>>36759550
Yay Mittens!

>>36759550

It’s still raining; you watch the old ranger walk away, Rapidash in tow, and the rain falls onto its coat, sizzling and crackling as the fat drops of water hit the nape of its neck and its tail. You pull your hood tighter over your head and brush wet bangs of hair out of your eyes. You’re glad that altercation didn’t go any further; you’re tired and butting into Ranger business isn’t exactly your thing. You just couldn’t let Math get punched around for helping you. Your conscience wouldn’t stand for that.

Speaking of Math, you turn to him. As usual, he’s lighting up. His hands are shaky and the flame on his old turn-lighter insists on being stubborn, just like him. It must be some sort of nervous compulsion of his to light a smoke whenever there’s trouble: something that urges him to take an old-fashioned cig in his mouth and suck in the tar and smoke. But that's not here nor now.

You reach down, offering your hand to the soaked, pained Ranger. He takes the hand not occupied by his smoke off of the spot just punched and pushes away your hand. Grunting, he slowly gets to his feet and brushes the water off his face. You think you hear a bit of a “thanks,” over his clenched teeth. Otherwise, he just brushes past you quietly.

You call after him, asking if he wants a Scyther since there’s four. He just throws up a curt wave without turning, shouting “yeah, n’thanks.”

Dani, still standing near the wagon with her head down and a wet, heavy weight of hair plastered to her face, quietly asks if you “think he’ll be okay?”

Nick scoffs, picks up his bag, and heads away. Muttering about “dumbasses and stupid bitch Rangers.” Standard attitude for him, but you’re not sure who he thinks is a dumbass and who is a bitch. Probably everyone, knowing him.

>”He’ll be alright. He’s probably seen worse.”
>”I’m not sure. Maybe I should talk to him.”
>”Let’s get inside and get everyone checked out.”
>Write-in

>>36759782

Yay Anon!

>>36759804
>”Let’s get inside and get everyone checked out.”
We can go check on Math after he's had time to unwind a bit

>>36759804
>”Let’s get inside and get everyone checked out.”

>>36759804
>go inside and get everyone checked out

>>36759828
>>36759841
>>36759874

You run a hand through Dani’s hair, pushing some of the thicker strands out of her face. You smile at her, tired and woozy as she is she still looks beautiful to you. “I think he’ll be alright for now; he’s going to need some time to cool off. I’ll check on him later. For now? We need to get everyone checked out.”

Dani nods and the two of you enter the west wing of the compound with the MedCenter.

>>>>

The nurse at the front desk takes seven Pokeballs from you, included the newly registered Scyther. You took the biggest of the lot since your connection was especially “special.” Though, while special, you don’t particularly hope to have a challenge like that any time soon. Your arms still ache and your ribs still leave you wincing with every breath. On that point you ask the nurse about getting checked out yourself, which she obliges by writing you up a ticket. You take it after asking about the wait on your team.

“It’ll just be a few moments,” she replies. You know that as nurse-speak for “less than a half hour.”

>You go to sit at the couch with Dani and wait together.
>You call up someone (Erwin, Professor, Mom, Erica, who?)
>You pull up information on something (Pokemon, Gym, 4Champ, what?)
>Write-in

>>36759897
>You call up someone
Erwin, let's ask him if he has any tips on training scythers.
Hopefully they involve chainsaw sparring

>>36759897
>You go to sit at the couch with Dani and wait together.

>>36759975

I wanted to add that, if this option wins, you and Dani can watch something on the TV they have in the lounge/waiting area.

>News
>Political broadcast
>Discovery/BBC -style Nature Documentary
>A b-rate Action flick
>Write-in

>>36760000
>A b-rate Action flick
>"When Scythers Attack!"
Cackle all the while

Though I still maintain my vote here >>36759924

>>36760000

turns out Lance actually does movies in his spare time as DragonMan and his mortal enemy is ClefairyGirl or the IceBreaker and they battle for the world or something

I'll just go ahead and continue, writing up a bit of everything you guys mentioned (if there isn't a specific thing that everyone wants to do).

Is there anything everyone wants to get to relatively soon? IE:
>Get back to the first Gym
>Get back in touch with the Professor
>Try and find some trainers nearby to challenge
>Etc.

I just want to know what you guys want out of the story.

>>36760118
>Get back to the first Gym
While we are in town
>Get back in touch with the Professor

>>36760118
>Get back in touch with the Professor
I'd say rescuing the Prof takes immediate priority though we should phone and book a gym appointment too. Depending on when the Prof wants us to meet him we might end up doing the gum beforehand.

>>36760118

You move to join Dani on the couch; she’s wearing a towel on her head in that odd turban-style that woman seem to innately know how to pull off, another on her shoulders, and is sipping on something hot from the dining hall. She offers you her second towel, which you gladly accept and use to wipe down the wetter spots on your body. It leaves you feeling warmer, which is nice, and a little less grungy. A warm bath will do you some good (or even just a shower).

You settle into the couch, Dani shimmying and twisting a bit so that she can nestle into the crook of your arm. You watch the TV screen flip between channels as Dani surfs, looking for something to watch. Then you go to prop your feet up on the coffee table because “manners be damned, I’m tired,” and see something that really drives home that “wow, Dani is so sweet” thing: there’s second steaming cup on the table.

“Is that for me?” you motion towards the cup, and Dani nods with a smile. You kiss her on the head. Warm tea sounds fantastic right now.

You settle in and turn your attention back to the TV. Dani has stopped on some sort of show with lots of shaky-cam effects, dramatic music, and what appears to be hints of violence. Perfect! “So… What are we watching?”

Dani has the guide pop up, telling you that it’s “Attack on Trainer!” a foreign series where the TV host goes over allegedly “real-life” footage sent in by Trainers that have been attacked by vicious ‘Mons. Today’s episode is on Scythers, which is… strangely relevant.

>cont.

>>36760338

“I still can’t believe nobody caught my chainsaw battle on tape. I know you guys were unconscious,” you sigh, depressing deeper into the couch. “Shit still sucks, though.”

“And I…” Dani chuckles a bit, turning up the volume on the TV, “… Can’t believe you’re still going on about that. I didn’t even see a chainsaw at the Utility Tower, Grey!”

“Yeah? I bet Erwin would believe me. In fact, I’m going to call him right now!”

And you do.

“’Ello?” The Veteran Ranger picks up the call quickly, and seems to be in some sort of office or something. When he sees you on the call he smiles, his tone as bright and happy as ever. “Ah, Grey! How’re you’n be doing, my young frien’? How’n the Tour going so far?”

>”Great! I just caught a Scyther!”
>”I wanted to know… have you ever had a chainsaw duel with a Pokemon before?”
>”Any tips on training a Scyther?”
>”Any tips on the Tour in general?”
>Write-in

>>36760360
>”Great! I just caught a Scyther!”
>”I wanted to know… have you ever had a chainsaw duel with a Pokemon before?”
>”Any tips on training a Scyther?”
Basically everything but asking about tips in general, I don't see the need to ask about non-specific stuff. That's for us to figure out ourselves

>>36760360
>”Great! I just caught a Scyther!”
>”I wanted to know… have you ever had a chainsaw duel with a Pokemon before?”
>”Any tips on training a Scyther?”

>>36760360
I'll go ahead and agree with >>36760378 and >>36760456

>>36760522
Then I shall go ahead and write!

>>36760535

“It’s going great, Erwin.” You can’t help but smile at the older gentleman. His personality just seems fit to making other people feel comfortable. “And Dani’s here and doing well too!”

You turn the projection and camera towards Dani, who looks over with a wave and smile at Erwin. She asks about Piper, his trip on the Skarmory, and how he’s doing. You join in on occasion and the three of you have a nice, pleasant conversation. Erwin’s old Meowth joins in eventually, settling down in his lap and meow-ing at Dani through the projection.

Specifically, you ask about training Scythers and chainsaw duels with Pokemon. Erwin gives a bit of a quizzical look before asking you to explain. You do, and when he’s finished he gives a loud, guffawing laugh. He quickly settles down, though, and starts rubbing at his brow, shaking his head, and muttering to himself.

“Tell’n you, boy, you sound just’n like this old friend o’mine.” You both smile at each other, and he gives you a bit of a thumbs-up. “Nah’n, I… I never battle no ‘Mons with a chainsaw’n before.” You’re a bit disappointed. “However! I did have’n to use a weedeater once’n on occasion. A bigass’n Trapinch came out’n me while I was patrolling the grounds of’n the Ranger Compound where’n I’d be stationed and I took that ‘eater right’n to his ‘ead before’d my whole leg was chewed.” You and Dani laugh as he continues the story, gesturing on the size of its jaws and how he had a newfound respect for gardening tools after that.

After that he goes back to training and raising Scythers. He offers that they probably “are’n like most reptile and dragon’ilk, ya know?” And, because of that type of temperament you have to be firm and earn their respect. However, once you earn their respect they tend to be fiercely loyal and fierce teammates. Just be stern, steady, and confident with them.

>>36760686

Erwin then goes on to tell you a bit about his business since you last saw him. He tells you he’s currently in another region, actually, doing a bit of consultation work regarding his Ranger experience and field experience in Ecological development. Something about revitalizing an old mining area polluted by radiation and industrial-waste and shit near the mountain chain up North. Apparently they’re working on bringing in some Fairy types to soak it up and break ground on the revitalization but beyond that they’re not sure. It’s all very interesting, really.

You then get an alert notifying you that it’s time for you to be checked up, and shortly after Dani does as well. The two of you wrap up the conversation with Erwin, asking after him personally and wishing him well before signing off. It’s good that he’s doing well; talking to him was very nice, and you leave the conversation glad that you called him up on a whim.

>>>>

The medical staff sees to examining you effectively yet efficiently; no fracturing of your ribs, thankfully, but you have to take a couple stim-doses and otherwise see to getting your arm fixed up. No mental damage, either, and after your bruises and lacerations are tended to you’re good to go.

You meet Dani back in the waiting area. Her diagnosis was much the same, with the exception that she get some good rest and check back in at a MedCenter if there are any signs of neurological stress. It’s unlikely, but hey: the Med staff is always safer rather than sorry.

You both collect your teams and then grab something to eat. Nick’s wearing some pajamas in one corner of the dining hall and is idly chewing on a sandwich while flipping through his SILPHone. His team, minus the Scyther you game him, are scattered about him while he sits on one end of a low, purple sectional. There’s Sonny, Tripper, Salem, a Poocheyena, and an adolescent-looking male Nidoran.

>Talk to Nick?
>Eat with Nick?
>Dine and Dash with Dani?

>>36760893
>Eat with Nick?
>Ask him what he's named his scyther

>>36760893
Sounds good >>36760983

>>36760893
>>36760983
This. I feel like we really haven't spent much time with Nick. At least time not battling.

>>36760893
>Eat with Nick?

>>36760893
i vote for spending a brownie point and having a kung fu fight with nick in the style of the matrix

>>36760893

You ask Dani about eating with Nick, and she offers a “that sounds fine to me” with a shrug. The two of you grab a couple premade meals and then rustle up some food for your Pokemon. Some meat for the meat eaters, some veggies for the herbivores, and then French fries for Mittens because “want fries, Grey! Pleasepleaseplease!”

You guess this corner could be called the “play area” or something, seeing as how it’s a bunch of couches and sectionals situated around a bright, colorful rug and a variety of toys for Pokemon to play with. You take everyone out carefully (one at a time) and get them started on eating before moving onto the next.

Nick’s pleasant enough and tiredly says hello but otherwise remains quiet. You ask him how he’s doing and he says, “the doctors think I’ll make it, but who the fuck knows.” You nod, smiling a bit, and then are about to ask after his team and his plans for the tour when you realize that he’s alone and you haven’t seen any sight of Max or Turner. You ask about them and he says that they “took off for Jay City already; didn’t want to travel together anymore anyways. Little bitches.”

>”Where are you from?”
>”How did you know Turner and Bucky, I mean ‘Max?’”
>”You liked traveling with them, didn’t you?”
>”Were they your friends?”
>”Why are you such a dick?”
>Write-in

>>36761346
>”How did you know Turner and Bucky, I mean ‘Max?’”

>>36761346
>”Where are you from?”
>”How did you know Turner and Bucky, I mean ‘Max?’”
>”Why are you such a dick?”
>”Were they your friends?”
>Kiss him because Erica boner

>>36761393
>>Kiss him because Erica boner
I want to veto this because I have no sense of humour

>>36761411
>>36761393

I think the first Anon meant to metaphorically kiss him. As in, "Give him the sweet kiss of defeat in a Pokemon Battle."

Right, Anon?

>>36761437
No i meant it as go full homo and lock lips with our new boyfriend. if Nick or Dani don't like it we can have Mittens brainwash them.

>>36761486
Fuck that, no.

File: dicking ensues, homosexua(...).png (384 KB, 729x1071)

384 KB PNG

>>36761486
Hawt

>>36761520
relax, it's not like Harold is actually going to write it. You know why? Because it's not going to get any votes.

>>36761549
At least in that scene, the guy he's looking at is really just his girlfriend who's convinced she's his own self. Oh god, please don't make that happen, Herald.

>>36761580
>>36761583

Nah, psh. Perhaps unfortunate for you guys I'm no good at writing homoerotic lewds, so the fetishistic stuff is going to have to come from a different direction. No offense, just the reality here.

ANYWAYS...
>Writing unless there are other votes

>>36761346

>”Where are you from?”
>”How did you know Turner and Bucky, I mean ‘Max?’”
>”You liked traveling with them, didn’t you?”
>”Were they your friends?”
These also almost missed this quest due to sleeping . I'd have been pissed love me some Pokémon SSQ.

>>36761851
Hey everyone. Sorry about the wait; there was a personal emergency over here IRL. I'll get right back to it now.

>>36762715
Cool, Was starting to think you fell asleep on us. Everything ok?

>>36762735
Just something with my family; they're all poor and insane and stuff and the holidays just bring the worst of it out of them...

>>36762773
Ouch. Well glad its ok. I have family in the jewelry business this time of year is fucking nuts for them. They get Really grumpy. Like Ursaring woken up in the middle of winter by someone pinching it grumpy.

>>36761770

“Were you guys friends? I mean, before the Tour or something: how did you meet Turner and Bucky?”

Nick stops biting into his sandwich at that and looks up at you, confused. “Bucky?”
“Uh, you know. Max.” He laughs and rolls his eyes.

“Dumbass. Yeah, I knew Max and Turner before the Tour. Lucky enough that we all got in at Southern Shores, but… Yeah. Dumbasses. They weren’t keen on hunting Scythers, wanted to make it to the firs gym… They just aren’t as ambitious, y’know?” He sighs and shakes his head, then shrugs. “I want to be the best. Them ‘bitches’ were just holding me back.”

You look at him for a while after that, thinking over your experiences with him and his bullshit personality; he puffs himself up, but he apologized after you hit him. Most dicks wouldn’t do that. What makes him tick?

“You never actually said if they were your friends, Nick.” Dani nods at that while tacking on “where are you from anyways, Nick?”

“I’m from the Northeast; er, all three of us are. And,” he stands up, gathering his dishes into his hands with an unnecessary haste “the place was a shithole; they were my friends, yeah, because you either make friends in my hometown or you live a shitty life. I had lots of ‘friends.’”

You’re not entirely sure what that means, but it seems the subject is closed for now.

>>>>

You and Dani eat the rest of your lunch in relative peace; all of your Pokemon get along well enough and the two teams don’t have any troublemakers as of yet.

You….

>Pay particular to / bond with Mittens
>Apollo
>Nereid
>Sheldon
>Phoenicia
>Bonnie
>Write-in

>>36763315
>SCYTHER!
Let's go get our new bug up and about, have the respect us talk, all good things. Mittens can aid as per usual with conveying messages.

Should probably agree on a name at some point, I'm still in favour of Grim personalyl

>>36763315
>Apollo
I really hope we don't have to use him when fighting a Russian trainer who is using a fighting type. That will only end badly.

>>36763358
I like Grim, Mr.Rodgers, Darth Scyth, and Bigbug.

>>36763315
>Write-in
Let's get our scyther out. See if he respects us after that chainsaw battle.

>>36763315
>Apollo
he's our other heavy hitter and Mittens bless her glorious little paws has gotten a lot of the limelight.

>>36763358
I was partial to Azrael, hopefully Herlad will let us vote for it when time comes.

>>36763315
>>36763381

I'm in favor of Darth, Darth Scythe, Darth Maul, etc!

>>36763315
Talk to our scyther, introduce him to our team. I'm also in favor of the name "cuddles"

>>36763411
okay I also like Cuddles.

Can you guys pick a non-scyther option for the moment? It seems clear that Scyther is wanted so I will include that but not inside the dining hall where it could potentially wreck shit. I will have Grey move outside after finishing lunch / bonding with your other Pokes.

>>36763411
I have to admit I like cuddles myself.

>>36763445
Maybe we could name the Scyther Darth Cuddles
>>36763315
as to the vote, I say spend time with Bonnie, we haven't spent a lot of time with her.

>>36763431
Ah, in that case lets thank Bonnie for her hard work. Shrews a best

>writing

>>36763525
So are we going to split between Bonnie and Apollo or what Herald?

>>36763567
See for yourself.

You sit with your back against the sectional, Mittens sitting in your lap and chomping down on a small handful of French fries. You made sure she got some real food in her first (to her dismay) but she wolfed that down to get at the crispy fried potato slices. Small ambitions for a small cat, you suppose.

You beckon Apollo and Bonnie over, and the Growlithe bounds over and onto your side. The Shrew waddles over and up onto your right shin. She sits and then begins wiping down her face with her clawed forelimbs, chittering and squeaking at you the whole while. The two of them did very well in the battle, and you note the contrast between Apollo’s more serious personality and Bonnie’s lax one. It’s funny, because Apollo is the younger one and Bonnie is practically an adult!

On that note you focus on the ‘Shrew: you pat her head, scratching where the harder scales meet soft fur. She enjoys the feeling, nuzzling into your hand. While you have her so close you set to inspecting her scales, coat, and overall health. She seems well, and that last few training sessions coupled with the healing have noticeably aged her. Maybe. When you first caught her she seemed to be on the cusp of adulthood, the smooth surface of a Sandshrew beginning to give way to the harder, more violent image of a Sandslash. Now? Her claws are rather extended and her scales are sharp, hard, and constantly in a raised position. They have changed to a darker color as well. You imagine that she’s either fully an adult now or very close.

Apollo gets your attention next, and you offer him a particularly fatty piece of beef, setting him to lapping at you and barking excitedly.

>cont.

>>36763888

You give the food to him and rustle his mane, your fingers brushing the wispy white fur back and forth. The oil doesn’t particularly bother you, instead just giving his coat a nice sheen and silky feeling. You pull him into you and start on scratching his belly. He takes to this nicely, panting and then, actually, purring a bit? You’re not sure, but it seems like it. You suppose that’s his “lion” side, perhaps.

In that regard you can clearly see that his teeth have grown, becoming more vicious and intimidating. In addition, his stripes have become bolder and more vibrant. He’s not an adult yet (perhaps far from it?) but he’s gained in bulk and presence. When you first caught him you could cradle him in your arms; you still could manage (maybe) but he’s bigger than Mittens now! It makes you wonder: are you pushing them too fast? Are they growing too quickly? You make a mental note to ask someone, maybe.

You then set to tossing Bonnie and Apollo scraps and tasty “bits,” cheering when they manage to catch a particularly challenging toss and admonishing them when they try to steal a toss meant for the other. You give Apollo farther and farther distances to cover for his attempts. Bonnie gets smaller bits throw quickly and wide; she makes out like a soccer goalie, blocking the food with her hands before scooping it up into her mouth.

Dani watches you for a bit, cheering for everyone involved and laughing, before settling into her own routine. Vlad shows off his aerobatic skills, Paddie works on catching food in her vegetative dish, and Driver is able to lasso projectiles with his webbing.

>>36763926

The two of your rope as many of your Pokemon into the act as you can, eventually being surrounded by a bustling gaggle of Pokemon vying for food and attention. It’s a lot of fun but you realize that, for the sake of the dining hall, you had better head outside.

The rain is still on, unfortunately, so you settle for a covered courtyard. You dig out a few toys and the training equipment that your ‘Mons have particularly enjoyed using and let them have their fun: they deserve to take a bit of a vacation after all the hard work they have been up to lately.

You? You decide it’s time to meet your newest team member.

You draw the Pokeball off of your belt and hit the release: a flash, and then the large, imposing figure of an adult male Scyther appears. He stretches, shakes, and otherwise “uncoils” his body; his eyes dart about the scenery and his arms make tiny, circular movements. The other Pokemon give him a wide, wary berth and he similarly backs away from them while barking and hissing.

>Get his attention
>Get him to recognize your strength
>Go in calm
>Try to talk to him with Mittens
>Write-in

>Roll 1d100

Rolled 96 (1d100)

>>36764095
>Get his attention
>Try to talk to him with Mittens

Rolled 12 (1d100)

>>36764095
>Go in calm
>Get him to recognize your strength
Strength through calmness of mind and unity of purpose. Stare him down.

Rolled 96 (1d100)

>>36764095
>Go in calm

Rolled 12 (1d100)

>>36764095
>Go in calm
>Try to talk to him with Mittens

>>36764117
>>36764127
Dayum.

Rolled 48 (1d100)

>>36764117
>>36764127
Wut.
>>36764124
>>36764145
WUT.

>>36764117
>>36764127
T-T-T-Two 96s!?!

>>36764124
>>36764145
What in the actual fuck...? How the fuck do these shit dice calculate things? What the hell.


Alright, you guys apparently intimidate him with your "chainsaw." Pfft.

>>36764095
>Get his attention, by making chainsaw sounds.

>>36764160
Herald Doesn't give bonuses for duplicates but damn that's blue moon shit right there.

>>36764189
I give bonuses to doubles....

WHEN YOU'RE DUAL-WIELDING CHAINSAWS!


BRRRRRRTVRTVRTVRTVRTTTTVRTVRTVRT

>>36764189
>needing bonuses for duplicate 96
Mittens being used for communication already bumped those up to dual 101s

I'm honestly not sure how much more we can succeed.

>>36764095
>Go in calm
>Get him to recognize your strength
I don't think we should rely so much on Mittens. Especially when we have CHAINSAWS

>>36764236
>Especially when we have CHAINSAWS
I believe we still need to collect those from the forest again, we left them behind at the time.

>>36764230
Fair enough. Don't you have some Kaballah to write?

>>36764210
Well at this rate we might just get two. Hell we might we dual chainswords be quest end.

>>36764276
Shh, nearly done.

>>36764267
By the magic of DOUBLE DOUBLES, they have magically appeared n our inventory

>>36764293
yo, whats up with the name?

>>36764321
Yeah, it's just the name I QM in another quest under, forgot to clear it initially. Herald likes to know which posts are mine though

>>36764347
Oh cool, what quest?

>>36764389
Kabbalah Quest, an entertaining clusterfuck

>>36764389
Kaballah Quest. It's probably about as red as you can get in a blue board without being Blatant Fetish Quest.

>>36764412
Oh, hey fiddlekins, I didn't realize it was you.

>>36764183

You move around from the Scyther’s flank to his front and come to address him with hands held high and wide. He focuses on you and lowers his upper body, growling and shuffling his wings a bit. You’re sensing a bit of hostility and perhaps a bit of alarmed confusion. Nothing to worry about, right? It’s only a 6-foot tall insectoid raptor of death!

You keep the recall button of the Pokeball firmly under your thumb, warily watching the Scyther for any dangerous or violent movements. You note with a bit of worry that Apollo has come around to your side and is similarly on his haunches, growling and regarding the Scyther defensively. It’s good that he has your back but having him intimidate the Scyther isn’t going to help you become “friendly” anytime soon. You call him off, and he immediately assents, backing away a bit and going silent.

>96-a-palooza!

You’re going to have to do this yourself. If you want to use this Scyther effectively you’re going to have to gain, no, DEMAND its respect.

You take the only option you have: you pull out the big guns.
“Dani?” She quickly responds, concern and a bit of fear in her voice. “I need the number 3 container from my bag, please.” A bit of rummaging later and Dani has carefully gotten the container into your hand. The Scyther, meanwhile, has backed itself into a corner and coiled itself up into hissing angry ball of viciousness. That isn’t your most artistic description, no, but it’s accurate.

You cycle through the various menus; Misc, C, and then, finally, you reach “Chainsaw.” You hit the release. There’s a flash of light. You pick the ‘Saw up by the handle and begin priming it.

Mittens can only offer up a a soft, reverent “Chainnnnnsawwwww” at the sight.

>cont.

>>36764577
HA! We did have out chainsaw!

>>36764577

Dani, however, sounds a bit less “enthused” and more “questioning the sanity of her boyfriend.

“Grey!” She quickly comes around to your shoulder, slightly shaking you and making your pull on the start-chain go short. “What the hell are you doing?”

You get another pull on the start-chain and answer the only way you know how:

BRRRRRRTVRTVRTVRRRRT BRRRRRRRTVRTVRTVRT!

The Scyther, at the sight of its old foe, straightens up its posture and begins growling, roaring, screeching: it goes into full-on defensive mode. Both sets of wings splay out in an impressive display. You marvel at the sharpness of its forearms. You note the gleaming of its teeth.

You rev the chainsaw harder, advancing on the beast.

It cows a bit at the sight, and you raise the saw up higher. Its chain spins about in a wild fury. "Scyther!" you call out. "I am your trainer!"

It roars at you, spittle and malevolence both released in the projection. You stand firm, calling out to it again and again. This exchange continues for a bit until, finally, you have had enough and you close the gap. The Scyther raises its arms and attempts to grapple or otherwise dismember you: you, however, see its attack clearly telegraphed and duck under, bring the saw up and through its defense.

You leave your finger off the trigger, the weight of the saw pressed against the Scyther's torso and pinning its arms away from you. It tries to snap at your face but you thrust the saw up, silencing it.

"NO!" You yell, face red and body burning. "I am your TRAINER! LISTEN!" The scyther remains quiet, and you back away. Silence, still. You fish out a bit of meat, tossing it to the beast. There is a terse few moments before it takes the food, lapping it up quickly and eying you the whole while.

You approach it again, chainsaw lowered. The scyther displays no outward aggression so you fish out another treat. This time you move in to touch the Scyther while it eats.

>cont.

File: chainsaw.jpg (85 KB, 341x222)

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>>36764577
>Mittens can only offer up a a soft, reverent “Chainnnnnsawwwww” at the sight.

>>36764777

You don't lose any limbs, and the Scyther doesn't try to kill you. You may, however, have pissed yourself a bit.

"DM;HS," you reckon. "Doesn't matter; have Scyther."

>Scyther (mostly) tamed! It won't immediately kill you, now!

>Timeskip?
If so, what to?

>Jay City
>Tomorrow Morning
>Tonight
>90 days later
>Write-in

>>36764837
Timeskip to morning

>>36764837
>50 years

>>36764837
>Timeskip?
>90 days later

Quest over! Yay!

>>36764837
>Tomorrow Morning
Although I'd kinda like to see the aftermath of our training scyther session, everyone's faces must be priceless.

Especially Nick who seems to still disbelieve our tales

>>36764837
>>36764882
that is a joke of course, time skip to Jay city

>>36764837
>Tonight
We'll be resting up and getting to know our mons better right now anyways. We need to call Mom, we promised we would after the Scyther hunt and she wants to meet DAni.

>>36764837
Jay city

>>36764837
>Tomorrow Morning
Is it wrong to think that its strange that no one has whipped a thunderstone at Ashs' pikachu?

>>36764898

I'm the QM and I didn't even remember that you were supposed to call your mom and introduce Dani. Shit. You want to run the quest, Anon?


>Damn.
>Anons know quest better than me. Shit's embarrassing.
>Seppuku

>>36764935
Normally I'm a huge MUH FAMILY BEFOR EVERYTHINH fag but in this quest, mom can go fuck herself.

>>36764928
Maybe its like the Pikachu in Pokemon Yellow and refuses to evolve? I mean no matter how many times you give it the thunderstone, it refuses to evolve.

>>36764935
I'd be a terrible QM and I don't have near your style Herald. Everyone forgets things in a quest til some autistic anon brings it up anyways. No worries you're still awesome.

>>36764953
Yeah she's a bitch but Grey'll keep his word if only because he gave it. Man only as good as his word and all. Still if she goes after Dani we will hang up faster than a quick attack Pikachu on crack. And never call back.

>>36764935
Morning wins.
5 min final destination vote

>Call mother?
>Y
>N

>>36765112
>Y

>>36765112
>Y

>>36765112
y

>>36765112
>Y

>>36765112
>Y

>>36765130
>>36765133
>>36765134
>>36765146
>>36765147
Beta levels approaching Omega.
How are you going to win over the love of your teacher with this kind of attitude...?

>>36765203
Hope somebody gets this reference.
>Writing

>>36765218
>>36765203
TPQ yes I get the reference. We gave our word we're keeping it. After that who knows? So was that just a drop in or did you run that quest as well?

>>36765203
really, cause pretty sure that quest ended in Best Ending with plenty of teacher love

>>36765251
Derp that wasn't a real trip . Damn I feel dumb.

>>36765286
It's okay, Anon.

>>36765218

A full day behind you and your team under control for now, you set to finishing the day with some quiet and relaxation. You know, getting your mental and spiritual energies set to take on whatever challenge might come your way; no stress, no anxiety, nothing to worry about except healing up.

So you call your mother.

Dani takes the explanation of “I promised I would call her after the hunt and, well, introduce you” pretty well. She even gets a little flustered and maybe excited at the prospect. You recall most of your team save Mittens and Apollo, tidy yourself up a bit, and then call your mother over videochat. She’s not at work (probably because they wouldn’t let her in the building the seventh day in a row) and is instead at home, settled into a book or watching TV; sometimes its hard to tell what she’s focusing on during her multitasking.

“Well hello, son. Glad to see you’re alive.” She has a bit of a smile, maybe some relief to her eyes. It’s hard to tell. “I’d ask you what you need but, well, we just had that conversation the other day.”

>”I promised I called; surprise!”
>”What are you up to other than regretting the existence of the weekend?”
>Tell her about the hunt (short, little detail)
>Tell her about the hunt (long, much detail)
>Write-in

>>36765366
>”I promised I called; surprise!”
>Tell her about the hunt (short, little detail)
>Haaaaaave you met Dani?

>>36765366
>”I promised I called; surprise!”
>Tell her about the hunt (important details, like the chainsaw fights)
She's so not going to believe us or simply find it completely unremarkable.

>>36765366
>Tell her about the hunt (short, little detail)

>>36765396
>Haaaaaave you met Dani?
Ohshit, yeah this too

>>36765366
>>36765396
Pretty much this maybe introduce Apollo and Mittens too.

>>36765366

Ah, yes. The little “cold sassy wit” act she has mastered over years of being Queen of Ice. Surely, you must have inherited your talent at being a cold-hearted bitch from your mother.

“Right. Nope, don’t need anything: just calling because I promised and, well,” you gesture about a bit, snide smile on your face, “… here I am! Calling you. Just like I promised.”

“Indeed.”

“So, anyways,” you run your hand through your hair before setting yourself into a more comfortable slouch. Your fingers beat out a steady rhythm on the coffee table before you. “The hunt went well. I caught a Scyther after beating it down with a chainsaw. It was a really tough hunt, with six of the things showing up after our bait. You see they have these serrated edges to their arms and produce a noise that disturbs psychics..." You can tell she's not interesting.

Change of subject, perhaps? "Uh, well." You look around and spot two beings of cuteness and fluff. That will work. "Mittens and Apollo,” you lift each of them up bodily (Apollo with great difficulty), “Both did great in the fight and are growing up very quickly. Say 'hi.'”

Mittens waves at your mother and, to her credit, your mother actually waves back.

“Mittens says hello.” You tilt your head again after that, listening to your little Starter. “Also, she told me to tell you that she really likes me and that I am very nice.”

“Ah, yes…” Your mother looks away from the screen, finger to her lips and eyes squinted. “Espurr, correct? Psychic type capable of speech? Or are you just going on with your imagination as you usually do?”

You sigh and then explain about Mittens and the relationship the two of you have together. Your mother seems to listen for the most part before cutting you off and going on about an incident at work recently regarding some psychic types.

>cont.

>>36765721

Your mother has started into work and you know that it will be a fight to stop her. Once she gets into that mindset (the one that makes her the most comfortable) she doesn't want to leave. Whatever.

You listen for a while but, thankfully, you notice Dani emerging from the bathrooms (looking nice) and gesture over to her. She strides on over rather quickly, silently asking if she looks nice enough. You assure her that, yes, she looks great.

“Ah! Mom!” She stops mid sentence, a bit nonplussed. “Have. You. Met,” you drag your girlfriend into view of the camera, “Dani?”

“No. You know this. Why would you ask?” So cold. So very, very cold. “Nice to meet you Dani. Is my son treating you well?”

“Yes, ma’am. I, uh, think that he loves me very much.”

Fuck.

There is a certain, slightly-noticeable wrinkling of your mother’s brow and eyes. “Yes. Mm. You,” your mother scoffs a bit. “You think he loves you? And you love him?” Dani nods. “How long have you known each other, then?”

>Cut in
>Saying something (what?)
>See how Dani handles this
>Write-in

>>36765781
>See how Dani handles this

>>36765781
>See how Dani handles this

>>36765781
>Cry

>>36765781
>Cut in
Mom, remember your manners.

>>36765781
CUT THE CALL DAMMIT

>>36765781
>Cut in
Drop the ice queen routine Mom it's gotten old.

>>36765781
>See how Dani handles this
Might as well just let her see how Grey's mom is.

Okay, I'm going to translate these votes into a:

>See how Dani reacts, cut in if/when it gets worse, maybe tell mom to back off and stop being such a bitch.

>Sound good?

>>36765998
Yup

>>36765998
Yeah that works.

>>36765998
Couldn't make a better decision if I tried.

>This wait
Oh boy dis gon b' gud

>>36765998
I feel like our mother would be good friends with Nick.

>>36766508
They'd either get along famously or kill each other.

>>36766508
Not really, he just hides under an aura of dickery to hide his real self. Mum is hiding under a poor facade of giving a shit whereas she's thoroughly a stone hearted uncaring bitch.

I get the impression from the latest exchange with Nick that where he grew up in the North is a somewhat rough area where you need brash and dickish bravado to hold your own, surrounding oneself with 'friends' to hold appearances of relative power

Or maybe I got it backwards and they truly were his friends but they kicked him out for being bitchy/getting them in trouble/wanting to plow on ahead/w/e

>>36766573
Honestly I think he's a lot like Grey, his parents probably had him trained in a similar way and more or less forced him to have "friends." Mom seems like she's trying to care, but she's needed to be a stone cold bitch for so long she's kind of stuck like that. Of course I might be misreading this entirely.

>>36766639
You think Mom secretly actually DOES love Grey? But has had to suppress that in order to make him the very best like no one ever was?

I guess that's possible but the way I see it so far is that she's just disinterested and uncaring, simply going through the motions for sake of it.

>>36766695
More like single mom driven to succeed despite that, stuck in a cutthroat work environment(we live in a post apocalyptic dystopia for cripes sake) So she can't act on feelings but what's on best for business or she gets fired. Eventually she gets so stuck in that train of thought she applies it to everything including her kid.

>>36766750
I'd have thought a post apocalyptic work environment wouldn't be too bad actually, there's possibly a large onus on somebody to get a lot of work done but all the employees would be highly valued and your job security would be assured.

I'd also really not describe the setting as dystopian, sure it might have been not too long ago when the war raged on but it isn't any more.

>>36766820
Big brother is always watching anon. Herald even said as much. Training the youth of the world involves throwing them out into the wilderness and catching possible murderous animals and then making said animals fight with attacks that would kill normal people. Hell how many sorties end up hurt or worse trying to catch their first mon? All this is old hat as well. As far as job security why hire a real person when you can throw clones at it and not pay them as much? Or better yet throw pokemon at it?

>>36766875
Sure there's the whole benign police force thing going on but I'd say there was too great a quality of life and personal freedoms to qualify as a dystopia. As for whether being sent adventuring as part of your youth... I'd say that's a matter of opinion if that's good or bad, and as far as I can tell it's not obligatory so if you weren't interested you probably don't have to participate.

As for clones stealing jobs: the problem with that is that the clones came about not for a need for cheap labour but for a need to repopulate the place. They're not there to steal jobs, they're there to make sure society doesn't fall apart.

Furthermore, I believe that clones are treated no differently than regular people when it comes to rights and the like, I don't think that their wages would be any different. Sure there might be a stigma surrounding them propagating prejudiced opinions but all the same.

As for pokemon taking jobs: there's a lot of jobs that pokemon just won't be suited to.

>>36767017
Fair enough but This world is rather more cutthroat than the traditional take on pokemon, applying the stereotypical pokemon paradigm might bite us in the ass.

>>36767096
just wait for this quest's version of team rocket to show up.
>All those dead babies.

>>36767096
Well that's certainly true. They were created as tools of war after all.

>>36767160
>Implying our mom isn't working for one such group.

>>36767170
Yep and odds are someone is going to use the proff's signal to make the vast majority of them go batshit and wreck places they don't like.

>>36767211
omg no the leader is our dad.

omg do you think We've have a epic chainsaw duel with our father?

>>36767211
Still, potential villainy doesn't make a setting dystopian.

>>36767243
Nah, he'd had a sword cane for sure.

>>36765998
Aw damn...missed most of the thread...didn't think you'd be running today Herald...oh well, least I got in before the end...

>>36767286
You got in at the best time possible. Right when the drama's about to happen!

>>36767243
I hope not, we like having both our hands.....

>>36767245
True but looking at it all, it's very easy to get that way, only reason it hasn't is because who ever is leading either is doing so more altruistically than most people can be or is damn good at covering up.

>>36767314
Aaaaaaaany moment now.

>>36767319
But we can catch a Ditto and train it to act as our hand.
>it's the one we masturbate with

>>36767243
Going by what we voted for in the first thread, our dad died in a war.

>>36767368
>catch a Ditto and train it to act as our hand.
This is the singularly most ridiculous and incredible suggestion I have ever read

>>36767368
I'd imagine dittos are very rare and very unstable. Besides we'd have two right/left hands then. Not even beginning to mention the ethics of it.

>>36767403
>>36767393
please don't take me too seriously.

Back.

>writing

>>36767492
This is gonna be good. *grabs hot cocoa*

>>36767492

You watch Dani: her face, her reaction, her body language on the whole. Will she lash out? Will she stay calm, ignoring your mother’s attempt to get a rise? Will she just shut down, as you have known her to do?

Not as much as you would expect, it turns out.

“A-ah well we met each other on the tour, ma’am, so that-“

“Yes, so less than a week? Right, but you love him nonetheless.” Your mother sighs. “Of course. Who, exactly, came up with this idea of loving one another? Is this relationship going to interfere with your tour? What will you do when it’s over?”

Dani doesn’t respond. You reach out and touch her back. She shrugs you off.

“Mm. Yes. It will be over in 90 days, Ms. Dani. Grey?”

Your mother turns to you. You give her a steely, cold gaze in return. “What will you do if Dani dies? What will you do,” she puts a lot of stress on these last words, “… if your new love dies, child? Keep going? Act as if you never met?”

You sigh, and are about to cut in when: “No, ma’am. I wouldn’t.” You look to your girlfriend. She may be on the verge of tears, but you're impressed with the determination she's exerting. Her breathing is hitched, unnatural; her voice is strained, but she's determined to say her piece.

>cont.

>>36767876

Your mother starts back up, undeterred. "Of course, no. No, everything would go on just fine, Dani. Tell me, have you ever lost someone before?"

"Shut. Up!"

Your mother recoils; it's probably been a long time since anyone has talked her like that. "Light's sake, you're such an insufferable BITCH!" Dani mimics your mother’s tone, here. She adds in some bitterness, just the right amount of spite, and some anger. “No, I wouldn't… Just act as if we never met; that’s ridiculous. I know you think we're both stupid children, but we're not. Try to get past the blindness of your stuffy little reality, would you?”

Holy shit.

Dani looks up and at your mother. Their gazes meet but Dani doesn’t flinch; she meets your mother head on. Your mother just looks so surprised! Damn. “No, actually I think I’ll go on loving him and living with him, despite my loss. Yes, I have only known Grey a short time. Yes, I still have a lot to learn about him."

"But, you know what? He’s cared about me more and done more for me than anyone else has in a long time. Despite how… short our time is or may be he’s touched my heart and I can’t deny that.”

Both you and your mother are silent, surprised. Dani keeps going. She stands, her volume rising and passion flaring.

“I won’t ignore him, how I feel, or how I may suffer when he’s gone. Not like you,” Your mother starts at that, clearly angry now. The surprise has worn off and revealed the pent-up anger of an old, suffering woman. Yeah, she tries to say something: Dani cuts her off.

“Oh, yeah, that’s right; don’t even try to deny it but you Deny Grey. You ignore him for some reason, and he suffers because of it. So don’t try to question how I may do my job with him when you’ve already-“

Dani reaches for the off button, face close to the camera and expression one of quiet, white-hot rage.

“Failed at yours.”

She flicks off the camera. Silence.

>Response?

>>36767959
>"Sorry about that."
>Huggitty times

>>36767959
Laugh
You sure showed her whats up

>>36767959
>Fuck her, here and now.

>>36767959
"I love you" Then hug her.

>>36767959
Hugs, man. It's time for hugs.

>>36767959
"I love you so much" Kiss her

>>36768010
yessssssss

>>36767959
Say thank you.
Just thank you.
Give her a hug.

>>36767959

Dani moves away from the screen. Shuddering, choking down air; hands to her face. You move to embrace her, but she resists you. She pushes away, slightly. You’re not sure if it’s because she wants her space or if, well, if she’s just angry at you…

“I’m sorry, Dani; sorry about that…” You sit back down and throw your head into your hands, cursing, hemming and hawing. You look back up when you feel two hands embrace a shoulder each. It’s Dani, and she’s crying. “I’m sorry, Dani; she’s such a bit-“

Dani falls into you, kissing and embracing you. You reciprocate with the whole of your heart. Damn, you love this girl. Fuck. You tell her so, and she gets out a “I love you too” through her crying.

“Sorry, but…” you wipe at her cheeks. They’re wet and cold. Her voice is quiet. “Your mom is a huge bitch, Grey.”

>”I know.”
>”Let’s forget that for now. Come on, let me rent a room again?”
>”Yeah, but you’re great.”
>Write in

>End of thread

>>36768408
>”I know but you’re great. Now let’s forget that for now. Come on, let me rent a room again?"

>>36768408
>>36768457
This pretty much. Maybe add in we wouldn't have called at all except for the promise we made.

>>36768408
>>”I know.”
>>”Let’s forget that for now. Come on, let me rent a room again?”

>>36768408
>>36768457
>EVERYTHING!

>>36768408

Go ahead and vote! Next thread will be Tuesday, then Thursday (announced on Twitter) other things notwithstanding.

I'm going to go ahead and handwave the "calling the gym and scheduling an appointment bit as "Done." The question is, when do you want the appointment to be? Tomorrow will be Thursday, leaving Friday, Saturday, and Sunday open.

>Friday
>Saturday
>Sunday

Otherwise, please be open and frank with questions, concern, or praise. If you have any advice on my writing I'm desperate for that too.

Hope everyone have fun! Have a great day!

>>36768492
>Saturday
give us time to catch our breath catch up with Erica and maybe see the prof. Also gives us a chance to redo if we flub up.

>>36768540
Sound logic, I second this

>>36768492
>>Saturday

>>36768492
>Saturday
Friday night is date night.

>>36768492
>Saturday
I hope you realize we're going to use the chainsaw every chance we get
also the gym is FUCKED

>>36768492
How many days to Jay City...if 1 then schedule for Saturday...get there, rest a bit, catch up with Erica, prepare our 'mons, get Mittens a ribbon...

>>36768492
Harold, will you let me jam a twig up you're urethra?

>>36768578
>you're
Disgusting.

>>36768611
I honestly do not know how I made that mistake. I need to pay more attention to what I write.

>>36768576
Half a day, certainly doable to get there and do the gym in the same day UNLESS YOU GET ATTACKED BY BEEDRILLLLLL

>>36768578
Yes.

>>36768563
It... certainly most likely is, actually. We'll see, I suppose.

>>36768655
>It... certainly most likely is, actually. We'll see, I suppose.
RIP Mashka.

Also, presumably chainsaws aren't actually permitted in regulated matches no matter how much we try to blag it?

>>36768689
>RIP Mashka
Indeed.

>chainsaws aren't actually permitted in regulated matches
That's right, Fiddlekins. Usually. We'll see with this gym.

>>36768743
maybe its like a kendo gym of something where we have to fight a trainer while our pokemon fight
>A sword huh? well I'l use my CHAINSAW

>>36768743
Inb4 Mashka uses flaming batons.

But yeah, Grey has a hilariously OP team for his first badge. Are gym battles regulated in the same way that our match with Nick was? Aka sending out one pokemon at a time, blind as to what the opponent uses, and no switching?

>>36768788
Rules and such change from gym to gym and from season to season. This is of course in order to keep things fresh and challenging for each successive generation. The rules that you and Nick used were (as stated, I believe) a bit old-style and not league regulation, really. Anyways, that aside...

You know that not all gyms focus on battles at all. Especially the first few; much more likely to focus on challenges and such. Going to test your ability to survive or do things with your team, not battle. Keep that in mind.

>>36768861
Well we have a very diverse team to we should be in good shape. Is there a justification for this or is it just the way things are? Also we keep our mons after the tour is over right?

>>36768861
>You know that not all gyms focus on battles at all. Especially the first few; much more likely to focus on challenges and such. Going to test your ability to survive or do things with your team, not battle. Keep that in mind.
Aww, is Mashka being kept for a later gym then?
I was looking forward to a battle with him

Or do we have the option to pass the gym by completing it's non-battle test and then request a battle with the leader anyway?

>>36768889
>Justification for this
You need initial assessments beyond the pre-sort standardized testing and sort exams on how well trainers can survive, think, use their teams, etc. etc. Why? Because you don't want trainers dying left and right. Trainers that don't have a good handle on their teams and operating under pressure die. Simple. There are later gyms that will really focus on battle and such.

>>36768928
You can "google" this IC later (on Tuesday or something) and see if anyone has released information on what you have to do for Mashka, exactly. Augh, you guys get so greedy with your spoilers. Little bitches. Mama Herald loves you all.

>Or do we have the option to pass the gym by completing it's non-battle test and then request a battle with the leader anyway?

Maybe. Different trainers get different amounts of points on gyms, and you know it's not because they do the gyms late. You'll see.

And yes, you keep your mons after the tour. <3

>>36768985
>Augh, you guys get so greedy with your spoilers
Well, you know me...
I fully expect you to tell me no when I ask too much mind.

>>36768985
>And yes, you keep your mons after the tour. <3
Yay i'd be pissed to give them up they are too awesome.

Herald I am quite looking forward to the next session