2024-01-02: The Road To Celadon City
- Log: The Road To Celadon City
- Cast: Eleanor Klein, Elaine, Ethius Hesiod, Ida Everstead-Rey
- Where: Kanto Plains, Energy Nede
- Date: January 02, 506 PC Filgaian
- Summary: Eleanor Klein, Ida Everstead-Rey, and Ethius Hesiod challenge the Kanto Plains, guided by Elaine. It proves a more rigorous adventure than was expected!
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
Eleanor Klein has been on Nede exactly long enough to get curious about what else is out there and start to do something about it. There is much she doesn't yet know about Energy Nede, and she also needs to figure out who's in charge and who she can talk to accordingly.
...In theory Professor Oak has a lot to say to them, but... Well, she wants to see more of the city! She can take the train back to Pallet Town. Accordingly...
Eleanor and friends have acquired a guide!
And as they're out preparing to go on the plains, Eleanor stops to glance at herself and her bag. She's still wearing Filgaian clothes, which on Nede looks like an old-fashioned business skirt suit, and she has her bag with her. "Let's see," she says. "Do we have everything we need?" She glances through her bag, and checks. Restoratives, knicknacks, pokeballs... And of course, her Book.
She pulls the Book and looks at it for a moment. "I bet no one here has even heard of this language," she comments, and puts it back, turning to smile at the others. "It's very pretty out here, ,isn't it?"
DG: Eleanor Klein has used her Tool Book of Mudora toward her party's challenge, Preparing for a Journey. Enlighten! Party Wits boosted!
<Pose Tracker> Elaine has posed.
A cheerful 'Ee ee!' sounds off from ontop of Elaine's head, Veevee making herself at home from the high vantage point to scout the paths to come and find hidden treasure, tail wagging. Elaine doesn't really seem to check her large pack hanging off her back with it's large side pockets. Likely she's already packed what she thinks she needs in that semi-magical bag of holding. Maybe. Hopefully.
The young Nedian nods, saying "The Kanto government takes great care to maintain and manage the paths. Ummm, I recall something in school lessons about it being a reminder of what we've lost, so we don't forget what our world once was? Mmmm... That said, it does make it very useful for those of use taking our Journeys, since the majority of Pokemon reside out here in the wilds." as she watches a mag-lev train soar. "That said, weather and trainers can make for unpleasant experiences if you're not prepared."
DG: Elaine has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Preparing for a Journey.
<Pose Tracker> Ethius Hesiod has posed.
Ethius has been spending a lot of time considering prospective long-term plans if return to Filgaia or Lunar ends up impossible (putting aside the truth Avril put about her ability to use her Medium here, and other such things brought up when Azoth was found). He was able to pickpocket enough things of value to help see people to some food and a place to sleep, but that's not sustainable.
After his wounds healed from the laboratory attack, Ethius joins the little trek along the route seemingly for its own sake in getting the lay of the land. He's using his quarterstaff as a walking stick.
"Everything short of a satisfied curiosity," Ethius remarks. He's got the odd little eyeglass thing he's had since he first crashed on Filgaia, stumbled around Lacour's mountain range, and found it in an easily accessible and abandoned chest. He gives it a small Symbological zap to hold it up to his eye and have a look to see as to just how ingrained in the environment any sort of connected mechanisms may be.
"...I can hardly tell there were footfalls here at all," he says, as he listens to their young guide.
DG: Ethius Hesiod has used his Tool Spectral Lens toward his party's challenge, Preparing for a Journey. Enlighten! Party Wits boosted!
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
Ida's been living out of the Pallet Pokemon Center's hostel, and commuting to Vermillion City for a part-time job. She still doesn't have a bank account, or official documentation, but she has new clothes, a roof over her head, healthy food, and a source of income. That's a lot more than she had when everyone showed up on Nede.
The heiress' backpack sits in front of her, on a picnic table--this is a scenic spot, and next to the hiking trail proper there are picnicking areas, restrooms, and even a small public Battle Court. Even a modest Nedean public park is spacious and luxurious to someone who grew up in Guild Galad.
"One last check," Ida says, turning to Eleanor with a nod. "Bottled water." Ida puts a hand on the nice, refillable, brand-new thermos. "Trail snacks." A big bag of dried nuts and berries. "First-aid." Potions in spray bottles. Mass-produced potions in spray bottles! Luxury!! "Flint and tinder and firestarters. Emergency whistle. Cash cards. Pokeballs."
"Piii!"
Ida smiles, dons her backpack, and reaches up to scratch the Pokemon nestled in the hood of her winter coat. "Almost forgot the most important part!" She pulls up her hood to give Caterpie a bit more warmth.
DG: Ida Everstead-Rey has used her Tool ARMS Meister's Field Kit toward her party's challenge, Preparing for a Journey. Enlighten! Party Wits boosted!
============================<* Kanto Plains Route *>============================
===================<* CHALLENGE - Preparing for a Journey *>====================
| Type: Entry | Dungeon Ability: Wits | Challenge Rating: 1 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information >----------------------------
You've just set out on the road!
If you're used to Filgaia or Lunar, this feels... different. At first
glance, the plains of Energy Nede are familiar. Verdant and green, dotted
with trees, and with hills -- and sometimes tall rocks -- that need to be
overcome. Bubbling streams are nearby, with bridges over them. However,
there are signs of it being well-maintained all throughout. Sometimes, a
rock has a weather sensor cleverly hidden in it. In the distance, you see
fences that keep people out of areas with electrical equipment.
A mag-lev train soars by, on railing overhead.
Nonetheless, you need to make sure -- do you have everything you need?
============================= Dungeon Conditions: =============================
| Enlighten:_Wits_Up!, Reckless:_Wits_Down!_Brute_Up!, and |
| Wonder:_Exhaustion_Down! |
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
=======================<* Kanto Plains Route - Round 1 *>======================= =====================< Results - Preparing for a Journey >====================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eleanor Klein 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Book of Mudora 2 Wits Effects: Enlighten -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elaine 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ida Everstead-Rey 0 --(5)--> 5 Fail ARMS Meister's Field Kit 2 Wits Effects: Enlighten -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ethius Hesiod 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Spectral Lens 2 Wits Effects: Enlighten -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Eleanor Klein 0 --(20)--> 20 Pass Conditions: Reckless(2)|Wonder Effects: Enlighten(1) ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Eleanor Klein has passed this challenge! The party gained 20 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
Ee ee! Eleanor marvels at Veevee again. "She's so cute," Eleanor has commented before, and will again. And Ethius brings up a good thing to have. They're all verious curious about this...
Eleanor smiles at Ida as she checks the individual items. And then, of course, at Caterpie. But--As it turns out, carrying a Pokemon on or near one's head isn't quite as easy as Elaine makes it look. Ida has to adjust a little to get comfortable.
"I see," Eleanor answers Elaine thoughtfully. "I'll be careful of the Trainers. The weather seems agreeable today, though!" She pulls a Pokeball of her own. "If we do run into any... I have my little friend here with me. I wonder if she'd like a walk?"
Eleanor hits the button, and her very own Pikachu appears. "Piiikachu!" she says, and then promptly stands in front of Ida, looking up at her trail snacks. "Piiii?"
DG: Ethius Hesiod has drawn a new Challenge.
============================<* Kanto Plains Route *>============================
================<* CHALLENGE - Very Mild Danger from Above!! *>=================
| Type: Exploration | Dungeon Ability: Agility | Challenge Rating: 1 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information >----------------------------
You walk through the grass, near some large trees that provide lovely shade.
A stream runs nearby, and it looks like the sort of place that might make
for a nice picnic. But before you can enjoy that -- or move on...
There is a loud SQUAWK and then a blur of brown-and-black feathers swoops
down. A Pidgey is trying to divebomb you!
https://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/0/0c/0016Pidgey.png
You will want to get out of the way. Of course... if your aim is good, you
might also be able to capture one with a Pokeball!
============================= Dungeon Conditions: =============================
| Enlighten:_Wits_Up!, Injure:_Exhaustion_Up_On_Failure!, |
| Reckless:_Wits_Down!_Brute_Up!, and Wonder:_Exhaustion_Down! |
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
<Pose Tracker> Ethius Hesiod has posed.
Of the gathered, Ethius doesn't have a Pokemon with him. He tries to keep a stoic face about it as Veevee trills atop her Nedian partner's head, to where Eleanor's Pikachu friend is ready to beg for treats... but he fails around the time he sees where Ida's Caterpie is nestled within that hood.
There's something nostalgic there, though he's never seen any living creatures quite like the trio gathered.
The path necessitates some travel through tall grass, but it's not a long patch. He won't speak over Elaine if she wants to give the warning, but even with that, it's breathtakingly scenic. The large trees above give nice shade. A clean stream runs nearby--
And a loud startled noise of a bird-like creature - a blur of brown-and-black feathers - swoops down trying to make a play for lunch from Ida's hood.
"Swooping," Ethius lowers his head, crouching down to re-adjust the harness around his wrist before casting a low-yield Symbological spell to fill an attached patchy-lookin' bag to be filled with warm air overhead.
This will serve to deter any swooping attacks against him, at least - they'd be prone to bounce off of it, whatever the 'they' is. (It's a Pidgey!)
DG: Ethius Hesiod has used his Tool Hot Air Sack toward his party's challenge, Very Mild Danger from Above!!. Resilient! Party shielded from some exhaustion next round!
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
"What the world once was," Ida echoes, the gravitas of the moment spoiled by the fact that she's trying to keep Caterpie from falling out of her hood or squishing her neck at an awkward angle, and it's not working. "Elaine, ah, could you help with this? I don't want her to get cold." After a litle reorganizing, Caterpie is all set up in Ida's backpack, peeking out from the flap.
"Piii~" Caterpie trills, comfy and snug, as Pikachu looks up at her.
"A--aww," Ida says, as Eleanor's Pikachu materializes. (She's been saying that a lot, lately.) "I didn't know you had one!" But she's looking at the backpack. At the treats. "You may have one Poke Puff at the next rest stop," Ida says. "One." There's a box in there. Ida trusts Caterpie not to indulge in either those or the trail mix.
The loud SQUAWK earns a loud trill of fear and aggression from within Ida's backpack. Caterpie's head pops out. She stares down the swooping Pidgey, unflinching. Her mandibles part.
Silky string sprays from a gland in her mouth at high velocity as she lets out a defiant "Caterpie!"
Ida, of course, isn't abandoning her pet to her fate; she snaps her arms up and back to cover the backpack. "SHOO!" Ida shouts, and the invisible path of footprints she's left... glows green. The wind picks up, providing sudden turbulence to the Pidgey's flight.
DG: Ida Everstead-Rey has used her Tool Zephyr Boots toward her party's challenge, Very Mild Danger from Above!!. Quicken! Party Agility boosted!
<Pose Tracker> Elaine has posed.
Elaine nods, wearing an amused smile at the sight of Ida's pokemon and her troubles. She moves over to help show Ida a way to organize things commenting "Don't worry too much about dangers in your pack, small as some are, all Pokemon are fairly sturdy. Specially when you consider some of the size differences and ability to take a hit." shaking her head slightly at something in her imagination with a little chuckle. Veevee puffs out her chest with a "Vee!" as if taking credit.
As the group travels on, Elaine points out not dangers but small signs of Pokemon habitation. Pinecone's hanging from a tree. A swarm of Combee in a field of yellow flowers with some Pom-Pom style Oricorio. Signs of small nests for other types of Pokemon around rocks and trees. Then they're interrupted by not conversation or lunch, but swooping Pidgey!
"Mmm, ah, careful Veevee... But why are so many of the tiny bird Pokemon being agressive?" she asks a bit confused. "Ah, well... Soar, guide them back to a tree for me?" she askes as she produces a pokemon ball and tosses it up to reveal.. A Pidgeotto! It has the same coloration as the Pidgey, but is easily twice as big or more with a brightly colored yellow and red tail feathers and red-pink plumage on it's head. The bird Pokemon takes to the skys, trying to corral the Pidgey towards a tree if it can.
DG: Elaine has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Very Mild Danger from Above!!.
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
Tall grass! Eleanor mildly objects to tall grass because she hasn't had a chance to change into something that holds up to it better, but she's been in ARMS long enough to get over minor discomforts like that. Besides, Elaine has a lot to show them. The little signs; she's curious about each. "Oh, that's..."
Pikachu, meanwhile, pouts at Ida. She goes, "Pikaaaa...." and starts to pad away sadly on her hind feet towards Eleanor. "Oh," Eleanor says, "It's all right."
SQUAWK!
"Hmmmm," Eleanor says, regarding the bird thoughtfully. "I think we're just in her hunting territory," she imagines. Why does Eleanor know about bird behavior? And why can't anyone skip that dialogue box?
"Pikachu," she directs, "Protect Caterpie."
"Pikaaaa!!!"
Pikachu jumps into Ida's shoulder. And then Eleanor?
Eleanor turns into an owl, and squawks back at the Pidgey, swooping around with Pidgeotto until it goes away.
She returns to her elven form at the base of the tree.
DG: Eleanor Klein has used her Tool Rauru's Flight toward her party's challenge, Very Mild Danger from Above!!. Stalwart! Party shielded from some Exhaustion this round!
============================<* Kanto Plains Route *>============================
================<* CHALLENGE - Very Mild Danger from Above!! *>=================
| Type: Exploration | Dungeon Ability: Agility | Challenge Rating: 1 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information >----------------------------
You walk through the grass, near some large trees that provide lovely shade.
A stream runs nearby, and it looks like the sort of place that might make
for a nice picnic. But before you can enjoy that -- or move on...
There is a loud SQUAWK and then a blur of brown-and-black feathers swoops
down. A Pidgey is trying to divebomb you!
https://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/0/0c/0016Pidgey.png
You will want to get out of the way. Of course... if your aim is good, you
might also be able to capture one with a Pokeball!
============================= Dungeon Conditions: =============================
| Injure:_Exhaustion_Up_On_Failure!, Quicken:_Agility_Up!, |
| Reckless:_Wits_Down!_Brute_Up!, Resilient:_Exhaustion_Down!, and |
| Wonder:_Exhaustion_Down! |
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
=======================<* Kanto Plains Route - Round 2 *>======================= ==================< Results - Very Mild Danger from Above!! >=================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eleanor Klein 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Rauru's Flight 2 Agility Effects: Stalwart -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elaine 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ida Everstead-Rey 5 --(0)--> 5 Pass Zephyr Boots 2 Agility Effects: Quicken -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ethius Hesiod 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Hot Air Sack 2 Agility Effects: Resilient -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Eleanor Klein 20 --(20)--> 40 Pass Conditions: Injure(2)|Reckless(1)|Wonder Effects: Quicken(1)|Resilient(1) ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Eleanor Klein has passed this challenge! The party gained 20 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Ethius Hesiod has posed.
Following Elaine's lead as a local, the group deals with the swooping Pidgey.
Soar takes to the skies, its very presence commanding interest and attention from the smaller birds as at least three more vacate their perches, meaning things were about to escalate were it not for a timely call on the young Nedian's behalf.
Ida leaves behind some gusts of wind that see that first, rather stubborn and hungry Pidgey flutter helplessly to the call of 'SHOO!,' and before it can get their bearing, Eleanor becomes an owl and gives them a thoughtful, unskippable dialogue as to how to run away from battles with Trainers. It is a very useful tutorial that it appreciates in its young Level 2 Wild Pokemon life. (the tutorial comes in a form of a scary unknown owl-thing swooping at it)
Another Pidgey bounces off the inflated makeshift envelope of Ethius' raised sack filled with Symbologically-conjured hot air, and it's not long before they're out of the tall grass and free to continue mostly unscathed.
"...While not the same as your Caterpie," Ethius asides as the coast becomes clear, "one summer I used to have to take care of larvae from my foster father's brother. He was injured in an industrial accident and couldn't keep up with his own children that year." Children... larvae... what?
A hand goes to Ethius' forehead. "...I... I don't believe I've said, my foster family are members of a semi-eusocial insectoid race."
He looks to the Caterpie that, hopefully, has calmed down from that bit of excitement. The look is about as close to fond as Ethius manages on a given day before his eyes avert. "It's hard not to see them in that one."
DG: Elaine has drawn a new Challenge.
============================<* Kanto Plains Route *>============================
======================<* CHALLENGE - Careless Cyclists *>=======================
| Type: Exploration | Dungeon Ability: Agility | Challenge Rating: 1 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information >----------------------------
More people than Pokemon Trainers use the routes between the cities. Hikers,
backpackers, and others use it for a pleasant stroll. There are also people
who ride their bicycles over the trails. You hear, behind you, a loud voice:
"COMING THROUGH!"
And they're barreling straight for you, very quickly! You need to get out of
their way!
============================= Dungeon Conditions: =============================
| Injure:_Exhaustion_Up_On_Failure!, Quicken:_Agility_Up!, |
| Resilient:_Exhaustion_Down!, Slow:_Agility_Down!, Stupify:_Wits_Down!, and |
| Wonder:_Exhaustion_Down! |
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
<Pose Tracker> Elaine has posed.
Elaine is left blinking for some time as the young Nedian clearly under goes some sort of reboot cycle. After, who wouldn't need a moment to reboot after seeing someone turn into a bird! An owl even. Veevee seems much less impressed, it's attention on something else but noone seems to notice her tail wagging faster than normal and so the hidden item remains hidden for now.
Finishing returning to reality, Elaine doesn't say anything pointedly almost. Her attention on Soar she smiles and says "Thank you Soar. Return." holding out the pokeball and recalling her Pokemon who lets out a victory cry before disappearing a flash of red light and energy. "That was a little unusual... Pidgey usually aren't terroritial. Maybe I should come back later and see?" her blue covered Pokedex in hand as the group continues on.
It's some time later, in the middle of pointing out a tree a Heracross has attached itself to sucking out sap that suddenly their's a loud cry of "COMING THROUGH!" and some tinny bell ringing noises as a pack of bicyclers comes blitzing down the trail! Some are on Acro bikes, doing stunts off rocks and ledges. Others are on Mach bikes trying to race each other like the wind!
Veevee lets out a little growl, but Elaine simply stuffs a hand into one of the two pockets of her pack behind her and pulls out a long length of brown and orange rope with a small hook on one end and a talisman on the other. She throws the hook end at a sturdy tree limb, using the escape rope to get out of the way quickly.
DG: Elaine has used her Tool Exploration Rope toward her party's challenge, Careless Cyclists. Quicken! Party Agility boosted!
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
Ida stops in her tracks, and raises an arm to help support Pikachu. She is very much not used to Pokemon clambering all over her yet. "Good girl, Pikachu!"
...Yes, she's still defaulting to the same mental schema used for baby-talking her non-Pokemon pets. Give her time.
"Caterpie," says Caterpie, with a decisive bob of her head. Her antenna stop shaking; she looks a bit less like a snake about to strike and a bit more like the precious alien larva she is. Once the coast is clear, she inches out of Ida's backpack to nuzzle the side of her neck. "Pipie!" she adds, to Pikachu, with what seems like a grateful nod.
"You were so brave," Ida says, reaching up to stroke her head. "You too, Pikachu, Soar."
'Ethius Hesiod opening up about his home life' was not on the list of things Ida expected today, but it happens anyway. "Your... nieces and nephews? They were like...?" Ida's eyes glimmer a little as she tries to imagine it--a younger Ethius showing affection to Caterpie-like youngsters, playing with them, feeding them--
"I hope they're all doing well, wherever they are," Ida says. "I hope you'll get to see them again, soon."
Caterpie chirps, and starts squirming in her backpack; after a moment, Ida realizes what she's up to, and walks over to Ethius to let her nuzzle him if he's amenable.
Later...
"That's the second-biggest--no, maybe the biggest stag beetle I've ever seen." Ida examines the Heracross with big, alert, joyous eyes, the naturalist in her element. "Can you take a picture of it, I want--"
Then: rude people on strange velocipedes, barreling straight at them!
Ida leaps for it. She springs out of the path, green light trailing from her heels as the wind Symbology enchanting her boots activates. She grabs an overhanging branch, and tries to haul herself upwards. "That's not how you warn pedestrians!" she shouts, brow furrowed in consternation.
"Caterpie!" Caterpie's eyes narrow, too, her antenna pulled down to look like ANGRY EYEBROWS.
DG: Ida Everstead-Rey has used her Tool Zephyr Boots toward her party's challenge, Careless Cyclists. Quicken! Party Agility boosted!
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
Pikachu appreciates compliments. She 'Pika!'s at Ida, and reaches out to pat Caterpie on the head.
Eleanor as usual does not notice when people find her transformation unusual. But she does hope that the Pidgey got the lesson.
But Ethius shares something about his history, and that's rare enough that Eleanor watches him for a few moments with a small smile. It's a little strange, the details, but she has training in not letting such things on. "It sounds like a good memory," Eleanor says, "Despite the injury."
Elaine comments on the Pidgeys though. "Oh, they aren't?" Eleanor hmms. "I wonder if there's areason..."
Heracross! "Oh that is a very large bug," Eleanor comments on him, and suddenly--
"Aaah!"
Eleanor turns into an owl again. This time, Pikachu rides on her back to safety! "Pikaaaaa!"
Pikachu soars away!! No angry eyebrows needed.
DG: Eleanor Klein has used her Tool Rauru's Flight toward her party's challenge, Careless Cyclists. Stalwart! Party shielded from some Exhaustion this round!
<Pose Tracker> Ethius Hesiod has posed.
Ethius doesn't judge people being able to turn into owls. All told there is a lot more to judge against him about!!
He nods his head the once to the well-wishes about them doing well. It's been eight years. Still, he wouldn't be here as the person he is today were it not for them and their kindness.
"They were usually eating constantly and crowding around the nearest source of warmth, which... would've been me, even if my uncle were there. My internal body temperature was higher than their own, so... you can imagine."
TEENAGED ETHIUS DAYS
A seventeen-year-old Ethius is lying on his back trying to watch a football game from a monitor installed on the ceiling, wearing noise-canceling headphones so that the ambient noise of that monitor doesn't heighten his sensory anxiety like so many modern things do.
One of his foster nieces - a later-instar larvae - decides that the breath he's exhaling is a very attractive prospect to warming herself.
Seventeen-year-old Ethius does not have a great afternoon. (Three years later, he jokes about it with her over a holiday call.)
TODAY
Caterpie draws herself closer to Ethius. He kneels down and lets her nuzzle him. Ida might notice a moment of hesitation here. CAterpie is not a threat to him, but describing the work he does... he probably hasn't had any sort of capacity to establish a loving relationship with much of anyone or anything in a long, long time.
Later on in the tour, when danger comes... Ethius has the harness of the Hot Air Sack still tied and ready to go, so one low-yield Symbological heat spell later, he's floating again, lifting up his legs and letting himself drift a short ways off the main path to let all the Mach Bikes pass. He doesn't even look over his shoulder before doing so, as if having been aware of the tells of a wave of incoming bicycles.
...There's a fair number of them going slower than usual, though. Are they not all together, or-- he blinks the once as he hears the little tells of the Acro Bike's unique features.
"Oh."
He hopes they're not too commited to trying the route he is.
DG: Ethius Hesiod has risked with his Tool Hot Air Sack toward his party's challenge, Careless Cyclists. Resilient! Party shielded from some exhaustion next round!
============================<* Kanto Plains Route *>============================
======================<* CHALLENGE - Careless Cyclists *>=======================
| Type: Exploration | Dungeon Ability: Agility | Challenge Rating: 1 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information >----------------------------
More people than Pokemon Trainers use the routes between the cities. Hikers,
backpackers, and others use it for a pleasant stroll. There are also people
who ride their bicycles over the trails. You hear, behind you, a loud voice:
"COMING THROUGH!"
And they're barreling straight for you, very quickly! You need to get out of
their way!
============================= Dungeon Conditions: =============================
| Injure:_Exhaustion_Up_On_Failure!, Quicken:_Agility_Up!, |
| Resilient:_Exhaustion_Down!, Slow:_Agility_Down!, Stupify:_Wits_Down!, and |
| Wonder:_Exhaustion_Down! |
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
======================<* Kanto Plains Route - Round 3 *>====================== =======================< Results - Careless Cyclists >======================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Eleanor Klein 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Rauru's Flight 2 Agility Effects: Stalwart ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Elaine 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Exploration Rope 2 Agility Effects: Quicken ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ida Everstead-Rey 5 --(0)--> 5 Pass Zephyr Boots 2 Agility Effects: Quicken ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ethius Hesiod 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Hot Air Sack 3 Agility Effects: Resilient and Risky ----------------------------------< Party >----------------------------------- Leader: Eleanor Klein 40 --(20)--> 60 Pass Conditions: Injure(1)|Slow(2)|Stupify(2)|Wonder Effects: Quicken(1)|Resilient(1) ==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: The party led by Eleanor Klein has passed this challenge! The party gained 20 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Elaine has posed.
Elaine braces a foot onto the tree, and pushes herself up onto a branch looping the rope around her for security as Veevee trills angrily at the cyclist underneath going by. "How rude... There are actual cycling paths." Elaine mutters loudly, with a shake of her head mirrored by Veevee. Fortunately, Elaine is not alone in escaping! Eleanor escapes into the air again as an Owl with a Pikachu on her back, proving that Pikachu's can use Fly once again. Ida manages to pull herself and Caterpie up into the tree across from Elaine, sharing Elaine's disdain for the bikers. Ethius successfully dodges the Mach bikers, and the Acro Bikers successfully use him as a hazard to trick around avoiding him! His position gives him a short time frame to apperciate the technical layout and build of the Acrobatic Bikes and their ability to perform various tricks off the differing terrian.
DG: Eleanor Klein has drawn a new Challenge.
============================<* Kanto Plains Route *>============================
======================<* CHALLENGE - Team Rocket Grunts *>======================
| Type: Exploration | Dungeon Ability: Combat | Challenge Rating: 2 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information >----------------------------
"You there!"
You look up as, from around a hill, a pair of Team Rocket members leap out.
Clad in black outfits, with big bright red R's on their shirts, they hold up
their Pokeballs. "End of the line!" one says. "Hand over your Pokeballs!"
Well, that won't work.
They each toss out a couple of Pokemon -- and these are stronger than the
ones in the wild. One has a Raticate; another has a Venonat. And if that
wasn't enough... one tosses up an X-Attack, which shatters, and then raises
the attack power of their Pokemon.
Get ready!
============================= Dungeon Conditions: =============================
| Bad_Luck:_All_Stats_Down!, Quicken:_Agility_Up!, |
| Resilient:_Exhaustion_Down!, Slow:_Agility_Down!, Stupify:_Wits_Down!, |
| Wonder:_Exhaustion_Down!, and Wound:_Combat_Down! |
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
Eleanor does not know Ethius's old story... But it is nice to have learned a little about him. Elaine, too. Eleanor herself floats down to the ground again, Pikachu appearing on her shoulder, and looks to the others. "Well," she says, "That was something."
She shakes her head. "I suppose the rules don't matter to everyone even here hm?" It's meant to be lighthearted. She does not appreciate the bike stunts. "It seems there are paths for everyone though," Eleanor comments, before--
"You there!" Around a hill, a pair of Team Rocket grunts leap out!!
"End of the line! Hand over your Pokemon!"
Eleanor instinctively goes for her gun, but before she's more than halfway to the holster hidden in her jacket, Pikachu jumps down off her shoulder. "Pika!" she announces, looking to the Pokemon that have been thrown out. There's a team of four Pokemon out there... which means one of them (you know which one) will have to send out two!
"...All right," Eleanor says. "I'll--ah." Pause. "Why don't we follow your lead, Elaine?"
Pikachu goes, "Chuuuu..."
DG: Eleanor Klein has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Team Rocket Grunts.
<Pose Tracker> Elaine has posed.
Elaine audibly groans when the group is engaged by the pair of Team Rocket Grunts. With a displeased look on the teenager's face, she says "Why would anyone give you bullies anything! If anyone should give up their Pokemon it's you!" as Veevee lets out a sharp cry from her head, jumping down onto her forearm as she holds it up. With her other hand, she flips open her Pokedex smoothly, letting it scan and read out "Raticate, the Mouse Pokémon. A Normal type. Raticate is a bit unruly. Its lengthy fangs can bore through thick concrete. Venonat, a Bug Pokémon. Its eyes function as radar, allowing it to see in the dark."
With Veevee still on her forearm, Elaine says "But if it's a fight you want, then give it to them Veevee! Double kick on the Raticate!" and literally hurls Veevee into the fight, the Eevee kicking off her forearm into the air coming down right at the Raticate unleashing a kick with it's hindlegs as she lands, and then another kick as she dash past back to Elaine taking up a position between Elaine and the Rocket Grunts. "The Venonat will be weak to fire and flying type moves, but resistant to bug type and fighting type attacks. The Raticate will be weak to fighting type moves." She calls out to the rest of her group, aware they may not know about Type Advantage!
DG: Elaine has used her Tool Veevee toward her party's challenge, Team Rocket Grunts. Stalwart! Party shielded from some Exhaustion this round!
<Pose Tracker> Ethius Hesiod has posed.
Ethius, on the other side of that near-miss with Acro Bike riders, has to take a moment to catch his breath. That might have been one of his scariest encounters in recent memory yet, and he went through Marduk! He moves along with the rest once he gathers his composure, quarterstaff as walking stick along the route when...
A robbery. At least, Energy Nede's cultural equivalent of one. He's about to speak up to Eleanor when he sees her hand go for her ARM as cooler heads prevail.
"I entrust you with the fate of my Pokemon, Miss Elaine." Ethius does not have Pokemon. It is silly that a thirty-maybe-forty-year-old man is entrusting his everything to the success of a much younger trainer. He takes a Pokeball on his person, hides it behind his back, and quietly casts a Symbological spell.
He's been getting creative on a new variation of the Powder Grenade, just in case things look dire.
He's not sure what would happen, culturally, if the violence were to escalate beyond this - and he'd rather not endanger the Filgaians and Lunarians by proxy from the consequences of it. Energy Nede has been remarkably accepting of alien 'Visitors,' above and beyond the standards of the Pangalactic Federation. He'd like to not endanger that*.
* not so much that he doesn't slip his hands into pockets for things to sell for FOL, but that was a necessary evil short-term
DG: Ethius Hesiod has used his Tool Powder Grenade toward his party's challenge, Team Rocket Grunts. Fanfare!
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
Once the biker threat has passed, Ida drops from the tree branch. A soft upwards breeze cushions her fall, and she lands gracefully on both feet. Caterpie trills, still irate, and Ida reaches up to scritch her again. "...Is everyone all right?"
And then, the stick-up.
Ida recognizes the uniforms immediately. Neither attacker has a firearm, just like the ones at the Lab--it's a novelty for someone who grew up on Filgaia, even if the stakes are grim. "No," is Ida's only word to them, at first. Her face twists as the thieves unleash Pokemon of their own, and Elaine's device calmly notes that the 'Mouse Pokemon' can chew through solid concrete. "Got it," Ida says. She reaches underneath her jacket, for the belt--a very traditional place to keep Pokeballs. She comes up with a round object that's roughly Pokeball-sized, with a metallic sheen, hiding it in her hand. There's a faint spark--
"Pokeball, go!" Ida cries, as she throws.
That's not a Pokeball. That's her emergency backup flare grenade. It flies like a fastball past the Pokemon, and detonates with a thunderous BOOM between the Rockets.
* IDA used BADDY BAD. Sort of.
But she's not the only one steeling herself. The weight in her backpack shifts as Caterpie clambers out, handling the short drop to the ground with a soft chirp of effort. She is outnumbered. She's outgunned. If she had a little poncho, it would be blowing in the wind. If she had a little hat, it would be tilted down over her eyes.
BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLXQltR7vUQ&ab_channel=DustyGrooveRecords
The instant the ball flies from Ida's hand, Caterpie reacts with lightning speed. There's no trill, no sound whatsoever, merely the thwip-thwip-thwip of silk as she fires STRING SHOT right at the Raticate. A quick tilt of the head, and that same gooey string is aimed right at the ankles of the would-be Pokemon thieves.
"Caterpie," Caterpie says, and she spits a bit of silk into the tall grass.
DG: Ida Everstead-Rey has used her Tool Flare Grenade toward her party's challenge, Team Rocket Grunts. Embolden! Party Combat boosted!
============================<* Kanto Plains Route *>============================
======================<* CHALLENGE - Team Rocket Grunts *>======================
| Type: Exploration | Dungeon Ability: Combat | Challenge Rating: 2 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information >----------------------------
"You there!"
You look up as, from around a hill, a pair of Team Rocket members leap out.
Clad in black outfits, with big bright red R's on their shirts, they hold up
their Pokeballs. "End of the line!" one says. "Hand over your Pokeballs!"
Well, that won't work.
They each toss out a couple of Pokemon -- and these are stronger than the
ones in the wild. One has a Raticate; another has a Venonat. And if that
wasn't enough... one tosses up an X-Attack, which shatters, and then raises
the attack power of their Pokemon.
Get ready!
============================= Dungeon Conditions: =============================
| Bad_Luck:_All_Stats_Down!, Embolden:_Combat_Up!, Slow:_Agility_Down!, |
| Stupify:_Wits_Down!, Wonder:_Exhaustion_Down!, and Wound:_Combat_Down! |
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
=======================<* Kanto Plains Route - Round 4 *>======================= ========================< Results - Team Rocket Grunts >======================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eleanor Klein 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elaine 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Veevee 2 Combat Effects: Stalwart -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ida Everstead-Rey 5 --(0)--> 5 Pass Flare Grenade 2 Combat Effects: Embolden -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ethius Hesiod 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Powder Grenade 3 Combat Effects: Fanfare -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Eleanor Klein 60 --(20)--> 80 Pass Conditions: Bad Luck(2)|Slow(1)|Stupify(1)|Wonder|Wound(2) Effects: Embolden(1) ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Eleanor Klein has passed this challenge! The party gained 20 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
Elaine has a good question! And the best approach of all of them to this. She has the knowledge to share with the others that helps, and the skill of Veevee's Double Kick! It's Super Effective!
Ethius entrusts her with the fate of his Pokemon. "What?" Rocket #1 says. "You're not even going to fight us yourself, just let some kid do it for you? Ugh! I hate arrogant guys like you!"
Then, suddenly, "THAT WAS NOT A POKEBALL!" The Rockets go for their eyes, and can't command their Pokemon very well. Raticate is handled by Veevee, though he tries to get off a Super Fang while he can. There's no time; he's slowed down by the String Shot, and Veevee's second kick slams home. But Venonat does not need light to see.
Venonat rushes at Caterpie!!!
Ethius doesn't have to use his powder grenade, as it happens, because Eleanor's Pikachu rocks up and, in a blast of lightning, sends the Venonat stumbling away.
The rest on the field are similarly dispatched. Veevee's skill, Caterpie's dead string aim, and Pikachu's raw menace.
"W-what!?" the Rockets go. "These are--"
They throw some money down. "I hate this kid! And these weirdos! I'm getting out of here!"
"...I'm not a weirdo," Eleanor complains lightly.
DG: Ida Everstead-Rey has drawn a new Challenge.
============================<* Kanto Plains Route *>============================
===============<* CHALLENGE - Ace Trainer Yvette Has Appeared! *>===============
| Type: Final | Dungeon Ability: Combat | Challenge Rating: 2 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information >----------------------------
You come up over the next hill, and then find someone stands in your way: a
young woman with blonde hair, wearing the tell-tale blue-grey coat of an Ace
Trainer. These Trainers are powerful members of the Pokemon League. She
looks at you, then nods.
"I challenge you!"
She throws out two Pokeballs -- and reveals two very powerful ones. A Raichu
and a Dugtrio, which are ready for a fight. Get ready! This one won't be
easy!
============================= Dungeon Conditions: =============================
| Bad_Luck:_All_Stats_Down!, Embolden:_Combat_Up!, Wonder:_Exhaustion_Down!, |
| and Wound:_Combat_Down! |
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
"You're sticking people up for their pets!" Ida growls, as the Rockets complain. "You're lucky you didn't get the back of my hand, you reprobates!" That was the last grenade Ida had on her, but as the Rockets flee, leaving a few of those weird chip-card-things on the pavement, she thinks: Worth it. Caterpie skitters forth to inspect their winnings.
"Caterpie," she says, with a decisive little nod."
* Veevee, Caterpie, and Pikachu gained EXP! (So did Elaine's other Pokemon, thanks to the wonders of XP Share.)
*Everyone got some money!
"I just hope this doesn't mean we're laundering their cash for them," Ida mutters, as she slides one of the chits into her pocket.
Then, SUDDENLY!
"...Huh. Wasn't expecting you to pull that off, though you were cheating. Let's see how you do in a stand-up fight."
There's a young woman walking up to the group, Pokeballs in hand. Ida does not recognize her coat, but bristles, visibly, at the (technically true) accusation of cheating. "You're going to... is this legal?" Ida looks sideways at Elaine. It is absolutely legal.
Yvette gives Elaine a flat look. "You need to pick your partners more carefully," she says, with a shake of her head. "I challenge all four of you! Raichu, Dugtrio, go!"
She throws two Pokeballs with a single, fluid motion. The first deploys a large, gold-and-black-furred rodent, like a Pikachu but bigger. The second unleashes a... no, three mole-things? They're clustered together as a single unit. Ida stares at it for a moment. "Cater--"
"Pi," says Caterpie, a dramatic cut-in showing narowed eyes full of DETERMINATION.
"--pie!"
THWIPTHWIPTHWIPTHWIP
Again, there's that lightning-fast String Shot, aimed right at the Raichu. Not merely content to be the string-slinger this time, Caterpie huddles down, and lets loose with a glittering cloud of SHINING SCALES, which envelop her and her allies. Defense in place, she charges the much larger Dugtrio head-on.
CATERPIE used TACKLE!
"How am I supposed to know she could do all that," Ida says, watching the little creatures fight with a gobsmacked expression on her face.
DG: Ida Everstead-Rey has used her Tool Flare Grenade toward her party's challenge, Ace Trainer Yvette Has Appeared!. Embolden! Party Combat boosted!
<Pose Tracker> Elaine has posed.
Elaine simply glares at the retreating Rocket Grunts, before saying in mildly unhappy voice "There isn't that much need to quite so violent is there?" her tone uncertain even as she questions. But she doesn't press it as she pets Veevee, pulling a small comb out of her pack to fix the Eevee's fur.
Their travel continues, Elaine pointing out more Pokemon along the route, including for a brief moment before they teleport away an Abra and Ralts. But then suddenly, Ace Trainer challenges! The open Pokedex in Elaine's hand sounds off "Dugtrio, the mole Pokemon. A team of triplets that can burrow to a depth of 60 miles. It's reported that this triggers an earthquake." Followed by "Raichu, the Mouse Pokemon. When electricity builds up inside its body, it becomes feisty. It also glows in the dark." to which Elaine herself follows up "Raichu is also Pikachu's only known evolved form. Through supposed Pikachu living on beaches evolve into a different type of Raichu."
Elaine seems to be considering the two challenger Pokemon, Veevee's tail wagging on her head ready for a fight when Elaine instead pulls the fourth of four pokeballs on her waist instead. This ball has a green and yellow swirled top, and Elaine gives it a light toss saying "Wobbles, you're up." the pokeball opening up to release the red light energy inside to reveal a wobbling wavering planet like pokemon with a large roundish yellow head. It's a Bellsprout! Elaine likely caught it in Viridian Forest along with her Butterfree, Pink. "Wobbles, use Sleep powder on them and then razor leaf to backup Caterpie." as Veevee calls out from Elaine's head, cheering the wobbly plant Pokemon on as it begins to unleash a blast of bluish powder from its mouth across the field of battle.
DG: Elaine has used her Tool Multiple Pokeballs toward her party's challenge, Ace Trainer Yvette Has Appeared!. Fanfare!
<Pose Tracker> Ethius Hesiod has posed.
Ethius is quiet and still has an active Powder Grenade at the Ace Trainer's call-out of cheating.
In a way, he falls back into old operational habits. Despite the call-out to his presence with the challenge, he seems content to sit by the periphery and allow Elaine and the others to partake as they see fit.
He considers himself responsible to the well-being of the non-Nedians here and if he's going to have to throw a smoke bomb to see to the well-being of Eleanor, Ida, and those who have imprinted upon and wholly trust them, so be it.
DG: Ethius Hesiod has used his Tool Powder Grenade toward his party's challenge, Ace Trainer Yvette Has Appeared!. Fanfare!
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
Ida is angry, to be sure. But Eleanor notices Elaine's discomfort. "...No," she says. "If they're willing to leave it at a Pokemon battle, then we don't need to harm them. Not today, in any case." She looks to Ida, "We need to remember that this culture isn't ours--and in this case that's a good thing, isn't it? Thieves on our world would've been worse."
Travel! Eleanor sees an Abra and a Ralts, and is very interested in both. "So cute!"
But--
"All of us at once?" Eleanor wonders. "My, you're confident."
And apparently she should be confident, given how powerful her Pokemon look.
"Pikachu becomes one of those?" Eleanor wonders, and her own Pikachu narrows her dark eyes. "Piiiii," she says, in challenge to the Raichu.
"Pikachu!" Eleanor calls. "Use your lightning!"
Pikachu says, "Kaaaaachu!" And--
It's not very effective.
"Oh..." Eleanor frowns. "That didn't work well..." Especially not in contrast to Wobbles, who begins to fight with expert direction.
Pikachu looks to her in dismay for guidance. And Eleanor won't let her down. "...Pikachu!" Eleanor says. "Just--"
"Just HIT them!"
"PIKA!"
Pikachu CHARGES. BGM CHANGE: Force Your Way https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSm6_VZuyok
DG: Eleanor Klein has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Ace Trainer Yvette Has Appeared!.
============================<* Kanto Plains Route *>============================
===============<* CHALLENGE - Ace Trainer Yvette Has Appeared! *>===============
| Type: Final | Dungeon Ability: Combat | Challenge Rating: 2 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information >----------------------------
You come up over the next hill, and then find someone stands in your way: a
young woman with blonde hair, wearing the tell-tale blue-grey coat of an Ace
Trainer. These Trainers are powerful members of the Pokemon League. She
looks at you, then nods.
"I challenge you!"
She throws out two Pokeballs -- and reveals two very powerful ones. A Raichu
and a Dugtrio, which are ready for a fight. Get ready! This one won't be
easy!
============================= Dungeon Conditions: =============================
| Bad_Luck:_All_Stats_Down!, Embolden:_Combat_Up!, Wonder:_Exhaustion_Down!, |
| and Wound:_Combat_Down! |
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
======================<* Kanto Plains Route - Round 5 *>====================== ================< Results - Ace Trainer Yvette Has Appeared! >================ Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Eleanor Klein 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Elaine 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Multiple Pokeballs 3 Combat Effects: Fanfare ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ida Everstead-Rey 5 --(0)--> 5 Pass Flare Grenade 2 Combat Effects: Embolden ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ethius Hesiod 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Powder Grenade 3 Combat Effects: Fanfare ----------------------------------< Party >----------------------------------- Leader: Eleanor Klein 80 --(35)--> 115 Pass Conditions: Bad Luck(2)|Wonder|Wound(2) Effects: Embolden(1) ==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: You have overcome the dungeon's trials! This run is a success! DG: The party led by Eleanor Klein has successfully explored Kanto Plains Route!
============================<* Kanto Plains Route *>============================
========================<* CHALLENGE - A New Friend! *>=========================
| Type: Discovery | Dungeon Ability: Conclusion | Challenge Rating: 2 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information >----------------------------
You've reached the next town! As you approach, though, you hear a soft noise
behind you. When you turn, you spot a Pokemon that has been following -- and
seems to want to come with!
If you're interested, type +dice 1d12 and consult the list below. Everyone
in the Dig can do this!
1: Spearow
2: Sandshrew
3: Mankey
4: Oddish
5: Paras
6: Psyduck
7: Poliwag
8: Vulpix
9: Magikarp
10: Arcmene
11: Jubjubunny
12: Eevee
Enjoy your new friend!
============================= Dungeon Conditions: =============================
| Bad_Luck:_All_Stats_Down!, Embolden:_Combat_Up!, Wonder:_Exhaustion_Down!, |
| and Wound:_Combat_Down! |
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
Ida looks away, guilt flaring in her eyes, as Elaine tells her she didn't have to go that far. Her hands clench. Caterpie nuzzles up against her boot. Is this how Kalve and Zed and all the other Hyadeans felt, when dropped into Filgaia's culture with no safety net beneath them. "I'm sorry," she says. Eleanor, as always, is there with the gentle reminder that things are different here. She's not a monster.
AND THEN, GLORIOUS BATTLE
Caterpie lands silk on Yvette's Raichu, but the Pokemon called the move already; it's in motion, string sticking to its fur, as it charges Elaine's Bellsprout for a Take Down!
Two very important things happen: Wobbles unleashes Sleep Powder, and Eleanor's Pikachu unleashes THE BEAST WITHIN. She slams into the larger Raichu, and what she lacks in size and experience, she makes up for in raw menace. She was a terror in the Viridian Forest 18" and under bracket for a reason. She electrocuted an alien murder robot and an incarnation of alien waters. She gives zero fucks.
Caterpie, meanwhile, receives some Leaf Storm backup, and lets out a bravado-infused "Caterpie!" as she glances back at Wobbles. The leaves whirl around Dugtrio, and Caterpie slams into it head-on--a little dazed from the impact, but she still manages to juke back as the Dugtrio goes for the retaliatory Scratch.
How is it using Scratch? That's up to you, the viewer to decide, because then DUGTRIO USED SANDSTORM, and the sidewalk is enveloped in a dust cloud dense enough to block normal vision. When it settles...
"Rai... chu..." Raichu is lying on its back, all swirly-eyed. Two out of the three Dugtrio heads are leaning on the third for support, which is staring at Wobbles in disbelief. That Bellsprout. Such power...!
"Well done," Yvette concedes. "Next time won't be so easy. Dugtrio, Raichu, return!"
Rather than do the same, Ida scoops Caterpie up and cradles her like a baby. (She's a little scratched up, and Ida frets, but it's nothing five minutes at the Pokemon Center won't fix.)
<Pose Tracker> Elaine has posed.
Elaine watches the fight with slightly mixed feelings, buuut the Ace Challenger started it without declaring the format so it is what it is. While it wasn't quite an good match up, Wobbles advantage over the Dugtrio and it's status impacting pollens did end up being a helpful contribution. Elaine is clearly more a technical spec'd challenger over raw power when she isn't using Veevee. Wobbles turns back to Elaine and she smiles at it saying "Well done Wobbles." holding the pokeball out to recall Wobbles.
Moving up to the top of the hill where Yvette disappeared from, and looking around Elaine says "Ah, yep. Celadon is just ahead." looking ahead to the town just a hill or two ahead. Unlike Pallet, Viridian, or Pewter, Celadon has that look of a full proper town, with multiple buildings five or more stories high, a bustling mall, stores, and homes around it. One section is dominated by a large structure surrounded with plants and gardens also, the around arena like building noticable from most routes leading to the Town "Mmm, little soon to challenge this gym through. I'll need to push through to Cerulean first, then come back here."
<Pose Tracker> Ethius Hesiod has posed.
The battle concludes as it does, and once again, Ethius gets to see Elaine's prodigious skills first-hand as Pokemon and their partners exchange blows. His poker face is impeccable in watching it all unfold, with only the ace up his sleeve being a mere cheating 'trick' if worse comes to worse.
The battle is unambiguously won, between the other three. As Ida moves to cradle Caterpie, he sees something in the distance in the shadow of a tree, directing that intense stare that way.
Something stares back, inching down the tree where it rests. The body seems arachnid - seems. It has three sets of legs and an abdomen shape that should match it, but above those parts, it seems distended and stretched out. Two other... arms? Legs? Rest underneath the faint glow of two eyes.
Both Ethius and this creature lock eyes for a while. The distant one crawls closer, sticking to the shadows cast by trees under the sunlight. Closer, gradually, gradually.
(Elaine's Pokedex would identify them as Armene, which nests close to Nedian settlements and spend almost all their time watching them - and attack prey larger than themselves in great numbers to sustain themselves off of their fear. Lots of small Nedian children find them scary! Lots of adults too.)
...
Ethius opens the Pokeball that was rigged to be a Powder Grenade, a great cloud of dust escaping behind him. Small Symbological symbols flash as it cleans out the foreign particulate matter. (Nedians in the know would be sincerely impressed Ethius pulled off something like that.)
The Arcmene draws closer, closer, creeping ever nearer as Ethius holds up the ball.
He lowers it, looking to the others. The way they love and coddle their new friends. He closes his eyes in consideration that this is something he probably cannot, or should not do.
In the time he thinks about this, Arcmene skitters across the distance, and clasps its mouthpart-arms along the ball that Ethius holds, gently. It is not a small spider-like creature, by any stretch.
They gingerly clasp the sides of that ball as it stares at Ethius, and then tilts its entire elongated upper body-head.
...
Wordlessly, Ethius shakes the ball free, shows the center of it to them, and limply drops it atop them. They disappear in a stream of light inside of it, and the ball hits the ground. It shakes three times before a little 'click' goes off.
Arcmene has been caught!
An understanding is ultimately made.
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
Eleanor knows Ida's penchant for self-punishment; it's why she's gentle about it. Well, and because it really isn't any harm done.
Eleanor's Pikachu is definitely worse for wear, after that sandstorm and the damage inflicted on her during her rampage. But she looks satisfied, looking down at the bigger Raichu on its back. "Pi... ka," she says, and turns her nose up.
"Pikachu!" Eleanor says, scandalized at this display.
But Yvette concedes and... "...You did do very well," she says, and kneels down to take Pikachu into her arms. A warm glow later and Pikachu's bruises and scratches are healed and recovered entirely.
"There you go..."
"Thank you," she says to Elaine. "We wouldn't have gotten across these plains nearly as smoothly without you." If that's what she considers smooth, there might be reasons to worry about her travels...
"Oh?" Eleanor asks of the Gym. "Well, we'll see you again then, I hope! I'm going to..."
Pikachu isn't the only Pokemon on Eleanor's watch today! "Vvv..." A small noise precedes the padding of a Vulpix over towards her.
"Oh!" Eleanor says, and considers her approach. She pulls a Berry from her pouch, and thinks, "...Like this, little one."
She Mystics the Berry, and the Vuplix goes ! as it feels the soothing effect of a Berry from a distance!
"...And now I throw the ball, right?"
Soon enough:
* Vuplix has been caught!
Eleanor will be waving to Elaine. "Let's drop into the city for a bit before we head back to Pallet, yes?" she says to Ida and Ethius. "I heard someone mention there's very good shopping there..."
She holds onto her new Pokemon friend in the ball. "...If only all of our travels here could end as well." She smiles, faintly--and then looks into the distance.