly passed on. There were complications... I have met with Mulberry downstairs... He... Didn't take well to the news."
-
(Oh if only Mr. P can have Hemlock fired or take away his PhD, just something so humiliating life shattering.)
-
(It's in the works. 8D)
-
(Oh I can't wait! 8D)
-
*Birch hung his head and was silent.*
*Hemlock, on the other hand, was stony-faced and responded to the news with a snort.* "Well, now we can hire someone who's competent."
(Annnnd BOOM! Hemlock knocks it out of the park! 8D)
-
(If I was in this RP this would be the part where Sakura kicks him in the balls.)
-
Mr. P looked up, and stared at Hemlock. That comment was the final straw. Mr. P walked up to Hemlock, and gave him an ear-splitting slap to the face.
"Hypno was the one who provided equipment for this research group. And what I've seen is pure disregard for his work! And YOU! What I have seen... What I have heard... All you do was taking jabs at a misfortunate Pokemon, even when he's DEAD!! I have no use of a near-sighted person like you. You are officially withdrawn from this research group. I'm the one that's backing this group, I have the final say on who's competent."
-
(Booyah! XD)
-
*Hemlock just stood there with his mouth open. His face was Cherubi red, and slightly puffy.* "First, Mulberry punches me, and now you? Over a Hypno?!"
"Hemlock, get your coat and leave." *Birch's voice was level and threatening.*
"But, I--"
"GET OUT." *Birch pointed to the door.* "Look, I can take your snide remarks about me. But, you've been dumping on that poor Hypno ever since he started here. He died from a seizure, and you still have the nerve to keep it up! I will not have you creating a hostile work environment, and I will not have you slandering a disabled Pokemon! Get out!"
*Hemlock glared at him, and then at Mr. P.* "You won't get away with this." *With that, he stormed off, grabbed his coat, and left, slamming the door behind him.*
*Birch slumped in a chair and let out a breath, shaking his head.* "If Mulberry sees him downstairs, I hope he punches him again..."
-
(Oh you know what Birch should do? Blacklist him so he can't get any job relating to Pokemon research.)
-
(Even DWII would be disgusted at his attitude. Evil has standards too. :P Although... I still have use for Hemlock... Let him be a subject of... Revenge. bVd)
"I'll arrange for more... Assistants to join the group. As implied, you have my full backing now, so you all can concentrate fully. I know it will be a bit depressing for the next few days... However in living memory of a brave Hypno that managed to crave himself such a promising career... We must move on. He would have wanted that."
Mr. P bowed, and then extended his hand out towards Birch.
"I hope you will agree."
-
*Birch stood after a moment and shook Mr. P's hand.* "I do agree. We must move on."
*He fell silent again and sat. In the corner of the lab was the robot that Hypno had built, and his work station was still as he left it, save for some of his work having been finished by Mulberry. The cloakroom still contained the Pokemon's other lab coat, along with some personal items. At the moment, Birch intended to leave them all alone. He had no plans to clean out the locker, or even remove the name from its door.*
*He gave off a heavy sigh and looked to Mr. P.* "Has the Center talked about funeral arrangements?"
-
Mr. P glupped a tiny bit.
"The Pokemon Center didn't want to make it too widespread that something like that happened, so things were kept hush-hush, and the whole arrangement had already been settled."
Outside the lab, a shadowy figure was observing Hemlock as he was leaving the lab in an angry fit.
-
*Hemlock muttered under his breath as he stormed toward the parking lot. He had managed to avoid seeing Mulberry downstairs, as he really didn't feel like getting into another altercation with the young man.* "All this fuss over a Hypno... They could all see that it was sick, so why are they so surprised? It wasn't very useful to us, and it slowed us down!"
-
"Yessssssss... They were so stupid... Only you had the oversight..."
The shadowy figure started to approach Hemlock, until it revealed itself as a... Malamar.
-
(Ehh, you know what, if I keep writing Judge dialogue, it's going to get stale quickly. I think it's time to let him go.
Farewell, Your Baldness, it was fun writing for you.)
-
(But the Judge never gets stale! D:)
-
*Hemlock's eyes went wide.* "What are you doing here? My business is not yours!"
*He turned and continued toward the parking lot. He was going to go straight to the university and inform them of his firing. He was quite certain that he could get his position reinstated.*
-
"Ooooooh... But it isssssssssssss..."
Malamar's eyes glowed, releasing a Psychic that lifted Hemlock off his feet.
"My master has planssssssssss for you..."
-
*Hemlock squawked as he struggled to get away.* "What... what do you want with me...?!"
*His day--no, his week--was just absolutely terrible. Their projects slowed down because their Hypno suffered a seizure and died, and then Birch fired him, and now he's being assaulted by a Malamar.*
-
"... You will find out sssssssssssssoon..."
Malamar used Psychic to bring Hemlock close to its body, and its light began to flicker in what seemed to be random flashings. However Hemlock soon felt his energy leave his body... Along with his mind... And before long, was knocked. Malamar screeched in delight as it continued to use Psychic on Hemlock's body, moving towards a very familiar car...
-
*Back inside the lab, Mulberry had dragged himself back upstairs. He pulled off his coat and draped it over the back of his chair, and sat, looking at Hypno's vacant workstation. He heaved a heavy sigh, and then looked to Mr. P.* "This is going to sound weird... If there haven't been any arrangements made yet... I'd like to have his ashes. It's been years since I was a Trainer, but he was like my Pokemon..."
-
Mr. P glupped another tiny bit. This would be a bit more difficult than he thought.
"Yes... Sure thing. I'll get it ready and send it over personally as soon as I can..."
Malamar reached the car and opened the back door with its Psychic, and then placed Hemlock inside, even going so far as to use Psychic to help buckle Hemlock up with the seat belt. With its job done, Malamar used Psychic again to turn on the AC, and fog up the windows.
-
*As the AC was cranked higher and higher, Hemlock began to shiver, but he did not awaken from his trance.* "So... c-cold..."
*Birch was silent for a very long moment as he looked over his work. He was noticeably distracted and it took him a minute to remember what he wanted to talk about.* "I know we've just gotten some bad news, and I'll put something in the newsletter about this... but we need to move on. There have been more reports of leucistic Pokemon in Ransei, Oblivia, and the Orange Archipelago. Also, our tests have determined that that Shiny Zigzagoon is indeed infected with the same type of Pokerus and it's losing its color. It's still in early stages of the infection, and we've been able to determine that it's definitely Patient Zero for the pack's infection. However, we haven't yet been able to determine how it got infected."
*Mulberry was similarly distracted as he fiddled with something at Hypno's workstation. It was a pendulum, which he slipped into his pocket. He turned and looked to Birch and Mr. P.* "You know... with how the disease is spreading from region to region... It's entirely possible that Trainers could actually be carrying it. Perhaps a Trainer is a stop-off for the virus. The Trainer gets it from a leucistic Pokemon, and they carry it to another region where they infect other Pokemon."
-
"I see, that is a very interesting hypothesis... Use that as a start to the research. If there's nothing else, I have a few other things to tie up with the council."
With that, Mr. P bowed, and began to make his way down the stairs. In his mind...
"Darnit... That Mulberry was more sentimental than I thought... No matter... I should be able to get it done... I wonder if the car is ready..."
-
*As Mr. P walked away, he could hear Birch and Mulberry discussing the project and plans to put an obituary in the weekly newsletter.*
*Out in the car, Hemlock briefly opened his eyes as the cold brought him out of his trance.* "Why... wh-why is it s-s-so c-cold in here...?"
-
Mr. P exited the lab, and made his way towards the parking lot. Looking around to make sure that no one is nearby, or within earshot...
"So is it done?"
Malamar suddenly appeared right behind Mr. P.
"Yesssssssssssssssssssss... It is done... Masterrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr..."
"Good... We are heading to the care home next. I might need your assistance if things get... Complicated."
Malamar screeched in delight, before disappearing.
Mr. P tilted his top hat forward, and made his way to the car. Seeing the windows fogged up, he smiled. He slowly opened the back door, as a light mist poured out. Mr. P then noticed that his guest was awake, but still under the effect of Psychic.
"Why hello there... Hemlock."
-
*Hemlock blinked in confusion. He was cold and his thoughts weren't coming together properly.* "What... what do you want...? I've done nothing to you... I-I was j-just on my way back... to the university..."
*At this point, he didn't care about being a part of the project team anymore. He wanted to get as far away from Birch's lab as he could, as Mulberry would no doubt continually remind him about that Hypno. He'd rather put it and the project team behind him and move onto something bigger and better. This leucistic Pokemon research was getting him nowhere.*
-
"Oh no... We can't have you go back there... Oh no... You have a calling..."
Mr. P dug into his suit pocket, and pulled out a handkerchief, which is strangely giving out a smell... Like... Spores...
"... However, it's still too early. Time to go back to sleep."
Mr. P lunged forward, covering Hemlock's nose and mouth with the handkerchief.
-
*Hemlock sputtered, but the Spores were too strong. The drowsiness hit him like a sledgehammer and his head dropped forward.*
-
With Hemlock knocked out, Mr. P straightened out his suit, and closed the door. Time to head over to the care home, and to bring the stuff for Prof. Hypno. And perhaps, find a wild Hypno on the way there...
... And it wasn't long before Mr. P reached the care home. Speaking with the owner, Mr. P gained access to Prof. Hypno's residence, and found the secret passage. The passage was very dimly lit, making Mr. P wonder how did the Hypno managed to navigate around. Still, Mr. P pressed on and reached the lab. He tried to turn on the lights, but all he got was inconsistent flickering. The lab suddenly turned very omnious...
-
(It's Hoenn; there are no wild Hypno. Better steal one from a Breeder... :P I'm going to finally go to sleep.)
-
(It's updated Hoenn! Though... I do have contingencies... bVd)
-
*Off in the distance was a desk, situated in a darkened alcove. The buzz of an electronic fan filled the room, in an attempt to move the dank, stale air. The air was thick with the smell of electronics and welding detritus.*
*As Mr. P made his way through the dimly-lit lab, he could hear an erratic scraping in another darkened corner; metal on unfinished concrete. In another corner, toward the desk, came another odd sound.*
Dum dee dum dum dum...
*Prof. Hypno did mention working on another project, so perhaps he had left it activated the day he had his seizure...*
*The scraping became frantic, and the sound got closer. And again, that goofy voice clip.*
Dum dee dum dum dum...
*In a darkened corner of the ceiling, a pinprick of light shown brightly. It moved about until it spotted Mr. P. The frantic scraping clawed its way furiously across the ceiling until it dropped to the floor in front of Mr. P in a tangle of limbs and servomotors.*
S͓͕̖̩͍̙͆͆͛͂̎ͩ͗ͤ͠Ç͓̖̳̿̃́᷄͒͐̀̓̆᷈̽R̛̯͕̖̦͍̮̈̌᷀̅ͩ͛᷇͢Ē̖̯̖̱͈͚͍̎᷾̒͋͋᷈͘Ḛ͇̖̖̤͚̅͛᷆̾̎̏̎̾ͬȨ̞̹̖͌᷆͌̽ͯ̇͘̚͠͝ͅȨ̛͓̖͔᷿̓͐̎̃ͫ͞͏͙ͤĘ᷿͆͂᷅̐͏̡̖̠͆ͯ̀̋͏E̷̬͔̺̭̖͙͙̦̜̞͔̽͂ͨȆ̡͙̖̘̞᷿̣͆̔᷉̾͐᷉͝E̬᷂͇̻̖̼͋̿̽̈́᷃ͧ̾̓͡E̢͕̟̖᷂̪̭̐᷆́᷀̆̇̍͊E̲̣̖͚͓̩᷾᷀̆͋ͫͯ̾᷅̔Ẽ͕̝̀͏͍̖̻̟̦̑̈̈̆ͅE̴̟̹̖̖̘̟͙ͥ̈̉͜͜͢ͅḚ̵̰̳̻̺̖̲̖̓᷀̂͂͜͟E̡͖͍̳̩̫̖ͤ͂̿ͫ̽͛̈́͂Ḛ͖̖̪̫᷾̾͌᷁̃͊͋͆ͣ͢E᷾͏̧̺̱̖̯᷄͛̅̒͋ͭ̕͞E̫̰̖̹̦ͨ᷇͗̍᷇͗ͨͦͪ̅
-
(.....The [tornado fang] just happen, was he working on a Five Nights at Freddy's Animatronic?)
-
(Well, I did mention that he acquired a "disused animatronic" so... maybe... 8D)
-
(......Okay........)
-
*The robot. Ever since its theft, Hypno had been working on another. He had procured a decorative animatronic figure, and had it stripped down to its endoskeleton. The hard-coded brain was ripped out, and Hypno had already installed a new core, complete with open-source programming so that he could customize its actions. He hadn't had the time to do much else with it, so the robot lay in pieces in his own lab, along with his other projects.*
(8D)
(I didn't really plan to do much else with it than that.)
-
(Ah okay then.)
-
Mr. P jumped and screamed at the sudden appearance of... Whatever the hell that was.
"MALAMAR!!"
Malamar appeared behind Mr. P and used Psychic on the... Thing. In much better lighting, and after a lot of heavy breathing to calm down, Mr. P slowly approached the thing to have a better look. What he saw was buffling... A mangled mess of metal parts... Limbs... Head... HEADS!?
"... What is this!?"
Mr. P did recall that Prof. Hypno mentioned he was working on a project after his helper robot was used for Pokemon research. And that the project used an animatronic... But this... WHAT IS THIS THING!?
-
*Upon hearing the scream, one of the care home staff came downstairs and made his way through the passage and into the lab. He flipped on another light, which lit the space much better.* "The switch outside the door works better. The one inside doesn't."
*Glancing down, he saw Mr. P, the Malamar, and the tangled mess of parts.* "Yeah, that thing... I don't know how he got it, where he got it, or what he's doing with it... but the Little Professor's been slaving away on that thing for a while. When we heard the news that he was sick, we were going to throw it out. At least he stopped bringing it upstairs and testing it in the rec room."
-
Mr. P turned to see the care home stuff.
"A-Ah... Rec-room?"
Mr. P tried to imagine this thing on the rec-room... Must have been a screaming hoot... Hoot.
"Well... The Little Professor has sadly... Passed on. I'm under official undertakings here to collect his personal belongings, as well as his research..."
-
"Oh... ah geez... That's terrible!" *The staff member bowed his head and was silent for a long moment.* "Well... we do have procedures for this type of thing... we'll need some documentation. The junk here, you can take it. This part of the building really isn't part of our program. We just let him use it. Like a shed or something. But, if you want to take his personal affects, we'll need to see some documents. Until then, we'll be locking his room."
*The staff member looked over the junk in the small room.* "I can't really speak for his 'research,' as I've only ever seen him working on a computer, and we make him keep that in his room so it's not stolen. Maintenance sometimes comes down here, so we told him not to keep anything valuable in here. The junk he brings home is one thing; we don't want him dragging that all up to his room."
-
"Right, the documentation is still being prepared, but I'll have them send it to you as soon as it is possible."
Mr. P looks around the now better-lit lab, and notices the number of items littering all over.
"... It might seem I need a bit more help than I initially anticipated..."
-
*The staff member nodded and folded his arms, stepping over the mangled mess at Mr. P's feet and walking around the dank room.* "Yeah, the Prof. had some obsessive-compulsive behaviors. We were constantly throwing things out, particularly when he'd take stuff up to his room. Letting him have this space kept that to a minimum so we could clean."
*He nudged a box of parts with his foot.* "Like I said, I've no idea where he got half of this junk. At least he did stuff with it, which is more than I can say for other hoarders..."
*The man gave another sigh, noticing Mr. P's apprehension.* "I know what you're after, so I can tell you what half of this is. There are only a few projects here; the thing there—" *he pointed to the mangled mess of robotics* "—and some glove thing he was working on over there." *He pointed to the desk that was littered with parts.*
"He's got some drawings and notes down here, but the rest of this stuff is just junk. We can throw that stuff away, no problem."
-
"Ah... Right..."
Mr. P walked around the mangled mess, and made his way to the desk, where the glove was. It was a nifty object, with a lot of dials and buttons. He also noticed some drawings and notes, as mentioned by the care home person. Mr. P looked around the desk area for an empty cardboard box, found one, and proceeded to place the glove, and the paper stuff into the box.
-
*The staff member, aided by the Malamar, gathered up the tangled mess of robot parts and additional equipment into a larger box brought from another storage space.* "Man, it'll be good to be rid of this thing. Hypno had a tendency to leave it activated. Scared the crap out of maintenance when they came down here to replace the furnace filter. I honestly have no idea what he was doing with it. His last robot had a purpose and was really handy to have around. This one? This one, I swear he's just screwing around with it."
*After finally packing the important stuff and opening another door to the alley outside, he hauled the box up the stairs and then returned.* "Whatever happened to his old robot? That one was really good. We were going to see if he could submit it to a competition and perhaps get a grant for it."
-
"That robot was sadly taken by the research team he was attached to. From a helper robot to a research robot."
Mr. P finished tidying up the table of research and stuff. He then turned to face the staff member.
"Thank you for the assistance, my Malamar and I should be able to carry on ourselves from here."
-
"Certainly. That outside door will lock by itself." *The man turned and left the room.*
-
Seeing the staff member leave, Mr. P sighed in relief. The lie was becoming a bit tiresome to keep up. Not only did he need to prepare some ashes for Mulberry, he mow needed to get documentation on Prof. Hypno's death to get his personal effects... Irritating yes, but not impossible. At least he had the more important research...
"Come on Malamar, time to head up to the faculty. Prof. Hypno is waiting."
"Yesssssssssssss... And how about that... Other guest..."
"We'll deal with him back in the faculty as well."
-
Back at Mr. P's lab...
*It took him some time, but Hypno had finally regained enough strength to move about unaided. His left leg was terribly stiff, and he lifted it by cranking his lower back. Mr. P had intended for him to use the exercise equipment in order to regain his mobility, but Hypno didn't touch any of it. His therapy usually consisted of stretching exercises to prevent contracture deformities. If he used any regular exercise equipment, it was to improve his gait and stamina.*
*Dragging himself around the room, he looked at the workstations. Spread out on one of them were his plans for the brace-harness assembly. Beside them were modified plans that utilized his measurements. Mr. P must have measured him while he was unconscious.*
*Unable to keep his focus on one subject for very long, he resumed his wandering. Using the counters and the wall as a support, Hypno pulled himself around the darkened lab, dragging his stiff left leg. His left arm was equally useless, but he could at least support himself with it. He felt along the wall for a switch, but was unable to find one. Reaching a dark corner of the room, he moved unsteadily toward it, thinking that it was a door.*
*The darkness gave way to more darkness as he maneuvered through it in search of a light switch. The smells in that alcove were strong and stung the inside of his large nose and made his eyes water. He sniffed, rubbed at his nose with one hand, and then sneezed hard enough to send him stumbling. Throwing his arms out in front of him to catch his balance, Hypno hit a misplaced stool and tripped over it. He grabbed at anything in front of him and brought the contents of a desk down on top of him as he sprawled to the floor in a heap.*
*The fall stunned him momentarily, and the burning and itching in his nose caused him to sneeze loudly. His sneeze echoed in the darkened room, and he could have sworn that he heard a response.*
"He... Hel-lo...?"
-
(Nooooooooooooo...)
"Odd-Oddish?"
A blur appeared near Prof. Hypno's position, and through the voice, it was clearly an Oddish. Although, when Prof. Hypno could focus his sights on the Pokemon, he would notice that the Oddish was missing its signature 3 leaves. Instead, this Oddish seemed to have 3 very small shoots sprouting from where the leaves should be...
After loading all the stuff into the car boot, Mr. P began to drive his way back to the faculty... Back to his lab. It was a pity that there were no other Hypnos around, even after all this while...
-
Taylor quickly got bored and preoccupied herself with Wonder Trading a bunch of Abras she found outside the Daycare on Route 7 back home in Kalos. There were literally hundreds of them, and she hoped to get some good Pokemon in return.
-
(I don't know what to do with your character! D: )
-
(... I'm drawing a blank too. D:)
-
(I have no idea how to get into it either. I think it's because it feels like the whole Hypno plot is rather tied to just you two and I can't get the monochrome Pokemon plot to work. There's just not enough of us participating :\)
-
(Well... we could always kidnap you... 8D But yeah, we need more people.)
-
(Did someone say kidnap? 8D)
-
*Back in the lab, Hypno had raised himself on his elbows and laid there on his belly, staring at the bald Oddish in the darkness. The air was thick with some type of stinging allergen that caused his eyes and nose to water. Around him were papers and other objects that he had brought down from the desk, but in the darkness, he couldn't see what they were. He felt a wetness at his elbow and heard a fizzing sound, and through his snotty nose, he could detect the scent of soda.*
*Quickly, he attempted to move the papers away from the spilled drink by flinging them into the darkness. Rolling onto his back, he attempted to stand and discovered that the strap of his leg brace had become tangled around the stool, which made an awful racket as he moved about.*
-
The Oddish stared at the stranger visitor, jumping at each noise he made with the stool. It tried to calm the visitor down with a tiny sprizz of Sleep Powder. A very, VERY tiny sprizz.
Mr. P soon arrived back at the faculty, and parked the car in his private parking lot, away from any prying eyes. He got out, and went to open the back door. Hemlock was still slumped into the seat, knocked out from the earlier Spores. He unbuckled the seat belt, and thought to himself.
"To think those Spores can still come in handy, despite degeneration... Malamar!"
Malamar appeared behind Mr. P, staring intently at Hemlock.
"Use Psychic to bring our guest to the lab... And strap him down firmly to the medical table... Prof. Hypno should still be there... Try not to startle him... Too much."
"YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!"
With eyes aglow, Malamar used Psychic, and lifted Hemlock's body out of the car, and headed towards the hidden entrance just beside the parking lot. Mr. P went to the car boot to remove the... Equipment. It was heavy, but still manageable. Although, it would have been better if those... Eyes... Weren't staring at him so intently...
-
(Hey you can't kidnap me! You don't know where my Secret Base is!)
-
(Simple... BURN ALL TREES AND SHRUBS TO THE GROUND MWAHAHAHAHAHA)
-
(Who said my base is in a tree and/or shrub? It could be, but there's other places it could be hiding ya know)
-
*Laying on his back and panting, Hypno heard movement and doors opening in another part of the lab. His ears pricked up and he tried to determine where the sound was coming from. He raised himself up on his elbows and reached for the entangled stool, but there wasn't enough light for him to figure out exactly how he was tangled.*
*He heard another sound; closer this time.*
"Hel-lo? I ne-ed some help..."
-
(Who said my base is in a tree and/or shrub? It could be, but there's other places it could be hiding ya know)
(BURN BURN BURN TO THE GROUND)
*Laying on his back and panting, Hypno heard movement and doors opening in another part of the lab. His ears pricked up and he tried to determine where the sound was coming from. He raised himself up on his elbows and reached for the entangled stool, but there wasn't enough light for him to figure out exactly how he was tangled.*
*He heard another sound; closer this time.*
"Hel-lo? I ne-ed some help..."
"SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!"
"Oh stop that Malamar. You may be a Lovecraftian in Pokemon form, but please... Prof. Hypno!?"
Mr. P could make out the faint image of Prof. Hypno on the ground, seemingly pinned down by something. And he could also see the bald Oddish.
"Malamar! Use your Psychic simultaneously to help Prof. Hypno out!"
"SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE"
With eyes aglow even more, Malamar used its Psychic to juggle both Hemlock and Prof. Hypno... Along with a stool.
-
*In response to being suddenly lifted into air and held there with a stool dangling from a tangled strap connected to his leg brace, Hypno started to panic. He had never trained and never learned to properly use his own psychic powers, and was never in a situation where others used their abilities on him. And there he was, floating in the air.*
-
Mr. P could see the flailing from Prof. Hypno, seemingly not used to being a subject of Psychic.
"Let's hurry back to the main lab, before anything else happens."
With that, the group made the way down to the lab, the bald Oddish hopping along behind them. Upon reaching the brightly lit lab, Malamar proceeded to place Hemlock in the medical table, the same one that Prof. Hypno was on previously. Using its Psychic, it buckled Hemlock down, and tight. After it was done with Hemlock, Malamar saw the dangling stool around Prof. Hypno's leg brace, and used Psychic to untangle it... And to set Prof. Hypno down onto the stool.
-
*Hypno looked from Malamar, to Mr. P, to Hemlock, and back again.*
"Why is he... here?"
*He pointed to Hemlock's unconscious form strapped to the table. He didn't understand what was going on, as it was all happening too fast and he was still working on trying to reconcile the week-long gap in his memory.*
-
Mr. P set down the box full of stuff near the medical table.
"Well... You see... Given your cooperation, I'd gather that you need additional pairs of hands to help you around the lab... Who better than Mr. Hemlock to be your personal assistant?"
-
*Hypno nodded slowly.*
"But... he won't listen to me... took my ro-bot..."
*His gaze moved from Hemlock to the box of parts and he could see the limbs of his other project. He looked back to Hemlock, then to Mr. P, then to the bald Oddish, and back again.*
"Wha-at do you plan to do with him?"
-
Mr. P smiled as he picked up the bald Oddish.
"Why... Malamar here will do some... Brain surgery. Malamars are very well-known for their mind manipulation... Hemlock just needs a little... Tune up...
"SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE"
-
*Recoiling from the painful screeching, Hypno shook his head and rubbed at his ears. He stared wildly at Mr. P, unable to fully comprehend the man's words due to the residual memory loss and confusion from his seizure. The Malamar's screeching was not helping matters and was only adding to the disorientation. If it kept up, he was afraid that he would start convulsing again.*
"You... want to brainwash him...?"
*He blinked in confusion, and then shook his head. Even though Hemlock was something of an ass, Hypno couldn't justify such actions. They seemed wholly wrong to him.*
"That's not right..."
-
Mr. P shook his head, and Malamar stopped screeching.
"I see... I thought it would be a fitting comeuppance for all the [parasitic bomb] he putted you through throughout your tenure... I see..."
With a wave of his hand, the straps on Hemlock loosened.
"If you want, I'll release him, and erase his memories of today. He'll return to his own devices."
-
(Aw, I was waiting for Mr. P to coerce him into agreeing...)
-
(Meh, the more I force him, the more he could rebel later. He is still reeling from amnesia. It'll be a bit too much. Doesn't mean Hemlock's getting away with it. :P)
-
*Hypno stared at Hemlock's still form, deep in thought. Brainwashing the man would be a fitting punishment, but it wasn't right. There was no satisfaction to be had from an unwilling slave. Hemlock wouldn't be aware of the consequences, as he would simply be going through the motions. To Hypno, it was too cheap. No lesson would be learned from this, and the only thing that Hypno wanted from Hemlock is acknowledgement that the man had treated him poorly and would suitably realize that his actions have consequences.*
*Brainwashing was not a consequence. It was a cheap revenge tactic and Hypno thought himself better than that.*
"Let him... go..."
-
Mr. P nodded, and waved to Malamar to use Psychic.
"As you wish. Malamar, take him to the faculty lounge. And make sure he doesn't remember anything past Birch's lab.
Malamar screeched and left the lab with the levitating Hemlock.
"Is there anything else you need? There are still some paperwork that needs to be sorted out. If not, you can restart your projects, the items you requested should all be there. *pointing at the box by the medical table*"
-
*Hypno stood and made his way to the box. With one hand, he reached in and activated the robot long enough for it to climb out of the box and collapse in a tangle. Taking a step backward, he folded his good arm and shook his head.*
"I was... unable to build this how I wanted. Couldn't find the... parts."
-
"Parts eh? Which parts were you looking for?"
Malamar continued his way into the lounge... Which was in actual fact, another lab, separated from the lab that Prof. Hypno was in by the quite a distance. There was a medical table in this lab as well, and Malamar placed Hemlock on it, using his Psychic to strap him down tightly. Hemlock was beginning to stir slightly...
-
*In the main lab, Hypno explained what parts he needed in his halting, slurred, "thick tongue" speech. After explaining that he required a small vehicle chassis from a radio-controlled car or similar, he then mentioned how Mulberry would let him use a text-to-speech app on his phone to facilitate easier communication. Talking was difficult, and he was difficult to understand, so having an alternative was vital.*
*Hemlock's head lolled to one side as he forced open his eyes with a long, low groan.*
"What's going on...? Where am I?"
-
Mr. P nodded at the requests. The app shouldn't be to hard to find, the faculty should have it somewhere for installation. As for the chassis, that too shouldn't be too hard to find.
"Alright, I'll get these ready, and return shortly."
Malamar screeched in delight.
"YOU are awake!! Jusssssssssst going to give you a minor medical checkup... Nothing more... Screeeeeeeeee..."
-
*Hemlock cringed at the screeching. He had seen a Malamar before, but not up close like this.*
"Just let me go! I've done nothing to you!"
-
"You will be free ssssssssssoon... Yessssssss..."
Malamar levitated, positioning the full length of its body over Hemlock's head.
"Jussssssssst relax..."
The lights within Malamar's body began to pulse... And then a rapid rhythm of flashes... All so... Hypnotizing... @_@
-
*Hemlock's eyes went wide, and then defocused as he fell under the hypnotic trance.*
*Back at the main lab, Hypno had managed to find some tools stashed around. They were meager tools, as he was in a bio lab and he primarily worked with robotics. At the very least, he could start taking his current project apart while looking through his old plans.*
*He removed the robot's CPU and set that aside to reprogram later, and he disconnected the electronics and began to pull the limbs apart. On the floor in front of him were his schematics, and he was scribbling over old designs with new blueprints, this time incorporating a small vehicle chassis.*
*The animatronic's limbs were what he wanted to experiment with, as he wanted to build a helper robot with greater dexterity. He considered further modifying it so that he could wear a glove and remotely control the robot's arms through that, with the glove fine-tuning his own movements.*
*All of this was going to take some time, and Hypno wasn't sure if Mr. P understood just how long it took him to build his first robot. He needed to design it, build a mockup, fine-tune the mechanics, test everything separately, build a prototype, and then test that one. A robot wasn't something that he could slap together in an afternoon, regardless of his disability.*
*Hypno wanted to build things to help others, and he was eager to work for Mr. P, as the man seemed to genuinely want to help other disabled Pokémon. He just wasn't sure if Mr. P would have the patience to put up with his disability.*
-
As Malamar continued its flashing display, Hemlock can feel his mind slipping away... And the strangest part... He was actually enjoying it! It wasn't long before his mind was a empty slate... Easy to manipulate...
"You are nothing... You are just a slave... You only exist to serve Mr. P... Whatever Mr. P says, you do... Always respect Mr. P... You are just a slave..."
Mr. P returned to the main lab, bringing with him an iPokemon, as well as a remote-controlled monster truck toy.
"I'm back with the items you requested. That iPokemon has an app that should be similar to the one you used previously. As for the toy car... How about a toy monster truck?"
-
*Hypno looked over the monster truck. It had a similar chassis to his old robot and the toy's all-terrain suspension and wheels would prove to be very useful. Moving it around on the floor like a child with toys, he studied its construction closely. Sitting back, he nodded.*
"This will work..."
*He then took the iPokemon and looked through its apps before finding the text-to-speech app. Opening it, he looked over the interface and scrolled through the voice selections and settling on one with a British accent. He didn't use it right away, as he would need to program it, and he preferred to use it for long-winded discussions.*
"This will work, too..."
*Back in the other lab, Hemlock's eyes were glazed over as he nodded slowly in complete obedience.*
"I will always respect Mr. P... I will do anything for Mr. P... I will do one of many things for Mr. P... I am his slave..."
-
"Good, good! Now, you need anything, you can just use the iPokemon to send me a message. There's paperwork to take care off, so I'll be on my way now."
Mr. P bowed, and left the lab.
Malamar screeched as it gave one final command for Hemlock.
"You are a slave... There is no need for you to speak... You will only nod when understand... Shake your head when you don't... You no longer need your voice... Slaves don't need voices... Only obedience..."
-
*Hemlock nodded slowly as his free will was stripped away.*
*Out in the main lab, seated on the floor and surrounded by tools, toys, parts, and plans; Prof. Hypno was utterly oblivious to any goings-on in the other lab. Even the screeching was just background noise, which he attributed to the Malamar having some type of involuntary vocal tic. So long as the Pokémon didn't make the noise around him, as he really didn't like it. It filled his head and made him dizzy, and after his last seizure, he wanted to avoid another.*
*Prying the plastic covering off of the toy truck, he set to work designing a mock-up. In order to finish the robot, he would need welding supplies, which he couldn't find. At least he could find duct tape...*
-
(DUCT TAPE!)
Mr. P arrived at his main office, which was not far from the main lab. The bald Oddish had been bouncing on the sofa, and when he saw Mr. P enter, it let out a tiny sprizz of Sweet Scent. A REALLY tiny sprizz. Mr. P walked over to his desk, and sat down into his chair... Which spun.
"Now that's settled... Need to do the paperwork for the care home... And find me another Hypno... Oh god..."
Malamar's lights stopped flashing as it saw Hemlock slipped into a blank look, his mind completely rewired. With another screech, Malamar used Psychic to free Hemlock, and placed him on the ground. Hemlock just knelt there, slightly drooling, as if waiting for something. The deed was done, Malamar used Psychic on Hemlock, and made its way to Mr. P's office.
-
(Taking the bald Oddish because Prof. Hypno is busy.)
*The bald Oddish bounced around the office and bobbed around Malamar's bottom fins as it entered the office. It jumped on the sofa, and then waddled out of the room, only to return a few seconds later, where it bounced around some more.*
-
(:P)
Mr. P looked up and noticed Malamar, and the levitating Hemlock.
"I take it that it's done?"
"Yesssssssssssssss... He wassssssss afraid throughout! But he broke ssssssssssso easily at the end... And assssssssss you requested... He will not speak again..."
"Good... He was so irritating... Anyways, I have another job for you. I need you to find a Hypno for me."
(I know Mr. P didn't make any mention to the bald Oddish, it's just so normal to see that Pokemon bounce around the office. :P)
-
*Hemlock just stood there; dead-eyed and drooling. The Oddish bobbed around his legs curiously.*
-
After giving some pretty specific instructions to Malamar, the Pokemon screeched and seemingly disappeared from the office. Mr. P then picked up the bald Oddish, and cradled it in his arms.
"Alright, Hemlock. I have something for you. It's your new clothes, so put it on."
Mr. P went back to his desk, and pulled out some clothing from one of his drawers. It looked like a uniform of sorts, with a beret that had a stylized letter F on it.
"Welcome to Team Fauna."
-
Several weeks have passed...
Professor Birch's research into the Pokemon monovirus had since made headlines, with new details on how it manifests and how it's transmitted. Several tests on captive leucistic Pokemon and their Trainers have proven the theory that the virus was carried from Region to Region by humans. The virus would lay dormant in a human host until it was transmitted by various means to the Pokemon; including air and contact transmission. Trainers who were injured during their journey were more susceptible to contracting and transmitting the infection and could even pass it along to other Trainers.
Those infected Trainers would transmit it to their Pokemon, and since the virus had an incubation of a few weeks, it could be transmitted to other Pokemon through battle without the infected Pokemon even showing any signs of the disease. The long incubation period allowed for disease transmission without the Trainers even noticing any infection, and Pokemon Centers were not yet equipped to detect the disease in its earliest stages.
Many Trainers who had captured these so-called Monochrome Pokemon were not yet aware of the virility of the disease, and they had watched their very teams become infected. The signs started off small, with just small patches losing pigment. Depending on the immunity of the Pokemon, some succumbed to the virus quicker than others, and Trainers in many Regions were shocked to see their entire team turn white.
As shocking as the disease was, it wasn't deadly. Their Pokemon performed normally, save for some slight increase in aggression, which varied from Pokemon to Pokemon. Within some circles, these infected Pokemon became prized by collectors, much in the same was as Shiny Pokemon. However, Birch cautioned on trying to avoid disease transmission and urged Trainers to wash frequently and remove infected Pokemon from their teams.
As Birch and his team looked for a cure, another new threat had arisen. Team Fauna came into power soon after the public announcement of the monovirus, claiming that it was a mutation of a simple skin condition. They claimed that Birch's research was causing more harm than good and pointed out that with the announcement of the disease, the prevalence of it skyrocketed. Monochrome Pokemon were popping up everywhere and Team Fauna claimed that Trainers were purposely spreading the condition.
Team Fauna decried Birch's research, claiming that his search for a cure was harming Monochrome and normal Pokemon. Members had lobbied for public access airtime where they discussed the horrors happening in Birch's lab, while field agents handed out propaganda and similar literature. The Petalburg Pokemon Center was raided by ecoterrorists and was forced to close for repairs. Trainers were accosted by Team Fauna field agents and many of them ended up joining the organization.
Hoenn was overrun with Team Fauna activity, and their teachings had a large majority of the public in a tight grip. With fewer visiting Trainers, it appears that they may achieve a victory that would make Ghetsis proud...
-
[Hmm... I might want to get in on this... Eventually... Might be playing someone other than Sapph this time and save him for later. Maybe bring in my new character and see how she pans out, along with getting practice in for writing a female character.]
-
(Practice for writing a female character? From my experience, it's not much different from writing for male characters.)
-
(Yeah, it really isn't. OH MY GOD IT HAS BOOBS HOW DOES IT TALK D: Like a person.)
-
[I see... >.> Well, it'll still help me flesh out her personality, and think up some achievements to put into her spot in her family timeline.]
-
Somewhere out to sea, on a little island, a young woman with tanned skin and short, dark brown hair sat in a secret base, legs crossed and on a cushion. She had her eyes glued to the Buzzfeed on her PokeNav and debating whether or not to get involved with events.
[Er, by the way, what's the tl;dr of the current events? >3>]
-
(Team Fauna has pretty much taken over Hoenn, and they're spreading propaganda about Pokemon abuse going on at Birch's lab. There's also a Monochrome Pokemon epidemic going on, and Team Fauna is using it as "evidence" for abuse or whatever they can spin from it. Petalburg Pokemon Center is closed due to their attacks.)
-
[Monochrome Pokemon?]
-
(Remember that graphics glitch where Pokemon come out all white? It's now a disease.)
-
[Does it have a completely negative impact on health, or just makes the pokemon look strange?]
-
(It just makes them look strange and be more aggressive. But, people think it's neat and want to get some for themselves. Team Fauna is using that as evidence of abuse, saying that people are purposefully spreading it. They're also lying about the effects because they're PETA and spread propaganda.)
-
[Are people falling for it, or brushing it off like how people in the real world brush off PETA as a bunch of idiots and lunatics?]
-
(People are falling for it. Team Fauna's recruitment has gone up, and if someone were to bring a Monochrome Pokemon to a Center, they'll raid it and burn it down, and release all the Pokemon inside.)
-
[Got it. Anything else I may need to know before having Goh make the decision to insert herself into the plot?]
-
(Not that i can think of. Wily might have something. I'm planning on dropping in a random trainer, anyway.)
-
The young woman growled before exiting the secret base, calling a skarmory out. "Platinum, we've got work to do and morons to set straight." She said, getting on the metal bird's back. Platinum simply nodded and took to the sky, headed for the mainland.
[Also... Where is everybody?]
-
(There's no one else. You are all we have~ Though, I could plot-convenience Illana wherever she needs to be. Haven't even dropped her in the story yet. Trak is in Kalos, and I think Taylor's back in Kalos. The only other character I'm using is... somewhere else.)
-
(And I'm not participating in this one.)
-
[That now begs the question of who the champion is and where does the plot need to be?]
-
(Probably Wallace.)
-
(Wily might be the best to ask. I'm planning on knocking out for the night. Got stuff I need to do early tomorrow before I leave before noon.)
-
(Sorry, was knocked out for the day, and playing catch up in OR. >.> Well, given the state this is in, the first spot of investigation can be the Petalburg Pokemon Center, since it was the first accelerated attack from Team Fauna. Mr. P, the backer for Professor Birch's research is currently in Rustboro University. Team Fauna's base... I have yet to finalise, but there is a remnant Fauna grunt doing propaganda in Petalburg City. I might introduce a neutral character into Petalburg, as a traveling mate if need be. As for Champion... Let's guess go with FABULOUS Wallace.)
-
After an hour or so of flight, the young woman, Goh, and her skarmory were over Petalburg, looking down at the destroyed pokemon center. "Tch, to think I moved here from Johto for this [parasitic bomb]..." She growled before jumping off her pokemon's back and landing in front of the ruined building, leaving a small crater where she stood and her pokemon slowly descending after her. Her scarlet eyes scanned the alarmed populace that now had their attention on her. "Alright, what the hell happened here?"
[Brace yourselves! As Goh is about to turn this from 'Hoenn Adventure' to 'Pokeball Z'! *shot to bits by a massive machine gun*]
-
(ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!)
Gai was just minding his own business near the Petalburg Gym, just another day of hearing various propaganda messages, when he heard a loud crash, and felt a slight tremor. Stumbling a bit, he regained his footing and tried to find the source, and noticed a crowd of people gathering near the Pokemon Center. He soon reached the site, a crowd had gathered... And saw... A strange female.
-
Goh's red eyes spotted Gai and she walked up to him, Platinum landing surprisingly lightly in the crater Goh left. "Tell me, Kid, what the hell happened to the pokemon center here?" She asked, glowering at him. "Do tell me quickly, because I am NOT in the best of moods with the patchy information I've been getting from news reports."
-
Gai jumped at the sudden approach of the new face.
"Ehhhh!? Team Fauna attacked it due to the monovirus everyone's been talking about! They said that the first reported case outside the Birch Labs was here!"
-
She sighed, rubbing her temples. "Great... What the hell is it with this region and environmentalist psychos?" Goh asked rhetorically, cracking her neck. "What the hell is the monovirus anyway and what's got them up in arms about it?"
-
"That's what I heard, too!" Another girl chimed in. Her pink hair was held in two short pigtails. "You know, some guy stopped me outside the Mart and gave me this pamphlet."
She held out a small folded flyer.
-
Goh turned to the girl and looked at the pamphlet she had. "Is that about this monovirus, or is it about Team Fauna?" She asked, gingerly taking the paper and opening it to skim through what was written on it.
-
Gai saw the pamphlet, and replied.
"Both really. And it's pretty in-depth. Like how Trainers are willing to let the virus spread... The virus causes Pokemon to lose their natural colouring..."
-
"Team Fauna," the girl nodded. "They say that they're for the ethical treatment of Pokemon, and that's about all the stuff people do to them. They said that Birch's lab was testing this one Pokemon, and it had a seizure and died."
-
Gai nodded.
"It's REALLY creepy to think that our regional Professor is involved in all this... Make you wonder what went so wrong in 12 months..."
-
Goh scanned over the pamphlet. "This is a load of granbull [parasitic bomb]." She growled. "That's it. I'm gonna find their base and dismantle their organization bare-handed." She said, cracking her neck and looking around. "Any of their members still in town? I've got an interrogation to do."
-
The girl shrugged. "There might be. I got that pamphlet from them earlier. They don't got a uniform, so I got it from some guy."
She looked to the Center and put her hands in her pockets and snorted. Glancing back, she gave a nod. "I'm Illana, by the way. Live just outside of town, you know, in one of those subdivisions? Nice place and we don't get too much activity 'round there."
-
"There is one, he does his thing every single day, and everyone listens to him intently."
Gai looked around the area.
"... Strange, he's usually here around this time."
-
"Oh yeah, that guy!" Realization dawned on Illana. "That's where I heard about that Pokemon! He said that Birch's lab got this disabled Pokemon, and they were doing stem cell research and trying to cure its brain damage. You know, like how an Alakazam can repair its own brain? But, they went a little too far, and their Pokemon died."
She looked to the Center again. "Died in this Center, too."
-
"Nice to meet you, Illana. Name's Godiva Graves, but you can call be 'Goh' for short." She introduced, Platinum ruffling her feathers. "Well, if the guy's usually here, he might either be running late, or off to spread the word of Team Fauna elsewhere since the center is destroyed." She seemed to be putting off the parts about how a pokemon died.
-
"Well... This has always been his most favorited spot... Since you know... This IS the site of infection... OH! There he is!"
Gai pointed to the distance to his right, and in that general direction was a rather short man. As the man approached, one could see he was wearing a brown trenchcoat. Due to his height, the trenchcoat was almost dragging on the ground. He was also wearing a black beret, and if one focused hard, could see a stylished letter F on the front of the beret.
-
She looked at where Gai pointed and saw the man in question. "Okay then." She said, having a frighteningly sweet smile as she approached the man in the trench coat. "Excuse me, sir, what can you tell me about Team Fauna?" She asked, using a very sweet tone which, along with her sweet smile, hid metaphorical fangs that she was ready to sink into the man to get the information she wanted.
[And this is when I call it a night.]
-
(Ohshi-)
"OOOOH! A fellow inquirer!"
The man jumped a bit, it's been a while since he met someone new to pass on his legacy.
"Firstly, my name is Flaunders. And I'm the 27th most knowledgable person in the wondrous organization known as Team Fauna. Our organization strives for the rights of Pokemon in Hoenn, and eventually, the whole world. It is true that Pokemon and humans can have a beneficial symobiosis, however, the way Trainers have treated Pokemon in the recent monovirus outbreak... It's so disheartening! And the experiments... So cruel!! For the sake of Pokemon everywhere... Team Fauna will liberate the Pokemon!!"
-
Illana shrugged and followed Goh and whispered an aside to her. "You wanna see him get riled up? Mention some local stuff and he'll give you an earful."
She wandered over and took one of the pamphlets he was handing out and looked through it. It was a new pamphlet, but it imparted much of the same information as the other one.
-
A loud, disembodied voice then boomed out of the blue.
"AND NOW FOR... WHERE ARE THEY NOW?"
After the tragic volcanic eruption that buried Lavaridge Town, its Gym Leader the ageless prepubescent known as Pyro was forced to relocate and transform the Trick House north of Slateport City into Slateport Gym. Like the former Lavaridge Gym, he transformed it into a mind-warping maze that drives many aspiring trainers to psychosis. Unfortunately, Pyro's insanity attracted the ire of Team Fauna who sought to "liberate" his Pokemon from him...
...Unfortunate for Team Fauna, that is.
A crowd gathered around the former Trick House with several ambulances parked at the entrance. Paramedics carted the writhing (and now monochrome) Team Fauna members on gurneys.
"Can't sleep. Gengar will eat me. Can't sleep. Gengar will eat me."
"I'm King Henry the Eighth I am, I am!"
Pyro, on the hand, stood at the entrance. His shadow wore a perverse grin, wich indicated that Mr. Spook was melded with it. He waved as the paramedics slammed the doors shut and drove off to Slateport with their sirens wailing.
"BYE!" He shouted to them, "Mr. Spook and I will come to visit!" 8)
-
Illana looked around in confusion. "The heck was that?"
"Plot convenience fairy," replied a bystander.
-
(Slateport is nowhere near Petalburg.)
-
(The Plot Convenience Fairy cares not for locations. It speaks for all and all will hear it. It is plot. It is convenience. It is all-knowing, all-seeing, all-being and provides all with important plot details when they didn't know they needed them.)
-
(Consider it a cutaway shot to show what Pyro is doing. Team Fauna probably will not be bothering him after this.)
-
(Fair enough, I shall go back to lurking then.)
-
(Slateport Gym, and perfect location. XD)
Gai followed behind the 2 girls. He rolled his eyes at Flaunders' reply... It's the same old thing, slightly revised.
-
"Liberate pokemon you say?" Goh asked, feigning genuine interest. "So, were the nurses in the pokemon center holding the pokemon in their care hostage?" She questioned, daintily motioning towards the destroyed building. She knew good and well that there was no need to trick him into anything, since he seemed more than willing to talk, but violence tends to be more understandable and justified when used on someone that freely admits to committing a crime. Or, at least, being involved.
-
"We had an anonymous tipoff that there was strange activity in that Pokemon Center. When we got there, we politely asked to see the Pokemon that were being nursed... When we saw the Pokemon... They were in such horrible states! Their colour degeneration was far worse than could be imagined! When we asked why these Pokemon were still here, the Nurses immediately pushed us out! How rude and irresponsible!"
Flaunders cleared his throat for a bit.
"Something had to be done. The Pokemon were being held hostage by the Nurses! They should be freed! Which we succeeded! The fire was really a cover-up by the Nurses, to frame us!! We, Team Fauna, are the real heroes here!!"
Flaunders pumped his fist into the air, and some of the crowd clapped and cheered. Gai just watched to see how the new girl would react.
-
"Same Center where that Pokemon died, too," Illana muttered under her breath, though loud enough for anyone nearby her to hear. While she thought that Team Fauna was full of it, part of her wasn't so sure.
-
"So tell me, what do you plan to do with the pokemon that didn't get a complete treatment?" Goh asked, dropping the sweet, interested facade and grabbing Flaunders by the collar of his shirt and effortlessly lifting the short man off the ground. "Did you stop to consider that, maybe, they didn't want to tell you people anything to prevent you from spreading unnecessary panic? Or perhaps they were still in the center to keep it contained, or provide them with care and comfort during their last hour if this 'monovirus' is deadly." She snarled, her red eyes seeming to glow with a feral bloodlust.
"Did you environmentalist idiots even consider the consequences of your actions? By destroying that pokemon center, you [tornado fang]ing MORONS sentenced who knows how many pokemon to death and let a contagious disease loose!" At this point, Platinum was starting to get noticeably excited. "Now, you have 10 seconds to start telling me about the monovirus and the REAL goals of Team Fauna, or you're going to 'play' fetch with my skarmory." As Goh said this, Platinum spread her wings, very clearly ready to take off. "And I can't guarantee you'll still be in one piece when she brings you back."
-
"GAAAAAAAH!!"
Flaunders screamed as he felt himself lifted off the ground by the strangely strong lady. He tried to struggle free, but to no avail. He then tried to look at the Skarmony the lady was talking about, and saw a strange glint in the Pokemon's eye.
"I-I don't know! I'm o-o-only the 27th most knowledgeable of the Team! T-The higher-ups only informed me of whatever you have heard f-f-from m-me!! I r-really don't know m-m-more!!"
Gai just stared at the scene for a bit, before saying something.
"You know... You don't seem to be around here... I don't know how you do things back in where you're from... But here, we have a strict way of doing things. Like walking along long distances, and happen to stumble upon stuff, like how a trainer from 12 months back stumbled into stuff in the Petalburg Forest that almost led to environmental Armageddon.
-
(Goh would make Sakura proud, seriously she's almost like a Sakura 2.0.)
-
Illana nodded. "Yeah, I heard about all that. I was out of town at the time. You know, far's I know, this whole monovirus thing isn't even deadly. Not sure if it can be reversed, though. I'm keeping my team safe just in case, you know?"
She flipped through the pamphlet again, and then stuffed it in her pocket. "You know, if we wanna figure out more, we should ask someone higher up. There's a number and address on the back of the pamphlets..."
-
[Well, Goh is a somewhat established character of mine, as are her mother, grandfather, ancestor, son, grandson, and great grandson, the latter 3 not yet born in this timeline.]
"Tried the long way before. All it got me was a base in the middle of the ocean and a lifetime ban from the Mauville Game Corner before it closed down." Goh growled before simply dropping Flaunders, Platinum looking particularly saddened and closing her wings. "Out of my sight. And feel free to warn your higher-ups that Dai shi Gorou* is coming for them." She snarled at the man before turning back to Gai and Illana. "Well, know where there's a public phone we can use? These PokeNavs don't have a phone function and the one in the pokemon center was probably destroyed with the building itself."
[*The Fourth Gorou. Short version of why she called herself that is 'old family tradition'.]
-
Illana nodded and dug around in her pockets. "Yeah, I got one, but Hoenn's phone service is terrible, you know?"
She handed her phone to Goh, along with the pamphlets.
-
Flaunders let out a huge sigh of relief, grateful to feel the ground again, and not face first into it. Upon hearing the "threats" from this... Dai shi Gorou... He bowed, and ran towards Petalburg Forest.
Gai watched Flaunders disappear, before speaking up again.
"The one at the PokeMart should still be useable. It's just around the corner, past the Pokemon Center. *sees Illana's phone* ... Or you can try that."
-
"Thank you." Goh gingerly took Illana's phone and looked at the numbers and addresses on the pamphlet. "Let's see... Maybe I'll try recruitment first..." She said, carefully dialing the number and holding the phone to her ear. She quickly cleared her throat before the person on the other end could answer.
-
It took a lot of rings before the line connected.
"Hello! Welcome to the automated Team Fauna enquiry service. For English, press one. For Japanese, press two. For French, press three. For German, press four. For Spanish, press five. For Korean, press six. For Italian, press seven. For other languages, press eight."
-
*All the while, you hear smooth marimba jazz playing in the background.*
-
Goh growled a little and pressed 1. "Damn answering machines..."
-
*doooo*
"For recruitment opportunities with Team Fauna, press one. For benefits in joining Team Fauna, press two. For promotion pathways, press three. For other enquires, press four. To speak with our customer service officer, press zero."
-
Goh pressed 0, hoping the machine would direct her call to someone and the reception of the region wouldn't cut out on her.
-
*More smooth marimba jazz.*
"Your call is important to us. Please stay on the line."
-
It was another long wait...
"Sorry, all our customer service officers are busy at the moment. Your call is important to us. Please hold."
(You think I'm make this easy for you!?)
-
Goh growled a little louder. She would wait a little longer.
-
(... You have won this time!)
After even more waiting...
"H-Hello? This is the Team Fauna recruitment call center. How may I assist you today?"
-
Goh was just about to give up when someone finally responded. "Hello~ I've been waiting for a very long time and had a few questions~" She said into the phone, her tone sweet and smooth. "I was wondering if there was someplace I could go to ask questions about joining Team Fauna, but the addresses on the pamphlets were smudged in the printing." Of course, she was lying about wanting to join, and, in truth, the reason she was asking was because she was certain the addresses were fake. It would be a LOT easier to ask and intimidate in person.
-
"Ah, we have an information counter over at Rustboro University in Rustboro City. It's right beside the reception counter of the university. There will be an officer there to answer any queries. Do you have any other enquiries?"
-
"Thank you very much, and yes I do~" Goh responded, visibly irritated by her own charade. "You wouldn't happen to know the identity of the brilliant mind behind Team Fauna, would you?"
-
"Sorry, that information is confidential. This call center is just a subsidiary, and is not involved Team Fauna. We are just here to spread the word of Team Fauna's beliefs. Thank you for calling us today, goodbye."
The call disconnected, the officer clearly sounded a bit hurt near the end of the conversation.
-
Illana glanced up. "How'd it go? I heard Rustboro U."
-
Goh growled and handed the phone back to Illana. "Yeah, Rustboro U. But it's only an information booth. Unless one of their higher ups is working there as a professor, it's going to be a while before there will be much action."
-
"Sounds like a typical plot." Gai chimed in.
"So I take it you'll still be heading over there?"
-
"Maybe we'll get lucky?" Illana shoved the phone back in her pocket. "The uni's a big place, you know. Stuff went down at Lilycove U a while back, I heard. Wasn't here at the time. I was in Kalos, setting my Absol up to stud."
-
(I almost want to make Sakura appear briefly as a shadowy cryptic mentor archtype in a stupid outfit now.)
-
(DO EEEEEEEEEEEET
Bonus points for Zinnia's outfit. 8D)
-
(Don't forget to save your dad from those Zigzagoon! 8D )
-
"Yeah, still going there because it's the only lead there is right now." Goh said, lightly patting her saddened skarmory. "Don't worry girl, we'll play fetch later." She promised, turning back to Illana and Gai. "So, who's coming along?"
-
(Okay fine.)
"You most certainly will fine something at Rustboro University." A mysterious figure in a Zekrom themed cloaked suddenly said from behind the group. Only the bottom half of her face was visable "That place has an unfortunate history of hiding many a dark secret, even the Gym Leader frequently bemoans how such things happen without her notice."
-
(Don't forget to save your dad from those Zigzagoon! 8D )
(In his own lab even. 8D)
"Sure, why not?" Gai said.
"It was getting bit boring after doing the same day everyday like some NPC... This might be exciting, I gue- WOA!"
Gai jumped at the sudden appearance of another new person.
-
Illana also jumped. "Thanks for scaring the snot outta me!"
She calmed her breath and looked to Goh. "I'm with you. I wanna know what's going on. I've heard all sorts of stuff, and it's really hard to separate fact from fiction, you know?"
-
"Yeah...I have a tendency to do that...a lot." The figure admitted with a shrug "People are way too easy to intimidate. Just look at how easily these people fall for Fauna's bullshit with some anarchy and pretty, but stupid, words. Then again that's what happens when you're dealing with something that is unknown, even as something as harmless as this mono disease can be twisted into something people can fear."
-
"But... Who are you? You seem pretty knowledgeable about these things, even Roxanne at a personal level."
Gai eyed the newcomer cautiously.
-
"My name...is not important, you may refer to me as simply Z if you like." Z shrugged. "As for how I know all this I cannot reveal why at the moment."
-
Goh turned to the cloaked woman. "You seem to know about what's going on." She said, crossing her arms. "You're one of those people who can only give help through vague advice, aren't you?" Goh asked, already knowing the answer as she looked to her traveling party. "By the way, any of you got your own flying pokemon? Platinum can only carry one person on her back at a time. Anyone else would have to hang from her talons by their armpits."
-
"Hmmm would an Aerodactyl work? He's very fast though I must warn you." Z stated "By the way what is you name?"
-
Illana pulled a Poke Ball from her bag. "I got a Zubat."
She released the Zubat and it fluttered about. "Oi! It's about time y'let me outta 'ere! I 'aven't had a cramp in me wing that bad since me ex-girlfriend Articuno decided t' Play Rough!"
-
Z stared at the Zubat and sweat dropped.
"Your Zubat had a physical relationship with an Articuno?" Z asked blankly.
-
Illana shrugged. "I guess."
"An' she was a bloody ice queen!" Zubat fluttered around some more before coming to a rest on Illana's shoulder.
-
(Shouldn't she be surprised about the fact that she can understand Pokemon speak?)
-
(Illana's not surprised by much.)
-
Goh gave the zubat an odd look before turning to Z. "My name is Godiva Graves, but I answer to Goh." She introduced to the cloaked woman. "An aerodactyl could work for them if they haven't had any bad experiences with one."
-
Illana shrugged. "I guess."
"An' she was a bloody ice queen!" Zubat fluttered around some more before coming to a rest on Illana's shoulder.
"Interesting, to be honest even though I have encountered many a Legendary I have never met Articuno myself." Z stated. "I have known someone who befriend Zapdos but Articuno sounds very different from him."
Goh gave the zubat an odd look before turning to Z. "My name is Godiva Graves, but I answer to Goh." She introduced to the cloaked woman. "An aerodactyl could work for them if they haven't had any bad experiences with one."
"Goh, huh." Z noted "I like your style kid, reminds me of myself many years ago when I first started. But am I correct to assume you don't have a phone?"
-
"An' y' be right glad you didn't! Jus' thinkin' 'bout 'er makes me 'eart colder th'n 'er shoulder!"
Illana pat her Zubat on the head. "Ssh... We know, we know. Articuno dumped you like a White Castle bowel movement."
"What's 'at Lugia got 'at I don't?"
"Well, for one... size does matter," Illana rolled her eyes.
-
Z giggled at the Zubat's misfortune.
-
"Yeah. You'd think that they'd make traveling devices compatible outside the region they were made in." Goh said, decidedly ignoring most of what the zubat was saying as she pulled out her pokegear. "That, or the reception is so bad my pokegear from home can't pick up anything. And these pokenavs don't have a phone function." She didn't catch the part from Z about how she reminded her of herself.
-
Illana once again pulled out her phone. "I usually have three bars. If I'm lucky, I get four. The reception is terrible around here, but if you stand at just the right spot, you can get a signal."
"Or make ol' shockin' plugger 'old it," Zubat muttered under his breath, "Or even chipmunk."
Illana nodded. "Yeah, I got an Elekid and a Pichu. They can usually boost my signal to four bars. Five bars if we're in a good area. And I can get one bar in a dead zone!"
-
"Yeah. You'd think that they'd make traveling devices compatible outside the region they were made in." Goh said, decidedly ignoring most of what the zubat was saying as she pulled out her pokegear. "That, or the reception is so bad my pokegear from home can't pick up anything. And these pokenavs don't have a phone function." She didn't catch the part from Z about how she reminded her of herself.
"Well I happen to have a new version of the PokeNav called the PokeNave Plus here." Z said as she pulled out said PokeNav Plus "It has a phone function and you can use it to keep up with the news. I would use it myself but honestly the thing is too bulky, I consider Steven a genius but he really needs to learn how to make tech more stylish.
Then again the latest Pokedexs aren't much better. One is flat and wide and another is a bulky slab, honesty Unova may be full of weirdos, but they do have style, except those Team Plasma clowns. Though I'll give Plasma more credit since they are actually subtle, unlike this Fauna idiots."
Illana once again pulled out her phone. "I usually have three bars. If I'm lucky, I get four. The reception is terrible around here, but if you stand at just the right spot, you can get a signal."
"Or make ol' shockin' plugger 'old it," Zubat muttered under his breath, "Or even chipmunk."
Illana nodded. "Yeah, I got an Elekid and a Pichu. They can usually boost my signal to four bars. Five bars if we're in a good area. And I can get one bar in a dead zone!"
"Go ask Steven when you get to Rustboro to give you a PokeNav Plus, I'm sure he'll give you one. Especially if you mention me." Z recommended.
-
(Does the PokeNav Plus look like a glorified 3DS? 8D)
-
(Gameboy Advance SP actually.)
-
(Close enough! 8D)
-
"So... Talk to the President of Devon Corp and tell him Z sent us for a PokeNav Plus... Sorry if I'm skeptical, but that just sounds a little too convenient." She said, sighing. "Then again, a lot of convenient things have been happening today, so I guess it's worth a shot."
[Right now, Goh's team consists of skarmory, arcanine, ditto, sceptile, greninja, and marowak.]
-
(Illana's team consists of Zubat, Elekid, Pichu, Marrill, Clefairy, and Natu. In the PC, she has Umbreon, Houndoom, Machamp, Smeargle, Haunter, and a Scizor that is completely out of his gourd.)
-
"I have connections." Z shrugged "Though because of my position I can't do too much in this situation because Fauna has seems to want to turn everyone against the League and the Professor's research. Hench why I have to wear this stupid disguise.
In fact those connections allow me access to Pokemon Center records."
-
Illana perked up at that notion. "They said that a Pokemon died there a few weeks ago. From a seizure. They've been using that as ammo for a while, you know? Is it really true?"
-
"No it's not." Z shook her head "The Center has received no Pokemon that matches that report. It was falsified. But.....that means the Pokemon itself is missing"
-
Goh paused for a moment before grinning. "Lovely. More reasons to beat their leaders into paste." She said, Platinum simply sighing and shaking her head before flying into the air and landing on Goh's shoulders. The trainer didn't even budge.
[Skarmory are, on average (which is how I take the numbers given for sizes), 111.3 pounds, if that's any indicator of how strong she is right now (and she only gets stronger by the time she's a little old lady).]
-
"Indeed, there are reports and many witnesses that the Pokemon in question had a seizure in a Restaurant, but no reports on him being checked in this Center or any Center. The last person he was with was also not with the Birch Research group, it was a person who was giving them backing on their latest project which was the Mono disease. And he was the middle man between the Birch Research team and the Center regarding the reports of the 'treatment' and 'death' of this Pokemon. Sounds very suspicious yes?" Z replied.
-
"It came from Birch's lab, too," Illana pointed out helpfully. "It's in this pamphlet that they say it came from Birch's lab. He report any missing Pokemon?"
"You've been readin' 'ose pamphlets t' much, but I cannae blame ye. Not much t' do 'round 'ere since y' got us quarantined."
"I only hid you guys to get Team Fauna off my back. They're hounding trainers about spreading the monovirus, and I don't want you guys to catch it. It's for your own good."
"Y' got Natu obsessin' ov'r it! If 'e 'ad 'ands, 'e'd be washin' 'em more 'an a OCD Teddiursa!"
-
"No, he does not know about it because he thought the Pokemon had died. Birch is a brilliant man, but he doesn't exactly pay attention to things around him when he's deep into research, especially one as big as this one, it's been occupying much of his time." Z said as she took the pamphlet and read it "That and he is not as paranoid as I am to look into such things, he trusted the word of a mouth full of suspicion."
She then ripped the pamphlet.
"Load of bullshit that thing is, but then again since when have pamphlets not been full of bullshit."
-
"Y'know, your zubat has a point." Goh said, turning to Illana, Platinum still perched on her shoulders and attracting attention from passersby. "If it's not deadly, then all Team Fauna's doing is spreading unnecessary panic.
This was when Platinum finally spoke up, looking down at her trainer. "And you'd know all about unnecessary panic, wouldn't you? Remember when you lost your temper at the Game Corner?"
"Yeah, well the place is closed now, and it's not like they have my face on a wanted poster."
-
(Darn, you people are fast. XD)
Gai was just standing there, listening to this Z character talk about the famous Steven Stone like he's a butler, almost as if this Z is the Champion. Then this Goh girl that crash landed, and Illana with the strangest Zubat. He felt for his belt, and felt a little relieved that his PokeBalls were still there, and his trusty Swellow being in one of them.
"So... Conspiracy theories aside, I have heard of a lot like with Team Flora, and now Fauna. But if there's really such a powerful person behind all this, where's the Interpol?"
-
"It's been pretty lawless around here. As my Zubat would put it, they decided to sod off somewhere," Illana patted the Zubat on the head.
"Wish Team Fauna would sod off..."
"So, I guess we're off to Rustboro? Should we look for that missing Pokemon?" Illana took her other Poke Balls out of her bag and clipped them to her belt.
-
"Y'know, your zubat has a point." Goh said, turning to Illana, Platinum still perched on her shoulders and attracting attention from passersby. "If it's not deadly, then all Team Fauna's doing is spreading unnecessary panic.
This was when Platinum finally spoke up, looking down at her trainer. "And you'd know all about unnecessary panic, wouldn't you? Remember when you lost your temper at the Game Corner?"
"Yeah, well the place is closed now, and it's not like they have my face on a wanted poster."
"Indeed, may I recommend your Natu some better literature?" Z said as she pulled out some research books out of her backpack written by professors from Oak to Sycamore "These are of much better quality, though I still think Sycamore is something of a quack who needs to expand his vocabulary so he doesn't over use the word Fantastic he still knows his stuff. Most of the time."
(Yay hammer space back pack. I love you hammer space backpack.)
(Darn, you people are fast. XD)
Gai was just standing there, listening to this Z character talk about the famous Steven Stone like he's a butler, almost as if this Z is the Champion. Then this Goh girl that crash landed, and Illana with the strangest Zubat. He felt for his belt, and felt a little relieved that his PokeBalls were still there, and his trusty Swellow being in one of them.
"So... Conspiracy theories aside, I have heard of a lot like with Team Flora, and now Fauna. But if there's really such a powerful person behind all this, where's the Interpol?"
"Ah yes Interpol, they're too busy trying to contain the panic Fauna is causing. A poor agent I know is itching to follow that lead I just told you guys, but he's swamped with riot control." Z sighed.
"It's been pretty lawless around here. As my Zubat would put it, they decided to sod off somewhere," Illana patted the Zubat on the head.
"Wish Team Fauna would sod off..."
"So, I guess we're off to Rustboro? Should we look for that missing Pokemon?" Illana took her other Poke Balls out of her bag and clipped them to her belt.
"Yes, Rustboro University would be a good start." Z said as she pulled more stuff from her backpack "Here a picture of the missing Hypno and the last person he was with a Mr. P he seems to be called."
-
(You'd think Looker is still amnesiac. 8D)
Gai took a look at the photo Z pulled out.
"... That's a trippy Hypno..."
-
[Wait, whose natu is 'Z' talking about? o3o]
Goh looked at the picture and shuddered. "I hate hypnos..."
-
(You'd think Looker is still amnesiac. 8D)
Gai took a look at the photo Z pulled out.
"... That's a trippy Hypno..."
"If by 'trippy,' y' mean a spastic..."
"Zubat!" Illana snapped at the Pokemon. "That wasn't very nice..."
(It's Illana who has the Natu.)
-
(You'd think Looker is still amnesiac. 8D)
Gai took a look at the photo Z pulled out.
"... That's a trippy Hypno..."
(Nah I think ORAS happened before Platinum, Black and White and X and Y. Alternate universe or not.)
"He's not trippy, he's disabled." Z corrected him "The poor thing has been like that since birth, he was rejected by his mother but a kind man adopted him and let him work with him despite such disability. He treated him like a companion and friend, the news of his death devastated him greatly. Unlike some other person on the Birch Research Team...."
(Yeah Sakura is aware of Hemlock too.)
(It's Illana who has the Natu.)
(I know, it was still directed at Illana.)
-
At this point, Platinum got impatient and started to take off, Goh clutched in her talons. "Well, looks like we're off. See you guys in Rustboro." She said, just casually hanging there.
-
".....Soooooooo does anyone still need to borrow my Aerodacyl?" Z sweat dropped at the impatient Skarmory.
-
"I ain't flyin' ye t' Rustboro! Dinnae how y' figured I'd make a good lorry!"
Illana let out a groan. "I'll take it. Zubat's being a butt. He can fly well enough."
-
"Okay Starscream come out of here!" Z called as her Aerodactyl came out with a cry "I need you to get this girl to Rustboro, and then I want you to come back to my Secret Base okay?"
Starscream nodded as he lowered himself to allow Illana to board him.
-
"Well... I have my..."
Gai threw out his PokeBall, and out pops a shiny Swellow.
"... He was such a pain to catch as a Taillow with Brave Bird."
"Well... I AM a brave bird."
Gai facepalmed.
-
"Neat, just be careful. A Swellow that fine will attract a lot of attention." Z warned him.
-
"Given the populace is more intrigued by mono-Pokemon... But duly noted."
Gai slowly mounted into his Swellow, and with one flap, was above ground.
-
Illana hopped onto Starscream and off they flew to Rustboro, with Zubat complaining about the flight reminded him of Articuno.
-
Z looked off in the distance as she sighed.
"I can't wait until I can take this stupid outfit off." Z said as she started to walk towards the Petalburg Woods to get to her Secret Base at Rusturf Tunnel "Seriously that's the last time I let Xuangzang give me advice on disguises."
-
In a few minutes, Goh had touched down in Rustboro near the university, returning Platinum to her ball. "I think I might need a disguise if I'm gonna gather information..." She said to herself, pulling a pokeball off her belt and letting out a ditto.
[And I just finished using a trainer maker to make what Goh approximately looks like.]
[spoiler](http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h344/sapphireknight88/Goh_zps0338818a.png)[/spoiler]
-
(Hi there, modern Zinnia. 8D)
Gai soon landed behind Goh, and as he dismounted from his Swellow, he accidentally tripped over Swellow, and both of them tumbled into the ground like a ball of yarn.
"... Owowowow..."
-
Illana arrived a few minutes later and hopped off of Starscream, who flew away. "Thanks for the lift!"
Zubat looked around. "Methinks we should start lookin' fer 'at spastic. Dinnae look like th' type'd vanish wi'out some 'elp..."
"Shush," Illana hissed. "You yammering away on my shoulder is gonna make us stand out, you know?"
(Quickly made Illana with a trainer maker.
[spoiler](http://imageshack.com/a/img661/5175/q4cInH.png)[/spoiler]
I actually do have old designs of her, but she looked way too much like Whitney and needed a new design anyway.)
-
(... Now I need to make one for Gai. XD)
-
"Don't worry about your zubat's chattering. Normal folks can't understand a word he's saying." Goh said, calling out her ditto. "Alright, Meatball, it's espionage time." She said, the ditto nodding and starting to cover her body and transform. In a matter of moments, she looked like a pale-skinned, chubby girl, with bright blue hair and an outfit similar to what Team Magma had previously worn, albeit dark green and lacking the M and horns. "There we go. Now I won't get recognized in case that short guy sent out the warning about me already."
-
"Makes y' wish y' thot o' bringin' along yer Astroglide, innit?"
Illana hurriedly shushed Zubat as her face flushed at her Ditto's name. In her defense, she had gotten the Ditto in a trade, and its previous Trainer had named it that. "Ix nay on the Stroglide-aye!"
-
"And I'm fine!"
Gai, still laying on the ground, recalled Swellow. He slowly got back to his feet, and dusted himself off, releasing a dust cloud. Coughing a bit, he stared at another newcomer, since he didn't catch Goh using her Ditto to Transform.
"... Who are you?"
-
"See? Perfect disguise." Goh said, grinning as she turned to Gai. "It's me, I'm using my ditto." She said, pulling her face sideways to cause the face disguise to stretch cartoonishly before letting go and causing it to snap back.
-
"...Bloody hell..."
Illana will never forget that trip into the Uncanny Valley, "I've seen things, Zubat."
"An' 'ey cannae be unseen..."
-
"... Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight..."
Gai slowly approached Illana, and whispered to her.
"Is this really such a good idea?"
-
"I heard that." Goh grumbled, her red eyes still clearly visible through the disguise. "Anyway, I'm heading in. If you guys think this is a bad idea, now's the time to turn back." She said, heading into the University.
-
Gai meeped, and followed along. A NPC life sounds pretty good right about now...
-
Illana followed, reminding Zubat to stay quiet, as even though others wouldn't understand him, his chattering would still grab too much attention.
(I'm out. Must bed.)
-
Goh looked around before heading towards the information booth for Team Fauna.
-
The Rustboro University. A place for Trainers and academics alike to gather, share and exchange various forms of information. A melting pot of fact... And maybe some fiction until proven otherwise.
The group of three wandered around the entrance area before Goh made her way towards the information booth, which is just beside the reception counter. The booth was filled to the brim with Team Fauna pamphlets, and... Merchandise. From T-shirts to badges, from coasters to even tissue packets. Guess Team Fauna needs funding too for all the pamphlets they give out.
Gai noticed a mug, with the words For all universal normalised antiques. Very subtle indeed.
-
Zubat gave a low whistle. "Gotta 'and it to th' wankers... 'ey know 'ow t' run a biz'ness..."
Illana nodded. "You'd think other Teams would catch on. Marketing your team is pretty ingenious, you know?"
"Still, a Team Fauna t-shirt would make y' look like a prat."
-
(Zubat should come with a translator...)
-
The disguised Goh walked up to the Team Fauna booth with a smile on her face. "Hello~ I was hoping if you could help me with joining~" She greeted, her voice slightly higher and cheerful-sounding. Had to be sure this person knew more than the guy on the phone did.
-
Goh could hear some rustling within the booth, before a voice spoke out.
"Will attend to you shortly!"
A bit more rustling, and a female dressed in a light brown lab coat, with a similarly-colored beret and a stylished letter F on it. She looked about in her 20s, though it could be due to the really thick glasses she's wearing.
"Welcome to the Rustboro branch of the Team Fauna Recruitment Center! So you would like to join Team Fauna? That is awesomely great!"
-
"Yes I would~ But, with everything that's been happening lately, I'd like to know who the boss is. It'd be a shame if I join to do good and it turns out to be a sham." Goh said, gauging the recruiter's reaction. She was fairly certain that the answer of who the boss was would be avoided, so she wanted to see how.
-
"Ahhh... Curious about our hierarchy! Well, Team Fauna is a large organization, as such, it is divided into smaller teams of about 10 officers. Each team is led by a supervisor, who reports to a senior supervisor. A senior would have 5 supervisors under him, and our director heads the whole team, being the supervisor to 2 senior supervisors."
The officer panted a bit, before continuing.
"To be honest, no one has seen our director, except for the 2 senior supervisors. However, they also receive orders directly from him, so we know he's always looking out for us!"
-
"And who are the senior supervisors?" Goh asked, sounding genuinely interested. Already this lady told her a lot more than the phone operator did, and, if she pretended to be interested long enough, she'd have her targets acquired.
-
"One is a lady named Calene, word is she's very loyal to our director. The other is a man named Fenice. He's huge in size, very intimidating..."
The officer shivered at the thought of Fenice's size.
-
"Are there pictures of them?" Goh asked, her tone shifting slightly to be a little airy. If she had pictures, she could figure out where to start looking.
-
"There might be... Give me a moment. While I'm finding it, would you kindly fill up this form, so that we can process your application, and give you a nifty name card?"
The officer pushed toward Goh a clipboard, with an application to join Team Fauna clipped on.
-
Illana walked over to look. "They are really organized..."
"Now don' y' be gettin' any ideas, lass! Y'know 'ey're a lot o' twats!"
"I'm not interested, sheesh," Illana hissed under her breath, hoping the recruiter didn't see or hear her chattering Zubat, regardless of anyone being able to understand him.
-
Goh hesitated a moment, quickly debating whether or not to fill out the application or just reveal herself and try to intimidate the officer for whatever other information she may have had. Ultimately, she chose to infiltrate Team Fauna, filling out the paperwork with the name 'Shaundi Lier'.
[Bad name pun ahoy!]
-
In the meantime, Illana accessed a very convenient PC and exchanged one of her Pokemon for another.
On her shoulder, Zubat immediately recognized the Poke Ball. "Aw, no, yer not bringin' out yer spastic, are ye?"
"Don't call him that," Illana reprimanded. "Besides, he needs the socialization."
If Zubat had eyes, he would have rolled them as Illana released her other Pokemon. A Scizor appeared in front of them, and after looking around, it ducked its head and hunched up its shoulders, looking to Illana for approval.
Illana nodded to the Pokemon and motioned for it to join her by her side. "Hey, Scizor. How you doing, buddy?"
The Scizor quickly went to Illana's side, still maintaining the hunched posture as he shook a bit and looked around nervously. "Skee-zor is a good boy! Skee-zor is good for Illana! No crib for Skee-zor!"
Immediately, Illana's face flushed as Zubat groaned on her shoulder. "Ix nay on the rib-cay!"
-
(I think you have succeeded in making a Scizor adorable.)
-
After rummaging through the booth, the officer returned with one photo. The photo was a group shot of a recent team building event. When she got back to the counter, she noticed that the new applicant had filed up the application form, and was in glee.
"Thank you for joini-"
Her words were cut short when she noticed the hunched Scizor. Her face went pale, and exclaimed.
"WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT SCIZOR!?"
-
Illana's own face paled, and Scizor hid behind her. Zubat let out another groan, knowing a bit too much of the Scizor's history. "'ave fun explainin' 'at one..."
After a moment, Illana put her arm around her Scizor's shoulders. "I got him in a trade a while ago, and I think he might've been abused..."
"A good boy, a good boy, yes! Skee-zor promises! Skee-zor's been a good boy, yes?"
"Yes, yes you've been a good boy, buddy," Illana patted his chitinous shoulder.
"Skee-zor is a good boy! Good boys get treats. Skee-zor likes marshmallows mushy on the inside!"
-
The officer's mouth was agape with horror and disgust.
"ABUSED!? I can't believe this! This is the reason why we, Team Fauna, believe in our team mission, to prevent such cases from happening. You must join us! We can provide proper channels of rehabilitation for that Scizor! No... Both of you and your friend are now official members of Team Fauna!!"
The officer pulled out 2 badges from under the counter, shaped like a stylished letter F, as a familiar chime rang out.
*dun dun-dun dun!*
-
*dun da-dun dun DUUUUNNNNNNNNNN*
Illana stared blankly at the badge in her hand and her new membership. Behind her Scizor peered timidly at it and gave it a gentle poke with his pincer.
"That a treat for Skee-zor?"
It took a moment, but Illana shook her head and dug around in her bag for the packet of marshmallows and gave a few to Scizor. "This is a treat for Scizor."
Happily, Scizor chewed on the marshmallows and then retreated behind Illana, the Team Fauna agent's watchful eye making him nervous. "Nononono... No eyes on Skee-zor."
-
"Oh dear, you poor scizor..." Goh sighed, almost dropping her facade before being given a Team Fauna badge. "I have a lovely recipe for marshmallows that I'm sure he'll adore~" She said to Illana before turning to the recruiter. "Is there anywhere we need to go?"
-
"Well... There will be a scheduled rally in front of the Pokemon Trainer School. One of the senior supervisors will be giving a speech there. You can gather and listen, and introduce yourselves after the rally is over. He or she would most likely welcome you with open arms. Or bearhugs."
The officer shivered a bit at the end, recalling an incident at the team building event.
-
"Alrighty, we'll be there~" Goh said in a sing-song voice, the gears in her head turning to try to figure out how to get the information she needs without compromising her new ticket to free information.
-
Gai had been staring at the merchandise, being ignored until he saw Goh and Illana getting badges.
"Can I have one too? I'm with them too."
The officer turned to look at Gai, and smiled.
"Sure! Why didn't you say so earlier?"
"Well, I wasn't part of the plot yet, so I didn't speak out. But now I have relevance again!"
The officer stared at Gai, as a flock of Murkrow flew by outside the university.
-
Scizor began swatting at the air. "Nevermore! Nevermore! Peck their eyes out! The Murkrow still is sitting, still is sitting upon the pallid bust of Pallas above the chamber door!"
Illana turned around and grabbed Scizor by the arms in order to calm him. "Easy! Easy!"
Zubat heaved a groan. "Y'shoulda left 'im in th' box."
-
"Oh dear..." Goh didn't really have much to say about either Scizor's behavior or what Gai said.
-
Gai laughed nervously.
"Ehehe... How about we make our way to the rally spot?"
-
Illana nodded, finally getting Scizor to calm down enough to follow her without being so timid or excited. "Yeah, let's go to the rally."
Scizor took the hem of Illana's t-shirt in his pincers and followed her to the door. "Rally! Rally, tally, tally ho! Sally forth, away we go!"
-
Goh waited until they were out of earshot of the officer before speaking again. "So, I have a plan that is going to be a little bit stupid, and it involves you two playing along." She started, looking at Scizor slightly worriedly. "After the rally and once we get to talk to the person in charge of it, I'm going to drop my disguise and beat or scare as much information as I can out of them. Then I'm going to flee and take up this disguise behind the pokemon center to make it look like I was knocked out and replaced while you two weren't looking." The disguised young woman explained. "You follow?"
-
"This sounds risky, mate..." Zubat seemed worried.
"I know, but we might get the information we need," Illana chewed on her bottom lip. She had a feeling that Zubat was right.
"I'm not sure if gettin' inta a bit o' a scrap'll work. What if y' run inta a bigger git? 'E'd pummel yer face right proper."
Illana nodded. "Fighting might be a bit too risky. If it's a rally, though, you might get more info, 'cause people are more willing to give it, you know? Crowd mentality and all that."
Scizor peered out from behind Illana at Goh. "No crib for Skee-zor. Skee-zor is a good boy."
-
"Unless they can toss a snorlax like a baseball, I ain't worried about getting beaten." Goh said nonchalantly. "Though, I do see your point in it being a risky gamble. Especially if I don't get to the pokemon center fast enough to be found unconscious." Then she smiled at Scizor. "And back there, I was being serious about my marshmallow recipe."
-
"Could you run through that again, this time at a snail's pace?"
Gai replied, looking confused.
Back at the recruitment counter, the officer smiled and went back to the back of the booth, away from view. She collapsed, unconscious, as an invisible something picked up the phone that was hanging by the wall.
The phone rang in Mr. P's office. Mr. P was just enjoying a spot of Earl Grey, and a scone, when he picked up the phone.
"Yes?"
"3 new memberssssssssssssssss!"
"Good. These people are so easy to fool. Ghetsis was a fool that relied too much on a freakish man-child. If you want to rule... You have to do it yourself!"
"Next phassssssssssssssse, Master?"
"Not yet. Prof. Hypno has been a huge help in our plans, his inventions have helped so many Pokemon like him... And helped me amass a Pokemon army, that's completely loyal to me at the drop of a PokeDollar! Let Fenice know that there are new recruits coming to the rally."
"Assssssssssss you wish!"
-
[Was she a puppet? o3o]
-
(Well yea. :P It was Malamar all along.)
-
(Time to zombie! *brrrraaaaaiiiiiinnnnnnsssss*)
As they approached the rally, Illana could feel Scizor's pace slowing, which tugged on her shirt. "Oh geez... crowds. He doesn't like crowds."
"Put 'im in 'is Ball, 'en," Zubat huffed.
Illana nodded and pulled out the Poke Ball and showed it to Scizor. "You want to go back in your Ball? It's a big crowd..."
Scizor shook his head. "Nononono. Skee-zor be brave! Big crowd, little crowd, round and and round they go! Skee-zor the mighty! Skee-zor the brave!"
"Okay, then, just stay close to me, buddy, okay?"
Scizor nodded and resumed his grip on Illana's t-shirt. "Skee-zor brave! Skee-zor's a good boy! Good boys are brave and Skee-zor's a good boy!"
-
(I'm suddenly imagining Scizor as Gollum now. XD)
-
(He has the same voice. XD)
-
"Don't worry about the plan, Gai. I just realized it could cause more harm than good." She said in a quiet voice, thinking. "Besides, we have a bit more business to attend to, and chaos would make it difficult..." She added, seeing the crowd.
-
Gai noticed the huge crowd and nodded.
"Wow, this js larger than anything in Petalburg..."
-
Upon hearing Gai mention Petalburg, Scizor's wings flattened and he hunched himself over and got so close to Illana as to almost trip her. "Nonononono... Skee-zor don't want to go in the crib..."
Illana reached around to pat Scizor on the head. "Easy, easy... We won't go in the crowd, okay? We'll go around them."
"'Ate to say it, but I agree wi' Scizor. 'At crowd's too much fer me." Even Zubat started to hunch over.
-
"We should probably stay on the outskirts of this crowd then. Your zubat and scizor getting overly anxious might freak my ditto out, which would completely blow my cover." Goh said, making a motion that looked like she was patting her own shoulder (while really reassuring the ditto that disguised her).
-
"Duly not- Hey! The crowd seems to be getting hype up."
Just as Gai said this, the crowd roared into a fervor, as 2 people entered the scene from the left, with huge man following behind them. The man was really tall... And huge... Like a Hariyama. And yet, he has some form of charisma that is causing some people in the crowd to faint. Females, and males alike.
-
Illana moved to a spot somewhere near the front, while still avoiding the crowd at a reasonable distance so as not to upset her Pokemon. Zubat remained quiet, while Scizor cowered behind her, still holding the hem of her shirt in his pincers. While keeping her eyes on the newcomer, Illana fed Scizor some marshmallows and assured him that he was being a good boy.
Finally, Zubat could keep his mouth shut no longer. "Don't like th' look o' 'at bloke..."
"Don't like the look of him!" Scizor repeated around a mouthful of marshmallows and the hem of Illana's shirt.
-
Goh had cautiously followed Illana to near the front, feeling her ditto shuddering. It wasn't so much the crowd that bothered the transformed pokemon as much as the particular vibe they were giving off. "Do not like..." Meatball quietly whispered along with Scizor and Zubat, nodding Goh's head.
[Reminder: Meatball is the name of Goh's ditto.]
-
The human Hariyama made his way towards a makeshift platform, and with a bit of effort, climbed onto it. The platform creaked under his weight, but seemed to be hanging on.
"GOOD AFTERNOON, CITIZENS OF RUSTBORO! WE ARE FROM TEAM FAUNA, AND WE ARE HERE TO SPREAD THE WORD OF OUR GLORIIUS LEADER! MY NAME IS FENICE, AND I WILL BE YOU GUIDE TO ENLIGHTENMENT!!"
The crowd screamed in delight, lapping up everything Fenice said.
-
"Too loud..." Scizor cowered behind Illana, chewing on the hem of her shirt.
Zubat nodded. "Larder's got a set o' lungs on 'im..."
-
"His bark's decent, and he looks like he might have some bite, too..." Goh quietly remarked, debating on going through with her plan anyway, since the guy looked like he could take a hit or two. That said, she herself was enough proof that looks were deceiving.
-
"AS YOU ALL KNOW, POKEMON HAVE BEEN ON THIS PLANET FAR LONGER THAN EVEN THE FIRST HUMAN TO EVER WALK ON THIS FINE PLANET. POKEMON CAN SURVIVE ON THEIR OWN! BUT CAN IT BE SAID THAT WE HUMANS CAN SURVIVE WITHOUT POKEMON? NO!! POKEMON HAVE BEEN WILLING TO HELP US!! AND EVEN FIGHT ALONGSIDE US! TO GROW! TO EVOLVE!! I DO NOT DOUBT A SINGLE MOMENT THAT POKEMON ARE WILLING TO HELP US HUMANS IN ANY WAY THEY CAN! HOWEVER, THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THAT... DESPICABLE PEOPLE THAT MAKE USE OF POKEMON FOR THEIR OWN BENEFIT! SOME PEOPLE EVEN... ABUSE POKEMON!! TAKE THE MONOVIRUS EPIDEMIC!! PROFESSOR BIRCH SAID HE IS WORKING ON A CURE... BUT IS HE REALLY!? WE HAVE FOUND POKEMON CARCASSES!! ALL DISCOLOURED!! ALL DEAD!!! HOW MANY MORE POKEMON MUST SUFFER UNDER HIS RESEARCH!? AND TRAINERS!! THEY THINK SUCH POKEMON ARE RARE! AND THEY DELIBERATELY CATCH THEM BEFORE THE POKEMON CAN HEAL THEMSELVES!! AND WHAT DO THESE TRAINERS DO? SPREAD THE VIRUS!! SO THAT THEY CAN CATCH MORE!? WHAT IS THIS NONSENSE!? POKEMON SHOULD BE LEFT ALONE!! TO HEAL!! NOT FORCED INTO THESE CIRCUMSTANCES!!"
Fenice boomed out, like some sort of preacher, with the crowd shouting out at appropriate times along with him, dancing, shaking, singing praise to Team Fauna.
-
Scizor shrank even more at the mention of abuse and carcasses. Both pincers were hooked firmly to Illana's shirt and the hem of it was in his mouth as he chewed on it. The more Fenice shouted, the more uneasy he became.
Zubat turned his head to check, and then whispered to Illana. "May wanna Ball 'im... 'E's not doin' well..."
Illana nodded and readied Scizor's Ball. "Okay, buddy... It's time to go back in your Ball for a nap..."
"NO! No crib! Skee-zor a good boy! Skee-zor a good boy!" And with that, he tore Illana's shirt and ran off with a piece of fabric in his mouth. Fortunately, he didn't go far; just toward the corner of a building not far from the podium, where he cowered in a ball, shaking.
Illana ran after him, muttering under her breath and pulling out the packet of marshmallows.
"Ye found 'is trigger, lass." Zubat fluttered behind her and alighted on her shoulder when she reached her cowering Scizor.
"Wish I knew what happened to you, buddy..." Illana offered some marshmallows while trying to comfort the panicking Pokemon.
-
Goh had to restrain herself to keep from attacking the large man on the podium when Scizor panicked and fled. Though, Meatball was helping to hold her back.
-
Gai just stood there... Seemingly mesmerized by Fenice. Fenice noticed the movement in the crowd, and looked towards the direction of Illana.
"YOU THERE! WHAT IS THE MATTER THAT HAS YOU HUDDLED INTO THAT CORNER? WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE ENLIGHTENED?"
-
Illana turned around. "Uh... My Scizor panicked. He doesn't handle crowds real well, you know? I'm trying to calm him down."
Scizor was still huddled in a shaking ball, his pincers rattling and his wings buzzing nervously.
-
Fenice raised his eyebrow. With some effort, he dismounted from the platform, which creaked loudly at the release of pressure. Fenice lumbered over to where Illana was, and noticed the shaking Scizor.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO THIS POKEMON!?"
-
"I didn't do anything to him!" Illana protested. "I got him in a trade a while ago, and I think he might've been abused. The thing is, I've no idea what happened to him."
She pet Scizor and offered some marshmallows, which the Pokemon munched on. Scizor looked at Fenice and shrank into an even smaller ball. "Nononono... No eyes on Skee-zor..."
(And I must bed.)
-
Goh was almost trembling with anger, moving to stand between Fenice and Illana. "That's enough, you brute!" She declared in her disguised voice, spreading her arms. "You're scaring the poor scizor!"
-
Fenice lumbered back.
"MY SINCERE APOLOGIES! I INITIALLY THOUGHT THAT THIS YOUNG LADY WAS HURTING THAT POOR SCIZOR! AND NOW I HAVE INADVERTENTLY SCARED THE SCIZOR! MY HUMBLEST APOLOGIES!!"
As Fenice bowed apologetically, he noticed the Team Fauna badges pinned onto their tops. Upon closer inspection, these 2 matched the description provided by the great leader.
"ARE THE TWO OF YOU THE NEWEST RECRUITS TO OUR FINE ESTABLISHMENT?"
-
"Y-yes..." Illana was a bit distracted, still trying to calm her Scizor. On her shoulder, Zubat's ears flattened against his head.
"Dinnae think 'e's gonna relax if 'is wanker keeps yellin' at 'im."
"No eyes on Skee-zor! Don't put Skee-zor in the crib! Skee-zor's a good boy!" Scizor's wings were still buzzing nervously and he hid his head between his pincers.
"You're a good boy, buddy. No one's gonna hurt you," Illana soothed as she stroked his cowed head.
-
"Yes we are." Goh huffed, crossing her arms and trying to calm down a little. "But if you don't take a step back and move your attention away from that poor scizor, we might have to reconsider! We did join to try to get help for the poor dear, after all. And sending him into a panic attack is highly counter-productive!"
[I'm very tempted to have Sapph appear in a similar manner as Sakura, only dressed as a ho-oh-themed sentai hero rather than wearing a zekrom cloak.]
-
Fenice slowly backed away, still bowing, until he was back to the platform.
"My sincerest apologies. The word of our great leader can be very... Overwhelming to say the least. However we all can be enlightened, and today, I am the one to be enlightened. Brothers! Sisters! Let's sincerely welcome our latest family members! But let's be calm for the poor Scizor."
The crowd clapped slowly, in waves, like some orchestrated performance.
-
"Enlightened, and light on, turn lights on, keep the nightlight on, Skee-zor's afraid of the dark..."
"I have no idea what happened to him, and his old trainer didn't know, either," Illana wrapped her arms around the cowering Scizor and pulled him close to hold him.
"At least 'at blowhard stopped yellin'. Startin' t' freak me out, that," Zubat muttered. His ears were still ringing.
-
"Much better." Goh said, nodding, almost breaking character again before she smiled. "Do continue, just keep it down a little so Scizor doesn't have another panic attack."
[Bleh, crap post...]
-
"Ahem, alright. As I was saying, it was our glorious leader that paved the way for us. It was his teachings that enlightened us all... That showed us the errors of our old ways. But it's not too late for the others! There is still time to enlighten them like the way we have been enlightened! For our families!! FOR THE POKEMON!!"
The crowd cheered out, forgetting about the spooked Scizor.
-
The sudden, loud eruption of whoops and hollers startled Scizor and he let out a frightened scream. Curled in a tight ball, he shivered in Illana's arms, his head ducked and his shoulders hunched. His wings were buzzing uncontrollably, and he began to cry.
Illana held the Pokemon close and cuddled him protectively, trying to soothe him. "Shh... shh shh shh... It's okay... It's okay, no one's going to hurt you..."
Zubat turned an eyeless glare toward the crowd. "Those bloody wankers! Makin' 'im cry like 'at!"
-
Goh glared at the crowd when they started cheering. Normally, she'd be getting severely pissed off at them, but she had a character to keep, and it really wasn't the large man's fault... Sorta.
[I think maybe someone needs to crash this rally.]
-
(I'm about to end it anyways. XD)
"Thank you for your time, citizens of Rustboro! You have been a great crowd. Now go forth and spread the word of our glorious leader!"
With one fist pump, Fenice dismounted from the platform again, and walked over to Illana.
"I am terribly sorry. If you and your friends don't mind, how about we have a private Q&A session someplace else?"
-
Illana nodded and stood, helping Scizor to his feet. "C'mon, buddy, let's get you a drink of water. We'll go someplace safe, okay?"
Scizor shook his head and wrapped his arms around Illana's waist, hooking his pincers together. "Nononono... No nice men in white... Skee-zor no want to go in the crib..."
"You'll be okay... We'll go get a drink and a snack, okay? How's that sound?" Illana stroked his head and stumbled a bit, as Scizor clung tightly to her and tangled her feet.
"Skee-zor want cookies and milk. Skee-zor's a good boy?" He looked up to Illana for assurance.
Illana smiled and pet his head some more. "Scizor's a good boy."
-
Goh sighed for a moment before reaching into her backpack and pulling out a baggie of, what looked like, white goo, and held it out to Illana. "It's a bit gooey and smushed from traveling, but I guarantee he'll like it." She said, the scent of marshmallow coming from the baggie of goo.
-
Illana took the bag and showed it to Scizor, who stuck his snout in it. He looked up at Illana. "Treat for Skee-zor?"
"Treat for Scizor. It's a bit smushed, but once we get where we're going--and get some napkins and a drink--you can have as much as you want," Illana nodded, petting his head.
Zubat peered into the bag, "'E's gonna be all sticky! 'E'll 'ave 'at stuff all over 'im! Th' neighbors'll tink y've been up t' somethin'..."
Illana's face flushed.
-
Fenice laughed at the sudden blushing of Illana, not knowing the reason behind it. Gai appears behind Fenice, after finally snapping out of his self-induced trance.
"If there's no objections, please follow me."
Gai looked confused at Fenice's comment.
"What happened?"
-
"He's leading us someplace quiet, Gai." Goh said, following after Fenice. He seems to legitimately believe that they're doing good... She thought, starting to feel a little guilty that she was going to shatter the delusions of so many people, but then only getting more pissed because she now knew that whoever was in charge was just using peoples' beliefs to meet their own ends.
-
Illana followed Fenice and Goh, stumbling a bit as Scizor walked alongside her, still clinging to her waist. "I'm getting thirsty, too. I'm sorry, but that crowd was just too much for me, you know? Too many people and too much noise."
"Where Skee-zor's blankie?" Scizor looked around for a moment, but then nuzzled his face into Illana's shirt. "Skee-zor want his blankie!"
"I'll get your blankie once we get inside, okay? We're almost there," Illana rubbed the Pokemon's shoulder, and then tripped over his legs.
-
The group walked away from the still cheering crowd, and was soon at the entrance to the Petalburg Forest. As they entered, a swarm of Beautifly flew by, their Silver Powder glistening in the sunlight.
"This place will do."
Fenice stopped, and the 2 Grunts that were following them flanked his sides. Gai looked around here, there were some Pokemon peering out from the various shadows.
"So... Why did you choose here?"
"Well, this place... There's an abundant number of various species of Pokemon that live here. But in recent times, strange extreme weather caused alien species to appear... And some were even introduced by Trainers... The ecosystem took a beating, and till now, is still recovering..."
-
Illana looked around and had managed to extricate herself from Scizor's grip long enough to dig through her bag. She pulled out a rolled blanket and unrolled it, handing it to the Pokemon. "Here's your blankie."
Scizor took the blanket, threw it over his head, and wrapped it around his shoulders and wings like a cloak. "Skee-zor in da hood!"
On Illana's shoulder, Zubat surveyed the surrounding area. "I cannae say I like this... Pretty, but why'd 'ey drag us all th' way out 'ere if 'ey jus' wanna talk?"
"No idea. Stay sharp, though," Illana pulled out the bag of smushed marshmallows and offered it to Scizor, who was flapping his blanket like a pair of bird wings.
-
"Would I be correct to assume that the trainer-introduced species are the result of irresponsible trainers over-breeding their pokemon and releasing the ones that don't meet their standards?" Goh asked, tilting her head. Of course, she was well aware of that issue, but she had also been learning that the 'undesirable' bred pokemon were now more often being traded or gifted to trainers who didn't care about the desirable features.
-
Z happened to be still walking towards Rustboro when she spied 2 of the kids she saw in Petalburg, a Fauna Sub Commander, and the disguised Goh who she only recognized due to her Aura reading abilities.
Following her was a Monochrome Shroomish. She found him huddling in the grass trying avoid predators due to his coloring and gave him some berries so he took a liking to her because of that though she had not actually captured him yet.
"Hmmm very interesting." Z said softly to herself as she kept herself hidden to watch the proceedings.
"Shroo?" The Shroomish cried.
"Keep quiet little guy." Z stated softly "Don't want to get the big guy riled up about you."
The Shroomish nodded and watched with her curious about what was going on.
-
Another figure was keeping an eye on the conversation, mostly hidden under a brown cloak, save for a slight gleam that came from under the hood. While they were definitely far enough from the conversation to avoid detection by the large man, the 3 trainers, and their pokemon, they would easily be noticed by Z, and she would easily be able to tell who they were.
[spoiler][Its Sapph in a disguise under the cloak.][/spoiler]
[And now I head to bed.]
-
"Would I be correct to assume that the trainer-introduced species are the result of irresponsible trainers over-breeding their pokemon and releasing the ones that don't meet their standards?" Goh asked, tilting her head. Of course, she was well aware of that issue, but she had also been learning that the 'undesirable' bred pokemon were now more often being traded or gifted to trainers who didn't care about the desirable features.
Fenice narrowed his eyes in irritation.
"Yes. What you assume is indeed the case. Trainers... ESPECIALLY the more experienced Veterans, Experts and Ace Trainers... THESE Trainers have been dumping their... "Undesirable" Pokemon here. And it's not just here. You might be thinking... But these Trainers have also decided to trade them to other Trainers! And you are correct again. However, that's only a minority. The majority still think that dumping is a hell lot easier to do than find another Trainer to trade. And experience has taught us the cruel truth. Just ask any Kalosian and their Route 7."
-
Z rolled her eyes since she had been to Route 7 in Kalos, what he said was complete bullshit. Z then looked behind her when she noticed another presence, one that she recognized. She shook her head and sighed, some things would never change.
-
Scizor stopped playing with his blanket and crouched with it wrapped tightly around him. He looked to Illana. "Skee-zor is undesirable?"
"Scizor is my buddy," Illana assured him and gave him some smushed marshmallows, which he accepted.
She looked Fenice. "It's pretty common knowledge that dillweeds dump their Pokemon, you know? What're we supposed to do about it? Stalk the daycare and kick everyone's ass if they even think of dumping off some baby?"
Scizor covered his head with his blanket and looked at Fenice. "Skee-zor's not a baby! No crib for Skee-zor!"
(And I must bed.)
-
Fenice turned to Illana.
"Of course not. That is too time-consuming, and resource extensive. Which is where our rallies come into play. We rally up the local population, and giving them the same enlightening that we achieve, they help us with our goals for the Pokemon!"
Gai just stared and scratched his head.
"You all totally lost me at Kalos."
-
"Maybe if this fool actually had access to the numbers he would know that each year releasing Pokemon by trainers has actually been decreasing and Kalos actually has the lowest release rate of all regions because of the concept of adoption trading which starts at the daycare." Z thought "That poor fool really doesn't know what he's talking about. Though......that Scizor really bothers me. What happened to the poor thing?"
-
(May want to get Pyro on the case. When half of what Scizor says is a word salad, it's going to be hard to get reliable information out of him.)
-
(Probably, the only thing I can guess is crib=cage.)
-
(Let's just say that at some point, Scizor ended up with a trainer who was far worse than Paul the abusive [dark hold]. He's changed hands ever since because other trainers didn't know how to handle him.)
-
(Yeah I figured that was the case.)
-
Illana looked from Fenice, to Gai, back to Fenice, and then to Scizor, who was sitting on the ground with his blanket over his head like a cheap ghost costume. Dropping her gaze, Illana chewed on her bottom lip and made a show of rummaging through her bag so as not to betray her thoughts.
When she had first acquired Scizor, his former trainer had told her to talk to his original trainer, and had suggested that she make the trip to Snowbelle City and speak to Wulfric. Scizor's original trainer had also suggested taking the Pokemon to the Pokemon House in Kanto.
Both trainers had expressed considerable concern over Scizor's wellbeing, and his original trainer was enraged that someone would abuse his former Pokemon like that. However, neither knew who did it, or even what exactly happened to Scizor. Neither of them had the time to devote to Scizor's care, but they remained in contact with Illana to attempt to supply her with outlets and resources that she could use.
When Illana was handed Scizor's Poke Ball, his former trainer pleaded with her to never consider trading him no matter how difficult he became. Scizor needed stability, and the other trainer couldn't provide it adequately due to competition training. Illana promised to never trade the Pokemon and to help him to the best of her abilities. She even promised to never use him in battle.
Though, she was surprised to learn that Scizor was a competent battler and seemed to enjoy battling. When Illana did use him in battle, he proved to be a fierce fighter who strove for perfection and victory, and followed directions to the letter. All he wanted in return was assurance that he was performing well.
Finally finishing her contemplation, Illana rooted through her bag some more and pulled out a bottle of Moomoo Milk, which she uncapped. Lifting the corner of the blanket, she handed it to Scizor. "Thirsty?"
Scizor took the bottle and covered himself with the blanket once more.
On Illana's shoulder, Zubat picked up on his trainer's silence. "Somethin' buggerin' ye, lass?"
"Just thinking," Illana shrugged and kept her answer vague, as she didn't want Fenice to overhear and pick up on her thoughts. She didn't trust the man, despite his seemingly noble intentions.
(Long post is long.)
-
Fenice was looking at Scizor intently. He had never seen such a traumatized Pokemon before. To think that such abusive Trainers still existed.
"I can't help but ask... How did you come to have this Scizor in your possession?"
-
"Got him in a trade," Illana said simply. She sat down on the ground beside Scizor, who was muttering something while still covered in his blanket. She lifted the blanket and folded it around the back of his neck and shoulders.
Scizor looked at her for a moment, and then crushed his finished bottle of Moomoo Milk in his pincers. He then held one pincer up to his eye and peered at Gai while snapping it. "Skee-zor CLUSH your head! Clush! Clush!"
Illana patted him on the shoulder as the Pokemon repeated the motion while looking at Goh. "I was at a trade fair, and another trainer was looking for someone who would be willing to take care of Scizor, because he didn't have the time to do so. He wanted to make sure that Scizor ended up with a good trainer. I offered to take him and here we are."
Scizor looked at Illana and leaned against her. "Skee-zor love his mommy!"
Illana smiled and gave his chitinous shoulders a hug.
-
Fenice looked at the way the Scizor was playing with his pincers, and looked at the general direction of Gai, and then Goh.
"Have you ever used him in a battle? How does he take to your commands?"
-
"A couple times. His former trainer said that was okay, because battling seemed to help him. He listens really well and can hold his own better than most of my team," Illana nodded.
On her shoulder, Zubat moved his head as if he were rolling his nonexistent eyes. "Well, 'at's a given. 'E's fully-evolved."
Scizor looked up at Illana with a smile. "Skee-zor's a good boy! Skee-zor fight good!"
-
Goh quietly listened to Illana speak, along with Scizor's chattering as she slowly looked around. She couldn't help but shake the feeling that they were being watched, but she didn't feel too threatened by whoever was watching them, so she pretended to be admiring the beauty of the woods. "Even though the ecosystem took some damage from introduced species, it seems to have bounced back to be hardier than before."
-
"A couple times. His former trainer said that was okay, because battling seemed to help him. He listens really well and can hold his own better than most of my team," Illana nodded.
On her shoulder, Zubat moved his head as if he were rolling his nonexistent eyes. "Well, 'at's a given. 'E's fully-evolved."
Scizor looked up at Illana with a smile. "Skee-zor's a good boy! Skee-zor fight good!"
Fenice nodded at Illana.
"That's a small bit of relief. However, looking at your Scizor's mannerisms... It is still very heartbreaking. And even right now, I can see and deduce he wants recognition. Something that was denied to him. Something that's a core basic to a Pokemon's self-esteem... The original trainer disgusts me.
Trying to change the subject, Fenice turned to look at Goh.
Goh quietly listened to Illana speak, along with Scizor's chattering as she slowly looked around. She couldn't help but shake the feeling that they were being watched, but she didn't feel too threatened by whoever was watching them, so she pretended to be admiring the beauty of the woods. "Even though the ecosystem took some damage from introduced species, it seems to have bounced back to be hardier than before."
"Perhaps. However, no one can be that sure. Not even the... Regional Professor."
The last 2 words were said in a rather seething voice, like comtempt.
"All I'm saying is that we at Team Fauna must continue to educate the masses. Rustboro was not built in a day. A lone Cutter helped to pave the way to the eventual city. Everyone, no matter how young, has a part to play to save the Pokemon around them. And one way is to release them, and to treat them as equals. Not pets, not sparring buddies, EQUALS!"
-
"Does this man....hate my father?" Z thought to herself "But why? This poor fool...is dangerous. Although kind he has no idea what he's talking about, if everyone releases their Pokemon the ecosystem would become more damaged and the Pokemon themselves would be in danger due to fierce competition with each other for reasources. It's like Plasma all over again, it's.....like N all over again."
-
A top hat gently dropped down from the canopy of the woods and fluttered in the breeze where it landed topside-up in front of the group. A black-sleeved arm with a white glove extended from seemingly out of nowhere and reached inside the hat to pull out... Pyro by his knit cap. The (now) Slateport Gym bowed to what was inaudible applause.
"Thank you, thank you! I'll be here Thursday! Try the roast Unfeasant!"
-
Gai just stared at the stranger that appeared from within a top hat, while Fenice's face turned red.
"Roast... UNFEAZANT!?"
-
"Guess the dude is also a vegetarian." Z facepalmed and smiled despite herself. Pyro always knew how to get one's blood pressure to boil, and she always found it amusing.
The monochrome Shroomish was confused at what was going on but kept silent.
-
"If you don't like that you can try the Emboar tenderloin with Cherrim glaze! Compliments of the chef!" 8)
At about that time, Pyro's "magic" turned Fenice's face green and a herd of Doduo and Dodrio came stampeding towards him.
"Green means go!" 8D
-
Scizor looked from Pyro to Illana, and then pointed a pincer at Pyro. "He like Skee-zor!"
"What, abused to the point of crazy?" Zubat grumbled.
Illana just chewed on her bottom lip and held Scizor close. Fenice was wrong about Scizor's original trainer; the trainer didn't abuse the Pokemon and was outraged to learn that someone had. No one knew who the abuser was, and from the way Scizor babbled and his mannerisms, it was more than just a simple lack of recognition.
-
"Hmm I think an Emboar Tenderloin would taste better with a Combee Honey glaze." Z mused "Though honestly a Pignite tastes better, Emboar is too rough tasting."
(Lol at Sakura just ignoring the Doduo and Dodrio stampede and thinking about being a food critic.)
-
"Skee-zor like Grumpig bacon crispy on the edges!"
Illana's own stomach growled. All this talk of food was making her hungry for scrambled Eggsecute.
-
Z personally thought Grumpigs are too stringy and thinks Tepigs are perfect for bacon, though it is very expensive.
-
(Spoinkchops, Deerling venison, fried Combusken drumsticks... I am soooooo hungry. D: )
-
(Oh god this entire thing is hilarious. And also remember N is not a vegetarian.)
-
"I'd fancy some Sunkern crisps, m'self..." Zubat mused aloud.
"Crispy crunchy nutty buddy fuddy duddy," Scizor rambled incoherently and pulled up clumps of dirty and grass, which he then stuffed in his mouth and chewed up before spitting it out in disgust.
Illana sighed and wiped his mouth with a napkin, offering some Berries that would certainly taste better than dirt. "I think you're getting a bit overexcited..."
Scizor messily ate a few of the Berries, and then crushed the rest and squirt the juice everywhere. He flopped onto his back and rolled himself up in his blanket. "Skee-zor Dune worm! Skee-zor EATS the spice! Skee-zor EATS the universe!"
"Okay, Scizor. You're getting wound up, you wanna go back in your Ball for a bit?" Illana moved her bag out of the way.
Scizor stopped rolling around and looked at Illana. "Skee-zor tired. Skee-zor want nap." He crawled over and laid his head in Illana's lap and closed his eyes.
Illana stroked his head. "Sleep well, buddy."
Meanwhile, in an undisclosed location...
Prof. Hypno cracked open an eye and drew in a long breath. His mouth was dry and sticky, and his throat had a thick film coating it. He swallowed a few times, tasting pencil graphite, and he realized that he had fallen asleep while working.
Lifting his head, he yawned and pushed the rumpled papers out of the way. Before him were more blueprints and concept designs, and he was working on designing a servomotor when he had fallen asleep. His work had been suffering delays, as he found himself nodding off quite often.
Attributing it to stress and being overworked, he scratched at his right ear, and then scratched his left arm. He had been losing track of entire days. Yawning again, he decided that he needed a break.
Hauling himself out of his chair, he strapped his left arm into his crutch, and slipped the right into the other. The seizure he suffered several weeks ago had made walking more difficult, and he took to using forearm crutches in order to get around. His mobility had declined considerably, as he was unable to go to physical therapy like he used to. He needed to speak to Mr. P about that, and about getting in touch with Mulberry.
Hobbling out of the lab, Prof. Hypno made his way to a vending machine for a drink. He paused in the hallway and looked around, feeling as though he was being watched. However, he couldn't detect anything out of the ordinary, so he continued his slow hobble down the hall.
-
(... All that Pokemon as food!)
The two Grunts jumped in front of Fenice, in a vain attempt to stop the incoming stampede.
"Move away, I can handle this myself."
The two Grunts looked at each other, and stepped away as instructed. Fenice then went into a sort of squatting position. As the stampede came closer, he took in a really deep breath, and used Roar. The stampede screeched to a halt, and then turntailed in the other direction. Taking another deep breath...
"And what is this talk about Pokemon food!? Pokemon are our equals! How could you all talk about it as if it is normal!?"
-
"Damn I was almost looking forward to him being run over, then again I don't think waking that Scizor up from his nap would have been a good idea." Z thought as she was a bit surprised about the Roar "Still that talk about Pokemon as food is going to get really ugly quick if someone doesn't do anything. I hope Pyro can get out of this mess.....aw who am I kidding of course he will."
The Shroomish was somewhat frightened by the Roar himself but stood his ground as the Doduos and Dodrios ran past.
-
Illana looked away and just pet Scizor as he napped. "Anyway... I spoke with his former trainer and his original trainer, and none of them know who his abuser is, or even what happened to him. He talks about a 'crib,' but we're not sure what it is."
-
"Oh thank god Illana changed the subject. Arguing with a vegetarian is not a good idea, despite the fact that Pokemon eat each other." Z mentally sighed.
-
"A crib?"
Fenice rubbed his chin in deep thought. The connotation does not sound good at all, given the state of the Scizor. Gai was just staring at the disappearing stampede.
"I guess the only way to help your Scizor is with our professional therapists. Perhaps even unlock the memory of his abuser, and bring that person to Pokemon justice."
-
"Hopefully. I really wish I knew what happened to him, but half of what he says doesn't even make sense," Illana sighed.
"Might've been brained one too many times. 'At'd make anyone a touch daft," Zubat commented helpfully.
"You think so?" Illana replied, well aware that Fenice probably couldn't understand what her Pokemon were saying.
"It's possible. Y've noticed when 'e'd duck if anyone but ye try t' touch 'is 'ead. Or maybe cranial drill intrusion. Maybe someone wanted t' control 'im and 'ey'd lobotomized 'im," Zubat shrugged.
Illana was aghast. "That's sick!"
Meanwhile...
After getting a drink from the vending machine, using the card supplied to him, Prof. Hypno put the bottle in his labcoat pocket and hobbled down the hall to Mr. P's office. He still felt like he was being watched, and when he had taken a glance at the date and time on the vending machine's interface, he realized that he had lost an entire day.
It was as if yesterday never happened.
Blinking a few times and shaking his head, he surmised that he must be overworked. Finally arriving at Mr. P's office door, he gave a knock and waited.
-
Z somewhat shuddered remembering Twoey and that certain Alakazam.
-
Fenice's eyes widened at Illana.
"Wait, you can fully understand what your Pokemon are saying!?"
Mr. P was just typing up some remarkably authentic looking documents, when he heard a knock on the door.
"Come in, the door is unlocked."
-
Illana cocked an eyebrow. "Uh, yeah. Anyway, Zubat said that Scizor might've had head trauma, but like I said, we don't know for sure, you know? We've asked him about it, but he never talks about it and when we do get him to, he just goes off on some tangent."
She looked down at Scizor's sleeping form and pet his head. "We don't know who hurt him or how they hurt him. Today, he mentioned the 'nice men in white,' but I don't know if that's legit or more of his word salads."
Pushing the door open with his crutch, Prof. Hypno hobbled in. He didn't go for a chair as he usually did, but stood a few feet away from Mr. P's desk, leaning heavily on his crutches. He looked awful, as if he hadn't slept in days, despite oversleeping quite a bit.
He opened his mouth to say something, but had forgotten what he wanted to talk about. His mind had gone completely blank, so he stood there, gaping.
After a moment, he blinked a few times and said the only thing that he could think of. "Mul... berry."
-
Fenice rubbed his chin again, this time in fascination.
"You are an impressive young girl, Illana. With your connection to your Pokemon, we can educate the people on the atrocities the Pokemon are suffering from. You can be their guiding voice!"
Mr. P looked away from the monitor, and peeked out from its side.
"Mulberry? What about him?"
-
Z facepalmed at that hoping Illana won't get too roped in but at the same time the opportunity would be good for them if they could get closer in the Fauna organization. It was a double edged sword as she could become a target or tricked into doing things she didn't agree to.....like N was.
The Shoomish broke her train of thought as he softly asked if Humans understanding Pokemon was such a rare ability since he didn't really have much contact with humans. Z looked at him, impressed by his curiousity, and confirmed with a nod. The Shroomish was amazed and realized Z was more amazing than he initially thought, and that was saying something.
-
Fenice rubbed his chin again, this time in fascination.
"You are an impressive young girl, Illana. With your connection to your Pokemon, we can educate the people on the atrocities the Pokemon are suffering from. You can be their guiding voice!"
Mr. P looked away from the monitor, and peeked out from its side.
"Mulberry? What about him?"
"I wa-ant to... see him. Tell him how I'm... do-ing," Resting against his left crutch, Prof. Hypno dug around in his pocket with his right hand, but couldn't find his PDA, and thus couldn't use the text-to-speech function. He must have left it in the lab. Heaving a sigh at his absentmindedness, he continued, knowing full well that he was going to get winded. Speaking was difficult, as he couldn't control his breathing and literally had to hold his breath in order to talk.
"Al-so... I... I..." Once again, his mind went completely blank and he furrowed his brow, leaning his head down and rubbing the bridge of his nose with his right hand. Repositioning himself on his crutches, he kept his gaze on the floor as he tried to remember what he wanted to say.
"I... thi-ink I ne-ed a... vay...cay... shun."
His words were uttered out with considerable effort as his thoughts refused to come together. He just couldn't think! Every time he would arrive at some sort of conclusion, his mind would go blank. He was tired, stressed, overworked, and losing track of entire days. He was finding himself barely able to concentrate, and he couldn't even remember which project he was supposed to be working on.
Illana gaped at Fenice in shock. This wasn't her plan, but she didn't know how to respond, or if she should refuse. She wanted to help Scizor, but she didn't want to make the wrong choices and end up causing more harm than good.
"I... I don't know what to say..."
On her shoulder, Zubat was equally as stunned. "Might be th' chance we're lookin' fer, but I cannae say if y' should take it..."
-
(Oh god poor Prof Hypno.)
-
[Wow I missed a lot. @_@ Time to play catch-up.]
-
(All part of ze plan!)
Mr. P got out of his chair, and went over to Prof. Hypno, who was clearly fatigued. He guided the Prof over to the couch, and slowly eased him onto it.
"Prof. Hypno... I have some good news, and some bad news. The good news is that your research has helped more than 70% of the Pokemon population in Hoenn with disabilities. So... You do deserve a vacation. The bad news..."
Mr. P walked towards the window behind his desk, his head held low.
"And it's with regards to Professor Mulberry. He... Has dearly departed from this world. There... Was an accident at Birch's lab with regards to the monovirus research. Mulberry... Was directly infected by the monovirus through a bite he got from that Shiny Zigzagoon... It was not a pretty sight. The monovirus worked in a completely different way when directed contracted by a human... No one knew what to do..."
-
Fenice laughed a bit.
"I'm so sorry, I can get a bit... Excited at times. Of course you need time to think this through, and you have the time, since you are a part of Team Fauna. I'm just saying that we can do a lot of good now for the Pokemon. A whole lot of good."
Gai started to feel a bit left out, having no... "Special" abilities to speak off.
-
Goh had been quietly listening to everything, pretending to be in her own little world. However, under her ditto disguise, she was trembling with anger. "She slowly turned back to the group, a smile on her face. "Would you excuse me for a moment? I thought I saw something unusual over there." She said, pointing in a random direction (the opposite direction from where Z was).
-
Z wonder either if Goh was up to something or needed to calm down, she couldn't blame her if it was the latter.
-
Fenice laughed a bit.
"I'm so sorry, I can get a bit... Excited at times. Of course you need time to think this through, and you have the time, since you are a part of Team Fauna. I'm just saying that we can do a lot of good now for the Pokemon. A whole lot of good."
Gai started to feel a bit left out, having no... "Special" abilities to speak off.
Illana nodded slowly, looking down at Scizor for a moment before she glanced at Zubat. Her voice was low as she conferred with the Pokemon. "What should I do?"
"If ye can get us in deeper, ye should. Y'might be able t' get word wit' th' higher-ups. I'm not sayin' ye should tot'lly agree, but ye may wan' t' c'nsid'r it. Fer now, say ye'll help out any way ye can, but dinnae start goin' an' gettin' y'self inta spreadin' bullocks at rallies, aye?"
"Gotcha," Illana nodded and cleared her throat. After a moment, she looked to Fenice.
"Okay, I wanna help Scizor, and I wanna help others like him. I'd rather avoid rallies, if at all possible. Can't speak in front of crowds, you know? But, I wanna help."
(All part of ze plan!)
Mr. P got out of his chair, and went over to Prof. Hypno, who was clearly fatigued. He guided the Prof over to the couch, and slowly eased him onto it.
"Prof. Hypno... I have some good news, and some bad news. The good news is that your research has helped more than 70% of the Pokemon population in Hoenn with disabilities. So... You do deserve a vacation. The bad news..."
Mr. P walked towards the window behind his desk, his head held low.
"And it's with regards to Professor Mulberry. He... Has dearly departed from this world. There... Was an accident at Birch's lab with regards to the monovirus research. Mulberry... Was directly infected by the monovirus through a bite he got from that Shiny Zigzagoon... It was not a pretty sight. The monovirus worked in a completely different way when directed contracted by a human... No one knew what to do..."
Prof. Hypno stared wide-eyed at Mr. P, his mouth agape. Mulberry was gone. The news hit him like a punch in the gut and a lump formed quickly in his throat. His vision became blurry, and he dropped his gaze to his lap as tears sprung to his eyes and his shoulders began to rock with sobs.
Mulberry was his friend and trainer. Mulberry had adopted him from the Breeder after he was rejected by his mother. Prof. Hypno's early life since his premature birth was spent in an incubator, hooked up to machines, and the Breeder being told that he would never walk, much less battle. Even after he was stabilized and took time to mature enough to survive outside of the womb, his prognosis was still bad. When he was returned to his mother, she rejected him.
He was ostracized by his own mother and by his littermates, and even the Breeder didn't want him around. They didn't want their clients to see that their competition-ready Pokemon had birthed a cripple. Prof. Hypno was hidden away and kept a closely-guarded secret.
Until Mulberry came along.
Mulberry had been meeting with Breeders and looking for a Pokemon to take on as a lab assistant. When he arrived at the breeding facility, the owners saw it as their chance to get rid of Prof. Hypno. He was given to Mulberry, who took him in, trained him, educated him, and helped him gain enough mobility that he could live independently. It was Mulberry who had arranged for Prof. Hypno to live at the care home, where he could be independent, but still have access to help when he needed it.
Now, however, Mulberry was gone.
Prof. Hypno never had a chance to say goodbye. He didn't even have a chance to talk to the man after the seizure that almost took his own life. His breath came to him in choked sobs as he cried, his face buried in his hands.
-
(Mr. P loves to "kill" off people. 8D)
Mr. P approached Prof. Hypno, and sat down beside him. He placed his arm over the Pokemon's shoulders, and tried to comfort him.
"I am truly sorry."
Fenice clapped his hands in delight.
"No rallies, no problem! Your words can still inspire the population, they can hear the truth from the Pokemon themselves! We of Team Fauna can finally achieve our mission!"
The two Grunts clapped along as well. Gai too, though he looked coerced.
-
Seeing as how all the attention was on Illana and Scizor, Goh slipped away, heading quite a distance from the group. After she was out of eye and earshot, Meatball finally peeled off the trainer so that she could release her anger on an uninhabited tree. Letting out snarls similar to a cornered houndoom, Goh started striking the tree, each hit sending cracks rippling up the unfortunate foliage until, finally, the trunk shattered. As the remnants of the tree fell, Goh let out a frustrated roar of her own and kicked the large chunk of wood off to the sea. "Tch... That [parasitic bomb] just really pisses me off." She growled, Meatball nodding.
"Do not like. Makes me mad." Meatball agreed, turning back into a disguise for Goh in case somebody came to investigate the sounds of it's trainer destroying the tree.
-
The clapping made Illana uncomfortable and she looked around for Goh. Scizor also stirred and lifted his head, blinking blearily at Fenice before going back to sleep. "Nonono... Quiet time... Quiet game..."
Illana rubbed his shoulders. "Sorry, we'll try to be quieter..."
-
"Alright, that about settles it. We'll be making our way back to our Headquarters in Lilycove City. If you have nothing going on in your schedules, I'd suggested you head there. You will be able to meet with other like-minded Trainers, and if you are really lucky, you might meet our glorious leader. I have another rally to attend to before heading back, so I will bid you safe journey!"
Fenice bowed, the two grunts following suit, as they left the group, heading towards Oldale Town.
Gai watched as the 3 disappeared into the distance.
"So... Lilycove City then?"
-
Now that she was done destroying poor, unfortunate trees, Goh went to go rejoin the group, getting back just as Fenice and the grunts were leaving. "So, where'd they say to go?" She asked, watching them leave.
-
"Lilycove," Illana said while rousing Scizor and getting him to stand up. She took his blanket, shook it, rolled it up, and put it back in her bag.
Scizor yawned. "Skee-zor want coffee..."
"Oh no ye don't! Yer not gettin' any coffee! Yer nutters as it is!" Zubat fluttered off of Illana's shoulder and landed on Scizor's head.
"OFF SKEE-ZOR!" Scizor swung his pincers at Zubat. Zubat flew off, and Scizor clocked himself right in the head.
"Hey! No fighting!" Illana stepped between them. She rubbed Scizor's head as Zubat alighted on her shoulder. "You okay?"
"Skee-zor have a boo-boo..."
Zubat huffed. "Ye did it t' y'self, mate."
-
"Yea... Unless you wanna hear another rally at Oldale Town." Gai said, still feeling a bit out of it.
-
Goh waited a moment before Meatball peeled itself off of her again, the ditto sitting itself on the ground. "Meatball doesn't want to go to rallies! Meatball wants to go have lunch and meet Devon person!"
"Right. That Z lady told us we should meet the president of Devon Corp for pokenav upgrades." Goh said, nodding. "We can go to Lilycove after lunch too, especially after you guys went off on food."
-
"Lunch sounds good. Then it's off to Lilycove!" Illana gave a fist pump, which Scizor mimicked.
(Mr. P loves to "kill" off people. 8D)
Mr. P approached Prof. Hypno, and sat down beside him. He placed his arm over the Pokemon's shoulders, and tried to comfort him.
"I am truly sorry."
Prof. Hypno rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand, and then rubbed his nose. He sniffed a few times and let out a breath in an attempt to regain his composure. He still felt out of sorts, and learning about Mulberry's sudden death made his exhaustion worse.
After a moment, he looked to Mr. P. "Wha-at now? Should I... go ba-ack to work?"
He massaged the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger and furrowed his brow. His mind was going blank again and he couldn't seem to figure out what he wanted to say.
-
Gai fistpumped too, just as his stomach growled in hunger.
"To Rustboro... Again!"
Mr. P shook his head.
"You should get some rest. Even if you go back to work, you might feel too distracted. Take the rest of the day off. You can carry on tomorrow."
-
Nodding, Prof. Hypno hauled himself to his feet and hobbled out of the office. He made his way down the hall and back to the lab to pick up a few things; namely his PDA in case he needed to do any more talking. Pocketing it and straightening up his cluttered workstation, he left the lab and hobbled to his quarters.
As he did so, he got that feeling again, as if he was being watched.
Pausing in the hall, Prof. Hypno looked around. "Is... some-one there...?"
-
Seeing Prof. Hypno leave his office, Mr. P closed the door, and a very familiar screech could be heard.
"Keep an eye on him. I do not want him to get any ideas about leaving."
At the hall, despite Prof. Hypno calling out, the hall was empty. There was an audible hum in the area, but besides that, it was only Prof. Hypno...
... Discounting the currently invisible Malamar.
-
Turning, he leaned on his crutch and rubbed the bridge of his nose again. Letting out a breath, Prof. Hypno resumed his hobble to his quarters. As he did so, he thought about how long he had been working. He hasn't seen the sun in weeks, and he concluded that not being outside may account for why he's been losing track of entire days.
Reaching his quarters, he opened the door and went inside. Emptying his pockets, he left his PDA and forgotten drink on his desk, and he extricated his left arm from his crutch, and took off his lab coat, tossing it aside. Placing his crutches against the wall, he limped slowly to his bed and flopped down on it.
There wasn't a window in his small room. There weren't windows anywhere. He didn't even know what town he was in, as he had never been outside since his seizure.
With some effort, he rolled onto his back and closed his eyes. Perhaps he could go outside after a short nap...
-
"Then it's settled. We'll have lunch and be on our way!" Goh confirmed, heading back into Rustboro with Meatball turning into a zubat and perching on her shoulder.
-
(So, since the next plot point is Lilycove, should everyone just be teleported there, or did you want to do something with the Devon Corp?)
-
(Weren't you guys supposed to get phones?)
-
(Oh, right, derp.)
After lunch, the group arrived at the Devon Corp for some new phones. Hoenn's terrible phone service is legendary, and the PokeNav used satellites in order to function in a region with very little cellphone coverage.
Illana looked at her phone, noting that it had four bars. Six was optimal, but seeing that it had more than two was a welcome sight. She didn't even have to use her Elekid as an antenna boost! "So, we're getting out PokeNavs upgraded, finally..."
-
(Probably going to teleport myself to Verdanturf to take a shower at Wally's uncles house and then go to Lilycove. When I get there I may need someone to control Lisia, Sakura is going to get makeover so she can wear a less stupid disguise. I'm thinking goth.)
-
(You should go total Gothic lolita. Lots of lace and ribbons. Wear a bonnet with a veil and look like you stepped out of a Victorian funeral.)
-
(Nah more like punk goth, Sakura doesn't like dresses. I'm also thinking of finally introducing Ruby.)
-
(Oh, right, derp.)
After lunch, the group arrived at the Devon Corp for some new phones. Hoenn's terrible phone service is legendary, and the PokeNav used satellites in order to function in a region with very little cellphone coverage.
Illana looked at her phone, noting that it had four bars. Six was optimal, but seeing that it had more than two was a welcome sight. She didn't even have to use her Elekid as an antenna boost! "So, we're getting out PokeNavs upgraded, finally..."
"Yeah, Z said we should mention her to the president and he'll get us hooked up." Goh said, looking to Meatball, who was still sitting on her shoulder and transformed into a zubat, but was now happily spouting off jibberish in a horrible imitation of Illana's zubat's accent.
-
Gai was admiring the deco, and noticed the fossil bed under the glass flooring.
"Wow... This place sure is shiny... And I wonder why fossils?"
-
Scizor also noticed the glass flooring and began to tap on it with his pincers before Illana stopped him. "Dem bones, dem bones, it's dead, Jim!"
"Yeah, and Steven might be angry if we break his floor, so don't do that, okay?" Illana looked for something else to occupy Scizor's attention.
-
(So, who's taking Steven?)
-
[I have no idea.]
Goh paused as she looked at the floor, decidedly stepping VERY lightly. She severely doubted that, even with the recommendation of 'Z', the president of Devon Corp would be willing to help someone who destroyed his stuff.
-
(If no one else does I'll do it, but I can't until tomorrow.)
-
(No one's taken Steven, so he's all yours! He should be sexually-frustrated. 8D)
-
(.....What?)
-
(A comic I put in the Pokemon thread of Steven coming on to Latias.)
-
(Or frustratedly Bi. 8D)
-
(Anywho... Let's get Steven out here. He can leave his frustration in the closet. 8D)
-
(Cutting to Prof. Hypno for a bit...)
Meanwhile...
Waking up from his short nap, Prof. Hypno milled about in his quarters, finally deciding to consume the drink he had got earlier. He wanted so badly to go outside, as he figured that seeing the sun and getting some fresh air would help reorient him. Losing track of days was not a good sign, and since he had off, he may as well make the most of it.
Pulling on his lab coat, he capped his drink and put it in his pocket. Grabbing his crutches, he hobbled out of his room and down the hall to the elevator.
-
Malamar kept a close eye on Prof. Hypno, still invisible. There was still time to stall the Prof., but for now, Malamar was just observing.
-
It took a few minutes, but he made it to the elevator and dug through his pockets for his card. Swiping his card, he waited for the elevator door to open, and then hobbled inside, looking over the buttons.
It had been weeks, he assumed, since he had been in the lab. He had not been outside since he left Birch's lab. He had spent his days and nights holed up in Mr. P's lab, working on multiple projects at once. His work had aided other disabled Pokemon, and it was high time that he help himself.
And he would do that by going outside.
Prof. Hypno hit the button for the ground floor.
-
Malamar managed to squeeze in just before the elevator doors closed. While inside, it started a slow, but progessive, psychic suggestion process.
Outside is nice... But the sun burns...
-
Prof. Hypno gave a shrug, and then a grunt as he cleared his throat. He rubbed the back of his head with his right hand and scratched at his nose.
I'll stay in the shade... I just need a breath of fresh air, he told himself. He glanced up at the floor indicator above the elevator door as it lurched. Apparently, he had been in a sub-basement, but he didn't quite catch the floor number. Finding his way back was going to be a hassle of trying floors.
-
Fresh air is nice... But pathogens aren't...
Malamar continued his suggestions, although it might need more to persuade the Prof.
-
Prof. Hypno rubbed the back of his head again. He needed to go outside, sunburn and hay fever be damned.
The elevator lurched, chimed, and the doors opened. Prof. Hypno hobbled out and into the hall. Turning his head, he could see windows at the other end. The light reflected blue off the polished floors, and he turned and headed for it.
The halls were empty, and he couldn't hear anything beyond the closed doors, save for the elevator doors letting out a chime as they shut. Mr. P had given him the day off, and he was going to spend it outside.
-
There wasn't much time left, the doors were within sight. Malamar had to think of something... Prof. can go outside... But still being inside. And there was only one chance to do it.
Malamar revealed himself in front of Prof. Hypno.
-
Prof. Hypno stumbled to a stop, as he was not prepared to see a Malamar appear in front of him. He leaned on one crutch to look beyond the squid that stood the same height as himself.
"Ex-cuse me... I'm try-ing to go... out-side..."
Ignoring the Malamar, he moved to hobble around it.
-
"Oh... I know..."
Malamar levitated himself off the ground, and positioned himself in front of Prof. Hypno again, however this time, the lights in his body began to flash in a seemingly random pattern, and he aimed them at Prof. Hypno.
-
Prof. Hypno stared for a moment, and then blinked a few times and shook his head. One of the benefits of Insomnia was that Hypnosis wouldn't work on him. His Insomnia hasn't interfered with his oversleeping, but that was fatigue that caused that.
He stepped backward, and then moved to hobble around Malamar's other side. He wanted to go outside and breathe the fresh air. The doors were just a few feet away!
"I just wa-ant... to step out-side for a... min-ute. I wa-ant to... get some air..."
-
Malamar was slightly taken aback. No one has ever not been influenced by his Hypnosis... Prof. Hypno was a lot more difficult to deal with. Upping the blinking didn't seem like a good idea... Perhaps affecting Prof. Hypno wasn't the way to go.
Malamar levitated out of Prof. Hypno's way.
"I am truly sssssssssssssssssssssssorry... Pleassssssssssssssssssssssssse carry on..."
-
Prof. Hypno's ears flattened against his head and he cringed. The way Malamar slurred his consonants had a high-pitched buzz to it, and it irritated him. The noise was felt in his head, and it made him feel dizzy.
Shaking his head, he leaned against his crutches and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He didn't like Malamar's hissing or screeching, as he was worried that the noise would send him into a seizure, much in the same way rapid light pulsations would.
Rubbing his eyes, he blinked a few more times and resumed hobbling toward the door. The light outside was inviting, and he couldn't wait to feel it and the outside air on his face. He wanted to breathe the air outside and smell the different scents carried on the wind.
-
Malamar noticed Prof. Hypno shaking his head, perhaps all he needed was just a bit more nudging. Still... Malamar thought that perhaps letting the Prof. think that he was outside is a better plan... Or at least make the experience unbearable.
With more flashing, Malamar made the outside look as if the weather is taking a turn for the worst, as strong gusts blew leaves off the ground.
-
He could see the rapid flashing lights out of the corner of his eye, and he had to stop and lean heavily on his crutches. It wasn't so much the wind that bothered Prof. Hypno, and after a moment, he continued his slow hobble to the door. But, that flashing had made him dizzy, along with the hissing. Perhaps if he could get some air...
A wave of dizziness lurched through his head and he stumbled to another stop. He swallowed his breath a few times and closed his eyes, trying to fight the dizziness and lightheaded feelings that washed through his brain.
He paled as memories of that day in the restaurant came back. He didn't want to have another seizure. He wasn't going to have another seizure. Gritting his teeth, Prof. Hypno forced himself back on his trek to the door. If he could get outside and get some air, he should be all right...
-
[I'm very tempted to bring in a concept from a manga I'm reading up on... Having some trouble actually finding the manga itself. Pokemon ReBURST. Not sure how to shoehorn it in.]
-
(Go for it. Right now, it's just a cutaway until Steven shows up.)
-
(Megamerging with Pokemon!? Hehe, sounds final plot-ish. :D)
Things seemed to be working, Prof. Hypno's movement are starting to slow down. Malamar pushed for one final flickering, even he himself is feeling the strain of vast Psychic usage. Just a like more...
The front door magically opened, as a string gush of wind blew in, hitting Prof. Hypno in the face.
-
[Well, it's more cross fusion (from the Rockman.EXE anime and manga), but yeah.
Also, what do you mean by final plot-ish? o3o]
-
Prof. Hypno stumbled backwards as the wind hit him. It was uncomfortably warm, and he struggled to regain his balance. He still felt dizzy, and he was starting to feel sick to his stomach. Shaking his head a few times, he turned to face Malamar, careful to keep his eyes on the floor so as not to accidentally aggravate his photosensitivity.
"I... don't fe-el ve-ry... well..."
He wasn't sure if he should go back downstairs and rest, or go outside and risk getting sick.
-
[Well, it's more cross fusion (from the Rockman.EXE anime and manga), but yeah.
Also, what do you mean by final plot-ish? o3o]
(Just saying it would be a cool final plot point to use. :P)
Prof. Hypno stumbled backwards as the wind hit him. It was uncomfortably warm, and he struggled to regain his balance. He still felt dizzy, and he was starting to feel sick to his stomach. Shaking his head a few times, he turned to face Malamar, careful to keep his eyes on the floor so as not to accidentally aggravate his photosensitivity.
"I... don't fe-el ve-ry... well..."
He wasn't sure if he should go back downstairs and rest, or go outside and risk getting sick.
It's working... But Malamar spent too much energy on Prof. Hypno.
"... Yo-ou... S-s-s-s-hould... res-ss-s-sss-ss-t..."
-
Prof. Hypno nodded slowly and made his way to the elevator. Swiping his card, he stepped inside and stared blankly at the floor buttons. He couldn't remember what floor he had come from. May as well make his way down every basement level until he found it...
Hitting the button for the first basement, he gave a sigh as he looked sadly out toward the door. He surmised that he could go outside another time, particularly when he was feeling better. At least he got to see the sun, even through a window and from a distance...
-
Seeing Prof. Hypno backtracking back to the elevator was a sign of relief for Malamar, as he collapsed into a pile on the floor. With whatever energy he had left, which isn't a lot, but just enough for one last invisibility cloak, Malamar exited the building through the front door. He then saw a Taillow land on the ground, just in front of him. With a smirk, Malamar pounced.
-
(Since we're still waiting on Steven, may as well continue with the Misadventures of Prof. Hypno...)
The elevator chimed and the door opened. The hall looked like it could be the floor he was originally on, but he wasn't sure as he didn't get the floor number before he entered the elevator. Stepping out, Prof. Hypno looked around, took the bottle from his pocket, knocked back a few swallows, capped it, and put it back in his pocket. The elevator doors closed behind him and he hobbled down the hall.
He was feeling marginally better since he had gotten away from Malamar, and he concluded that it was the squid Pokemon that had made him ill.
As he made his way down the hall, he could hear voices behind the closed doors, and it occurred to him that he was on the wrong floor.
However, curiosity had gotten the better of him, and he continued down the hall. A few times, he was able to make out actual words of the voices, and he stopped by one of the doors and listened quietly.
-
"Man... Hardly anything happens around here. Work, work and more work."
"You seriously want something to happen? Our work is dangerous stuff!"
"That's not what I meant... I just want something out of monotony..."
"You better not say that out loud next time, our benefactor would not like it. Not one bit."
"Meh... Still... Is it shall a good idea to use those? They were really made with great workmanship. To think these were made by..."
"SHHHHHH! The others don't need to know what we do!"
"... Fine... Fine..."
-
Prof. Hypno raised an eyebrow. He couldn't quite determine a context, but whatever it was, it was apparently sensitive information. Deciding that he shouldn't linger and eavesdrop any longer, he turned around quickly to make his way back to the elevator.
Only, he turned too quickly, his crutch hit a slick spot on the floor, and he lost his balance. He hit the floor with a bang, his right crutch clattering across the floor as he threw it while attempting to regain his balance. His left crutch slipped out from under him and thudded its end against the door as he fell.
Now you've gone and done it...
Prof. Hypno chewed on his bottom lip and started preparing an excuse in case anyone were to investigate the noise.
-
The 2 lab assistants that were conversing suddenly jumped in their seats.
"... Look what you did. You managed it wish for something to happen."
"Awesome! Maybe I can strike the Lottery next time!"
"... Riiiight. Let's just get this over and done with."
The two made their way to the door, and with caution, opened it slowly. Noting the walkway was clear, they stepped out... Only to see a sprawled out... Hypno?
"Is... That...?"
"... I'm as shocked as you are."
-
Prof. Hypno struggled to raise himself, managing only up on his right elbow as his left arm was still strapped in the crutch. He rolled onto his right side and looked up at the two lab assistants.
"I... got lost and... fell. I'm try-ing to... get ba-ack to my... lab, but... I don't... re-mem-ber wha-at floor..."
There. That explanation should suffice. He didn't need to include anything about trying to go outside, or the Malamar, or the fact that he was listening in on private comversations.
-
The two assistants stared at the Hypno.
"... Did..."
"... That..."
"... Hypno..."
"... Just..."
*in unison* "SPOKE!?"
The 2 rushed to the aid of Prof. Hypno, slowly helping him up.
"NO W-WORRIES!"
"W-WE CAN H-HELP!"
-
Meanwhile, back in Devon Corp, a man wearing a surgical mask and thick glasses with slicked-back, platinum blond hair, and a name tag that read 'Riley' pinned to his lab coat approached the trio of Goh, Gai, and Illana. "I'm sorry it's taking so long for Mr. Stone to come see you, he's in the middle of a meeting right now and will be down as soon as he can." The man said, his voice muffled by the surgical mask.
-
Scizor moved behind Illana, not liking the man's surgical mask. Zubat looked at Scizor, to Riley, and then to Illana, muttering under his breath.
"'Parently Steven's op'ratin' onna fossils..."
Illana nodded and shushed him, focusing on keeping Scizor calm.
The two assistants stared at the Hypno.
"... Did..."
"... That..."
"... Hypno..."
"... Just..."
*in unison* "SPOKE!?"
The 2 rushed to the aid of Prof. Hypno, slowly helping him up.
"NO W-WORRIES!"
"W-WE CAN H-HELP!"
Hauled to his feet, Prof. Hypno gestured to his other crutch, which was lying on the floor some distance away. Once it was given to him, he slipped his arm into it and looked to the lab assistants. Perhaps they would know which floor he belonged, as he'd rather not find it by trial and error and risk overhearing other things.
"Do y-you kno-ow... which floor... R-and-D is on?"
As far as he knew, that was what his department was called. He only knew the room number, and that he was pretty much confined to one hallway. This was his first time actually exploring other floors, and while he wanted to know which one he belonged on, he wasn't quite finished with exploring the building. He had the day off, and as far as he could tell, the Malamar was off doing its own thing.
He just hoped that Mr. P didn't suddenly have need for him, as he left his PDA in his room.
-
Goh tapped her foot. "I see. Did he send you here to tell us, or are you waiting on him too?" She asked, crossing her arms as the scientist scratched his head.
"A little of both, actually." Riley said, coughing a little. "More waiting for my meeting with him, though." He explained, pausing. "Actually, I was wondering if any of you would be willing to assist me in the next phase of my project once it's approved?"
-
Goh tapped her foot. "I see. Did he send you here to tell us, or are you waiting on him too?" She asked, crossing her arms as the scientist scratched his head.
"A little of both, actually." Riley said, coughing a little. "More waiting for my meeting with him, though." He explained, pausing. "Actually, I was wondering if any of you would be willing to assist me in the next phase of my project once it's approved?"
Gai just stared at the man, and snapped out at the mention of helping out?
"What kind of help?"
-
Hauled to his feet, Prof. Hypno gestured to his other crutch, which was lying on the floor some distance away. Once it was given to him, he slipped his arm into it and looked to the lab assistants. Perhaps they would know which floor he belonged, as he'd rather not find it by trial and error and risk overhearing other things.
"Do y-you kno-ow... which floor... R-and-D is on?"
As far as he knew, that was what his department was called. He only knew the room number, and that he was pretty much confined to one hallway. This was his first time actually exploring other floors, and while he wanted to know which one he belonged on, he wasn't quite finished with exploring the building. He had the day off, and as far as he could tell, the Malamar was off doing its own thing.
He just hoped that Mr. P didn't suddenly have need for him, as he left his PDA in his room.
"R & D?"
"... You're in R & D?"
The 2 assistants looked at each other, then to Prof. Hypno, then to each other again. To think that a Pokemon is in R & D!
"Well... That's at a lower level..."
"Yea, here's just the recreation area, to rest and stuff. R & D is 10 levels down."
"... So... If you don't mind us asking... What are you doing with R & D?"
-
Goh tapped her foot. "I see. Did he send you here to tell us, or are you waiting on him too?" She asked, crossing her arms as the scientist scratched his head.
"A little of both, actually." Riley said, coughing a little. "More waiting for my meeting with him, though." He explained, pausing. "Actually, I was wondering if any of you would be willing to assist me in the next phase of my project once it's approved?"
Illana also glanced up as Scizor hid behind her. "Sure, I guess."
She decided it best to keep their Team Fauna involvement on the down-low. Behind her, Scizor ducked his head and glared out at Riley, shivering.
"That man in white. Skee-zor no like nice man in white. They're not nice to Skee-zor..."
"Yer gettin' a clue, lass..." Zubat whispered in Illana's ear. "'E dinnae like 'at mask. Reminds 'im of some bad gits."
Illana nodded and gestured toward Riley's mask. "I really don't want to offend you or anything, but... your mask is scaring my Scizor. He has a bad history, you know? I think it reminds him of something that happened to him..."
"R & D?"
"... You're in R & D?"
The 2 assistants looked at each other, then to Prof. Hypno, then to each other again. To think that a Pokemon is in R & D!
"Well... That's at a lower level..."
"Yea, here's just the recreation area, to rest and stuff. R & D is 10 levels down."
"... So... If you don't mind us asking... What are you doing with R & D?"
Recreation level? Well, he was off for the rest of the day, so he may as well stay on that level and relax!
Prof. Hypno considered his response carefully, but decided that his projects weren't really anything classified. He designed assistive devices for disabled Pokemon. Nothing classified about that.
"I ma-ake... as-sist-ive de-vi-ces for... dis-a-bled Pok-é-mon. E-quip-ment tha-at... works for them. Fits the-em."
He indicated his left crutch and the adjustable arm rest that his forearm was strapped into.
"Li-ike this. My... arm ca-an't ex-tend... the whole way. I ca-an't use... stan-dard crut-ches. This one... ad-justs. It fits and I... can use it... bet-ter than a reg-u-lar... hu-man crutch."
He took a moment to catch his breath, cursing the fact that he left his PDA in his room.
-
The more jovial assistant, Jake, stared at the crutch in awe, while the other more serious one, Sam, just stared. Assistive devices for Pokemon? Like those that they are mass-producing? This Hypno is the creator!?
Sam nudged at Jake, causing him to regain composure.
Jake - "Sorry about that, can be a bit distracted sometimes."
Sam - "... Yea. Well, how about we head to the lounge for some beverages? I'm Sam by the way, and he's Jake."
-
"I apologize, I've got a bad scar on my face that I'm more than a little self-conscious about." Riley admitted, hesitantly removing his mask to reveal the slashes on the lower half of his face before putting the mask back on.
"Seems like something a scientist would have trouble being taken seriously with." Goh pointed out, earning a nod from Riley.
"Correct. Though, if you would come with me, I can show you what I would be needing your help with."
"By the way, you wouldn't happen to have a lab coat that's not white, would you?" Goh asked.
"Ah, that is probably not helping with my scaring the scizor, is it? Very well, I have a blue one to change into."
[He's going to show his take on BURST to them. And I'm thinking to have Riley have some connection to Goh's family as an excuse for why he's leading them to something that is most likely classified.]
-
Illana started to follow, all the while trying to calm Scizor, who just glared out at Riley. The Pokemon seemed very apprehensive, and while he followed Illana, he gave a low growl to warn Riley, should the unfamiliar masked man try to touch him.
The more jovial assistant, Jake, stared at the crutch in awe, while the other more serious one, Sam, just stared. Assistive devices for Pokemon? Like those that they are mass-producing? This Hypno is the creator!?
Sam nudged at Jake, causing him to regain composure.
Jake - "Sorry about that, can be a bit distracted sometimes."
Sam - "... Yea. Well, how about we head to the lounge for some beverages? I'm Sam by the way, and he's Jake."
Prof. Hypno nodded to the two. After wandering about, getting sick, and then falling, he was getting tired and could use a rest. "The-ey call... me the... Pro-fes-sor."
His lack of an actual name was starting to seem weird to him, due to his constant work around other humans. It was fine when he was working with Mulberry, but having to introduce himself to others and not actually having a name was getting awkward.
He was beginning to understand why humans named themselves and trainers sometimes named their Pokemon.
(And with that, I'm going to bed.)
-
Jack - "Professor huh... I'll call you Prof!"
Sam - "... Don't go around shortening names."
Jack - "Aww... But he's so special!"
The group finally made it to the lounge, which is just a short distance away from where Prof. Hypno tripped. Jake helped Prof. Hypno over to a massage chair.
"Wanna try it?"
Sam went behind to the juice bar, and looked at today's selection.
"Any special orders?"
-
Prof. Hypno just raised an eyebrow. He didn't know what the menu was, as all he had drank usually came from the vending machine outside his lab, same with what he ate. His diet was not real good, and oftentimes he forgot to eat, due to being caught up in his work. He probably looked like hell; sunken eyes with dark circles that accentuated his pallor, and his lean figure becoming even leaner from lack of a proper diet, on the occasion that he did eat.
He gave a shrug. "Sur-prise me."
As he considered how terrible he no doubt looked, he realized that he had not eaten since yesterday. If he ate at all yesterday. He could barely remember yesterday, thus he probably didn't eat then. So, he hadn't eaten in two days.
-
Illana started to follow, all the while trying to calm Scizor, who just glared out at Riley. The Pokemon seemed very apprehensive, and while he followed Illana, he gave a low growl to warn Riley, should the unfamiliar masked man try to touch him.
Riley led the group to his lab and, after pressing several buttons on a keypad, opened the door. The inside of the lab wasn't the typical, super-clean-looking white, but rather a pale blue color on the walls with a dully-colored green floor. "Welcome to my personal lab." He said, going over to a coat rack and removing the white coat he was wearing, better-revealing the brown vest and khakis he was wearing, as well as the scars on his arms that resembled the ones under his surgical mask.
This is when Goh decided to ask the obvious question. "So, why exactly are you showing us something that is most likely confidential?" She asked, Riley undoubtedly smirking under his surgical mask.
"Well, it's because I'm an old friend of your mother's, Miss Graves." He answered, looking directly at Goh.
Goh blinked, either processing what the scientist just said or trying to remember her mother's descriptions of her friends.
-
Scizor followed closely behind Illana, but stopped at the doorway and refused to go any farther. When Illana turned around and motioned for him to come to her side, he shook his head. "This where nice men in white put Skee-zor in the crib."
Illana stood there, mouth agape as one mother of a bombshell was dropped right into her lap.
-
[So, what implications are we going for with what Scizor just said?]
-
(That something happened to him in possibly an institution setting.)
-
Goh, Meatball, and Dr. Riley turned to stare at Scizor, Meatball reverting back to a ditto as Goh turned to glare at the scientist.
"Well... That's quite the bombshell..." He said, clearing his throat. "Did you, perchance, get that scizor in a trade, young lady?" Dr. Riley asked, cautiously approaching, but stopping at a safe distance so the pokemon wouldn't freak out.
Goh was still puzzling over who this scientist was. He definitely had plenty of battle scars, and he could talk to pokemon, so it was fairly likely he was telling the truth there. There was only one way to be sure, though, but she'd wait until scizor was calmed down.
-
Illana glanced over her shoulder and nodded. "I got him at a trade fair. He was abused, but we don't know how or by who."
She walked over to Scizor and managed to lure him just inside the door. The Pokemon wrapped his arms around Illana's waist and hooked his pincers. On Illana's shoulder, Zubat was speechless for once, as he usually had at least something snarky to say. This time, he just gaped his mouth, and then closed it, shaking his head.
-
"I see... Judging by his reaction, he was probably experimented on." Dr. Riley said, sighing. "It's a shame how people can use science as an excuse to abuse pokemon..."
-
This time, Zubat had something to say. "I cannae believe it! Y'mean t' tell us 'at some gits used 'im fer science?! Th' bloody nerve! Tis bullocks is what it tis! If I ever find out who did it, 'ey're gonna find 'emselves in a right scrap, 'ey are!"
"Easy, easy," Illana soothed while very slowly getting Scizor to follow her into the room. "Getting angry isn't gonna help anyone, you know? We don't know who did it, so you're getting all worked up for nothing."
"Well, we shouldn't jus' sit 'ere and do sod all! We've got a clue an' we should use it!" Zubat made did a few shadow punches with his wings.
-
Prof. Hypno just raised an eyebrow. He didn't know what the menu was, as all he had drank usually came from the vending machine outside his lab, same with what he ate. His diet was not real good, and oftentimes he forgot to eat, due to being caught up in his work. He probably looked like hell; sunken eyes with dark circles that accentuated his pallor, and his lean figure becoming even leaner from lack of a proper diet, on the occasion that he did eat.
He gave a shrug. "Sur-prise me."
As he considered how terrible he no doubt looked, he realized that he had not eaten since yesterday. If he ate at all yesterday. He could barely remember yesterday, thus he probably didn't eat then. So, he hadn't eaten in two days.
Sam shrugged and rummaged through the bar fridge, and grabbed a can of Oran Juice, a can of Pecha Tea, and a can of Gracidea Tea. Closing the fridge door, Sam made his way back to the pair, and noticed Jake trying to get Prof. Hypno into a lounge chair.
Sam - "You do know he'll have difficulty in getting out of that chair right?"
Jake - "But it's so comfy!!"
Gai gasped at the relevation too. To think that the Scizor was experimented. He recalled Fenice mentioning such things, but hearing it from the Scizor's mouth was an thing entirely. Gai just had to ask Riley.
"... You had no part in this, right?"
-
"I imagine that this lab reminded him of wherever he was experimented on..." Riley said, sighing. "We don't do experiments on pokemon here that are cruel. However... I've heard some unpleasant rumors about the university... But, at the moment, that's all they are."
-
Illana looked to Goh and Gai, her voice low. "Weren't we supposed to head to the University, anyway?"
Zubat shook his head slowly. "If what 'appened t' Scizor 'appened at th' uni, 'en it might be 'appenin' t' 'at spastic 'ypno we're supposed t' look fer. An' what if Team Fauna is behind it? We may be walkin' inta a trap..."
"We don't know that for certain, Zubat," Illana's voice dropped even lower so as to only converse with the Pokemon. "It's still worth checking out. If we're to defeat them, we need to get in there and bring them down from the inside, you know? So long's we play along, we should be good."
"I hope yer right, lass..."
Scizor buried his face into Illana's chest. "Skee-zor no like the crib..."
Sam shrugged and rummaged through the bar fridge, and grabbed a can of Oran Juice, a can of Pecha Tea, and a can of Gracidea Tea. Closing the fridge door, Sam made his way back to the pair, and noticed Jake trying to get Prof. Hypno into a lounge chair.
Sam - "You do know he'll have difficulty in getting out of that chair right?"
Jake - "But it's so comfy!!"
Prof. Hypno sank into the lounge chair and found his left side practically devoured by it. He definitely was not getting out of this without assistance, but it was comfortable and a far cry from the stool in the lab, or his simple bed in his quarters. He leaned back and sank further into the cushioning. His head back, he closed his eyes and let out a long, contented breath. After his day, after his week, he needed a break like this.
One of the scientists, Jake, sounded very similar to Mulberry, while Sam had a similar facial structure and age.
A lump formed in his throat and tears stung his eyes as he was reminded once again that his trainer and friend was dead.
He sucked in a long wavering breath through his nose and let it out with a stutter as he fought the urge to cry. His stomach, as forgotten as it had been these last few weeks, decided to distract him with a loud growl and a sharp cramp.
Lifting his head, Prof. Hypno looked to Jake and Sam. "Do you ha-ave... an-y-thing to... eat here? I... hav-en't ea-ten... in two... days."
-
Jake looked at Prof. Hypno's expression before the rather audible growl.
Jake - "Hey Sam... Did you see anything back there?"
Sam - "... Fine, I'll check."
Sam left for the bar counter again, as Jake found a stool, and sat down beside Prof. Hypno.
Jake - "Hey Prof... Anything the matter?"
Gai looked down.
"The University huh... Don't tell me Team Fauna has a foothold there besides that recruitment counter? How deep into society are they?"
-
"Look, I know we agreed to investigate there, but we should probably deal with Lillycove." Goh said in a hushed voice. "We know they have a base there, so we should find that first, then double-back to investigate the university. I have a faster way to travel, but we need to hit the pokemon center after we talk with Steven."
[Still waiting on Steven, for the record. >.>]
-
"'E sure is takin' 'is sweet time!" Zubat grouched impatiently before Illana shushed him.
"I thought that was the plan to begin with," Illana was confused, as she thought they meant Lilycove the entire time.
Jake looked at Prof. Hypno's expression before the rather audible growl.
Jake - "Hey Sam... Did you see anything back there?"
Sam - "... Fine, I'll check."
Sam left for the bar counter again, as Jake found a stool, and sat down beside Prof. Hypno.
Jake - "Hey Prof... Anything the matter?"
Prof. Hypno finally made eye contact. "Long day. I've... be-en wor-king too... hard. Found out... that my... trai-ner... died..."
That last word was choked out and he had to stop for a moment to collect himself.
"I've be-en... wor-king too hard. Just... want to... go out... side. Ha-ven't se-en the... sun in... weeks."
Maybe these two could help get him outside for at least a few minutes. Certainly the Malamar wouldn't bother them.
-
"... I'm so sorry."
Jake placed his hand on Prof. Hypno's shoulder, trying to comfort him. Jake felt that he should help the Prof out, and perhaps, getting him outside is a start. But should he tell Sam...
Just as Jake was pondering, Sam returned from the bar counter, and brought back some PB and Js. He noticed Jake talking to Prof. Hypno, who seemed to be feeling a bit uncomfortable from his expression.
Sam - "... What did you do to the Professor."
Jake - "Nothing! I was just talking to Prof!"
-
"It's... no-thing. Some-thing... un-re-la-ted."
Prof. Hypno rubbed his nose and scratched at his ear. His skin was dry and itchy, and he could tell that it was flaking as he scratched. He had been inside for far too long and the dry recirculated lab air was wreaking havoc.
His stomach growled again, and he took a drink of his juice in an attempt to settle it.
He looked to Jake and Sam. "Do... you know of... Mis-ter P's... Mal-a-mar?"
The squid Pokemon's presence was rather prominent, so he didn't think that it was classified. He was never told otherwise. Why would he even be privy to classified information in the first place? His job was R&D, he designed medical equipment. Compared to some of the talk of the other scientists, he was rather low on the rank ladder.
-
Jake's eye opened wide at the mention of Malamar.
"How did you know of Malamar!? It's an urban legend that senior staff always talked about!!"
Sam rolled his eyes at Jake. "Here we go again..."
Jake stood up, and mimicked holding an opened book in one hand, and gesturing with the other, like some prophet.
"Ye shan't talk about ye Malamar, for ye be a creature so vile... So repulsive... Ye hides in the shadows... If ye ever seen Malamar, pray that ye mind is sound... Ye soul is complete... Ye body is intact... For if not... Malamar shall take them for himself!!"
Sam walked up to Jake, and gave him a Wake-Up Slap.
"What my sometimes delusional buddy here is trying to say... Yea, we do know of Malamar. But there are some rumours about it that seemingly spread from ex-staff. There was no evidence of such dealings, so the rumours became urban legends here. What Jake said was one such thing."
-
Prof. Hypno raised an eyebrow and scratched at a patch of dry skin.
"Ear-li-er... it was try-ing to... ke-ep me from go-ing... out-side. I ha-ave the day off... and I wa-ant to... go out-side."
-
Jake rubbed at his now swollen cheek.
"Oww... That seemed like a trivial thing to do... Perhaps the weather wasn't good, and it was trying to help?"
Sam just kept quiet as he pass the PB and Js to Jake and Prof. Hypno.
-
"The wea-ther was fine."
Prof. Hypno took the PB&J and chewed off a bite, finishing his mouthful before he started talking again, as he wanted to avoid choking.
"It tri-ed to... hyp-no-tize me. Of course... it failed. In-som-ni-a and... all tha-at."
-
Jake's eyes sparkled at the PB&J and ate it rather messily. Sam stared as he slowly nibbled on his.
Jake - "Now that's really trivial, don't you agree Sam?"
Sam - "Well, it seems so, but like I said, besides the ex-staff, no one else has ever seen, or interacted with the Malamar. No one knows if it's even Mr. P's.
Jake - "Still! Look at poor Prof! All he wants is to go outside!"
Sam - "And let me guess. You want to help."
Jake - "Spot on brotha!"
-
After a while Steven came out and addressed the group.
"I am terribly sorry for keeping you all waiting, I am Steven Stone current President of the Devon Corporation." Steven bowed "Now what is it you wish to speak with me about."
-
Illana glanced up from conferring with her Pokemon. "Oh! Uh... we were supposed to speak to you about getting our PokeNavs upgraded? The phone service around here is terrible, you know?"
Scizor kept looking around Riley's lab. He didn't like how it looked and he didn't like how it smelled. While Riley didn't make any threatening moves toward him, he was still wary and kept a close watch on the man. He didn't even notice Steven's arrival, as all of his focus was on Riley.
-
Gai turned to see a silver-haired pretty boy... A beautiful specimen indeed. The way his rings sparkle... Ahem.
"Yea, we were told to inform you that it's Z's request."
-
When Steven heard Z's name a look of recognition crossed his face.
"Oh....so she sent you here." Steven stated "Alright I'll get you guys some PokeNav Pluses right away."
-
Illana watched Steven walk away, her gaze lingering on the seat of his pants. She smirked a bit. Zubat merely let out a groan. "I dinnae need eyes t'know yer lookin' at 'is arse..."
Illana immediately turned as red as her Scizor.
Jake's eyes sparkled at the PB&J and ate it rather messily. Sam stared as he slowly nibbled on his.
Jake - "Now that's really trivial, don't you agree Sam?"
Sam - "Well, it seems so, but like I said, besides the ex-staff, no one else has ever seen, or interacted with the Malamar. No one knows if it's even Mr. P's.
Jake - "Still! Look at poor Prof! All he wants is to go outside!"
Sam - "And let me guess. You want to help."
Jake - "Spot on brotha!"
Prof. Hypno perked up and ate his sandwich. After washing it down with a few swallows of his drink, he shifted and tried to extricate himself from the lounge chair, with very little success. All he managed to do was sit up somewhat straighter, and it was clear to him that he was not getting out of this thing without some help.
But, he was going outside! He was going to go outside and feel the sun on his face! He hadn't seen it for so long that just being able to breathe something other than the recirculated lab air was going to feel so good.
"The Mal-a-mar mi-ight le-ave... you a-lone. If it sees... tha-at I'm... with some-one, it shoul-dn't bo-ther... us."
Again, he struggled to get himself out of the chair without success.
"I ne-ed some... help."
-
Jake smiled as he tried to assist Prof. Hypno. However, he slightly underestimated the power of the lounge chair's Magnet Pull.
Jake - "Sam! HELP!!"
Sam facepalmed as he walked over to the lounge chair, and dug deep.
-
Even though he had noticeably lost weight, Prof. Hypno was still awkward to lift, as his entire left side was rigid with spastic muscles. While he was with Mulberry, he was prescribed anti-spasmodics for his tight muscles and anti-convulsants to control his seizures. However, as far as he knew, Mr. P was not aware of his medication regimen, and Prof. Hypno wasn't quite certain the exact drugs and dosages that he took, as that was handled by Mulberry and the care home staff. He had been unmedicated for weeks, and his left side was gnarled and stiff from contractures, and were he to go back to physical therapy and begin his medication again, he would certainly need to have his tendons released.
Finally hauled to his feet, he regained his balance and slipped his arms into his crutches. He looked to Sam and Jake. "Af-ter we go out-side... Co-uld you show me... a-round your... work sta-tion? Wha-at do you do here?"
-
Jake was almost grinning like a Cheshire Meowth, when Sam nudged him.
Jake - "Well, what we are doing are classified so..."
Sam - "It's not that we don't trust you, but protocols are to be followed. Sorry."
Jake laughed nervously as the three began to leave the lounge area.
-
"Well, I don't blame her." Goh said in response to what Illana's zubat said, her eyes locked on the company president's posterior.
Dr. Riley, meanwhile, was getting some things ready to show Steven when he got back with the upgrades for the trainers.
[For the record, Riley is his last name.]
-
It took a moment, but Illana eventually forced herself to stop ogling Steven's butt. She chewed on her bottom lip and then turned to Riley. "Scizor talks about a 'crib.' We think he means a cage, but we're not sure. He's seen cages, and they don't trigger him, as he had to be put in a kennel at the Center once when they kept him overnight. Nurse Joy said he handled it fine."
Scizor kept watching Riley closely, still not sure about the man. He didn't like how Riley smelled. "Smells like the nice men in white..."
Jake was almost grinning like a Cheshire Meowth, when Sam nudged him.
Jake - "Well, what we are doing are classified so..."
Sam - "It's not that we don't trust you, but protocols are to be followed. Sorry."
Jake laughed nervously as the three began to leave the lounge area.
"Un-der-stand-a-ble."
Prof. Hypno nodded as he followed the two to the elevator. He hoped that the Malamar wasn't still hanging around on the ground floor.
"I've seen o-ther... pro-jects, but... I don't know wha-at... they are. Some-times, the... staff in R-and-D... le-ave things a-round. I think tha-at they... think I'm sim-ple... and mi-ight not un-der-stand... them, due to the... way I ta-alk."
He had gotten that treatment before, mostly from Hemlock and occasionally from visiting scientists in Birch's lab. His staccato thick-tongue slurred speech made him difficult to understand, and many attributed his dysarthia to mental retardation.
-
"Now I'm certain he's been experimented on..." Riley said, sighing a little as he turned to Illana. "When does he mention the 'crib' most often? That might help figure out what it is."
[GRAH! I was working on a post for this rp in the Suppliment thread, but the page reloaded itself when I blinked. O:< ]
-
"He mentions it a lot, but I haven't really figured out a pattern, you know? He mentioned it when we were in a crowd, and he mentioned it when I asked him if he wanted to go in his Ball for a nap. He usually says it when he wants to know if he's a good boy," Illana stroked Scizor's head.
Scizor looked up at her and smiled. "Skee-zor's a good boy?"
"Yes, Scizor's a good boy," Illana smiled at him.
-
"Hmm... The 'crib' might be where they experimented on him..." Riley said, more thinking out loud than actually saying something. "Perhaps a room or an examining table with bars around it?"
-
"I'm bettin' th' latter. Y'saw 'ow 'e acted. Y'couldn't get 'im in 'ere an' 'e said th' crib was in 'ere," Zubat pointed out.
Illana nodded. "Exactly. He's calmed down, but yeah, I think the 'crib' might be in a room like this. I mean, I got him in the door, but really, I don't think he'll feel safe to be on his own in here..."
Scizor had since resumed watching Riley. "Skee-zor is a good boy."
(Must bed. *Faceplants into bed*)
-
Gai watched as the silver-haired pretty boy left... To think that he WAS the Hoenn Champion. No wonder he had legions of fans.
"Un-der-stand-a-ble."
Prof. Hypno nodded as he followed the two to the elevator. He hoped that the Malamar wasn't still hanging around on the ground floor.
"I've seen o-ther... pro-jects, but... I don't know wha-at... they are. Some-times, the... staff in R-and-D... le-ave things a-round. I think tha-at they... think I'm sim-ple... and mi-ight not un-der-stand... them, due to the... way I ta-alk."
He had gotten that treatment before, mostly from Hemlock and occasionally from visiting scientists in Birch's lab. His staccato thick-tongue slurred speech made him difficult to understand, and many attributed his dysarthia to mental retardation.
Sam - "To be honest, we were shocked that you could speak in the first place. Slurred yes, but still in complete sentences."
Jake - "Like that one Meowth!"
Sam - "... You do know that's a show targetted at kids right?"
Jake - "I'm young at heart!"
-
Prof. Hypno raised an eyebrow as he hobbled along. He thought back to when he was working in Birch's lab. He had better mobility then. He could walk unaided. He could extend his arm the entire length—though he still couldn't raise it above his shoulder, as his tendons and muscles were frozen—and he was overall more independent. His left limbs weren't gnarled and deformed by spastic contractures.
He gave off a sigh. He had backslid considerably since arriving at Mr. P's lab. He wondered if he'd end up wheelchair-bound by the time his job was over.
Prof. Hypno looked up at Sam and Jake. "How long is... yo-ur work day?"
He wanted to gain a better understanding of the work schedules of the rest of the staff, as he had seen his assistants change shifts throughout the day. His own schedule consisted of work from when he'd awaken to when he'd finally drag himself back to his quarters and sleep, on the occasion that he did so. There had been multiple days where he didn't sleep at all.
He gave off another sigh. His schedule at Birch's lab was far easier.
-
(P's such a slave-driver... Or is it just memory lapses!? 8D)
Jake made a pondering expression, as Sam answered.
Sam - "Well, our team is a strict 8 to 5 job, and it's part of our contract that no one, no exceptions, is to stay past 5pm. Sundays are always off days."
Jake - "And medical benefits! Like... Free dental!"
-
Prof. Hypno dropped his gaze to the floor as they made it to the elevator and got inside. He supposed that being a Pokemon meant that he was exempt from employee contracts. After a moment, he glanced up again.
"Are there... o-ther Po-ke-mon here?"
He had seen the Malamar and the bald Oddish, but no others.
-
Jake made another pondering face, as Sam sighed at his associate.
Sam - "There were rumours of a Hypno Clown, that the graveyard shift encountered. There was another on a retired Alakazam. And even a Mewtwo, if the rumours are to be believed. But again, no hard evidence, just urban legends."
Jake - "It's all part of the Malamar Mythos! Pay heed!"
Sam sighed and face palmed.
-
"But... are there a-ny here now?" Prof. Hypno reiterated. "Some of the... e-quip-ment I de-sign... is bu-ilt for spe-ci-...fic bo-dy shapes. It would ne-ed to be... tes-ted to... en-sure pro-per fit. I've got-ten... re-quests to de-sign e-... quip-ment for qua-dru-ped-al and... in-sec-toid Po-ke-mon, bu-ut... I can't test those my-self. Al-so, some... dis-a-bil-i-ties dif-fer... great-ly from mine, and... I ca-an't de-sign for wha-at I... don't un-der-sta-and."
He was having difficulty putting into words what he meant. The biggest problem with conventional equipment was that it was originally designed for humans, and many Pokemon had to adapt to the equipment, rather than have equipment made just for them. It was his main reason for devoting himself to his work; he wanted to help others. He had seen their struggles and he had his own struggles, and he wanted to make life easier for disabled Pokemon.
But, he felt that if he didn't have any Pokemon assistants--disabled or non--to at the very least try the prototypes, then he'd be doing them a disservice. He needed feedback. He got feedback second-hand, but he would rather actually meet with the Pokemon who were testing his designs and get feedback directly from them, that way he could make changes as needed right there.
-
Jake continued the pondering.
Sam - "The organization here is that different departments are all separate entities. So, the information flow is only on a need-to basis, and only between the higher management. I guess they were paranoid about leaks and stuff. Happened to one ex-staff. No idea where he is now."
Jake - "Wait! I recall seeing a Kirlia in the lobby once, being carried by a breeder, and he was following a scientist. I guess that Kirlia qualifies? That's all I can think of at the moment..."
(Bombshell. :D)
-
(Well [parasitic bomb].)
"I really must wonder why is it that people always stare at my arse whenever they meet me." Steven thought to himself "The only one who didn't do that was Sakura, which was surprising since she was 14 back then which is when a girl her age would get weird with hormones. Then again with her distrust of people back then it was understandable, but it was refreshing to have someone not go starry eyed at me."
-
(Give in to it, Steven. They all crave that mineral. That mineral being your ass. 8D)
-
(bow-chicka-wow-wow 8D)
-
Goh decided to try to change the subject. "So, Riley, how do you know my mom?" She asked, the scientist turning to her.
"Oh, I traveled with her and her at-the-time boyfriend in Kanto after she saved me from a sandslash attack." Riley answered, effectively explaining where his scars came from. "Well, after the aforementioned boyfriend patched me up."
Goh thought for a moment on who her mom's friends were before snapping her fingers. "Oh! You're Bon-Bon, aren't you?" She blurted, earning a visible cringe from Dr Riley.
"I've always hated the that nickname." The scientist said, coughing a little. "It was hard enough to be taken seriously as a Silph Co scientist with these scars without her popping in and calling me that in front of Arceus and everybody..."
"So, just Bon then? Or would you just prefer we keep calling you Dr Riley?" Goh asked.
"Just Bon is fine, even though I've always preferred 'Ven' as a nickname, since my name is Bonaventure." He sighed, cautiously looking in the direction Steven had gone to make sure he didn't hear the exchange.
-
"Bon Bon huh...." Steven thought "I'll have to ask someone to spread that around, it's too good not to."
-
(Steven does have a nice set of bon-bons... Ok, I stop now. ._.)
-
[Originally, I was gonna have him called 'Ben Riley', but then I remembered that's the name of one of Spider-man's clones. |3]
-
(I support Ben Riley. We could call him the Scarlet Ariados! 8D)
Illana was only half-listening as she looked down at her Scizor. For the longest time, she knew that he had a history of abuse, but part of her was glad that she didn't know the specifics. Now that she was learning more about what happened, it made her uneasy. She thought back to the Trade Fair and the various Trainers that Scizor had gone through.
Every trade made had occurred in Lilycove, along with the Trade Fair. Was the source of her Pokemon's past torment in Lilycove? Was this happening to other Pokemon? Did it have anything to do with Team Fauna? Was Team Fauna just a front for something larger? Were they even related at all? Did Team Fauna have anything to do with that missing disabled Hypno? Is it suffering the same fate as Scizor? What will Illana and the others do when they finally uncover everything? Will they uncover everything? Will they uncover anything?
Illana's head began to hurt as more and more questions swirled within.
"Somethin' on yer mind, lass?" Zubat's voice was low so as not to be heard by Riley.
Illana nodded, but then shook her head. "Just thinking."
"Ye've been doin' 'at a lot."
"I know, it's just..." She looked down at Scizor, "I want to know what happened to him, as it might help us with finding out more about Team Fauna, but at the same time... I don't want to know. I don't think I could handle it..."
"Yer a strong one, an' hard-headed. Ye can 'andle it. I know y'can."
Illana smiled and reached up to give Zubat a scratch behind the ears. "Thanks. I needed that."
Jake continued the pondering.
Sam - "The organization here is that different departments are all separate entities. So, the information flow is only on a need-to basis, and only between the higher management. I guess they were paranoid about leaks and stuff. Happened to one ex-staff. No idea where he is now."
Jake - "Wait! I recall seeing a Kirlia in the lobby once, being carried by a breeder, and he was following a scientist. I guess that Kirlia qualifies? That's all I can think of at the moment..."
(Bombshell. :D)
"Kir-li-a?"
Prof. Hypno raised an eyebrow as the elevator lurched.
"Did she... wear bra-ces on her... arms?"
-
Jake pondered again.
Jake - "Well, I could not really make out if they were braces or not, but the Kirlia's arms were wrapped in something. The breeder had this... Optimistic look on his face, while the scientist looked like he was explaining something."
Sam - "... You never told me this."
Jake - "You never asked!"
-
Prof. Hypno considered the implications and a twitchy half-smile formed across his face. His design got to that Kirlia.
The elevator lurched, chimed, the doors opened, and they got out. Looking around, Prof. Hypno couldn't see the Malamar and he immediately started hobbling for the front door. He was going outside, and no one was going to stop him.
-
Malamar had regained his strength by now, all those Taillows did the trick. Now back to being invisible, he was about to return inside when he felt a familiar presence.
"He'ssssssssssss trying again... We shall seeeeeeeeeeeeee..."
Sam and Jake followed behind Prof. Hypno, the Pokemon definitely had a slight spring in his steps, even if it's with crutches.
-
Reaching the door, Prof. Hypno practically threw himself against it and shoved his entire weight into opening, stumbling out into the breezeway. He hit the other door and pushed it open while losing his balance and collapsing into a heap on the concrete just outside. He realized that it was a small side door and not one that was used very often.
He was outside, and it was warm, with a calm breeze. Yes, he was tangled in a mess of crutches and his own lab coat and wedged halfway out the door, but he was outside. Sprawled on the cool concrete, he closed his eyes and enjoyed the fresh air.
-
[Be free, Professor Hypno!]
"So, what is it you wanted our help with?" Goh asked Bon, looking over at Steven's rear again.
"I'll get to that, but I'd like to wait until Mr Stone is done so I'll only have to explain it once." He answered, adjusting his glasses. "What I will say is that it involves a strong bond between trainer and pokemon and would you please stop staring at my boss's backside?"
"Can't make me."
-
"You have to admit, he has beautiful bon-bons." Gai said, staring too.
Malamar sees Prof. Hypno wedged halfway out the door.
"Perrrrrrrrrrrrfect..."
Using his renewed powers, he used Psychic at the door, preventing it from moving any further. It's a visible move, but he didn't care anymore.
Jake and Sam saw Prof. Hypnp stumbling and rushed to help him up... Only to be stopped at the jarred door. No matter how hard they tried to push the door open, it was stuck. Hard.
Jake - "Wait what?"
Sam - "This is a problem."
-
Prof. Hypno heard Jake and Sam trying to open the door, and he finally lifted his head and looked over his shoulder. Maybe his crutch had wedged the door...
He struggled to raise himself and move himself out of the doorway, but the door had him wedged and his crutch had found its way underneath it. The door was trying to close as he was trying to move forward, and his movement just wedged himself tighter between it and the jamb.
Giving up, he waited. Maybe they'll find another way outside.
-
Malamar continued to maintain his Psychic, seeing the stuck Prof. Hypno was so satisfying. However, Malamar wanted to drill into the idea that outside is bad, so he focused his Psychic into applying a bit more pressure on the Prof., squishing his body just enough for pain to register slightly.
Jake and Sam tried a few ways to help, including pulling Prof. Hypno back in, which led to a slight yelp on the other end. Jake scratched his head in disbelief, as Sam pondered hard.
-
The door was caught under his ribs and his waist was squeezed against the doorjamb. He had one crutch under him, with his right arm pinned against his chest, and his left arm wrenched around the door, and its crutch wedged beneath the other door. He was finding it increasingly difficult to draw in a deep breath, and it felt as though the door was going to squish him in half.
Prof. Hypno turned his head to look at Sam and Jake, who had tried to pull him free.
"Go a-round the... oth-er side!"
-
Jake nodded quickly as he rushed to the emergency exit, and as expected, the door was locked. He then took one step to his right, and opened the fire escape door. Jake rushed out and around the building, until he reached Prof. Hypno. He pounced, and grabbed Prof. Hypno's arms. Sam, seeing Jake, proceeded to push.
Malamar was observing everything. 2 new faces... Perhaps they will be useful later... Until then, Malamar maintained his Psychid on the jarred door.
-
His right arm freed, Prof. Hypno had some room to maneuver. However, Jake's pull was mostly on his left arm, which couldn't extend the whole way, and he couldn't raise his arm above his shoulder. With how he was sprawled on his stomach and with how Jake was pulling on his arm, and combined with the frozen and spastic muscles in his shoulder...
Prof. Hypno let out a scream as his left shoulder was pulled out of the socket.
-
Jake loosened his grip on Prof. Hypno upon that scream, and landed on his bum with loud thud. As he was rubbing his bum, Sam facepalmed at the predicament. Instead of helping Prof. Hypno, they seem to be makng things worse...
If Malamar had proper hands, he would be clapping loudly at this moment. The 2 new faces were indeed very helpful, and the scream from Prof. Hypno was just marvelous. Believing the deed is done, Malamar released the door from his Psychic, and observed the outcome.
-
Still sprawled on the concrete with his left arm limp and extended in a way that he never thought possible, Prof. Hypno was in tears from the pain. Due to his spastic muscles, it won't be easy for anyone to reduce the slack joint outside on the concrete stoop.
He tried to raise himself, but he couldn't move his left arm, and any attempts to do so just sent more pain radiating down to his fingers. It hurt. It hurt a lot.
-
Sam tried to open the door again, and this time, it swung open like it was nothing. While still wondering why it was so convenient, Sam rushed to the side of Prof. Hypno, Jake soon after as well.
Sam - "Argh, that arm shouldn't even be in that kind of position..."
Jake - "I'M SO SORRY!" *tearing up*
Sam - "What's done is done... We need to get him to the medical staff asap. They should be able to help, given the anatomy is similar..."
Jake - "WOULDN'T NURSE JOY BE A BETTER CHOICE!?" *tearing up badly now*
Sam - "Argh... Fine, let's bring him to the Pokemon Center."
With that, Sam instructed Jake to bend down, as he tried his best to shift Prof. Hypno onto Jake's back. It wasn't easy, as he needed to alleviate the left arm, but after soon time, Prof. Hypno was sprawled on Jake's back, and they ran for the Pokemon Center.
Malamar started to panic slightly. The Pokemon Center. The Nurse Joy might recognize the Hypno. He had to get there before them...
-
Prof. Hypno sniffled and tried to keep from wailing. The pain was so bad that it made the rest of his muscles seize. However, it wasn't that he was upset at Jake--the young man didn't know that would happen--but he was upset over the fact that he was going to miss work. After Nurse Joy pops his shoulder back into joint, his arm would be immobilized to allow it to heal, which would interfere with his mobility as he would no doubt be prohibited from using his crutches.
This whole day was falling completely apart, and getting stuck in the damn door was the linchpin. As soon as he got back, he wanted to sleep. He wanted to sleep and forget about everything.
-
Malamar managed to reach the Pokemon Center first, and when still invisible, entered with a group of Trainers. He hovered over to Nurse Joy, who was currently bored with nothing to do. Smirking, Malamar went over to Nurse Joy...
Jake, Sam, and Prof. Hypno ran into the Pokemon Center, and rushed up to Nurse Joy at the counter.
Sam - "We have a Pokemon emergency."
Jake - "OUR POKEMON GOT STUCK AND THEN WE TRIED TO HELP AND THEN HE SCREAMED AND THEN PAIN AND THEN-"
Sam - "What he's trying to say is our Hypno dislocated his left shoulder, and needs help urgently."
Nurse Joy - *monotones* "Sure thing. Please follow me to the emergency room."
-
Plopped on the exam table, Prof. Hypno looked to Nurse Joy. He was pale, sweaty, and obviously in a lot of pain, but he needed to inform her how to best reduce his dislocated shoulder. "You'll... ne-ed to re-lax the... mus-cles, first. If the... ro-ta-tor cuff is-n't da-maged, you... should be a-ble to... fix it with stea-dy... trac-ion on the... hu-mer-ous."
He hated to tell Nurse Joy how to do her job, but he suspected that she wasn't familiar with his disability.
-
Nurse Joy - *monotone* "Understood."
Putting on medical gloves, Nurse Joy proceeded to slightly massage Prof. Hypno's muscles. It wasn't too forceful, just a gentle rub down to loosen up the muscles. With slight heat now...
Jake and Sam sat outside the emergency room, with Jake staring at the lit emergency sign.
Sam - "... Prof will be fine."
(I'm not medically trained, so let's just jump ahead that Nurse Joy managed to fix Prof. Hypno up. XD)
-
(I almost want to put a Chansey Spanner in the Works, but I'm probably not.)
-
(You know you want to put in a Chansey. Give the Prof. someone to talk to who hasn't been corrupted by Malamar. 8D)
His head was hazy from the muscle-relaxer and painkillers, and his arm was immobilized in a sling. Prof. Hypno looked blearily around the room, wondering where Sam and Jake had gone off to. His stomach growled and he felt nauseous, and he had once again lost considerable track of time.
He spoke to Nurse Joy, even though he didn't quite know where she was. "Wha-at time... is it? I... ne-ed to go back to... work."
-
(Perhaps, I was thinking that the Chansey records the fact that a Disabled Hypno was checked in or something and then Sakura finds out since she put like a ATB on all Centers in Hoenn.)
-
(I like this idea. Bring in the Chansey!)
-
(Okay.)
"Chansey!" a nurse Chansey cried as she entered the room.
-
Nurse Joy was outside, talking to Jake and Sam with regards on follow-ups for Prof. Hypno.
Nurse Joy - *monotone* "I will update the medical personnel at the University on all the physiotherapy exercises that he needs to do, as well as for his disability. The medication will include relaxants to help for a progressive recovery."
Sam - "Alright, that should be fine... What about a follow-up check-up here?"
Nurse Joy - *monotone* "He should be fine now. The University medical personnel can handle it."
Sam raised an eyebrow at that last line. Jake was too overjoyed in knowing that Prof. Hypno will be fine to hear any of the above.
(There, Chansey can be the one in the room for Prof. Hypno to talk to.)
-
Prof. Hypno's gaze snapped to the Chansey. He attempted to raise himself, but his limbs felt like Jell-O due to the muscle relaxants, and his stomach threatened to expel the sandwich he had eaten earlier.
"Do you... do you hap-pen to know... wha-at time it is? I... ne-ed to get back, so-on. My em-ploy-... yer mi-ight- be con-cerned, as... I hav-en't... checked in."
-
The Chansey looked at the clock overhead and told the time to Prof Hypno.
-
It was late. He surmised that he might be kept overnight, as he had to admit that he was rather loopy. Well, things happen that are beyond his control...
Or, do they?
Deciding it best to keep his mouth shut, Prof. Hypno focused on conversing with the Chansey. It was far easier to do so, as his dysarthia didn't affect his Telepathy.
"I don't think Nurse Joy has the full story, and what happened back there... I don't think it was entirely a freak accident."
-
"Chansey, Chansey?" The Chansey tilted her head.
She wondered what could have happened what he said was suspicious....she also remembered something about a ATB on a Disabled Hypno but wanted to wait until she makes a decision.
-
Sam - "... Ok... So can we see him now?"
Nurse Joy - *monotone* "Chansey is currently inside checking on him. Please wait until she's done. I'll be off now."
Nurse Joy walked away, leaving Sam feeling a bit perplexed. He recalled people saying that the Rustboro Nurse Joy can be a bit weird at times, but this is ridiculous. Still... She IS a trained professional...
Jake was still dancing a small happy dance.
-
"Chansey, Chansey?" The Chansey tilted her head.
She wondered what could have happened what he said was suspicious....she also remembered something about a ATB on a Disabled Hypno but wanted to wait until she makes a decision.
"I tried going outside earlier... I needed a break and had the day off, so I wanted to go outside. But, there's this Malamar, and it prevented me from going outside. It tried to Hypnotize me, but it didn't work and all its flashing lights did was make me sick."
Prof. Hypno quickly looked to the door to make sure that no one was coming in. Once he was certain that he was safe, he continued.
"I tried again later. The doors opened fine enough, but I fell before I got outside. And then, the door started shutting on me and I couldn't breathe. It was like someone was trying to close the door while I was lying there. I didn't see the Malamar, but..."
He trailed off, thinking that he heard a noise out in the hallway. Keeping his eyes on the door and his ears pricked upright, he waited. As he listened, he realized what a sight he must be to the Chansey; pale and underweight.
"I don't trust that Malamar..."
(Do you mean ATB: Across the Board or APB: All Points Bulletin?)
-
The Chansey was shocked about what she heard, about the Malamar preventing him from going outside and the accident he had. She had a feeling that he may be right about it not being an accident. This entire thing was suspicious a Disabled Hypno plus that Malamar trying to prvent him from going outside raised many red flags, she had to ask if he was that Hypno they received info on.
The Chansey softly asked him if he happened to have a seizure in a Restaurant in Petalburg a few weeks ago.
(I forget if it was Petalburg or Oldale.)
-
(It was Petalburg.)
Prof. Hypno nodded, but didn't say anything. He was still watching the door closely.
-
The Chansey covered her mouth, as if gasping.
She quietly told him....he matched a report on a missing Disabled Hypno the Centers received.
-
"Mis-sing...?"
Prof. Hypno shut himself up quickly, his eyes going straight to the door for a very long moment. After a while, he returned his gaze to the Chansey. "Who reported me missing?"
-
She said it was anonymous, only the League and Centers know about it.
She suspected it had something to do with the Fauna Propaganda about a Hypno owned by Birch who died.
-
Again, the surprise overrode his silence and he let another word slip. "Died...?"
Silent for another long moment, Prof. Hypno stared blankly at the Chansey. He swallowed and leaned forward, casting furtive glances at the door.
"Is Professor Mulberry alive?"
-
The Chansey pondered this as the name sounded familiar, possibly from the University. She didn't hear anything on the News about an assistant with that name dying so she assumed yes.
-
It felt like someone simultaneously lifted a sandbag off his chest while punching him in the gut, and Prof. Hypno flopped back into bed. His twitchy half-smile spread across his face. Mulberry was alive! He sniffed and choked back the lump in his throat. His trainer and friend was alive!
He wanted to cry, but that could just be the drugs in his system.
Prof. Hypno sniffed again, swallowed, and then looked back at the Chansey. "Could you tell someone to tell Mulberry that I'm alive? I still have more projects to do, so I don't know when I'll be able to go back to Birch's..."
It was obvious that despite the suspicious circumstances that resulted in his injury or his sickly appearance, Prof. Hypno didn't entirely realize that he was perhaps being held against his will.
-
The Chansey promised, though she didn't tell him she would have to go about it in a roundabout way. She need to inform the Gym Leader or Steven first so they can contact the person who sent the ATB, hopefully that person knew Mulberry. She suspected that Mulberry might also have no idea, otherwise Birch would have said something about it himself but he didn't.
(I assume they are in Rustboro.)
-
(I... really have no idea where they are. And Prof. Hypno certainly doesn't know, as this is the first time he's been outside in weeks.)
"Thank... you."
Prof. Hypno allowed himself those two words, and he turned his gaze to the ceiling for a moment before closing his eyes to finally give in to the medication side-effects. He didn't want to usurp any more of the Chansey's time, and he supposed that they would wake him when mealtime rolled around.
-
(Well they mentioned the University, and I doubt that Mr. P could have taken him all the way to Lilycove by Car. You kind of need at least a Boat to get there.)
-
(It'd also raise more than a few eyebrows if people saw Mr. P hauling around an unconscious Hypno. Makes more sense for Rustboro.)
-
(It is Rustboro, and it's the same University, so yea.)
-
(So Steven or Roxanne?)
The Chansey immediately went out of the room nonchalantly and went to Nurse Joy requesting a break.
-
(Bring the plot in, tell Steven.)
Sam and Jake saw the Chansey leave the room, and went inside. They both saw Prof. Hypno laying there, like sleeping. Perhaps the medication is kicking in, and they decided to let him be for now.
Nurse Joy went back to the reception counter, with a slight headache. When Chansey came over to ask for a break, she nodded reluctantly.
-
The Chansey bowed, though concerned about her headache and immediately went outside to the Devon Corporation.
-
Back at the Devon Corporation...
Illana waited quietly and patiently for Steven's return. She had calmed Scizor and got him to finally release her waist. They were sitting on the floor of Riley's lab, playing a simple game of cards. Scizor was occupied with finding pairs, rather than trying to eat the cards, and Zubat was sitting on his shoulder and helping.
Illana looked up from her hand. "Do you have any threes?"
Scizor shook his head. "Fishy fishy, one fish, two fish, no three fish."
-
The Chansey was escorted to Riley's Lab and looked around to see if Steven was around.
-
Gai was just looking around at the various equipment in the lab, trying real hard not to touch anything. When he looked up for just a moment, he noticed a Chansey.
"A Chansey?"
-
"Chansey Chansey!" The Chansey cried asking when Steven would be back though wasn't sure if any of the humans would understand her.
-
Gai looked at the Chansey in slight confusion.
"Ehhh... Illana? Goh? We might have a guest here..."
-
Illana glanced up at the Chansey. "Sorry! Sorry, I didn't see you there. Um... Steven went to upgrade our PokeNavs and he should be back soon."
Scizor looked at the Chansey. "Roundy round! Big pinky!"
-
The Chansey sighed as she sat on her bum and waited for him to come back.
(I'll get Steven back soon.)
-
Illana patted the floor beside her as she took Scizor's cards and shuffled the deck. "Join us for a game? We're playing Go Fish."
"Big pinky marshmallow!" Scizor gazed at Chansey.
"Ease up 'ere, mate. Ye'll scare 'er off," Zubat fluttered off of Scizor's shoulder and landed near the Chansey. "Say, what's a pretty bird like ye doin' inna place like 'is?"
-
The Chansey nodded as she went over to Illana.
She told the Zubat that she needed to tell Steven something very important.
-
(Go Fish? Go Deen! XD)
"That settles it then."
Gai went back to admiring the equipment, almost pressing a red button on one of them.
-
Illana looked to Gai. "Room for one more."
Zubat fluttered after Chansey and landed beside her again. "I've always 'ad a fondness fer pink..."
Illana rolled her eyes at Zubat and dealt the cards. "Are you seriously hitting on her? She might have someone already, you know."
"Doesn't hurt t' try!" Zubat looked back to the Chansey. "Fancy a nip, later? I know a nice lil place downtown..."
-
The Chansey declined, though she didn't exactly know what Illana meant about hitting on her, she was worried about Prof Hypno.
-
(Feel free to slap Zubat one. 8D
[spoiler](http://33.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ltc5dwCE341r3emifo1_250.gif)[/spoiler]
)
Illana leaned in close to speak with the Chansey. "Don't mind him. He's been trying to get another girlfriend since Articuno dumped him."
"An' she was a frigid ice queen!" Zubat huffed. "She dinnae know what she's missin'! I'm ev'ry bit o' th' Adonis as 'at Lugia, an' more!"
-
The Chansey was very confused by this as she has never been asked out by a Zubat of all things.
(Oh I didn't see this before but what's the difference between ATB and APB?)
-
(APB: All Points Bulletin. When a precinct puts out an APB, they're alerting all squads to be on the lookout (BOLO) for a suspect. APB also works for missing persons. ATB turned up a lot of acronyms, including Across The Board. I suspected APB, as it made the most sense.)
Scizor had the biggest grin plastered across his face as he looked at Zubat. "Skee-zor think you couldn't cut it."
"Bugger off!"
"Guys! Cool it! Let's get this game started, okay?" Illana finished dealing and looked at her hand. "Zubat, help Scizor with his cards, okay?"
-
(Yes lets pretend I said APB instead.)
-
Illana looked to Gai. "Room for one more."
Zubat fluttered after Chansey and landed beside her again. "I've always 'ad a fondness fer pink..."
Illana rolled her eyes at Zubat and dealt the cards. "Are you seriously hitting on her? She might have someone already, you know."
"Doesn't hurt t' try!" Zubat looked back to the Chansey. "Fancy a nip, later? I know a nice lil place downtown..."
"You go on aheah, this red button is very tempting..." Gai said, his finger poised.
-
Scizor jumped to his feet and yelled at Gai. "IT'S THE HISTORY-ERASER BUTTON, YOU FOOL!"
-
Gai jumped at the suddenly proclamation from Scizor, almost causing him to press the button. After recovering...
"The wait-what-now?"
-
"Don't touch it," Illana looked sternly at Gai after getting Scizor to sit. She looked back at her hand and let out a groan. "Apparently even the PokeNavs can't save us from Hoenn's terrible phone service. I thought it'd be like swapping out the SIM card, but I guess it's a bit more involved."
She looked at the Chansey. "He should be back soon."
Zubat fluttered off of Scizor's shoulder and flew over to Gai and landed on his head. "C'mon, ye lil scally. Best not be messin' wi' things ye dinnae understand."
-
(A Zubat hat. O:)
"But it's so red... And shiny..." Gai said, crossing his arms behind his back.
-
"Y'dinnae know what it does! Y'better not go 'round muckin' up th' place! C'mon, let's go play cards, else ye an' me are gonna 'ave a sit-down." Zubat clung to Gai's hair and flapped his wings in order to lead him away from the jolly candy-like button that even now beckons ever closer!
Illana looked passed Scizor and at the lab door. "Guess Steven's going through a lot of trouble to upgrade those things..."
-
[So... What have I missed?]
-
(A Chansey just came in. We were waiting for you. Everyone's playing cards and the Chansey has some news. Most of what happened was just side stuff to try and tie two plotlines together.)
-
[As I try to muster the will and focus to post through my stress, an idea rattled out from between my ears that I feel compelled to post so I can look back on it later and wonder what the hell I'm on.
The thought is that there is a scientist working to create an army of spliced pokemon, with appearances ranging from slightly off-colored to 'What the hell is that thing?'.]
-
(Sounds like something Hoenn!DWII would be proud of.)
-
(And I thought the Pokemon ReBurst stuff was weird already, but seriously you shouldn't overstress your self right now. I know how stressful renovations are.)
-
(I support Eldritch Abominations and gene-splicing experiments! Prof. Hypno can't help, though, as he's an engineer. HOWEVER, if you need tedious data entry and programming, he can do some of it and teach himself the rest.)
-
(I don't think something this complicated should be done, it would be way too distracting to the plot. I already think the Pokemon ReBurst stuff is too distracting personally.)
-
(Well, it could easily be folded into the ReBurst thing. Though, at this point, I don't think Prof. Hypno could be used. Once Steven gets out of the bathroom and the Chansey talks to him, it wouldn't take too much longer to go and get the Prof out of the Pokemon Center and set him up somewhere where he'd be protected from the Malamar.)
-
(Okay I think after that I might drop out of the plot for a bit myself, I don't think I can really work with stuff like that personally.)
-
(I'm confused by the ReBurst thing myself, but I'm willing to give it a go.)
-
(I think it's supposed to be similar to Digimon Frontier where Humans can fuse with Pokemon and stuff. I just don't think can work with that since I personally think that sort of thing is silly in my mind even though I understand why people like it but I'm just not into that.
I just don't think I can write with that in mind, or write Sakura with that in mind because she would be bitching against that the entire time like with Sycamore and the whole Alakazam mind melding stuff, and I don't think we want to see that.
I think what I'll do is have Sakura take Prof to like Sinnoh or Johto to either Cianwood City or wherever the Ribbon Society in Sinnoh is somthe Prof can recover. Probably Johto so Sakura can take on the Kanto Johto League since off screen after she got Mr. Zoroark home she became the Champion of Kalos so she only needs to get the Champion title of Kanto and Johto.
-
(Sounds like a plan. And knowing about the ReBurst stuff makes me even more confused.)
-
(As things here finally start winding down, I've been thinking about the ideas I've put forth (reburst and fused Pokemon) and decided those were pretty bad ideas to bring in. Instead, a different idea popped into my head: portable PCs.)
-
(Ooh, I support new technology! So does the Prof. He'd like to help make said technology. And I need to check this topic more often. >.> )