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>>6398360
>>6398576

"That's easy." You tell Martha as you finish up your shower and shut off the water. "I'm going to evolve Blitz and get him used to being an Arcanine."

"Solid choice." She agrees. "He seems strong enough for it. You gotten through those obedience issues he was having?"

"More or less." You confirm as you finish toweling off and start getting dressed. "That'll be part and parcel of this morning though - keeping up with the obedience training once he's evolved just to make sure its stuck."

Internally, you think back to the fight against Emma and how well he did there, especially against her Incineroar.

He'd been damn quick on the uptake there and the image of him bounding over Incineroar's first Bulldoze after Emma had hit him with that first Flamethrower and you've found yourself wondering just how far the two of you could get with obedience training since, because even if your team are all damn clever in your view, you're pretty sure that in the same situation, none of them would've been quite as quick on the uptake there as Blitz was. Not because of any deficiency on behalf of the rest of your team though, but rather because you've just not been training them that way.

In that sense, Blitz's unruliness pushing you to specifically give him obedience training has opened up some interesting options for how you could take that training further, but for now, those thoughts are a little theoretical.

First of all, you need to evolve him.

(Part 1)

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>>6400770

That in mind, once you're dressed you head out and swap Rusty for Blitz then go outside to the arena and release him.

He goes to jump on you in excitement on seeing you but sits, still positively vibrating, when you tell him to, beaming up at you adoringly, before you produce the Fire Stone you brought back in Silveridge after some rummaging and holding it out before Blitz.

It glows in the rising sun and Blitz glows in sympathy before his outline wavers and expands before there's a flash before in his place is an Arcanine whose shoulder is level with your head peering down at you expectantly.

You suddenly feel both very small and very glad that you've been doing that obedience training.

Looking down at the stone, you see it disintegrating into a fine, red powder, which Martha is quick to collect in a small bag.

"Spent stones disintegrate, but the powder they leave behind is useful in stuff like supplements." She explains once she's tied the bag off.

"Huh, neat." You reply, before shifting your back to Blitz. "Okay Blitz, let's start with some agility work..." You begin.

>Roll

Rolled 27 (1d100)

>>6400787

Rolled 67 (1d100)

>>6400787

Rolled 38 (1d100)

>>6400787

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>>6400790
>>6400793
>>6401004

You decided to start with Agility work for two reasons:

First, Blitz is already familiar with the move, so it'll be relatively easy for him to perform, even all grown up now as he is.

And second, because it's a good way to acclimate him to his new body, making him move and move deftly within the confines of the arena.

Even knowing how fast Arcanine can move though, you're a little caught off guard at how quickly Blitz runs through the exercises you set - running a lap, stopping at each corner to do a tight circle, ducking down halfway through the short sections, jumping on the long boundaries and eventually, slaloming through a series of traffic cones sat by the wall down the diagonal.

He doesn't do any one run perfectly straight out the gate, but by the time you're putting it all together, you're confident that he's he's adapting well to being an Arcanine.

The sun is well and truly up by now and you're both warmed up from these exercises. Nothing you haven't done before with him, but doing something new wasn't the point of the exercise. Acclimation was. Now that you're sure he is acclimated though, you have some time to do some more training.

>Work on some more advanced advanced obedience training.
>Do some stat training. (Which one)
>Saddle Blitz up and start training him as a mount.
>Teach Blitz a new move. (Choose)
>Blitz is doing fine for now. Train someone else.
>Other

>>6401175
>Teach Blitz a new move. (Choose)
Flare Blitz

>>6401188
Yolo as the kid says.

>>6401188
>>6401407

Roll. This is going to be a process and there's a risk of Blitz getting injured since he's not quite at the level of experience where he would learn Flare Blitz.

Rolled 32 (1d100)

>>6401489
Can Rascal help with Brave Bird? Same but different

Rolled 6 (1d100)

>>6401489
Hotdog

Rolled 64 (1d100)

>>6401489
Natty 100

>>6401493
>>6401700
>>6401851

"Say, Martha..." You say once Blitz has laid himself down for a rest after the past hour or so of agility and obedience drills.

"Yeah?"

You don't need to be able to sense other people's emotions to tell that she's cautious. Not that you blame her, because this is going to be a bit of an ask.

"You mind helping out with this next bit? I'm going to start teaching Blitz Flare Blitz." You reply, before working your jaw meditatively. "...Might be regretting naming him that now."

Martha chuckles.

"Good call." She admits. "I've been working on teaching my Rapidash that move as well. It's slow going, but I can give you some pointers to help keep him from hurting himself." She adds. "Have you taught him Flame Charge?" She asks.

You shake your head and it occurs to you that Sage doesn't know that move either.

"Well, we'll start there since the principle is the same," she says. "That Braviary of yours ought to be able to pick up on some of the same principles down the line as well and make it easier for him to learn Brave Bird."

"Handy." You admit.

"It is, but don't push it. He did just evolve and this is a risky move to be teaching him at his level of experience." Martha warns. "I'm only agreeing to help you because I know you're not about to go pushing him harder than he can manage, but if I call stop, you stop. Got it?"

"Got it."

The next hour is filled with teaching Blitz Flame Charge as a foundation, which takes very little time at all, since he knows the basic principle thanks to knowing Fire Fang and Quick Attack and this is just applying those skills in a different combination. Then, comes the tricky part - amplifying the power behind the move and controlling the recoil.

Martha explains how to do this in a controlled manner and has her Rapidash demonstrate their methodology for you, before Blitz copies her.

Or tries to, at any rate. This is what consumes the majority of the morning until nine o'clock, with Blitz trying to produce an aura of the relevant intensity and achieving wreathing himself in flame, but not achieving the intense heat Flare Blitz calls for and then practicing tackling through - a skill that Blitz is already good at, but this requires more commitment than he's used to and by the time you and Martha call a halt, he's tuckered out and needs a rest.

(Part 1)

>>6401963

"Well, that was a good start." Martha concedes. "He got Flame Charge with no difficulty." She adds, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. "Might be an idea to teach him Flame Wheel and Take Down first as bridging moves - things he can practice to get the technique necessary for Flare Blitz down. It's what I've been doing with my Rapidash and we've been making steady progress on it. Honestly, Blitz did better than I thought he would there." She adds. "Very least, he's got the foundational skills for Flame Wheel and Take Down out of it."

"Well, that's good." You reply, but you feel a little dissatisfied.

"Credit for your thoughts?" Martha asks, evidently catching some trace of it in your voice.

>It just feels like I'm not getting anywhere.
>For every step forward I take, it feels like I'm taking two steps back.
>I get that learning a move as big as Flare Blitz is a process, but this feels like it's taking too long.
>It's nothing, just a bit antsy. Let's go bail Daisy out and get going.
>Just... missing Fie.
>Other

>>6401990
>>For every step forward I take, it feels like I'm taking two steps back.

>>6401990
>For every step forward I take, it feels like I'm taking two steps back.

>>6402029
>>6402256

"For every step forward I take, it feels like I'm taking two steps back." You reply.

"You have done a fair bit of backtracking lately." Martha admits. "But take it from someone who's done this before: You're doing great." She says seriously. "You've got a strong team and a bunch of pokemon a lot of really competitive trainers wish they had." She adds. "You're also not doing this alone. You've got Holly and Gareth you can train with, plus me and the others. And you've got Fie willing to help you. You're in great shape. All you need to do now, is focus on training."

You nod.

She's right, but this still feels daunting. And the back-tracking has definitely gotten to you.

And if you're honest, the trek ahead down Route 5. It's nearly two weeks' walk to Halfway City and even if you've got Blitz, he can't carry everyone. Even pairing up Gareth or Holly with Martha and her Rapidash doesn't solve the problem either, considering you might be about to have someone joining your group.

"Thanks, Martha." You say, after taking a deep breath and doing your best to let go of the trepidation you feel.

"Think of it this way: For near enough the next two weeks, you're going to have plenty of time just to train and battle." She adds.

You hadn't thought of it that way, but that is a fetching thought.

"If you want some advise from me: Split your team half and half between pokemon you want to train more and pokemon you want with you for battling and helping with stuff around the camp." She adds.

"Well, guess I know what I'm going to be thinking on this morning." You say, before your watch informs you that the police station should be open.

(Part 1)

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>>6402810

You head in to find Holly and Gareth waiting for you and together, you head for the court house.

The Team Green hearings are slated for the morning and a matter of the local magistrate at present, so you have no issue sitting in to watch.

It's a half hour you're sitting there before Daisy's hearing and like the others so far, it's mercifully brief and to your surprise, the charges she's facing are remarkably light - just trespassing, which with a guilty plea, gets her off on a twelve month good behaviour bond and a small fine without a conviction being recorded much to her evident relief.

She's escorted off after that and you watch a few more hearings, including Laurel's and compared to all the other hearings so far, she's got a bunch of more serious charges in front of her. Not just trespassing, but criminal damage, conspiracy, several counts of aggravated assault and nearly one of contempt of court when she attempts to protest the magistrate about the assault charges, despite her solicitor trying to shut her up.

In the end, she's remanded with a seventy-five k bail bond and hauled off in a towering temper before the next case is called.

You watch a couple more hearings before quietly removing yourself, feeling cheered at the knowledge you shouldn't be seeing Laurel again for a long while and hopefully never again.

>>6402813

You meet Daisy outside the courthouse.

She looks dazed and is clutching a pair of poke balls for dear life but otherwise, she looks fine.

And upon seeing you she runs over, throws her arms around you and starts sobbing.

"Thank you...!" She manages in between sobs, before looking up, face tear streaked and nose running. "I don't know what I'd have done if you hadn't come along!"

>It's fine. You seem okay, you just fell in with a bad crowd.
>Make the most of this opportunity. Second chances don't come along every day.
>I'm sure you'd have figured something out.
>Other

>>6402814
>>It's fine. You seem okay, you just fell in with a bad crowd.

>>6402814
>>It's fine. You seem okay, you just fell in with a bad crowd.

>>6402908
>>6402980


"It's fine. You seem okay, you just fell in with a bad crowd." You assure awkwardly, giving her a pat on the shoulder before she releases you. "And I'm sure you'd have figured something out. The pokemon center Would've helped out."

She makes a face and you get the impression from her that she didn't think of that.

"Got some bad service in the past, huh?" Martha guesses, evidently seeing the look on Daisy's face.

"...Yeah." She says at length, then fidgets. "...So... where are you guys headed?" She asks.

"Genesis Cave, then on to Halfway City." You reply.

"Oh." She blinks. "...I uh... I won't be getting in your way, will I?"

"Nah, even if you're kind of a rookie trainer, the hike we're about to go on will give you plenty of opportunity to improve." Martha assures.

"I've only got two pokemon though." Daisy says. "And well..." She shrugs hopelessly. "The clothes on my back and that's it."

"Team Green didn't even give you a list of stuff to pack for that little outing, huh?" You say, feeling your estimation of them somehow slip lower.

She shakes her head.

“I’ll spot you.” Martha says, tiredly. “Arceus knows, you’re not going to have a fun time doing Route 5 with just the clothes on your back.” She adds. “This’ll take a bit - I’ll see you guys back at the pokemon center. Figure out if we’re renting a Rhyhorn for pack duty or not or something.”

“That’s just cruel.” Daisy says.

“Rhyhorn have been known to collapse buildings on themselves and walk out like nothing happened.” Gareth says. “Carrying bags on their backs, or even full-on wagons is not an issue for them.” He adds seriously.

“Oh.” Daisy says, taken aback.

Evidently, this is news to her.

>Ask Daisy about herself.
>Were Team Green really making pokemon out to be fragile and helpless?
>Go see about renting a Rhyhorn for pack duty.
>Go and get your team sorted for the journey.
>Other

>>6403349
>>Were Team Green really making pokemon out to be fragile and helpless?

>>6403349
>Were Team Green really making pokemon out to be fragile and helpless?

>>6403349
>>Were Team Green really making pokemon out to be fragile and helpless?

>>6403534
>>6403540
>>6403730

Head's kind of fucked, update might be delayed.

>>6403534
>>6403540
>>6403730

"Were Team Green really making pokemon out to be fragile and helpless?" You ask incredulously.

"Um... yes?" Daisy says. "They are though, aren't they? I mean... they can't break out of poke balls once they're caught." She adds.

"Don't you believe it." You reply with a chuckle, thinking of your mother's routine exasperation with her Wobbuffet. "Pokemon are with a trainer right up until they get sick of that trainer's shit."

"Oh." Daisy says.

She's silent after that and you get the feeling that your assertion is challenging something that she took as a given.

What the context could be, you don't know, but it seems like she had reason to actually buy that load of Rapidash shit.

Whatever the case, it seems a bit pushy to try and get an answer now, so you head back to the pokemon center for the time being while Martha takes Daisy to get some gear for the journey ahead, leaving you with some time to get some last preparations in.

>Go see about renting a Rhyhorn for pack duty.
>Go and get your team sorted for the journey.
>See if you can't squeeze in a battle.
>See if you can't squeeze in a bit more training for one of your team.
>Other

Present Team:
Syurm (Leavvany)
Ayumi (Dratini)
Fluffy (Eevee) (Everstone)
Volta (Luxray)
Sage (Braixen) (Everstone)
Blitz (Growlithe)

Companion slot: Latias

>>6404362
>>Go see about renting a Rhyhorn for pack duty.

>>6404362
>Go see about renting a Rhyhorn for pack duty.

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>>6404375
>>6404640

When you get back to the pokemon center, you look at your map again and take a closer look at Route 5.

It's long. It makes Route 2 - which is a two day hike from New Port to Silveridge without counting your detour around Lake Clarity - look like an actual walk in the park.

"Really glad we bought that camp shower." You say, before a thought strikes you. "Hey, Holly-" You begin.

She giggles.

"Yeah, good catch." She says, apparently having read your mind. "We could do with some more soap." She says, after she's checked all your bags, before waving and heading for the kiosk to buy some.

"She's been practicing." Gareth observes approvingly.

"I'll have to get some meditation in later. Really should do some more, now that we're about to close in on Origin Cave." You add.

"It'll help, but more in a 'keeping yourself attuned' way." He agrees.

"Do you think we'll need a Rhyhorn?" You ask after another moment spent studying the map and the distances between the major camp spots and roadhouses.

Three days between them, on average. The camp grounds noted have toilets, showers, water stores, public stoves and electricity, while dozens of little icons between them denote more rustic sites that have maybe a firepit and small sheltered seating area, or a clothes line or - luxury of luxuries - an outhouse.

Minimalist, but the Arnet League has always maintained that the big appeal and a major part of the challenge of the League, has been the difficulty inherent of tackling the Cardinal Routes.

You've heard exaggerated horror stories from friends from overseas about the Cardinal Four as they're called, but honestly, they don't sound too bad to you. Tough, sure. But only dangerous if you're a novice camper or don't prepare accordingly.

And the dearth of major camp sites noted on the route is a positive in your eyes: You enjoyed staying at the Lake Clarity grounds precisely because it was a one off. The fun of camping to you has always been in turning a clearing or a thicket into a comfortable space.

(Part 1)

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>>6404897

"I do." Gareth says seriously, studying the map with you. "If it were just you and Blitz, you'd be fine, but between all of us, Martha's Rapidash and Blitz aren't going to be able to carry all our stuff and Holly's going to need a break at some point." He adds, all of which are fair points. "And that's not mentioning we don't know how well Daisy is going to handle the hike. Rhyhorn are ideal for this sort of long range hike. They don't need much water, they're happy to browse on scrub grass and they can walk all day. They might not be fast, but they've got stamina."

"Perfect for this then, given it's going to be a bit of a mission." You agree. "How much a day is it to rent a Rhyhorn, then?"

"They do it by bond." Gareth replies. "A couple of grand and they keep twenty percent when you reach your destination."

That's actually pretty damn reasonable.

"Yeah, I'm not seeing a downside to this idea." You admit reflectively.

When Holly rejoins you, having purchased some admittedly very nice soap as well as some laundry powder, you get directions from the nurse and head out to the edge of town to make the arrangements.

Fortunately, it seems like Team Green were more focused on their Legendary hunt than sabotaging the trainers looking to take on Route 5, because the rental place looks fine and when Gareth mentions them, the owner just says he'd not seen hide nor hair of them.

It's a two grand bond, which you all put in for, Holly putting up half of it while you and Gareth debate shares or if you should wait for Martha.

The deposit made, you let the clerk know you'll be back to get your new companion later and head back to the pokemon center to wait for Martha and Daisy.

They shouldn't be too long, but you do have some time to get some last-minute preparation done.

>Rearrange your team for the journey.
>Call home and leave some instructions for taking care of your team.
>See if you can't find out anything about Schafer, the Halfway City Gym Leader.
>Talk with Holly\Gareth.
>Study up what pokemon can be found on Route 5.
>Other

>Study up what pokemon can be found on Route 5.
>Prepare for some EPIC LATIAS SPEEDING on the remote road

Also regarding team

>Present Team:
Syurm (Leavvany)
Ayumi (Dratini)
Fluffy (Eevee) (Everstone)
Volta (Luxray)
Sage (Braixen) (Everstone)
Blitz (Growlithe)
>Benched
Kay O-o
Rusty
Queenie
Coolie
Piker
Nika
Euphrates
Wilt

I'll vote to
>Switch Volta to Wilt
We have to bound to the new guy.
We need syurm and Blitz for travel/utility.
>Switch Sage to Nika
Sage is redundant with Blitz. Switch her to Nika, our gal need attention so young.
Kay O-o is still in recovery, let's keep him there.
There might be a point to shuffle Ayumi to Euphrate or Piker, bringing a water type in a desert road doesn't seem like the worst of ideas.

>>6404912
>Call home and leave some instructions for taking care of your team.
>Study up what pokemon can be found on Route 5.
>Prepare for some EPIC LATIAS SPEEDING on the remote road
>>6404937
+1

>>6405818
so what are we shuffling ayumi to?

>>6405850
Piker

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>>6404932
>>6404937
>>6405818
>>6405854

And more than getting info on Schafer or even studying up on Route 5 in detail there's one thing that you really must do before you leave and that's call home.

You head to the PC and it's not long before your mother picks up.

++"Alex, we saw on the news you've been busy."++ She says. ++"Trying to make a good impression on your godfather, are you?"++ She asks.

"More giving Jacky a hand, but hopefully he approves." You reply sheepishly. "That's not why I'm calling though - we're about to head down Route 5." You say. "And I'd like to make some changes to my team. Can I have that Haunter I caught, Nika and Piker?" You ask.

Your mother sobers.

++"You can, but be careful with that Haunter."++ She advises. ++"The rest of your team haven't been going truant on you because they respect you, but that Haunter probably won't."++

"I'll be careful." You assure, before sending Sage, Ayumi and Volta over to make way for the pokemon you requested.

In addition to the changes to your team, you leave some instructions for the care of your team - Keeping up the silver and iron supplements for Rusty, ensuring that Sage's coat is brushed out regularly and Ayumi's hide is oiled and that fresh water is kept up to the pond for her and Euphrates and that Kay O-o doesn't over-exert himself with the physical therapy you're sure your mother will insist on putting him through over the next week.

Queenie and Coolie, you're not overly concerned about. They're both fairly easy-going and can keep one another company, which just leaves Volta, whom outside of needing grooming occasionally, shouldn't present any problems. Especially not with Blitz with you. There might theoretically be some friction with Rascal, but you doubt it. They might both have a stubborn streak and strong personalities, but you've not seen any evidence that they don't get along.

++"Well, that's it then."++ Your mother says once she's sent the pokemon you requested through. ++"If you do get in trouble, don't try and press on anyway. Route 5 isn't easy and this time of year, you never know what the weather is going to do there, especially since Thundurus and Tornadus tend to act up this time of year."

You grimace as you recall yesterday's encounter with the Bolt Strike pokemon.

"I'll be careful." You assure. "We're well stocked and it's not just me, but I promise I won't go taking any stupid risks." You assure.

++"Alright. Take care and have fun. And don't forget to call when you reach the roadhouse."++ She adds.

"I won't." You assure, giving her a last wave before you end the call and head back to join the others.

(Part 1)

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>>6406362

Martha and Daisy have returned, Daisy now sporting some more practical clothes and having ditched the black block and bandanna, letting her long green hair fall down her back.

"All set?" Martha asks.

"Yeah, all set." You confirm. "Just had to make some last-minute switches. Let's go get our Rhyhorn."

As promised, there's a Rhyhorn in tack waiting and once you've stowed your bags on his back, you're off.

To your surprise, despite the fact his pace is pedestrian by the standards of a pokemon battle, he doesn't slow you down in the least and as first one hour, then another goes by inexorably, he doesn't slow down and you're left appreciating once again that there's a lot more to pokemon than just battling.

You wonder how Mike's getting on and if he's reached Halfway City yet, or at the least the roadhouse. It's not unheard of for trainers who generally go their own way and journey solo to join groups along the Cardinal routes at the roadhouses, for simple safety if nothing else.

It's getting on towards mid day now and you're keenly aware that you've still got a lot of ground to cover today before you reach a good campsite.

With that being said though, your prior reading on Route 5 was pretty brief. And you're still not sure what pokemon live on this route.

You've passed a couple of groups coming the other way as well, so you don't lack for options to fill the time as you walk.

>Try and squeeze in a battle (Roll)
>Study up on Route 5.
>See what pokemon live on Route 5.
>Talk with someone.
>Fly with Latias and scout the best place to take a break and make camp.
>Let one of your pokemon out and get some training in as you go.
>Other

Party:
Syurm (Leavvany)
Piker (Feebas)
Fluffy (Eevee) (Everstone)
Wilt (Haunter)
Nika (Riolu)
Blitz (Arcanine)

Companion slot: Latias

>>6406365

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_X_rxKYiW0&list=RDf_X_rxKYiW0&start_radio=1

Also - regardless of what you vote for, give me a roll.

This is a weather check.

Rolled 82 (1d100)

>>6406365
>>Study up on Route 5.
>>See what pokemon live on Route 5.

>>6406365
>Study up on Route 5.
>Let Blitz out and get some training in as you go.

Rolled 77 (1d100)

>>6406546
Forgot

Need one more roll. I will accept a duplicate IP.

Rolled 82 (1d100)

>>6407439

>>6406376
>>6406548
>>6407456

Considering the hike ahead of you, you decide that your first order of business should be to study up on what Route 5 has in store for you, both in terms of the pokemon that can be found along its length and the potential hazards and complications you can expect.

The summary you read a week or so back said that the route grows steadily more arid as you head towards Halfway City and a quick search for pictures bears this out, as well as looking around.

It's relatively green grassland here near Redmont, but the further towards Halfway City you get, the drier it gets and the black soil gives way to red, iron rich sand.

This is a major part of the reason why Route 5, for the entirety of its length, is home to Aron with the sand providing a steady diet of iron for them and giving them a comparatively sedate nursery to grow in, with more powerful Lairon and Aggron dwelling deeper out into the desert.

The full list of pokemon that can be found along Route 5 is lengthy, with some pokemon only being found along the western half of the route and others peculiar to the eastern.

Common to both are Aron, Mudsbray, Rhyhorn, Ponyta, Taillow, Murkrow, Nidoran, Sandshrew, Maractus, Rockruff, Numel, Machop, Skorupi and Trapinch.

On the eastern end, Vulpix and Growlithe are often seen, along with Helioptile, Electrike and Mienfoo along with Oddish, Hoppip, Bellsprout and various bug and poison types.

Towards the western end, this changes to Skarmory, Larvitar, Larvesta, Fletchling, Bronzor and Togedemaru, along with Geodude, Nacli, Roggenrola, Silicobra and Dwebble.

Quite the variety, to say nothing of the ubiquitous Kangaskhan and Ekans, which if online memes were to be believe, you should've been mobbed by like Zubat the moment you left home.

(Part 1)

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>>6407616

Insofar as hazards go, heat and lack of water are two big ones. Even on the Redmont end of Route 5, where it's greener, that's got more to do with the water table than it does any more accessible water source.

What rivers and creeks they are tend to be dry most of the time, only filling during the unpredictable rain events that can sweep through. Thundurus is also frequently to be found lurking along the route, stirring up violent thunderstorms, although these also occur naturally thanks to the cooler ocean air blowing into the interior and running into the warmer air masses that are common there.

You make a mental note not to camp on any low ground near the rivers as well. Apparently, when it does rain, it's not uncommon for the rivers to burst their banks and for the water to rise significantly, often topping the banks by two meters or so.

To make matters worse, during those sorts of flooding events, Sharpedo and Feraligator are common sights inland, even this far inland and it's not unheard of for them to be found lurking in billabongs leftover during dry stretches.

After the first three days along Route 5 and then on to the last stretch, the route also becomes much rougher as it cuts through a series of escarpments - remnants of an ancient mountain range long since eroded down to gravel and comparatively small hills. Fossils are often found among the rocks and as a result, paleontological expeditions are often to be found digging in the region. A fact Martha confirms when you ask, citing having gone with Jean on one a couple of years ago.

(Part 2)

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>>6407630

Mount Aspiration is actually a remnant of this ancient range and the tallest of the modern peaks that remain, most of the others having been worn down into a series of ridges that break the middle of Route 5 into a series of irregular, interconnected valleys and making the trails to Mount Aspiration and Lake Credo comparatively easy hikes, though the mountain itself is notorious for loose scree along the paths headed up to the summit and intermittent cold-snaps that are often attributed to the presence of a Legendary pokemon of some sort.

Lake Credo by contrast is something of a green oasis, but considering the abortive attempt at the Credo track Martha and her friends made, you're not keen on paying it a visit right now. Not with an angry flock of flightless bird pokemon on the prowl.

Origin Cave meanwhile, is situated a day or so after the roadhouse that marks the three-day point along the trail and is actually just an hour or two's hike past a fairly well-equipped camp ground.

Given the flooding risks, you're somewhat apprehensive about this prospect until some further research reveals that the entrance to the cave is situated up near the top of one of the ridge lines and has famously never flooded.

A reputation you're somewhat dubious of, since it sounds like unsubstantiated folklore to you, but you get the feeling that even if it does flood, Gareth is going to wait for the cave to drain so he can visit the shrine.

(Part 3)

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>>6407631

You blink and roll your neck, then check the time.

You've been reading for a while. You left mid-morning and it's getting close on to lunch now. You release Blitz so he can get some exercises, fully intent on getting some training in with him while you walk."

"Uh-oh."

Martha's exclamation, as much as her suddenly grim expression, are enough to tie a knot in your gut and dash any plans for training.

"What is it?" Daisy asks.

"There's a dust storm coming." She says briefly and you're suddenly confronted with the singularly uncomfortable realisation that this is a new problem in your book and you don't have any good answers on how to deal with this.

"How long do we have before it hits?" You ask.

"We've got a few hours yet, but I'd suggest we start looking for someplace sheltered to set up camp and hunker down until the storm passes. You don't fuck with sandstorms." Martha says seriously.

"This is a new one on me, so I'll take your word for it." You assure. "Know anywhere nearby we could hunker down?"

"There's a pretty sheltered spot up ahead." Martha confirms. "Still an hour or two, but we can make it and get set up if we hurry."

"Sounds like a plan." You agree.

Your pace is somewhat limited by Rhyhorn, but given Latias and Latios, not to mention Blitz and Martha's Rapidash, you could potentially have a couple of people go ahead to start setting up camp.

Simultaneously, sticking together might be safer, because that way nobody gets caught without supplies.

>Stick together.
>Send a party ahead to prep the camp.
>Other

>Double time it.
>Pick up the pace, but don't rush.
>Other

>>6407616
Fuck, Ironsand would have been perfect feed for our boy.
We can still get him in Halfway City for feist time.

We catchin a Larvitar? Or Thundurus attempt round 2 (even if I'd prefor the GOAT Landorian)

Also we need some Raindance/sunny day for travel purposes at some point.
>Send a party ahead to prep the camp.
Holly and us?

>>6407644
>Send a party ahead to prep the camp.
>>6407655
Round 2 electric boogaloo.
Yep, holly and us

>>6407655
>>6408016

Okay, can I get another roll please? This one won't really matter unless it's a crit either way.

Rolled 95 (1d100)

>>6408064

File: Latias.jpg (10 KB, 306x165)

10 KB JPG

>>6407655
>>6408016
>>6408103

"That being said, I think we can go one better." You add after a beat. "You send me the site and Holly and I can get there and start setting up camp."

"That's a bit of a risk, isn't it?" Martha asks.

"Sure, but it'll take the pressure off to get things set up and by the time you, Gareth and Daisy catch us up, you'll need a break regardless." You reply. "Holly and I can handle this." You add seriously.

"I'm not disputing that, but..." Martha begins, then shakes her head. "Never mind. With a sandstorm warning in place, I doubt you're liable to run into anyone anyway. Everyone's liable to be prepping for the storm where they are and this camp is a little off the beaten path." She adds, before sending you the directions.

"Um, why are you so confident you can get to this camp so much faster than us?" Daisy asks.

"You're about to find out." Martha replies. "Don't go spreading it around." She adds.

Warning delivered, you and Holly release Latias and Latios respectively, before climbing onto their backs once you've given them scritches.

You feel an inquiring thought as you double check the directions Martha gave you, before suddenly, you're moving, accelerating fast, before you're forced to tuck your head against Latias's neck as the wind whips past you.

You'd read that Latias under the influence of Mega evolution have been known to hit Mach 4. Right now, you believe it, though Latias isn't going nearly that fast.

Still, you keep one eye on your pokedex and watch the distance on your map app to the camp Martha identified drop rapidly, before only half an hour or so later, Latias slows before coming to a stop at the camp site.

It's about as good as you could ask for, what with it being set back from the road and recessed a little into the top of a hill, with a retaining wall creating a hip-high barrier to the wind around the western edge of the site, providing good shelter for the campfire and promising a similar level of shelter from the oncoming storm as the wind has definitely picked up from that direction.

There's a open-walled pavilion with a concrete picnic table set to one side next to the retaining wall, which while not totally ideal is by no means a deal breaker, considering you've got Syurm with you. There's no tap, so no running water, but you have water pokemon and bought bottled water as well, so that's also not an issue. There's also a shed to one side which you presume is for a long drop, so that'll save you some time having to dig that and the retaining wall only coming up to your waist isn't going to be an issue either, with Syurm's help. The site's level as well, so no need to try and level it with Bulldoze.

No, it's just about perfect.

The only thing that's stopped you and Holly from clambering off your respective charges, is the fact that there's already a small group here setting up camp.

(Part 1)

File: latias-latios-and-kyogre-(...).jpg (35 KB, 500x281)

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>>6408429

File: Spoiler Image (222 KB, 1000x1013)

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>>6408429

There're three people, it looks like - all of them staring at you.

Most notably is a young man whom you'd say is about your age, if he didn't dwarf you utterly and have the physique of a bodybuilder. He has long, pleated blond hair and barely fits in the ranger uniform he's wearing, which has the addition of a purple bandana tied around his left bicep, an affectation he shares with his companions.

One of them is a dark-haired young man, still fit but nowhere near as muscled as his companion and seems to have taken your sudden appearance the calmest.

The other occupant of the camp is a red headed young woman who's watching you suspiciously, before she blinks and refocuses on Holly with a look of surprise before she sighs and shakes her head.

"Okay, they're cool. Just looking to wait out that sandstorm, same as us." The red head says with a pronounced Galarian accent.

They're okay. A voice says in your head, which you identify as Latias, which has you clambering off her back before she goes invisible, the same as Latios as Holly follows suit.

"No need to be shy." The largest of the trio says. "We don't bite and there's space enough for all of us." He adds, his voice deep and booming and possessed of a broad northern-sounding accent to your ear. From the Norethr region, if you were to guess.

"Might be a tight fit soon." You reply. "We're part of a group of five, we came ahead to get a start on making camp." You explain, indicating the tents you've set aside for the moment.

Looking around, they've already set their tents - two large tents, not unlike yours, one of which you presume is just for the big guy, and gotten a fire going, as well as rigged up a tarp to act as a wind break and done a good job of it at that, but you have a feeling it'll be a tight fit, unless you put in some over time with Syurm.

"I'm sure we'll manage." The huge blond replies easily. "I'm Sven, what're your names?"

"Alex." You reply. "Nice to meet you."

"Holly." Holly says, nodding apparently either ignoring Nesta's stare or having a private telepathic conversation with her, given the red head's reaction to your appearance.

"I'm James." The dark haired young man says, then smiles. "And that's Shika." He adds, indicating just to your right.

You turn and don't see anything, before you look down and find yourself face to face with a girl who smiles impishly as you jump at her sudden materialisation.

Was she always standing there?

(Part 2)

>>6408448

"Nice reaction time." She says lightly, conspicuous among her peers by the fact that, instead of a camo-pattern ranger's uniform, she's wearing what you vaguely recognise as a Fuchsia clan uniform.

You're not too clear on the context of the hazy memories of the clan and Fuchsia city, but after what Meowth told you, if you had to guess you'd say that your parents must know the Fuchsia City Gym Leader, Janine, and trusted her enough to look after you while they were being the bane of Palm Corps' existence.

"Thanks." You reply, wryly. "Nice to meet you, I guess."

Shika chuckles as she goes to the fire and deposits an arm load of dead wood before heading back off down the hill, presumably to gather fire wood.

"If you're here to prepare for your own group, then don't let us stop you." Sven says.

You nod, already unpacking your tent, keeping one eye on Holly as she sets her tent, nodding to yourself as you notice that she's not having any trouble.

Sven and James don't offer to help. Not, it seems, because they're being rude, but rather because they seem to realise you don't need it.

In short order, you've got your tents set up, yours closest to the western edge of the camp to take the brunt of the wind and shelter Holly's smaller one, forming a vague crescent around the western edge of the camp opposite Sven's group's tents.

Checking your watch, you've still got the better part of two hours before Martha and the others catch up. Just like you said, giving you plenty of time to prepare.

This in mind, you release Syurm, which earns a curious look from Sven as he looks up from where he was intently studying his pokedex.

"You planning on doing some training?" He asks.

You shake your head.

"Nope. You guys have done a pretty good job of preparing for the storm, but there's more Syurm can do."

>Cut some branches for frames with Syurm and extend the wind break Sven's group have rigged.
>Let Syurm work her magic.
>See if Sven's group are down to prep the camp more.
>Other (Highly encouraged)

>>6408458
>>Let Syurm work her magic.

>>6408458
>Let Syurm work her magic.

>>6408476
>>6408486

Okay, rolls please.

Rolled 87 (1d100)

Rolled 47 (1d100)

>>6408957

Rolled 14 (1d100)

>>6408957
last roll

File: Leavanny_Card.png (49 KB, 245x342)

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>>6409106
>>6409768
>>6409892

Sven makes a 'go ahead' motion and sets his pokedex aside.

Apparently, he's curious to see what the two of you are about to do.

Syurm looks to you curiously, before you bring up a video of a sandstorm for her edification. Off to the side, you're pleased to note that Holly is busy setting up Gareth's tent with Martha's set beside it.

"That's what's coming." You tell her and she tilts her head, clearly thinking, before indicating towards the brush and chittering animatedly, leading to Latias appearing by your shoulder, looking to Syurm curiously.

Syurm chitters some more, indicating the tarp that Sven and his group have rigged as a wind break and then the scrub again.

Latias nods, before nudging you and leading the way towards a dead wattle and, at Syurm's nod, cutting it down, before cutting it to size, leaving a sizeable collection of deadwood behind as she makes several poles from the wood, which Syurm gestures to you to position, drawing a square with a diagonal for emphasis with four lines next to it.

Evidently, she wants to be thorough.

You lay out two frames before you run out of poles, before you're interrupted by Sven depositing another stack of timber, accompanied by a Feraligator before he shrugs.

"Many hands and all that." He says by way of explanation as Syurm sticks the frames with sticky web, weaving in the detritus from Latias's rough carpentry and filling gaps with String shot, filling out the frame in a startlingly short span of time before moving onto the next one as you and Sven set out the other two frames.

Half way through the second one, she stops and goes to several points along and around the lip of the retaining wall and marks out points, before having Latias levitate a hefty looking stick for emphasis.

Sven chuckles.

"I thought Leavanny were supposed to be nature's tailors. And yet, here's one that's a structural engineer." He says.

"Wouldn't have it any other way, honestly." You reply modestly.

"You sure that those'll be enough?" James asks, coming over to see what you're doing as you dig experimentally to see how far back the wall goes.

"Yeah, I'm sure. This isn't the first time Syurm's done this." You reply as Sven returns from his tent with an e-tool and starts digging.

"We're going to need about sixteen good, solid branches for this." He says to James, who nods and hops off the ledge and collecting Nesta before they head off out of the opposite side of the camp.

Meanwhile, you drag the first frame into position as Syurm looks at the tarp critically, before measuring the dimensions of the shelter and chittering to Latias.

Evidently, the tarp isn't up to her standards.

(Part 1)

>>6410156

It's a half hour or so before you're all finished positioning and lashing frames in place and James has packed away his tarp, still eyeing Syurm's handiwork critically.

It's not *quite* the same as what she built back on Route 2, but then she only needed to make a wind break in one direction this time and there're echoes of her last pavilion here, in that it looks a little like that one cut in half.

Presently, she's going around weaving a 'rim' around the whole of the structure, webbing sticks around the leeward edge of the frames and even the wall of the shelter, filling the gaps with silk, turning the work of the past forty five minutes or so into one continuous surface, rather than a series of panels lashed together from and filled in with silk.

"Okay, I take it back. That's some fine work." James admits.

"It really is." You agree, patting Syurm's shoulder and fishing out a Leppa berry for her as she slumps with a heavy sigh.

She takes it gratefully and starts nibbling at it with evident relish.

"So, how far away would you say your friends are?" Nesta asks curiously in the ensuing appreciative silence as you all admire Syurm's handiwork.

"Probably another hour." You guess.

"Hm. In the meantime, you or your friend up for a battle?" She asks.

>Sure. (Who, number of pokemon, bet)
>Holly?
>More interested in lunch right now.
>Maybe later - where're you guys from?
>Other

>>6410157
>>Sure. (Who, number of pokemon, bet)
Weakest of them to train our new pokémons. Quarter of our card. 3 Pokemon, Wilt, Nika, Piker.

>>6410344
Sure +1

>>6410344
>>6410944

"Sure. My team's a little all over the place in terms of experience right now and I've only been training for a month or so, but how's three-on-three for a quarter-"

"I'm not sure that's a good idea." Sven says, shaking his head sagely as you see a glint appear in Nesta's eyes and the beginning of an evil smirk at the corner of her mouth.

Not *malicious* per se, but definitely a sign that battling *her*, at least for money, might not be the best idea.

"Why's that?" You ask.

"We're cadets from the Falinx Ranger Academy." Sven says. "Part of the curriculum is pokemon training. We're currently on break, but we've been cadets there since we were all twelve or so, so we've got a lot of experience under our belts." He explains. "By all means, if you want to battle any of us, the experience could do you and your pokemon some good, but I wouldn't wager any money on the battle if I were you."

"If you just want to train though, that's cool too." James offers. "Even if we're on vacation right now, no reason to slack off entirely." He adds.

You get the distinct impression that Gareth's going to catch some good-natured mockery in the morning.

>I've never heard of this Academy.
>Huh. Well, no bet then, but three on three sound good...? (Sven/Nesta/Shika/James)
>Let's say I feel lucky... (As above, but 25% wager)
>Well, training works well too.
>Other

>>6412326
>Huh. Well, no bet then, but three on three sound good...? (Sven/Nesta/Shika/James)
Let's avoid Nika and Piker.
Wilt/Latias/Fluffy?

>>6412326
>Let's say I feel lucky... (As above, but 25% wager

Rolled 3, 3 = 6 (2d4)

Odd
>>6412507
Even
>>6414279

1. Sven
2. Nesta
3. James
4. Shika

First roll determines if you're going to wager money, second roll determines who you're challenging.

>>6414574
Bring it on, JimmyBoy

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>>6414574

"Sounds like a plan if there's time before the storm later." You agree. "But now you've got me curious. No bet, but how's three on me between you and me sound?" You ask.

"Sounds just fine to me." James confirms with a thumbs up. "I'll go with the three, but if you want to throw everything you've got at me though, feel free." He adds, selecting a pokemon already, before Nesta waves and goes to watch the fire while the rest of you go down the hill a bit to a clear area where you should have enough room for a good battle.

Holly and Sven take up positions to officiate, while - to your mild concern - Shika is waiting to the side with a bag of medical supplies.

Team:
> Syurm (Leavvany)
>Piker (Feebas)
>Fluffy (Eevee) (Everstone)
>Wilt (Haunter)
>Nika (Riolu)
>Blitz (Arcanine)

Companion Slot: Latias

>>6414574
Hell yeah, 005!

>>6414602
>Go, Wilt!

>>6414602
>Go, Wilt

Fuckin love ghost types

Rolled 19 (1d100)

i know he'll ask a roll

Rolled 12 (1d100)

>>6414631
>>6414653
>>6414665

File: Geodude_Card.jpg (77 KB, 702x1000)

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>>6414665
>>6414840

"Go, Wilt!" You say as the moment stretches.

"Amethyst, you're up - Flash!" James counters, releasing a Geodude, before it glows, then the glow intensifies blindingly, leaving you and Wilt both dazzled.

Far more than you'd credit, even.

Squinting and tapping into the aura, you look at James' Geodude and find it glowing steadily and brightly - it's experienced. Not freshly caught, there's a confidence in the way it looks at you and Wilt and holds itself. For whatever reason, James has elected not to evolve it, even if at face value, it doesn't look much more powerful than Wilt is.

"Confuse Ray!" You order, blinking the stars away and shaking your head to clear it.

Wilt doesn't need to be told twice - such an abrupt beginning to the battle has snapped him out of any surliness he might hold toward you for the moment in favour of getting some payback against the Geodude that just dazzled him.

The ray strikes home, leaving Amethyst off-kilter and disoriented, but James doesn't look too concerned about this turn of events.

"Rock Polish, Amethyst." He orders and you're treated to the sight of the Geodude glowing, before it's rocked by a minor, irregular discharge of energy - harmless to Wilt, but it's ruined the polishing process and robbed Amethyst of the speed boost and hurt it into the bargain, though not enough to really amount to much - this just puts the initiative back with you for the moment.

>Shadow Claw
>Curse
>Hypnosis
>Lick
>Mean Look
>Sucker Punch
>Payback
>Spite
>Confuse Ray
>Night Shade
>Haze
>Switch
>Other

Rolled 50 (1d100)

>>6415004
>Lick (for Parafusion) into Shadow Claw

>>6415029
+1

>>6415029
>>6415428

Two more rolls, please.

Rolled 30 (1d100)

>>6415644

Rolled 100 (1d100)

>>6415029
+1 lickty split

Rolled 83 (1d100)

>>6415644

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So... Do we get our Gengar yet?

>>6415029
>>6415645
>>6415650

Time to capitalise on that hiccup.

"Wilt, Lick!" You order and he rushes in and tags Amethyst full in the face with the flat of his tongue, full spread and drags it up.

Her aura dims to a dull green, but more importantly, the look of pure stunned mortification and the yellow sparks in her aura tells you she's paralysed.

"Power through, Amethyst - Smack Down!" James orders, looking still at his ease, though perhaps a little taken aback by this turn of events.

His Geodude though twitches in response, wracked by paralysis, though only after she'd found a good sized rock.

"Shadow Claw." You counter smoothly and again, Wilt doesn't hesitate to rake his opponent with incorporeal fingers wreathed in umbral energy, sending Amethyst's health plummeting to a red-orange.

"Now, Sucker-" You begin, before James recalls his disoriented and dazed Geodude.

"That's a good effort, Amethyst." He says, addressing the ball before returning it to his belt. "No issue with me withdrawing her from the match, right?" He asks.

You shake your head, but he surprised you there. You had him picked for the sort who'd go down swinging.

"No, that's fine." You assure as Wilt looks around now with an attitude of curiosity at his surroundings.

"Want to keep him in, or do this as a series of one-on-ones?" James asks.

"I'll keep him in for now." You reply. "Only caught him yesterday, so figured this'd be a good opportunity to see what he's about and see if he was going to be a handful." You explain.

"Smart. He's tough and you're green, so this is a good way to get some respect." James agrees, then selects his next ball. "Altair, let's go!" He says, releasing a Starraptor that swoops around him, cutting a tight turn to come to a stop in front of Wilt, who actually recoils slightly at the intensity of the glare it gives him as its Intimidate does its work.

Suddenly, you feel Volta's absence very keenly yourself as you briefly meet those piercing, steely eyes.

>Shadow Claw
>Curse
>Hypnosis
>Lick
>Mean Look
>Sucker Punch
>Payback
>Spite
>Confuse Ray
>Night Shade
>Haze
>Switch
>Other

Rolled 99 (1d100)

>>6415658
>Hypnosis + Curse

>>6415667
Damn.
Side note : we need Sludge Wave for our Gengar.

>>6415667
+1

Rolled 35 (1d100)

>>6415760

Rolled 48 (1d100)

>>6415667
Support!

Rolled 89 (1d100)

>>6415667
>>6415760
>>6415761
>>6415766

>>6415667
>>6415760
>>6415761
>>6415766
>>6415966

"Altair, Feather Dance." James orders and in response, his Starraptor swoops in and beats his wings, filling the air around Wilt with feathers, taking you off guard and making you hesitate a moment before you give your order:

"Hypnosis." You order, before you watch Wilt peer around through the feathers, as if he's having difficulty pinpointing where Altair is, before he releases a wave of energy, which has Altair slowing, then nodding, then coming in to land in a crumpled heap fast asleep.

You get the feeling that that was *very* lucky and that Altair's Feather Dance might've compounded on the vision issues Wilt was having from Amethyst's Flash earlier.

"Now, Curse!" You order as James tries to wake Altair up.

Before your eyes, Wilt's aura turns from green to yellow and a sinister, gloomy purple one settles around Altair, before it changes to a sickly green before your eyes.

"Now use Mean Look, Wilt!" You order as you see James reaching for another poke ball.

Off to the side, you can see Shika and Sven watching the battle with an attitude of rapt attention and in Sven's case, the ghost of a rueful smile.

In front of you, Wilt doesn't appear to do anything, but you can see James' expression has changed from cool and calm to legitimately concerned now and he's frowning, apparently trying to think of a way out of this position as he gives Altair another order, only for him to doze on as the Curse darkens his aura to yellow now.

"Confuse Ray." You order and James actually winces now before he orders Altair to use Aerial Ace, only for him to doze on again as he aura darkens a third time, leaving Altair's aura dark orange as he begins to stir now, before James sighs and recalls him.

"I'm not going to complain about luck, but you did a good job heaping on the pain there." James admits. "I'm withdrawing Altair as well. Let's see if I can't turn this around - A'tuin, let's go!" He says, releasing a Wartortle now, which wastes no time in adopting a low stance as he stares down Wilt.

>Shadow Claw
>Curse
>Hypnosis
>Lick
>Mean Look
>Sucker Punch
>Payback
>Spite
>Confuse Ray
>Night Shade
>Haze
>Switch
>Other

Real Talk:

This dice were *not* kind to Altair, when it came to the wake-up checks.

Rolled 17 (1d100)

>>6416142
Alright. My players taught me one thing : sacrifice the ghost type to curse the sole survivor in that case is a wincon.

>Curse.

Rolled 80 (1d100)

>>6416142
>curse

Rolled 9 (1d100)

>>6416142
>curse

Rolled 79 (1d100)

>>6416150
>>6416165
>>6416169

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>>6416150
>>6416165
>>6416169
>>6416550

This is an easy choice, you just hope Wilt is willing to go along with it.

"Curse!" You order.

"Bite, A'tuin!" James orders at the same time.

It's not even close.

A'tuin is fast for a Wartortle, but he's nowhere close to fast enough to stop Wilt before he's dissipating into a low-hanging purple fog, having spent his energy on laying another Curse, this time on A'tuin as evidenced by the Wartortle's health turning from vibrant green to pale.

"Aqua Ring." James says, clearly changing tack as you recall Wilt as he chuckles, low, guttural and darkly at the absolute *mess* he just made of James's team in this battle.

> Syurm (Leavvany)
>Piker (Feebas)
>Fluffy (Eevee) (Everstone)
>Wilt (Haunter) (Faint)
>Nika (Riolu)
>Blitz (Arcanine)

Companion Slot: Latias

Rolled 68 (1d100)

>>6416561
>Nika
XP for little one.
Gameplan : Stall. We sadly don't have detect, We, however, have
>Counter
into
>Endure
which, coupled to the curse, should carry us through - with a Quick attack to bag it?

Rolled 98 (1d100)

>>6416599
+1 quick

Rolled 54 (1d100)

>>6416561
HEH

Rolled 52 (1d100)

We're Arceus Silliest clowns sent to fight his funniest battles.

>>6416924

I can make this work, it's just really fortunate that this a cameo from specifically a Spartan-focused Halo quest, or this would be a *lot* harder.

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>>6416599
>>6416825
>>6416920
>>6416922

This battle is basically over.

You're still two pokemon up and even with this Wartortle being surrounded by an Aqua Ring, that's only delaying the inevitable and even if something truly unlikely happened, you're confident that you'd still be able to pull a win out.

And while you aren't really the sort to grandstand and it'd be really shitty to do so right now, there's an opportunity here.

"Hey, you mind humoring me with something?" You ask James.

"What've you got in mind?" James asks.

"I've got a Riolu-" You begin.

"Go ahead. We were doing high-intensity, mismatched battles from Day One in the academy." James says. "I'll make sure A'tuin doesn't get carried away." He assures.

You weren't really expecting James to be cool with this and while Holly looks concerned, none of the others look bothered at this idea and you release Nika opposite A'tuin.

She looks back at you and you give her an encouraging nod before giving her her first order:

"Protect."

"Aqua Jet, A'tuin." James orders. "But take it easy, this is just like our first day." He adds.

Nika gets her barrier up a split second before A'tuin barrels into her, deflecting off it as the curse and Aqua Ring battle it out, reducing his aura to a bruised green-yellow.

"Okay, Nika - Endure!" You order as it strikes you that you have a sure-fire way to win this battle, without Nika even needing to use a move.

That being said though...

Passivity isn't a habit you want to teach her. Time to get risky.

"A'tuin - Waterfall!" James orders, apparently not feeling the need to reiterate to be gentle.

In response, he comes charging in at Nika, turning to slam into her shoulder first...

Risk time.

"Counter!" You order and Nika springs into action, rolling with A'tuin's impact and catching him across the shoulders, coming down on her back and then throwing him up into the air, his momentum sending him sailing past you into the scrub and... you wince as you see he's fetched up in a black berry patch, his aura now deep in the red and before your eyes, it fades to grey as the curse takes its toll and Nika hauls herself up, panting, her own aura as red as the sand as James recalls his exhausted Wartortle.

(Part 1)

>>6416955

"That, was a damn good throw." James says, approaching the two of you as you give her a berry to nibble on while you treat her scrapes with a couple of potions.

He releases his charges as Shika strides up and starts checking his pokemon over with a thoroughness you'd expect from your mother or any other pokemon center nurse and starts treating them before she clears her throat.

"I'll take care of your Haunter." She says. "It's good practice, treating ghosts." She adds quietly.

"Sure." You reply and shortly, she's treating Wilt as well, while you finish patching up Nika.

"Great job out there." You praise and she practically glows under the compliment.

"It was. Especially for such a young pup." Sven agrees as he and Holly join you. "You did well, teaching her how to pull a throw like that at her age." He adds.

"That was the first time we tried that, actually." You admit sheepishly.

Sven chuckles.

"It was good work for dumb luck, then." He amends.

Far from being disapproving like you'd expect from Fie or Martha though, he sounds more amused than not.

"Why'd you put her up to such a risky gamble?" Holly asks, frowning. "That's not like you." She adds.

"He trusted her, obviously." Sven says as if this were self evident.

"I did, but I also didn't want her first experience really battling just alternating between using Protect and Endure." You explain. "It was a risk, sure, but I've been doing practice matches with Gareth, so I wasn't throwing her in completely unprepared."

"Honestly, you both ought to be proud. We're the furthest thing from pushovers." James says. "Say - if you'd like, we can keep practicing if you like. See if she can't get that throw down consistently." He adds.

(Part 2)

>>6416965

"That sounds like a good way to spend the next little bit, but mind if we drill Detect first?" You ask.

"That's not a bad idea." Sven agrees. "Detect is a fairly foundational move, insofar as combination moves like what your little Riolu just pulled are concerned. Endure isn't bad either, insofar as being able to take a hit is concerned, but it's always better to not take a hit in the first place, rather than simply survive it, he agrees.

"Says the guy who shrugs off hits from his Machoke on the regular." Shika observes. "And you got lucky with Endure working off the back of Protect." She adds, giving you a Look. "Shifting defensive focus like that is just as taxing as trying to use Protect or Detect consecutively and it risks the same likelihood of failure."

"Ah." You say, suddenly agreeing wholeheartedly with Sven that that was dumb luck.

Sven shrugs.

"Mendez thinks that's the only way I can spar with a peer opponent without two or three of you against me at a time." He says easily. "Who am I to argue?"

>Just chill and talk until the others get here. You want to hear more about this Falinks Ranger Academy.
>Train Nika with James and teach her how to use Counter in tandem with Detect or Endure.
>Spend some quality time with Latias. Delcatty is out of the bag anyway with these guys.
>Other

>>6416967
>>Train Nika with James and teach her how to use Counter in tandem with Detect or Endure.

>>6416967
>>Train Nika with James and teach her how to use Counter in tandem with Detect or Endure.

excellent fight

>>6416967
>Train Nika with James and teach her how to use Counter in tandem with Detect or Endure.

>>6416978
>>6417110
>>6417409

Okay rolls, please.

Rolled 12 (1d100)

Rolled 72 (1d100)

>>6417428

Rolled 43 (1d100)

>>6417428

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

167 KB JPG

>>6417441
>>6417476
>>6417477

Curious as you are about these guys and this Falinks Ranger Academy they all go to, you figure that you can ask later and for the time being, training Nika some more would be a more productive use of your time.

To that end, once your respective pokemon are healed, James releases A'tuin again and you get to practicing Detect.

A'tuin, as it turns out, is a good enough sport to go with it and starts out slow so Nika can get the hang of dodging and gradually picks up speed as she gets better and faster at evading his attacks.

The wind begins to pick up, but you keep going, moving on to combining Counter into the movements. This is somewhat trickier to pull off, but after having pulled it off once already, Nika's got an idea of how to do it and with Sven and James helping you coach her and A'tuin serving as a practice partner, she manages a few more successful throws after Sven suggests incorporating Endure first as a first step to safely take the impact of a blow and redirect it, but the wind begins to whip up sand and you retreat to the camp.

You're soon joined by Latias, who tucks herself in behind you, much like Latios has done with Holly.

"How did you come to be trainers for such powerful pokemon, so early in your careers?" Sven asks curiously.

"Good luck and their approval, in effect." You reply, before explaining about your fishing misadventure at Lake Clarity.

"Interesting." Sven agrees, nodding. "I do have to wonder though, whether he became a Haunter or if a Haunter took on the personality and appearance of this 'Henry.'" He adds.

"That's getting very philosophical, Sven." Shika says sagely.

"Mm. Still, wind's picking up, we might as well start preparing for dinner." He says, dismissing the matter with a clap, all business again. "How many more people are in your group?"

"Three," you reply. "And a Rhyhorn carrying our gear."

Sven frowns as the others look at you sharply.

(Part 1)

>>6417881

"Sure would've been nice to know we could've rented a Rhyhorn to carry our shit before we left Halfway City." Nesta opines as Sven chuckles ruefully.

"It certainly would have been." Sven agrees. "Still, that's going to mean a lot of pokemon to feed between nine trainers." He says.

"Mm. So, soup?" You suggest.

Sven nods.

"Soup." He agrees. "My mother has a good recipe for a berry soup, but between the four of us, I don't think we'll have enough." He adds. "And that only partially solves the problem. We'll need more than just soup to feed everyone."

"Um... we can wait." Holly offered. "You guys were here first." She adds reasonably.

"Nah, we don't work like that. Maybe if you'd been bell ends we might've told you to fuck off, but you guys are cool and your friends seem mostly alright." Nesta says. "Either we all eat, or none of us do." She adds with all the seriousness of your old Junior Ranger instructor advising you against going swimming in a mountain stream.

Man, Falinks Ranger Academy sounds intense.

>Wait until the others arrive before putting in for dinner. You've got a lot of supplies and it sounds like these guys have been traveling light. (Crowded camp -2 days supply, raises morale, +1 degree success on checks for the next day)
>You've got an overabundance of Bluk Berries. Put some of them up for Sven's soup. (-10 Bluk Berries. +2 degrees of success for pokemon for the next day, get Sven's mother's soup recipe.)
>You've always wanted to try your hand at foraging in the desert, so take the opportunity now. (Roll, Junior Ranger experience +10, Berry manual negates negatives. DC 60)
>Other

Biting the bullet a bit, here, going to start actually including DCs and modifiers instead of keeping them hidden from now on.

Is this because I like the way 404 handles things in his Halo quest?

Yes, it is. It's a QoL thing that I quite like and I'm not so proud I won't take lessons from other quests.

Unless people like the uncertainty of just picking an option and seeing what shakes out.

Going forward, you can also argue for modifiers based on equipment you have and assistance from your pokemon and traveling companions. This was always kind of implied as an option with the 'Other' option for write ins, but just going to clarify that point.

If anyone wants to make suggestions with regards to mechanics, whether that be mechanics to include, how existing ones might be implemented better or whatever else, I'm all ears.

I've been taking a fairly RPG-lite approach to things so far, but I'm open to going more granular if people would like that.

>>6417883
Can we
>You've always wanted to try your hand at foraging in the desert, so take the opportunity now. (Roll, Junior Ranger experience +10, Berry manual negates negatives. DC 60)
And when it fails/does not completely work supplement it with Bluk Berries?

>>6417891

They're not mutually exclusive, so yes you can.

>>6417883
>You've always wanted to try your hand at foraging in the desert, so take the opportunity now.

>>6417891
>>6418128

Okay, rolls please.

Rolled 8 (1d100)

>>6418739

Rolled 32 (1d100)

>>6418739

Rolled 60 (1d100)

>>6418739
Watch THIS

>>6418743
>>6418820
>>6419304

Last guy fucking *nailed* it, so that's one degree of success.

Update will be tomorrow, was just about to go to bed.

File: Enchylaena_tomentosa.jpg (21 KB, 250x217)

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"In that case..." You say, digging out your berry guide book and flicking through to the section on Arnet native edible plants. "I'll see if I can't find anything that'll help make up the difference." You reply.

"At this time of year?" Nesta asks skeptically. "It's the start of winter."

"If I can't find enough to meaningfully contribute, I've got an over abundance of Bluk berries I can put in for the soup." You reply.

"By all means." Sven said as he prepped the berries he'd retrieved from his bag and his companions had given him.

Wordlessly, you shake out ten of the twelve Bluk Berries you've grown lately, earning a raised eyebrow from Sven.

"I have a Feebas." You awkwardly explain, earning a nod from Sven.

"That's some luck." He says, before turning his attention back to meal prep.

This done, you head down the hill and start scouring the surrounding area for anything edible.

The wind's really starting to kick up the dust now, but you manage to find a patch of ruby saltbush that's heavy with bright red berries and after a painstaking few minutes, you have a large double-handful of the berries to show for your efforts before the wind forces you back to camp.

"I wasn't expecting much, but what're those?" Sven asked, eyeing the berries.

"Ruby saltbush berries." You reply, grimacing. "I was hoping to find something a bit more substantial, but yeah. Wrong season and it was a bit hard to find anything with the wind picking up." You reply.

Sven takes a couple of the berries and pops them in his mouth, then starts.

"Not bad." He admits, taking a couple extra. "Definitely more of a snack than anything, but they won't go amiss." He adds, as you add them to the pot.

Looking to the west, you can see a smudge on the horizon, that you imagine is the oncoming dust storm.

Checking your watch, you see that it's another half an hour or so until you can expect Martha, Gareth and Daisy to get here.

You're still feeling restless, though.

>Study something (The towns in the region, abilities, other routes, etc.)
>Ask if any of these guys challenged Schafer's gym when they were in Halfway City.
>Ask about Falinks Ranger Academy.
>Meditate.
>Spend time with one of your pokemon.
>Work with Syurm to see if there isn't anything else you can do to prepare the camp for the storm.
>Other

>>6419731
>>Spend time with one of your pokemon.
Piker. Replant bluk berries for his pokeblocks, maybe feed him one if that help...

>>6419731
>Spend time with Piker

>>6419794
>>6420008

For the time being, you decide to double-check your latest berry harvest.

They've matured into actual plants, but still look a ways off from maturing today.

The soil's a little dry, so you give the berries a water, then tuck them away again.

Ten Bluk Berries was quite the hit to your supply, but you've got another two planted, in addition to two more Pamtre berries and another Lum, so it shouldn't be long before your reserves recover. A day or two, if you repeat this crop.

This taken care of, you release Piker and feed him one of your two remaining Bluk berries, along with another of the poke blocks you made, much to his delight as he looks around curiously at the camp, waddling around in a small circle with his fins to get a better look at Sven and his friends, before glancing at you as if to ask who you're battling.

"No fighting." You chide as you take out a cloth and start polishing his scales, noting that he is definitely starting to develop prism scales judging by some of the opalescent silvery patches you can see poking through the bases of some of his scales.

He's well behaved while you groom and the camp maintains a quiet sort of expectation as the wind whistles overhead.

Holly meditates with Clytie, Sven focuses on the soup. Shika's disappeared again and Nesta's whittling a stick with an attitude of extreme concentration, while James is reading something.

(Part 1)

File: Sandstorm.jpg (36 KB, 1024x575)

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>>6420195

The first clue you have of Martha and the others catching up is Shika reappearing to inform Sven that there's a group on the path up.

Shortly afterward, you're treated to Martha's start of surprise as your Rhyhorn wanders to the edge of camp.

"I wasn't expecting company here." Martha admits as Gareth starts unloading the Rhyhorn so it can rest.

"We weren't either." Nesta replies. "Bit late to be arguing about it now though." She adds, nodding meaningfully to the wall of red dust in the distance getting closer.

"True." She agrees slowly.

You recall Piker and help Gareth unload the Rhyhorn, making introductions as you do and putting some more food on to cook in a pot.

Daisy collapses by the fire with an attitude of relief while Gareth and Martha get the rest of your supplies and gear stowed, then you hunker down as the dust storm hits.

The wind's been howling for a while, but as the pall of dust washes over the camp, it becomes muted, even as the sky goes red and visibility drops sharply.

Even with Syurm's preparations, you quickly wind up retreating to the tents as the dust stings your eyes.

You find yourself hoping that the dust settles soon as it patters against the tent as the wind moans over the camp.

>Roll 1D4

Rolled 3 (1d4)

>>6420198

Rolled 3 (1d4)

>>6420198

Rolled 2 (1d4)

>>6420198
haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAA

Rolled 1 (1d4)

>>6420198
DUDUDUDUDUDU

File: Spoiler Image (129 KB, 717x1000)

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>>6420254
>>6420295
>>6420298
>>6420432

"Ugh. Dinner is going to be miserable if this keeps up." Martha says behind you as you try to rub the sand out of your eyes.

"It shouldn't."

You blink at the pause in Martha closing the entrance to your tent and look owlishly at Shika sat cross-legged on your sleeping bag.

"Uh... why're you in here?" You ask, non-plussed.

"*How* are you in here?" Martha asks, incredulously.

"In order - professional curiosity and I came through the front." Shika replies nonchalantly. "What happened to your arms?" She asks, indicating Martha's cast and the bandage on your right arm as Martha frowns at this seeming impossibility as she looks between Shika and the tent flap she'd just finished zipping up.

"She's not wearing that outfit for no reason." You say wryly at the look of consternation on Martha's face. "But yeah. Accident with a campfire at the Saltcoast gym. This idiot thought he'd be a smart-ass and dump kerosene onto a fire to 'get it' going and I got burned in the flare-up." You explain.

Shika grimaces, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear, then looks to Martha expectantly.

She sighs.

"Broke it when me and some friends were attempting to take the Silveridge Track when we ran into a Golem. I got caught out by a Rock Slide." She explains.

"I see." Shika says, before releasing an Audino. "I ask, because Reiki here has been practicing with Heal Beam so she can heal more than just superficial cuts and bruises, but as you might imagine, it's a little hard to schedule practice for such training."

"So, you want us to be training dummies." Martha finishes, as there's a tap at the tent flap and Martha opens it to admit a very disgruntled Latias, who trills as she settles behind you. Her down is all ruffled and you imagine that the high winds weren't to her liking.

"Essentially." Shika confirms. "A burn shouldn't prove an issue for Reiki, but a broken bone is just the sort of challenge she needs." She adds.

Martha gives you a look and a one armed shrug.

>If it means I can get this bandage off sooner, then sure.
>Thanks for the offer, but I think I'll have to decline.
>Other

>>6420868
>>If it means I can get this bandage off sooner, then sure.

>>6420868
>If it means I can get this bandage off sooner, then sure.

>>6420868
>>If it means I can get this bandage off sooner, then sure.

>>6420904
>>6421005
>>6421084

"Hey, if it means I can get this bandage off sooner, then sure." You reply.

You take the dressing off, revealing the raw, half-healed burn beneath, before Shika gives it a once over, nods and scoots back to give her Audino access.

"Heal Beam, Reiki." She says. "Like we've been practicing."

Reiki chirps, frowns, then cups her hands and conjures a shimmering beam of soft, white light that washes over your arm and makes your skin crawl and itch like an absolute motherfucker as the burned skin on your arm heals before your eyes, not even leaving a scar behind.

"Huh, pretty good." Martha admits.

"Mm... Are you willing to try?" Shika asks her, indicating her arm. "You can keep the cast on, just with a burn I could actually judge how she was doing at a glance." She explains.

"Sure, it's Heal Beam. At worst, my arm doesn't ache as much for a while." Martha replies, offering her arm as Shika urges her partner on as she uses Heal Beam on Martha now.

Reiki sustains the beam significantly longer on Martha's arm than she did on yours, frowning all the while and judging by Martha's grimace and the way she pales, the process feels an awful lot worse than just itching, but after two minutes of sustained effort, Reiki finishes up with the Heal Beam and gives a sigh of relief as Martha slumps and gropes for a water bottle, looking drained.

"Are you alright?" Shika asks in concern.

"That did something." Martha admits. "Hurt like hell, but... not in a *bad* way, if that makes any sense. Like really deep and intense pins and needles." She chuckles weakly. "Nails and screws, I guess you could call it."

"That lines up with what it should feel like." Shika confirms. "Healing major injuries with Heal Beam isn't necessarily pleasant. The body doesn't quite know how to process that rapid a repair or rate of cellular regeneration, so it defaults to pain, though not as much as the damage is repaired." She explains. "Let me know how your arm feels tomorrow." She adds, recalling her Audino, then exiting the tent as Martha slumps.

"I'll do that..." Martha assures.

"Are you really alright?" You ask her after a quick check with aura to make sure she's gone, but Shika seems to have left for her own tent across the camp.

"Yeah, I'm okay." Martha repeats. "Just... took a lot out of me." She explains. "My arm does feel better than it was, but I don't think we'll know for sure how much good that did until I can get checked out at the next roadhouse." She adds.

(Part 1)

>>6421451

"The pokemon center in Redmont is still closer." You note.

"I think we're both sick of back tracking." Martha says wryly. "Besides, that helped, it's just a matter of to what degree." She adds, then sobers. "Still, they know about Latias and Latios, then?" She asks.

"Yeah." You reply. "I don't think they'll go spreading it around, though." You add, digging out your phone in an ultimately fruitless attempt to check the weather. The dust storm's interfering with the signal, it seems.

"I checked on the way here, this'll only last an hour or so." Martha says, seeing what you're trying to do. "Long enough we're not making any worthwhile progress afterward, but short enough we can still do stuff this afternoon."

"Mm."

That still leaves you a couple of hours stuck in your tent and despite Martha's assurances, she still looks rather pale.

>Help Martha over to Latias's side and keep an eye on her just in case.
>Meditate.
>Study. (What?)
>Spend time with one of your pokemon.
>Other

>>6421452
Training time with Fluffy?
We have Cosmic Power/Body press to learn at Eevee form (as well as broken bullshit Let's go move) before evolving, might progress on that?

>>6421452
>Spend time with Fluffy.