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304 KB JPG

You wake up around when you usually do to the sound of rain pattering down on the roof.

A quick glance at your pokedex shows that it's around about six o'clock and poking your arm out to reach your pokedex informs you that it's damned cold this morning, even with eight people, and a Blaziken in your tent

The reason why this is the case is made obvious as you look towards the door and see that Cinder has left it open again.

Fortunately, you don't have uninvited guests this time.

Still... If you go to close it, you'll wake everyone up and it's warm enough in your sleeping bag...

And you walked a fair old way yesterday...

What's the harm of a little sleep in?

>Roll.

Rolled 76 (1d100)

>>5235418
First roll

Rolled 32 (1d100)

>>5235418

Rolled 16 (1d100)

>>5235418

File: Riolu_1.jpg (167 KB, 1280x720)

167 KB JPG

>>5235421
>>5235423
>>5235427

You dose off again.

You're woken what feels like barely five minutes later by a loud cracking noise, which has the effect of waking everyone up.

You lunge out of your sleeping bag as everyone else is likewise woken by the unexpected noise and shortly, everyone's crowding around the incubator you've hastily pulled from your bag as the egg rocks and cracks again, before you've got it out of the incubator and placed it on your sleeping bag.

It cracks a third time, then a chunk falls away, followed by a small, sodden, black and blue pokemon which blinks up at you owlishly, before, with a great effort, sitting up before promptly falling over again.

Behind you, the girls aww while Gareth claps your shoulder.

>Help Riolu to her feet.
>Towel Riolu off.
>Get Riolu some food.
>Other

>>5235439
>Towel Riolu off.
then
>Get Riolu some food.
all while
>Applicate proper protocol of bonding with a newly hatched Riolu thanks to our preparation

>>5235439
Time to babysit.
>Clean Riolu up and give her some formula.
>Ask the girls to help name her.

>>5235439
>Give Riolu a Kentucky anal pucker

>>5235446
>>5235477

"Congratulations, Dad." Fie says as you retrieve your towel and start drying the newborn pup off.

"I'll go heat some formula and make drinks." Kathryn offers as Fie turns to scolding Cinder for leaving the door open again.

"You thought of a name for her?" Gareth asks. "You named all your other pokemon." He notes.

"Er... I'm open to suggestions." You say politely, to cover for the fact you're half asleep.

"Well, how about Storm?" Gareth says.

>...Shit, that's good.
>No, how about (write in)

>>5235523
>>No, how about Steelbreaker?
relates to the dual type.

>>5235523
>>No, how about (Nike)

>>5235523
How about Nika

>>5235544
If you mean the Greek goddess of victory it's spelled Nika not Nike.

>>5235544
>>5235560

"How about Nika?" You ask after a moment's thought.

Storm isn't bad, but... maybe it's just your half-asleep, concussion-addled brain, but you like the sound of Nika.

"Actually, that's not bad." Gareth admits as Fie takes the opportunity presented by Riolu, or, you suppose 'Nika', to get changed behind the cover of Cinder's plumes.

"Yeah, I, uh... I guess that settles it." You say, focusing back on your newest charge, who's just about figured out how to stand upright.

>Go out and ask Kathryn for that formula.
>Help Nika get more comfortable walking.
>Take Nika out and let the girls change.
>Other

>>5235613
>>Help Nika get more comfortable walking.
>Proceed getting out of the tent while the girls are changing

>>5235630
>Support

>>5235613
>>5235630 +1

>>5235630
Yeah, this +1

>>5235630
>>5235633
>>5235674
>>5235683

"Gareth, let's..." You say, nodding to the tent door.

"Good idea." He says, heading out as you take Nika's hands and help her totter out, leaving the girls to get changed.

It takes you a minute to actually get out as Nika takes shaky step after shaky step, slowly gaining more confidence before nearly tripping on the door, prompting you to catch her so she doesn't fall.

When you're out though, the first thingyou see is Kathryn humming to herself as she finishes prepping a bottle of formula.

She brightens when she sees you and bustles over as Gareth takes over prepping breakfast.

"Okay, so rule number one with infant pokemon is you want to get the formula warm, rather than hot." She says, handing you the bottle before showing you how to hold the bottle.

Predictably, Nika has an appetite and starts on the bottle without much prompting.

She drains it in short order, before yawning and settling down for a nap.

"Thanks again." You say.

Kathryn just smiles.

"Don't think too much on it." She advises. "I just picked an egg at random." She confesses. "As for showing you the ropes... well. That's just obligation." She says prosaically as Holly comes out dressed and approaches you with an attitude of apprehension.

"Um, d'you want one of my balls for Nika?" She asks tentatively, offering you one of those elegant black and red balls.

"Ooh, have you been using Luxury Balls?" Kathryn asks, turning it over to inspect it. "Ritzy." She says, before giving it back.

>Thanks, but no thanks.
>Yeah, sure. Thanks Holly.
>Er, what's the difference between a normal ball and a luxury ball?
>Other

>>5235723
>>Er, what's the difference between a normal ball and a luxury ball?
>Will Nika enjoy it more? If that's the case, I'll take one

I apologize, I plan to go full madly in love pet owner on Nika

>>5235732
+1 minus the last sentence

>>5235723
>Er, what's the difference between a normal ball and a luxury ball?
4chan's going nuts on me today

>>5235723
>Yeah, sure. Thanks Holly.
>>Er, what's the difference between a normal ball and a luxury ball?

We will be the dad for the baby pokemon...
Now I hope that ghost becomes a recurring character that gives us tips given he was a Riolu/Lucario breeder.

>>5235880
>Support

>>5235732
>>5235765
>>5235857
>>5235880
>>5235896

"What's the difference between a Luxury Ball and a regular Poke Ball?" You ask.

"They're constructed to a higher standard, for one." Kathryn says. "They're also constructed with comfort in mind." She adds.

"So, why doesn't everyone use them?" You ask.

"They're about five times more expensive, per ball, than a regular poke ball." Kathryn says. "And unlike other specialist balls, they're no better at catching pokemon than a regular ball. They're just more comfortable."

"Huh. Well, sure. Thanks Holly." You say, accepting the ball, before pressing it to Nika, who disappears before the ball clicks.

You put the ball on your belt, then register her name in your pokedex.

When you're done, the other girls have come out, leaving you and Gareth to get changed and come out for breakfast.

while you eat, you look out over the surrounding scrubland:

The rain has started pooling in some places and the edge of the road is looking pretty swampy and it's continuing to rain.

A brief glance at the forecast confirms what you saw yesterday: It's going to keep on raining today.

"There's no point staying here, so we might as well make some distance today." Fie notes, echoing your thoughts. "The only question is, should we try and reach Silveridge today, or just try and get to the Roadhouse?" She asks.

"The Roadhouse is going to be packed out." Jean notes. "At least in Silveridge, we might be able to get a room at a hotel."

"The Roadhouse is closer though. And we mightn't have a choice if it starts to flood." Martha replies.

"Either way beats staying here." Fie notes, before turning to you. "What do you think?" She asks.

>Stay here. You can train and it's comfortable enough.
>Make for the Roadhouse. Even if it's packed, it'll be a lot more comfortable and it's closer.
>Try and get to Silveridge. Even if you can't make it, the Roadhouse is on the way there anyway.
>Other

>>5236526
>>Try and get to Silveridge. Even if you can't make it, the Roadhouse is on the way there anyway.

>>5236526
>Try and get to Silveridge. Even if you can't make it, the Roadhouse is on the way there anyway.
We can gauge things further at the Roadhouse

>>5236526
>Try and get to Silveridge. Even if you can't make it, the Roadhouse is on the way there anyway.
>>Other

If we don't manage either before the weather goes mad we look for a high ground with solid Rocky soil and make camp there. We'll probably need to set up for a bit tho.

>>5236544
>>5236565
>>5236588

"Yeah, trying to get to Silveridge makes the most sense. The Roadhouse is on the way there anyway and if the weather does get worse, we can stop there. If not, it'll be a lot more comfortable and productive hanging around Silveridge than the Roadhouse." You add.

"That's fair..." Martha admits. "I just hope we don't get cut off by a flash flood." She adds grimly.

You finish breakfast quickly and pack up your tent before hitting the road again in your more or less dry wet weather gear.

It's not raining as heavily now at least and you feel better for the extra hour's sleep.

>Roll.

Rolled 89 (1d100)

>>5236626

Rolled 95 (1d100)

>>5236626

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>5236626

Rolled 79 (1d100)

>>5236684
Wrong dice

Rolled 76 (1d100)

>>5236626

>>5236652
>>5236675
>>5236685

It seems like today is determined to be a good day:

The rain actually lets up about an hour after you leave camp and even though it's windy, you'll take a chill wind over humidity any day of the week.

Between the exercise of walking and Fie letting her Flareon and Litleo out alternatively for exercise while Cinder wanders as she wills among your group, you don't really notice the wind that much.

It's getting to around lunch time that you actually twig to the sheer length of Route 2:

Discounting the detour to Lake Clarity, it's still a two to three day hike from Newport to Silveridge and the grassland further south has given away fully to scrub now.

You suddenly feel very small and you're glad that you've made your peace with travelling in the rain, because at this time of year, there's a lot of it.

You eat on the move today, just eating trail mix as you go.

Holly seems to have about hit her limit, but Judy has come to her rescue with her Sawsbuck.

You only pause long enough to feed Nika before you're walking again, though during the break, you notice that Gareth is looking rather wry.

>Talk with Gareth as you walk.
>Just focus on walking. You're nearly to the Roadhouse.
>Look for pokemon.
>Other

>>5236726
>>Talk with Gareth as you walk.

Sup Gareth, the long walking trip taking a toll on you or something going on?

>>5236726
>>Talk with Gareth as you walk.

>>5236726
>Talk with Gareth as you walk.

>>5236732
+1

>>5236732
>>5236733
>>5236789
>>5236797

When you're finished and off walking again, you fall in beside Gareth.

"Hey." He says, sounding thoughtful.

"The long walk taking a toll on you or is something going on?" You ask. It definitely sounds like something's up.

"No, nothing's going on." Gareth assures.

"You haven't had a fight with Jean already, surely." You say.

Gareth does a double take.

"What? No, we haven't been fighting." Gareth assures, then shrugs, apparently deciding that if you're this concerned, he mght as well share. "Just a bit jealous of the fact you've got Nika." He admits. "And that I'm not going to have the opportunity to try and befriend a Riolu myself because of this rain."

"Ah."

That definitely explains why he looked so distracted.

>We can always come have a look around before we leave Silveridge.
>Maybe you can find someone who'll trade in Silveridge.
>...Well, thanks for telling me.
>Other

>>5237902
>>We can always come have a look around before we leave Silveridge.

>>5237902
>Maybe you can find someone who'll trade in Silveridge.
>Other
There are also always breeders you can contact tho I'd expect it to be expensive.
Otherwise you could ask Khaty where she got the egg from.

>>5237908
>>5237917

"Well, we can always come back and see if we can't find one before we leave Silveridge." You note. "Or, maybe you can find someone who'll trade in Silveridge."

"True..." Gareth says, then shakes his head at the second suggestion. "No, I'm not a huge fan of trading as a concept." He says. "It's... demeaning. And something like a betrayal." He adds.

"Well, you can always ask Kathryn where she got Nika's egg from." You say after a beat.

Gareth brightens.

"Yeah, you're right." He says. "Thanks." He adds.

"It's what I do." You say modestly, before he drops back to go talk to Kathryn.

You're a little taken aback by how strongly Gareth dislikes the notion of trading, but then again, you suppose they're unsurprising, considering his upbringing.

You see a sign off on the side of the road denoting the fact that the Roadhouse is only about an hour's walk away and that Silveridge is nearly a half-day's walk beyond that.

It's relatively clear now, but who knows if that will last.

>Stop at the Roadhouse and spend the afternoon training.
>Keep going to Silveridge.
>See if you can't find signs of Riolu around.
>Other

>>5237927
>Keep going to Silveridge.
>>See if you can't find signs of Riolu around.
>>Other
Check the Dex if there are any that can be encountered.

>>5237927
>See if you can't find signs of Riolu around.
+1ing use the dex to see what we should be looking for and where

>>5237930
>>5237932

Well, the weather is good now and if it blows in once you're past the Roadhouse, you can always backtrack and nobody seems to be suggesting you stop while the going is good.

In the meantime, you fish out your pokedex and flick through to Riolu's entry and start scanning through its habitat entry.

You're definitely in the right place, but it seems like Lucario, or at least, Lucario in Arnet, like to make their dens on the slopes of hills that have a good view of their surrounds.

They're also very protective of their pups.

To the point even, that there's an advisary attached to the entry as a whole to be very careful of catching Riolu.

Reading further though, there's another note made that even if a trainer were to go searching, its unlikely they'd just chance upon a trainer:

Their rarity doesn't seem to come so much from them actually being rare, so much as they tend to avoid trainers based on their aura sense and that most encounters with them tend to come about unprompted as a given Riolu seeks out a trainer, rather than because a trainer is searching for them.

As you finish the entry, Gareth rejoins you.

"Apparently, Kathryn got Nika's egg from her own Lucario." He says. "It's also apparently her first and so far, only." He adds, sounding disappointed.

>Show Gareth the entry on Riolu.
>Tell Gareth what you just read.
>Other

>>5237958
>Tell Gareth what you just read.

>>5237958
>Show Gareth the entry on Riolu.

>>5237958
>Tell Gareth what you just read.
I would imagine an aura guardian would have a better chance at encountering a Lucario or Riolu than the average trainer.

>>5237972
>>5238034

"I was just doing some reading on Riolu myself." You admit.

"Yeah?" Gareth asks, politely.

"Yeah." You say. "Riolu apparently avoid most trainers based on their aura sense and seek out trainers more often than they're found by someone seeking them out. I'd say someone as in tune with aura as you, would have a better chance at encountering a Lucario or Riolu than the average trainer."

Gareth looks like he's having an epiphany right now, rather than wearing a polite mask like he was.

"...Yeah, that's right." He says, as though he'd forgotten this fact. "I guess this is kind of a test in and of itself." He adds. "Envy and jealousy are unbecoming at best for an aura guardian. I'm sorry." He says, bowing his head.

>Don't be. You're human. That's something we all deal with.
>No worries. No harm, no foul.
>Huh. Guess it kind of is a test.
>How often do novices like you join up with groups?
>Other

>>5238842
>Don't be. You're human. That's something we all deal with.
>And the fact they're rare and harder to met will make finding yours in 2 days more satisfying.

>>5238842
>Don't be. You're human. That's something we all deal with.

Morever your envy was about an opportunity to make friends.
Since we now know they are drawn to aura we can raise our chances of meeting some by raising our training intensity.
You said my aura was "loud" previously. What if you deliberately raise the "volume" of yours to draw some Lucario/Riolu in?

>>5238842
>>Don't be. You're human. That's something we all deal with.

>>5238842
>Don't be. You're human. That's something we all deal with.

>>5238848
>>5238953
>>5239006
>>5239021

"Don't be. You're human." You say. "That's something we all deal with."

Gareth chuckles.

"Nothing phases you, does it?" He asks wryly.

"Nah, not stuff like that, anyway. I've got siblings, stuff like that happens." You say modestly. "I'm just Chatot-ing stuff my parents have said."

"They must be pretty smart then." Gareth notes.

"Up to a point..." You reply. "They've got a tendency to get a bit carried away with side-projects and they're not great at cost vs benefit."

Gareth winces in sympathy.

"Yeah... I've had to be the voice of reason a few times." You say with a grimace, then clear your throat. "Anyway... You said at the lake my aura was kind of loud, right?" You ask.

"Yeah, so we could get a curious Riolu coming to investigate anyhow." Gareth says. "I'm going to take a minute to get a hold of myself and try meditating while we walk." He adds, then smiles. "Thanks for your help in advance." He says.

You nod, before you both continue focusing on the road.

Soon enough, you feel a slight prickle at the back of your neck and you start to feel very zen.

>Roll.

Rolled 39 (1d100)

>>5239741

>>5239741
Dice+1d100

>>5239772
Put the dice in the options field newfriend.

Rolled 42 (1d100)

>>5239741

>>5239741

Rolled 61 (1d100)

>>5239741

File: Scrubland2.jpg (11 KB, 376x134)

11 KB JPG

>>5239761
>>5239779
>>5239867

It's about an hour after you've passed the roadhouse by that it starts raining again, although thankfully, the heavens haven't fully opened up like they did last night.

It's still not absolutely freezing yet either, but you see Fie release her Litleo and give him to Judy, who promptly stuffs him inside her jacket, to the apparent delight of the small fire type.

Considering how slight and small she is, you guess she's feeling the cold a bit worse than everyone else is.

Holly, who's still riding Judy's Sawsbuck, still looks like she's doing okay and Gareth looks utterly serene right now.

It looks like his plan of meditating as you walk is paying off for him in at least one regard, though you've not seen any Riolu yet.

Then again, it could just be too wet for them. Or they're keeping their distance and hiding in the scrub.

Either way, you keep walking. It'll probably be a bit later than it was last night by the time you make Silveridge, but resting up in town sounds better than resting up in a tent in the rain.

Especially if it does wind up flooding. There's water on the ground, sure, but it doesn't look like it's hit 'flood' intensity yet.


>Pick up the pace a bit. The less time you spend in this, the better.
>Head back to the Roadhouse.
>Nah, you've made some distance today and you're not going backwards. Find a place to make camp.
>Look for pokemon.
>Other

>>5239906
>Head back to the Roadhouse.
Let's give Gareth some more time

>>5239906
>Look for Pokemon.
We can manage, let's find the Riolu

>>5239906
>Head back to the Roadhouse

>>5239906
>Pick up the pace a bit. The less time you spend in this, the better

Take care not to snap Gareth out of it.
Give Sage to Holly and if Fie teases you throw an arm around her.

>>5239921
>>5239988

"This doesn't look like it's going to let up." You say. "Maybe we should head back to the Roadhouse."

"It'll be out of this." Judy agrees with feeling.

"Can't say I like walking in the rain more than I have to." Martha agrees. "It would've been around eight o'clock by the time we hit Silveridge anyway and cold as tits." She adds.

"Whose?" Judy asks, perking up.

"Mine." Martha replies, shaking her head. "Now c'mon, a proper shower and a laundry sounds like Arceus-given blessings right now." She says, starting back the way you came.

>Get back there as quick as you can.
>There's no rush.
>Look for pokemon.
>Other

>>5240065
>There's no rush.
>Meditate again along the way to help Gareth attract a Riolu, focus on controlling your aura (making it surge like a bonfire and calming it down to a kindling)

Offer sage to Martha for warmth.
Her quip to shut up the troublemaker was appreciated.

>>5240067
Supporting the Gareth helping.
Regarding sage, more like : Give Sage to Holly and if Fie teases you throw an arm around her.

>>5240065
>There's no rush.
>Meditate again along the way to help Gareth attract a Riolu, focus on controlling your aura (making it surge like a bonfire and calming it down to a kindling)

>>5240067
>>5240088

Aight, roll.

Rolled 57 (1d100)

>>5240133

Rolled 78 (1d100)

>>5240133

>>5239774
Much apriciated

>>5240133

Rolled 18 (1d100)

>>5240133
Last one

Rolled 75 (1d100)

>>5240133

>>5240190
to roll 1d100 you put dice+1d100 in options for other kinds of rolls you can change the numbers like dice+5d8 and so on

Rolled 1 (1d100)

>>5240133

>>5240829
Gotta be thankful that we already had 3 rolls in.

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64 KB JPG

>>5240134
>>5240166
>>5240253

The rain remains steady as you head back and you decide to meditate as you go.

It's actually pretty easy to get into the frame of mind, between the rhythm of your steps and the rain.

It's soothing and soon enough, you can see the others' auras ahead of you and feel Gareth's beside you, steady and bright while you try and raise and lower yours as you go.

"Are you trying to show off for my benefit?" Gareth asks, sounding impressed. "You're starting to get the hang of this." He says.

"I mean, I guess." You say modestly. "It's the least I can do to try giving you a hand."

Gareth chuckles.

"I appreciate it, but... I need to do this myself. If a Riolu does come to investigate, or a Lucario, and it's come to see what you're up to, they won't pay me any mind." He explains.

"Oh. Yeah, that makes sense." You concede. "I guess we can meditate later." You say.

Gareth chuckles again.

"That's becoming a bit of a joke between us." He notes.

Huh. He's right. Stuff does keep getting in the way of that.

"If I say it enough, maybe it'll happen." You reply.

Gareth chuckles again, before waving you off and dropping back for a little privacy.

>Go ask if Holly is cold.
>Talk with someone.
>Just focus on getting to the Roadhouse.
>Other

>>5241346
>Go ask if Holly is cold.

Give Holly a Kentucky anal pucker

>>5241346
>Use the pokedex to browse some reading materials

Mainly focus on low power/utility moves that can be taught.
We need to focus on improving our team beforehand.
As for our aura training we can finish where we started with our kicking practice once we are at the roadhouse.

>>5241346
>Go ask if Holly is cold.

>>5241418
support

>>5241418
>>5241663
the fuck.

>>5241419
Support
>>5241418
Get out my quest and reconsider keeping being alive

File: Fennekin.jpg (52 KB, 312x441)

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>>5241409
>>5241614
>>5241419
>>5241876

That conversation over with, you leave Gareth to his meditation and head up your little column to where Holly is sat on Judy's Sawsbuck.

When you get there, you can see that Holly looks like she's nearly blue and clearly shivering.

"Er... are you cold?" You ask awkwardly.

Stupid question, but it's the first that comes to mind.

She nods.

"Y-yeah... r-really c-cold." She confirms through chattering teeth.

After a moment's thought, you release Sage, then pick her up and hand her to Holly.

"Stay with Holly and keep her warm, Sage." You say as Holly gratefully tucks Sage into her coat, giggling as Sage's ear tufts tickle her chin. She almost immediately looks a little better as Sage snaps at the raindrops falling past her playfully, but doesn't make any move to get away from Holly while doing so.

"Thanks." Holly says. "But aren't you cold?" She asks.

"Not really. I'm walking, you're riding, so the exertion is keeping me plenty warm." You explain, before you fish out your pokedex and start reading.

You're doing some training when you reach the roadhouse.

Ethan's probably done teaching Syurm whatever he was going to teach her by now and your mother should be done teaching Fluffy and you're curious to see how that's gone.

Meanwhile, you've got a bunch of new pokemon to train and another gym challenge coming up and you still don't know all that much about the Silveridge Leader or what sort of challenge they might put you up to.

Either way, training sounds like it's in order and between Queenie, Coolie, Ayumi, Piker and Nika you've got a lot to do.

There's also the question of the Sobble you caught, but you've got a good idea you're going to give it to Tom and you've not had any second thoughts on that resolution.

(Part 1)

>>5242315
(Part 2)

Reading through your pokedex, you quickly find that there's not a lot you can really do with training Applin until it evolves and Nika, any training you give her is going to be along the lines of 'walking' for the time being.

There're a few moves you could teach Queenie, like Draining Kiss, though most of the others that catch your eye are TMs and you still have to finish teaching her Protect.

After the past couple of days, you really want Syurm back to teach her Secret Power as well.

Piker, being a Feebas, doesn't really learn much more than what he already knows, but you might be able to ask one of the girls for help there. Getting Water Pulse or Scald and Rain Dance sound like really good ideas to you, especially with the interior desert in the future, not to mention Fie's gym.

Reviewing Ayumi's move pool, you're actually pretty happy with what she's got, butyou can definitely teach her more: Aqua Tail and Dragon Dance are prime picks with Kay O-o to teach her.

There's also your current team to think of, but knowing who and what to prioritise without knowing more about the Silveridge Gym Leader and some of the others sounds like a recipe for tripping yourself up.

>Who cares? Training is training.
>Ask the others about the Silveridge gym.
>You can make decisions after you've gotten to the Roadhouse.
>Other

>>5242316
>Ask the others about the Silveridge gym

Pokémon type and specialty for now.

>Other
Try looking up martial arts styles we can reasonably pick up on the way.
Palm strikes from Judo come to mind and we could learn to imitate Pushing Palm Strikes and Paralyzing Palm with aura.
Otherwise a good kickboxing or boxing routine will do us good.

>>5242371
Supporting the gym part.

>>5242316
>Ask the others about the Silveridge gym.

File: Martha.png (197 KB, 500x467)

197 KB PNG

>>5242371
>>5242378
>>5242407

Yeah, there's no point in trying to plan if you don't know what to plan for.

This in mind, you give Holly a nod and Sage a thumbs up, before speeding up to catch up with Martha who's presently at the front of the group.

"'Sup?" She asks as you fall in beside her.

"Just trying to plan how to train for the Silveridge gym, but I don't know anything about it." You explain.

"Ah." Martha nods. "Yeah, that would help, wouldn't it?" She asks rhetorically. "Well, Silveridge is a Rock Gym and its leader, Darren, is also one of the paleontologists in charge of the League's Resurrection program." She lists.

"...Huh. Okay." You say. "So... what's his gimmick then?"

"If you mean the little side job he gets people to do before you can challenge him, you've got a choice: Go down into the old silver mine and do something for him, or spend about an hour helping remove fossils from rock." Martha replies.

"Get fossils out of the rock?" You ask, taken aback. "Isn't that a really delicate process?"

Martha nods.

"It is, but the bit you help with is 'pass this tool', 'brush the dust away,' 'hold the light,' that sort of thing." She says. "Unless you're Jean, but she spends a lot of her off-time either in Silveridge Town or Blackstump Town helping dig out fossils."

Well. At least you'll have a choice of challenge.

"...And that's all I'll be saying." Martha says, grinning. "You want to know Daz's tactics or what pokemon he uses, you're gonna have to ask one of the others."

"Well, thanks anyway." You say.

"It's what we do." Martha says, giving you a thumbs up.

>Ask Judy about Darren.
>Ask Jean about Darren.
>Ask Kathryn about Darren.
>Focus on getting back to the Roadhouse.
>Other

>>5242476
>>Ask Jean about Darren.

File: referee_1.jpg (9 KB, 259x194)

9 KB JPG

As a heads up:

I'm getting my wisdom teeth out tomorrow, so updates might be getting more sporadic, or might just fall off, for about a week.

>>5242476
>>Other
Ask Jean about the Fosil work and the side challenges of the gym.
Which one of the two she'd recommend we do.

(Also we will be getting Aerodactyl soon)

>>5242488
It's OK OP.
Have you thought about setting up a discord?
We can pick up the quest there again easily at a latter date if it falls off for a while.
Or you can ask someone to play the part of deputy QM.

>>5242500

I've thought about those things, yeah.

Letting go of my inner perfectionist and delegating stuff though... ...it's a bit of a struggle.

>>5242502
We can stick to the Discord idea tho.
Making a scheldue for when you are on would also net you more players.
Simple post the planned time for the GMT0 global time zone and watch the attendees flood in.
You also said you were a writer or something in a previous thread, that could be a way to find some exposure with readers.

>>5242515

When I get the book written, anyway. Third drafts are hell. Only thing I've ever gotten published was a snippet in a chinese whispers-type story a magazine here in oz did about ten years back.

But you're right, a Discord would be a Good Idea, so guess I'll start one.

>>5242519
Finding a publishing platform and buyers for stories is a pain in the ass these days that's for certain.
Also make sure to stay away from contracts with the likes of Webnovel/Qidian they have a deserved bad rep of milking writers foll all their worth and then some.

>>5242530

Cheers. I'll keep that in mind.

File: FB_IMG_1628425175237.png (668 KB, 909x905)

668 KB PNG

>>5242488
No problem boss

>>5242476
>Ask Jean about Darren.

>>5242487
>>5242634

You drop back down the line again to beside Jean.

"You want to know about Darren, huh?" She guesses before you say anything.

"Anything you're willing to share, anyway." You reply with a nod.

Jean nods.

"What do you want to know, exactly?" She asks. "About the challenges? His team? Or his tactics?"

"Ah... All three of those sound pertinent." You admit.

"It'd be no fun if I just told you everything though." Jean notes. "So, what one thing d'you want to know?" She asks again, grinning.

>What pokemon does Darren tend to use?
>What are his challenges like?
>What sort of tactics does he use?
>Other

>>5242648
>>What are his challenges like?

>Other
Ask her if things are going well with Gareth.

>>5242648
>What are his challenges like?
>I don't want you to spoil; but which one do you advise me to take : Archeology help or the Mine? Would Archeology help allow me to raise the fossil you gave me?

>>5242648
>>5242659 +1

>>5242659
+1

>>5242515
>>5242500
Discords ruin quests

>>5242685
Discords ruin quests if the quests are only run on them.
The idea was to keep up a discord for OP to organize his time better i.e. have more people show up for threads.
Also to prevent the quest from completely dropping off due to absence.

>>5242648
>What are his challenges like?

File: Ghost.jpg (12 KB, 320x180)

12 KB JPG

>>5242658
>>5242659
>>5242671
>>5242685
>>5242948

You have to think on this for a minute.

Part of the reason you found Ethan so easy was because you found out the fundamentals of his team and his tactics before you faced him.

Of course, Rusty hard-countering his team Type-wise certainly helped, but knowing how he conducted battle was a big part of it.

And if you're honest with yourself, you want the League to at least be a bit of a challenge.

"What are his challenges like?" You ask, before holding up your hands. "I don't want you to spoil. But which one d'you think I should take? Paleontology prep or the mine? And if I went paleo, would it help with that fossil you gave me?"

Jean shakes her head.

"No, helping prep for fossil restoration is a bit more involved than prepping a fossil for display." She says. "It's a very precise and time-consuming process but... well. The reason why Darren offers it as an alternative is because the old mine is haunted." She explains.

You pause.

"Haunted." You repeat.

Jean nods.

"Yep. Haunted. It's got Ghost pokemon in there along with the Zubat, Rock-Types, Fighting-Types and Steel-Types you'd expect." She says. "So, Darren offers helping out with the museum as an alternative to anyone who happens to have a phobia or two. As for which you ought to pick... I guess that really depends on whether you're scared of ghosts." She says simply.

Well. That sure gives you something to think about.

"Well, thanks for the heads up..." You say.

"Don't sweat it." Jean says.

>Ask Judy about Darren.
>Ask Kathryn about Darren.
>Focus on getting back to the Roadhouse.
>Other

>>5243184
>Focus on getting back to the Roadhouse.

>>5243184
>>Focus on getting back to the Roadhouse.

>>5243184
>Focus on getting back to the Roadhouse.
Looking forward to the kind of ghost types we can find there

>>5243184
>Focus on getting back to the Roadhouse.
>>Other
See any Dark type moves we can teach to our team members.

>>5243655
A Litwick or Sableye would be cool.

>>5243184
by the way how do other weird forms of evolution work in your pokemon world? are there still trade evolutions and other things like that.

>>5244054

Trade evolutions work the same. Nobody knows why. Tangrowth and Co, you go hang out around the mountains and train for a bit.

Feeling okay, but not really up to writing.

Anyone has any more questions, go ahead. This is as good an opportunity as any.

>>5244873
Do mega evolution and z moves exist?

>>5244873
Will we be able to tech pokemon certain moves that make sense despite not being normally learned?

Fly for example on Gyarados.

>>5245107

They do.

>>5245158

Yes, though it'll be on a case-by-case bais and may take a bit more work.

>>5245169
what region is closest to us.
also, do we have any unique pokemon (I'll even take region variants) or legendaries? are you going to include any pokemon from violet and scarlet when they release.

>>5246163
we have latias and latios

>>5246163
>what region is closest to us.
Australia is closest to Japan, and the island of Kyushu is the closest to Australia. So the closest Pokemon region(s) would be Hoenn and the Sevii Islands.

>>5246172
I meant any new legendaries in the region.

>>5246178

Might add in some Scarlet and Violet pokemon when they come out, but otherwise, I'm just sticking with what already exists.

Reason why is, I don't feel I could make something interesting enough - regional variant, fakemon or legendary, to be going on with.

Plus, it'd be *a lot* of work. And there's no guarantee it would actually come up.

I do have ideas to tie in a lot of legendaries though.

Galarian Zapdos, for instance, is obviously the King of Doduo and the Terror of the Outback. It was actually the pokemon that prompted me to make a map in the first place. And after that, might as well populate it, right? And after all that effort, why not do something with all that work?

Right, feeling somewhat better at long last, so update shortly.

>>5243361
>>5243634
>>5243655
>>5243729

You leave Jean be and just focus on walking.

You don't see another soul as you come back down the road, pokemon or otherwise, as they wisely stay sheltered to avoid getting soaked.

You estimate you're about fifteen minutes out from the Roadhouse when the rain grows more intense and actually starts to limit how far down the road you can see.

>Roll.

Rolled 92 (1d100)

>>5249797
Ere ya go

Rolled 35 (1d100)

>>5249797

Rolled 8 (1d100)

>>5249797
don't think I'm beating 92.

File: main-counter-ararat-roadhouse.jpg (34 KB, 550x411)

34 KB JPG

>>5249802
>>5249877
>>5249974

There's really no need to discuss what to do now:

You all start running as fast as you can towards the Roadhouse in the distance, which even through the rain is impossible to miss, lit up with the red roof as it is.

Within five minutes, you're all panting and shaking rain off under the porch, before making your way into the roadhouse:

It's actually not as bad as you thought it would be, in terms of being crowded.

Actually, compared to the roadhouse on the way to Newport, there's no comparison.

There's actually places you could reasonably get a place to sit, the noise isn't deafening and you can actually make out distinct groups here, though everyone seems to be keeping their distance from the front lounge area where a girl about your age is sitting alone, talking on her phone.

You don't pay that any mind though as you go up to the counter and get rooms, drop your pokemon off to get checked out and head for the showers and laundry. Even with the camp shower, after nearly a week on the road, no one smells particularly nice.

>Take your time and enjoy the hot water.
>Finish up quick, you've got shit to do.
>Other

>>5250038
>Take your time and enjoy the hot water.
Pace well

>>5250038
>Take your time and enjoy the hot water.

>>5250038
>Take your time and enjoy the hot water.

>>5250038
>Take your time and enjoy the hot water.
Deserved.

Rolled 14 (1d100)

>>5250266
>Roll. (Will supercede other results if you pass.)

>>5250084
>>5250193
>>5250208
>>5250262

(Original version was a bit too bare bones, so have some introspection. Mystery girl will be next post.)

You can't really help yourself.

You wash up fairly quickly, but after that, you just stand under the spray and luxuriate in the hot water. After the past few days of rain, mud and cold, it's pure heaven.

And man, looking back it's been an eventful few days: You caught a bunch of new pokemon, met a ghost and caught Latias.

It's kind of surreal, especially when you think of how far you've come so far on this journey and how far you've got to go.

You wouldn't have figured you'd be picking fights with street thugs, putting out fires or sheltering runaway heiresses on your journey and yet, here you are.

And that's not even touching on your experience with Origin Cave and exploring aura with Gareth.

It's really shaping up to be a great journey.

You find yourself thinking on what you could do better or differently though.

>You could stand to train your pokemon more.
>You find you've got a tendency to talk too much. You could stand to be more taciturn.
>Lake Verity was a fun diversion, but focusing on the road would be a better idea from hereon.
>Picking a fight with Team Green was a dumb idea that could've killed you. Best just leave them to the police from now on.
>You're on this journey to make money. That means taking every opportunity to battle that comes up.
>Other

>>5250274
>You're on this journey to make money. That means taking every opportunity to battle that comes up.
I like the fact we're sociable.

>>5250274
>You could stand to train your pokemon more.
Most of the benefits of a battle in the fraction of the time, postwise

>>5250274
>>You're on this journey to make money. That means taking every opportunity to battle that comes up.

>>5250274
>You're on this journey to make money. That means taking every opportunity to battle that comes up.
>>Other
We've also failed to capitalize on our aura. Given specific practice we can ensure we don't get socked with a bike lock again, or are ready to save and heal others. We need to explore more on how to imitate pokemon moves/abilities that would suit us.

>>5250284
>>5250317
>>5250396

The first and foremost thing you could improve on, in your view, is that you've been neglecting the core reason you left home in the first place:

Making money. And the best way to make money as a trainer, is to battle. Barring cases where you get turned down like Martha, Jean and their group, you decide that from hereon, you're going to battle as often as you can.

And in that same breath, you could stand to train your pokemon more, so you stand a better chance at winning if you find yourself up against an experience gap.

By that same token, Team Green are actually a godsend in that sense: They all seemed to be weirdly cashed up for petty thugs and after the scuffles at the Lake, you actually came out with a pretty tidy profit.

The only downside to this resolution though... is you're not going to be able to blow off Mike. Or not. You could always make an exception for him, but then again, money is money...

You finish up basking and get out of the shower before heading out to join the others once you're dressed.

When you do, you find them staring at the girl in the front lounge with much the same attitude of awkward wariness everyone else is.

>What?
>Who's hungry?
>Go make some calls and switch up your team.
>Other

>Roll. (Will supercede other results if you pass.)

>>5251438
>>Who's hungry?
>Whatsup, you girls suddenly changing your sexual orientation or what?

>>5251451
Nice shitpost faggot

>>5251438
>Walk over to the others and ask what's going on with that girl over there. Everybody seems to be avoiding her pretty conspicuously, what gives?

Rolled 84 (1d100)

>>5251473
+1, and a roll because I'm not sure if we're meant to do so regardless of what we pick.

>>5251438
>What?

>>5251473
>>5251559

You frown as you look at the girl, before you start as you recognise her.

Of all people, you weren't expecting to see your old friend Jacquelin Fairburn here.

She's not been back to Greenshoot town since she left nearly four years ago.

What's baffling though, is the treatment she's getting from everyone else, almost like everyone's scared of her.

"What's going on?" You ask the others as you come to the table.

"Don't you know who that is?" Martha asks, inclining her head to Jacqueline.

"Yes, actually. She's an old friend. We went to the same school and she didn't live too far from me. I've not seen her in years though." You reply.

You're met by absolutely stunned looks from the others.

"...Let me get this straight..." Martha says, taking a deep breath. "You're an old school friend of Jacky Fairburn. The three-times reining League Champion?" She asks incredulously

You start.

This is the first you're hearing of it.

Nobody back in Greenshoot is really a fanatic follower of the League, but you're surprised all the same that nobody at school said anything about this or that it wasn't big news. Greenshoot is only a small town, so the fact the news didn't spread is kind of weird.

"...Huh." You say. "This is actually the first I'm hearing of this." You admit feeling rather sheepish.

>Go and say hi.
>Stay and see if she recognises you.
>Go switch up your team.
>Go get some food. A reunion can wait.
>Other

>>5251630
>>Go and say hi.

Might as well see one of my old neighbors.

''Hey fancy meeting you Jacky. Remember me, the kid with the embarrassingly performer parents?''

>>5251630
>Stay and see if she recognizes you.

>>5251630
>Go and say hi.
OP disregard >>5251650 he's a notorious shitposter

>>5251699
?
Aside from last week when I was in quarantine I barely post on 4chan.

>>5251699

I'll give >>5251650 the benefit of the doubt for now.

His first suggestion in >>5250396 was a reasonable one, though it would require a *lot* of time investment and practice.

Everything else has been out of character, but not awful.

Now, if I had some way to block whoever keeps suggesting 'kentucky anal pucker' or whatever the fuck, I'd use it.

>>5251630
>Stay and see if she recognises you.

What are the options again if we chance our team?

>>5251899

Out of Party:
Fluffy (Eevee)
Syurm (Sewaddle)
Blitz (Growlithe)
Queenie (Cutiefly)
Coolie (Applin)
Ayumi (Dratini)
Piker (Feebas)

Party:
Sage (Fennekin)
Volta (Luxio)
Latias
Kay O-o (Jangmo-o)
Rusty (Aron)
Nika (Riolu)


You also have a Sobble which is slated to go to your little brother.

All told, you've got a pretty balanced team (so far) with a decent amount of redundancy and only a couple of niches that need filling and you have either the means to fill them, or plans to.

>>5251888
>Now, if I had some way to block whoever keeps suggesting 'kentucky anal pucker' or whatever the fuck, I'd use it.

Same
I'm >>5251650 BTW just on mobile/work

>>5251630
>go and say hi.

>>5251650
>>5251699
>>5252208

"Well. I'll be back." You say after a beat.

"Wait-" Martha says.

"You can't just-" Jean protests.

"Have fun." Fie says after you as Jean and Martha's protests are muffled.

You guess Fie's put her hands over their mouths.

Whatever she did though, shortly, you're approaching the front lounge as Jacky finishes her call and sighs, before she looks up, starts in surprise as she sees you, before she's crossed the distance between you with a broad grin and hugged you tightly enough to knock the breath out of you.

The tone is different to Holly's desperation though, this is enthusiasm.

"Alex!" Jacky says, before letting you go and bringing you over to take a seat next to her. "It's been ages, how've you been?" She asks.

>Pretty good, all things considered, how've you been?
>Would it have killed you to call?
>Alright. Dad lost his job though.
>Where've you been?
>Other

>>5252766
>>Pretty good, all things considered, how've you been?

>>5252766
>>Would it have killed you to call?

>Anyway as far as how i'm doing...My old man recently lost his job and since i finished school it was time for me to head out as a newbie trainer. My friends and girl are over there, you can say hi if you want. Care to share some stories? You'd expect the neighborhood to boast about a champ but haven't heard a peep from anyone.

>>5252766
>Pretty good, all things considered, how've you been?
>you could have called though.

>>5252774
+1

>>5252774
Support

>>5252774
>>5253083
>>5253100

"Would it have killed you to call?" You ask wryly as she lets you go, though there's no sting in the question.

"Yeah, uh... sorry about that." She says. "I just kind of got caught up in the whole 'trainer' thing and... well, next thing I'd won the League championship and... uhhh..." She fidgets uncomfortably.

Yeah, that's Jacky to a T. Once she set her sights on something, everything else became an afterhtought.

"I'm kind of surprised this is the first I'm hearing of your being Champion though." You admit as you both go sit down.

"Ah. Well, that's not surprising, really." Jacquelin says awkwardly. "My parents weren't exactly thrilled at the prospect of me leaving. They wanted me to stay and manage the farm." She explains. "So... yeah. I called a couple of times but they were still pissed at me both times."

"They weren't really talkative about you after they left." You recall. "Still... Congrats." You say.

"Thanks. So, what's been happening back in Greenshoot lately?" She asks.

"Well, dad lost his job due to some business with Team Cracker, so I figured I'd make up the shortfall by going on a journey." You explain.

"Team Cracker?" Jacquelin says. "Wow, someone went digging then. They've been disbanded for years." She said. "Or at least, inactive. Still, better than being associated with Team Green." She adds with a grimace, then shakes her head. "But how about you? Miss me? Mike still himself?" She asks, unravelling her braid and letting her shoulder-length, red hair out before she starts redoing it.

>Yeah, can't complain. Mike's still Mike. And yeah, I missed you.
>Greenshoot is kind of lonely without you.
>I wish I had've started this journey sooner, but you know. Got to be responsible and all.
>Other

Appropos of nothing in particular, have this random bit of filk.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RVTvwZUAyM

>>5253182
>Yeah, can't complain. Mike's still Mike. And yeah, I missed you.

>>5253182
>Yeah, can't complain. Mike's still Mike. And yeah, I missed you.
>Greenshoot is kind of lonely without you.

>>5253182
>Yeah, can't complain. Mike's still Mike. And yeah, I missed you.
>Other
Was kinda lonely at school without you. Only about a quarter of us stayed to finish school first. I used the spare time to hit the gym and do some martial arts training. Wanna grab a bite to eat with my friends? We can catch up over a meal.

>>5253182
>Yeah, can't complain. Mike's still Mike. And yeah, I missed you.

OP here. Power is out at home to anything that isn't hard wired, so no updates until that gets fit.

Sorry.

>>5254437
Take your time. Enjoy the spring weather.

>>5254802

I'm in Australia. It’s late autumn. And today was the coldest its been all year.

>>5254920
Now you reminded me that Aussies celebrate Christmas in swimming trunks.
Sorry m8.
Im in Germany so getting every bit of sunlight they can is something people here enjoy.
Tacitus accurately described it as fog and forrest.

>>5254959
Heh. Well, if someone can go ahead and archive this for me, as I'm on my tablet and don'twant to fuck around trying to on said tablet, I'd appreciate it. I'm not sure how long the power company is going to take to stop dragging its arse, but out of an abundance of caution, it’s probably better to do it early.

>>5255482
New bread in a day or two then.
See ya in thread number 9.

>>5255500

Apparently not.

Am back. Will update once I'm done celebrating the fact I have power again.

>>5253191
>>5253356
>>5253432
>>5253549

"Greenshoot hasn't changed much, really. Mike's still Mike, aside from this business with dad, nothing's really been happening, but I missed you." You reply.

"I really missed you as well." Jacquelin says with feeling as she finishes adjusting her ponytail before shaking it into order. It looks a little like she's just recently and rather roughly cut her hair short. "Particularly these last three years..." She adds with a grimace.

"Oh?" You ask.

"I *hate* being Champion." She explains frankly. "Being a trainer is great, but a Champion? I can't go *anywhere* without being hounded. Papparazi, hotshots who want to get in my pants, agents, reps for companies who want to sponsor me..." She shudders. "I've got *no idea* how Cynthia's dealt with this crap. Let alone some of the Gym Leaders who've been in this game." She adds.

>You want to ask Fie about it?
>Ouch, that sounds rough.
>Want to come sit with us?
>What are you doing here, anyway?
>Other

>>5260667
>>Want to come sit with us?
>I became friend with Fie, maybe she have some tips

>>5260667
>You want to ask Fie about it?
>Want to come sit with us?

(want them to be friends and make it clear we're with Fie now so no misunderstandings come about)

>>5260673
>>5260712

"You want to come sit with us?" You ask, gesturing back to your table.

Jacky shakes her head.

"No, I'd best not. Pretty sure Martha and Jean are still a little sore after I beat them in the semi-finals three years back." She says. "Plus... well. I've kind of got a reputation for being an ice queen." She explains. "I'd like to keep it that way. It does an alright job of keeping the tabloid mandibuzz from their bullshit." She says.

She doesn't sound happy about it though. And there's a lot left unsaid there.

>...Alright. If you're sure...
>Have you considered property destruction?
>...What if I dropped by later?
>Other

>>5260728
>Other

Can't really get rid of them without a restraining order, right.
You could just drop by our group later when you can't get stalked.

I'm sure the girls don't mind, they actually tried to prevent me from talking to you for another reason...
You know Fie right?
Currently I'm the showoff trying to date her.
The girls are just being protective of her so I don't go around acting like a gigolo.

Ah right I'll give you my number if you want avoid others.
Let's stay in touch.

>>5260728
>Maybe we can exchange numbers and talk later, then?
Meeting up in person later would probably get blown out of proportion by the media or something.

>>5260793
>support

>>5260793
+1

>>5260793
>>5260878
>>5260938

"Maybe we can exchange numbers and talk later, then?" You ask.

Jacquelin nods.

"Yeah, probably the best we can do." She agrees with a sigh, before you both bring out your pokedexes and register each other. "I guess I'll see you around." She says. "Or not." She adds, in a tone of voice that sounds completely confected and just *wrong* coming from her.

You part there before you make your way back to the others. That conversation's left you with more questions than answers in some ways and really dissatisfied to boot, but if she's being hounded, you guess that you've got to keep your distance.

"Huh. Guess she really does like you." Fie observed. "I've seen her tear strips off people for being less presumptive."

>We go way back.
>She mentioned she's got a reputation as an ice queen...?
>I kind of regret not going after her when she left.
>Other

>>5261845
>>She mentioned she's got a reputation as an ice queen...?

>>5261845
>We go way back.
Childhood friends and my parents used to part time at her family farm.
>>She mentioned she's got a reputation as an ice queen...?
>>Other
She's being harrased by journalists, "young masters" and old farts with money along with advertisers so she can't talk with friends in a normal fashion.
I'll call her later and let you in on the call if she agrees.

I guess I won't try too hard in the league aside from the prize money.
By the way Fie, did you have similar experiences after becoming gym leader?

>>5261923
+1

>>5261923
>>5261971

"Well, like I said before, we go way back." You say modestly. "My parents help out on her family's farm from time to time and we've known each other basically since we could walk." You say.

"And yet the tabloids don't know about you." Martha says. "Huh. Guess we know why she's such an ice queen now."

"Yeah, I guess." You say with a sigh. "Have you ever had to deal with harrassing journos, Fie?" You ask.

"Oh yeah. And rich old guys. And trainers who think they're shit hot." She confirms. "Fortunately, mum put me onto her agent. And her legal team." She says. "Ninety percent of the harrassment dried up after that and so did the solicitation."

"Why Jacquelin hasn't then?" You ask.

Fie shifts uncomfortably.

"No offense, but Jacky is kind of a featherbrain." She says. "She's an awesome trainer, sure, but the few times we've spoken at World Tournaments and whatnot, she's struck me as distracted. And she definitely overthinks things." She adds. "If I had to guess, I'd say she's just not thought of it while pursuing her ice queen persona."

>...Yeah, that sounds like Jacky alright.
>Did you try introducing her to your mother?
>Well, I'll talk with her more later.
>Go call home.
>Rearrange your team.
>Other

>>5261988
>Anyway, all that memories makes me a bit homesick... Let mehalf an hour, I want to call my siblings
>>Go call home.
>Gift amazing 'mons to the little ones.

>>5261988
>...Yeah, that sounds like Jacky alright.
>Did you try introducing her to your mother?

>>5261988
>>...Yeah, that sounds like Jacky alright.
An airhead as ever. She isn't dumb, just not very aware of her surroundings.

>>Did you try introducing her to your mother and her agent?
If she rejected i'll have to talk her into it.

>>Well, I'll talk with her more later.
Just hope the reunion just now didn't draw in weirdos. Anyway gotta call my family to give them an update and check on them.

>Go call home

>>5262089
+1

>>5262089
>support

>>5262089
>>5262126
>>5262281

"Yeah, that sounds like Jacky alright." You confirm, shaking her head. "Did you try introducing her to your mother or her agent?" You ask.

She always did have a tendency to try and do everything herself and not ask for help. It's really not surprising that it's come and bitten her in the ass like this.

"I did, but she's kind of paranoid." Fie says. "Like, stupidly paranoid. Kind of justifiable, maybe, considering she shit-canned Team Cracker when they tried to pull some shit at the Redmont mine three years back and the fact there was evidence of some major players bankrolling them, but I think she's let that whole shit show get to her." Fie says.

Holly shifts beside her, but doesn't say anything.

"Well, I'll talk to her later then." You say. "For now, I'm going to call home."

With that, you head for the phones.

>Roll.

Rolled 39 (1d100)

>>5262932

Rolled 36 (1d100)

>>5262932

Rolled 75 (1d100)

>>5262932

Poor girl.

>>5262942
>>5262948
>>5262952

You head towards the PC to call home, only for the nurse to call you over.

"Are you looking to switch up your team or just make a call?" She asks.

"Both." You reply with a sinking feeling.

"Well, the phone's still working but the teleporter broke down yesterday." The nurse says. "It always goes on the fritz out here when it rains." She adds. "Repairman should be here to take a look tomorrow afternoon, but you're out of luck for now."

"Oh."

Well, that's inconvenient.

"Is this a problem just here, or...?" You don't recall this ever being an issue back in Greenshoot.

"It happens sometimes, but at the Roadhouses, it's a recurring problem." The nurse replies. "It's just harder to get repairmen out this far."

"Ah. Well, thanks for the heads up." You say.

>Call home anyway.
>Ask if there's somewhere dry you can do some training.
>Go ask around about Darren.
>Go sit down and study some more.
>Other

>>5262995
>>Call home anyway.
Don't mention the new family members for now. It will have to wait, and remain a surprise

>>5262995
>Call home anyway.

>>5262995
>Ask if there's somewhere dry you can do some training.

>>5262995
>>Call home anyway.

>>5262995
>Call home anyway.

>>5263010
>>5263017
>>5263392
>>5263397

Even with this knowledge, you still go and call, but even as the line is connecting, you can see and hear static.

The connection stabilises slightly as your mum answer's though.

++"Alex? Where are you? The connection is terrible."++ She says sounding concerned.

"Hey mum. We're at the Roadhouse past Lake Clarity." You explain.

++"Ah."++ Your mother nods in understanding. ++"They've still not fixed the connection problems then. Did you get caught by the rain?"++ She asks.

"Yeah, but it doesn't seem like we'd be getting anywhere if we waited on it to pass right now." You reply. "So, we're just getting as far as we can before it starts really pouring right now." You explain as the channel goes to static again, then clears.

++"Well, be careful in Silveridge."++ Your mother says, before the line goes to static cutting off whatever warning she's relaying.

"Sorry, what? Line went bad, I didn't get that." You say.

++"I sai-, T- -Gr- are p-"++ Your mother says, before the line gives up the ghost entirely.

"Fuck." You say, slapping the casing of the computer a couple of times, but it does no good.

You try redialing as well, but there's no response.

>Go tell the nurse.
>Go back to the group.
>Go do some training.
>Other

>>5264152
>Go tell the nurse.
>>Go back to the group.

No use over spilled milk.
Mention the likely warning about team green to the group.

>>5264163
+1

>>5264163
>>5264307

You sigh and go back up to the counter.

"Phones are out as well?" The nurse guesses.

"Yeah, right in the middle ofmy call." You confirm.

The nurse nods sympathetically.

"I'll lodge another maintenance request when the connection comes back." She assures.

She sounds more exasperated than anything.

Then again, this sounds like a recurring problem. You suppose that you'd get sick of constant outages as well.

With little else to do for the time being, you head back to the group.

"That was quick." Gareth notes.

"Teleporter is out and the phone connection just cut as well." You explain briefly.

Fie winces.

"That's inconvenient." She agrees. "What're you going to do?"

>Guess I'll just study my pokedex for a while.
>Guess I'll study the map some more.
>Guess I'll ask around about Darren some more.
>Anyone fancy a chat?
>Guess I'll go do some training.
>Want to try get some more meditation in, Gareth?
>Other

>>5264323
>Want to try get some more meditation in, Gareth?
Not a joke this time.

>>5264323
>Want to try get some more meditation in, Gareth?
I believe we've been putting this off for a little while now.

>>5264323
>Want to try get some more meditation in, Gareth?
Finally...

>>5264323
>Want to try get some more meditation in, Gareth?

Rolled 99 (1d100)

>>5264337
>>5264344
>>5264359
>>5264548

"Want to try get some more meditation in, Gareth?" You ask after a moment's thought.

He smiles.

"Sounds like a plan to me." He agrees, standing.

You head out back and sit down under the porch and relax.

Rufflet flutters in onto a bench and fluffs himself up, sending a cascade of water droplets onto the ground around him.

Gareth releases Mienfoo and you release Kay O-o, before you both close your eyes and start to take measured breaths.

>Roll.

Rolled 37 (1d100)

>>5265211

Rolled 23 (1d100)

>>5265211

Rolled 40 (1d100)

>>5265211
OP is your roll supposed to be how much we can gain or the DC we need to beat?
If it's the DC you might want to stick to a model of set base DC +2d6 where the roll is added to the base DC.

>>5265295
I think OP was rolling for Gareth' performance.
He might get his own Riolu with such a nice roll

>>5265295

This guy >>5265307 Nailed it.

That was for Gareth.

If I'm rolling, it's always going to be for NPCs.

Anyway, update shortly.

>>5265232
>>5265256
>>5265295

You shift. There's a stone digging into your thigh, it's cold and the last couple of days are catching up with you.

There's also so much *stuff* you've got to do and with the phones and teleporter out, it's really inconvenient, because it's set you back heaps...

You try and refocus, but it's hard right now. The rain is actually kind of distracting, rather than soothing like it normally is.

Eventually though, you do manage to relax to the point that you can properly sense the aura around you:

Everyone in the Roadhouse is an indistinct riot of colours, most relatively subdued, some brighter than others.

Close at hand, Kay O-o seems to be having about as much trouble as you are.

Even if he's more used to the cold than you are, your agitation is rubbing off on him as well and his aura is irregular and his own restless shifting is another distraction, much like you surmise you are to him.

Rufflet's aura is also subdued and a little dim.

He's tired.

Following you like he has for the past week is taking its toll on the little guy and stubborn or not, even with you providing meals and a safe place to sleep, he needs a break as much as anyone else.

Beside you though, Gareth's aura is steady and bright, more white than blue, like a lightbulb or a star and beside him, Mien is similarly focused.

There's no sense of pride, or amusement, or anything beyond serenity from either of them. They're perfectly in sync and at peace with themselves and the world at large.

(Part 1)

File: Riolu_2.jpg (261 KB, 1056x1500)

261 KB JPG

>>5265416

You're trying to refocus when you're distracted again by another aura that winks into existence at the edge of your sight, growing steadily larger, followed by another.

You're debating whether or not to alert Gareth or not when suddenly, the first aura is right in front of you.

It's small and bright and you sense an overwhelming curiosity from it.

You blink and suddenly the real world reasserts itself.

Beside you, Gareth is sat, hunched over and he almost seems to be asleep, except for how deliberately measured his breathing is.

In front of you is a sopping wet Riolu, panting from what you assume has been quite a run.

You can't make out anything through the scrub and rain coming, but you don't doubt that whatever that second aura is, it'll be here soon.

>Wait and see.
>Alert Gareth to the visitor.
>Other

>>5265442
>Alert Gareth to the visitor. But through Aura.

>>5265442
>Wait and see.
>Other
Gareth is much more proficient than we are in sensing and controlling aura so he has already sensed them.
Let them have some room and keep other trainers away.

>>5265442
>Wait and see.

>>5265543
+1

>>5265543
>>5265586
>>5265602

Your first instinct is to alert Gareth to this visitor, but there's no way that he missed this visitor if you saw them.

Hell, he probably saw them coming before you did.

You sit and watch as Riolu sits down opposite Gareth and joins in meditating.

It's not long afterwards however, that the originator of the *second* aura you sensed catches up:

A full-grown Lucario. And they don't look particularly impressed.

The Lucario glowers at you and Gareth, before pausing.

Its vanes fan out and it closes its eyes before focusing intently on him.

There's a long moment, before it to sits down across from him.

You don't really know what to do just now.

Moving seems like a bad idea, one way or another, but simultaneously, you don't want anyone coming out and scaring off the pair as they meditate with Gareth.

You resolve to just keep watch for the time being and keep anyone from interfering.

Nothing happens for a surprisingly long time. It's actually kind of soothing, now that you're not trying to relax and meditate, just listening to the rain.

Then the door opens, just about making you jump out of your skin.

You can hear the voices of a pair of kids who sound like they want to train or battle.

You hear them gasp and stop cold, apparently having spotted Lucario and Riolu.

>Intervene before the newcomers scare Riolu off.
>Wait and see what happens.
>Other

>>5265657
>Intervene before the newcomers scare Riolu off.

>>5265657
>Intervene before the newcomers scare Riolu off

Kids my friend just lured out a Riolu to befriend it.
It's dangerous outside since it's parents are near.
Get back in and don't disturb.

>>5265695
+1

>>5265657
>Silently tell them to stay quiet
We should probably intervene in some way, but we can't go making any noise and breaking things up either.

>>5265695
>support
> or you can leave it's your choice.

>>5265657
>Intervene before the newcomers scare Riolu off.

File: Youngster_1.jpg (6 KB, 133x249)

6 KB JPG

>>5265658
>>5265695
>>5265767
>>5265898
>>5265985

Nope, you need to stop these kids before they ruin things.

Quietly as you can, you get up and go to the door, sliding it closed behind you and in so doing, acandalising the two boys who'd been just about to release pokemon of their own.

"Hey! No fair!" One of them says, sounding outraged.

"If you were thinking of trying to battle either of those two, while they're meditating with my friend, don't." You say. "He's trying to befriend Riolu. And that Lucario just around the corner would probably chew up whatever pokemon you sent out." You add. "Please don't interfere."

"You're not my dad!" The second kid says, going to push past you.

"Yeah, a Lucario? This close to civilisation? Get real." The second kid scoffs, going the other way as the first kid gets the door open, sticks his head out, poke ball in hand.

>Pull the kid back.
>Challenge them.
>Call the nurse.
>Call Fie.
>Put yourself between Gareth and his new friends and the kids.
>Other

>>5266837
>Pull the kid back.

"Get back.
Oen up your pokedex and think about what it says about wild Riolu and Lucario.
My friend is an aura master and that's why they approached him willingly.
You on the other hand will either scare the young one away or anger the older one into attacking. "

>>5266837
>Challenge them.

>>5266837
Supporting >>5266880
With the addition :
If you don't believe me, you're free to come with me in the back for a quick fight.

>>5266837
>Pull the kid back

Get back when i say litlle dude.
I also have a Riolu i can show you to prove my point.
Wild Riolu always have a parent accompanying them.
It only approached my friend because he is practicing his aura.
If you want through you will have to battle me in a double battle on the other side of the building.

>Call Fie and the group over so they can watch out for Gareth so he does not get disturbed by others

>>5266837
>Challenge them.
Yeah, these kids aren't going to listen to reason. Let's just battle them elsewhere - If they win, they can go out there. If they don't, they have to stay in. We'll probably win but if we don't Gareth will probably be done by the time the battle is.

>>5266880
>>5267002
>>5267034

You pull the first kid back and bar the second.

"No. Open up your dexs and take a look at the entry on Lucario and Riolu." You say sternly.

"Reading? Ew." The first kid says, yanking away from you.

The second kid, who looks a little older and is probably a little wiser for it, hesitates and does as you suggest, before slowly going pale as you turn to see the first kid leaning out and getting ready to throw a ball at Riolu.

>Challenge the first kid.
>Pull the first kid back again.
>Other