>>5540181
>>5540270
>>5540784

"The answer's still going to be 'no', but please, explain." You reply, genuinely thrown by Gareth's backing Winston's advice.

He nods and licks his lips, apparently reading Fie's look and aura for what they were.

"Alright, so aura is the reflexive use of the body’s energy, focused by one’s willpower. Psychic power is the deliberate manipulation of the world via a disciplined mind. The two disciplines are similar, but very much distinct and opposite from one another. Anyone can, with enough practice, awaken their aura and learn to wield it, in theory, but Psychics are born." He began.

You nod.

Okay, so far, so simple.

"At least, generally. Most Psychic trainers you see might use some psychic powers and have psychic pokemon, but the methodology they use to reach that point is that of an aura wielder and they’re generally far weaker than natural psychics. The reason why Guardians are discouraged from learning telepathy is… well, unless you really know what you’re doing, you can badly mess up someone’s mind with your reflexes keyed to manipulating aura. You can drastically alter someone’s personality or outlook, or in more severe cases, leave them with long-term side-effects like ongoing vertigo or migraine." Gareth explains.

You grimace. Insofar as consequences go, that is pretty severe.

You've had precisely one migraine before today and you've never wanted to die before, but you absolutely did during that experience.

"I can kind of see how being near you could stabilise Holly if her emotions are being eroded by these powers though." Gareth admits.

"Why's that?" Fie asks.

"Because of how strong it is. It’s kind of cruel, in a way, but it makes sense, a bit like frost melting in the sun.' He says, then fidgets and gives Holly an apologetic look. "Sorry, that was an unkind metaphor. I didn't mean to imply-"

Holly just giggles.

"It's okay." She assures.

>So, why don't I just meditate then while Holly does something else?
>Okay, those are some pretty severe risks.
>Well, that's even more incentive to get Holly a teacher ASAP.
>Other

>>5540814
>So, why don't I just meditate then while Holly does something else?
Mostly voting for this to hear the specific reasons.

>>5540814
>So, why don't I just meditate then while Holly does something else?
>Well, that's even more incentive to get Holly a teacher ASAP.

>>5540820
>>5540885

"So, why don't I just meditate then, while Holly does something else?" You ask.

Gareth tilts his head as he thinks about this.

"That... might work..." He admits slowly after a moment. "It's worth a try, at least." He adds. "My worry is that you could accidentally wind up messing with Holly's mind, considering you're still pretty new to aura."

"Well, it's not like I'd be doing it while she's asleep and we've meditated near her before today." You note reasonably.

"True..." Gareth says, though he still looks a little doubtful.

You get the impression his primary concern here is for Holly's wellbeing, but there's also notes of concern for you. And worry for himself, which you surmise has to do with what his mentors might say if they found out you did this on his recommendation and Holly got hurt.

You can't exactly blame him there, you suppose, but it does strike you as over-cautious.

"How likely is it for something like that to go wrong?" You ask.

"I'm not sure, exactly." Gareth admits. "The other Guardians never really touched on if meditation with a psychic even was a risk." He admits.

"How about you just give one of 'em a ring and ask instead of agonising over it?" Fie suggests.

"I would, but there's no reception at the monostary." Gareth says. "...And I don't actually have anyone's mobile numbers." He admits sheepishly.

"Landline?" Fie prompts.

"Not out on King Island, there isn't."

"Ah." Fie nods. "Okay then, that torpedoes that idea." She says, then claps her hands. "Anyway, the Barrier Islands. I'd assemble the best teams you can and make sure you've got a pokemon that can Fly." She advises, then frowns as apparently a thought occurs to her. "That Braviary of yours would probably be able to carry you and Holly pretty easily, Alex, but I'm not actually sure Latios and Latias could at the minute." She admits.

>How would we check?
>Wait, what about saddles?
>I guess we'll go get ready.
>Other

>>5541097
>Wait, what about saddles?
At least some sort of harness will be necessary.

>>I guess we'll go get ready.
Assemble team:
Fluffy (healer)
Volta (dealing with water types)
Latias (even if she can't fly she can surf)
KayO (close to evolving so likely our strongest battler)
Rascal (fly duty)
Last spot is either sage or Blitz for fire duty.

Get food supplies and prepare for navigation.
Maybe nab some swimming vests just to be sure.

>>5541097
>Wait, what about saddles?

File: Saddle_1.jpg (217 KB, 850x988)

217 KB JPG

>>5541119
>>5541130

"Wait, what about saddles?" You ask.

"I know a place that'll let you rent one." Fie assures.

"I guess for the sake of convenience, I'll stay here and keep training and helping Fie." Gareth says. "Since I don't really have a pokemon that could fly me anywhere or island hop effectively."

>We can always just all take a boat.
>...Alright, if you feel that's best.
>Okay. Guess we'll have a battle when we get back.
>Other

Also:

>Go do the preparatory shopping now.
>Do the shopping on the way to the boat.
>Swap your team around first, before you forget.
>Other

>>5541246
>...Alright, if you feel that's best.
>Swap your team around first, before you forget.

>>5541246
>...Alright, if you feel that's best.
>Swap your team around first, before you forget.
If this ends in failure we'll have to go back to the idea of meditating with Holly once a day hopefully we don't have to do anything more than that and we'll probably have to come back to get Gareth's help. But at that point we'll have to all make another island expedition but by boat.

>>5541246
>>...Alright, if you feel that's best.
>Do the shopping on the way to the boat.
See if we can get a charging device that can convert pokemon electricity to keep our phone/pokedex charged, rations etc. Also get the contact for coastal guards and island rangers.
>Swap your team around first, before you forget.

We're taking:
Fluffy
Rascal
Latias
KayO
Volta
Blitz

>>5541246
>...Alright, if you feel that's best.
>Go do the preparatory shopping now.

This will get messy.
We're basically tasked with maintaining Hollys sanity and trying to not fugg her...

>>5541503
>>...Alright, if you feel that's best.
>>Go do the preparatory shopping now.

+1
Also taking the team suggestion from above

File: Nurse_Joy_1.jpg (6 KB, 250x141)

6 KB JPG

>>5541336
>>5541405
>>5541428
>>5541503
>>5541508

"...Alright, if you feel that's for the best." You say, nodding.

You don't particularly want Gareth to stay behind.

Not because this means you'll be going to the islands with just Holly, but because it feels a bit like he's missing out.

Still, you figure you can go exploring with him another time.

He nods and starts on his breakfast in earnest as you excuse yourself to make use of Fie's PC.

When you call home, your mother answers, but she looks more tired than usual.

You swap Sage out of your team for Volta after explaining where you're off to, before your mother's fatigue finally gets to you.

"Are you okay?" You ask with concern.

Your mother nods, then shrugs.

++"Don't mind me."++ She assures. ++"These third-rate amateur thugs tried to firebomb the house last night."++ She explains offhandedly.

Your eyes widen in alarm at this before your mother continues.

++"Meowth and our, that is, mine and your fathers', pokemon had them all tied up before the Fairburns were done calling the police. We were up half the night hauling some of them out holes Arcanine had dug, trying to convince Victreebell to spit two of them out and Cacturne to let another one go."++ She says, before smiling. ++"I'm glad to see that the apple's not fallen far from the tree, but try and be careful. Just because you've been dealing with incompetent posers, doesn't mean there aren't dangerous crooks among them."++

"Don't worry." You assure. "After they cracked me over the head with a bike lock in Newport, I've been taking them seriously."

Your mother relaxes fractionally.

++"Good. Well, have fun on this little side trip. It might wind up being interesting." She says, with a nostalgic smile that makes you want to ask about what exactly she and your father used to get up to.

You make a mental note to try bribe the story out of Meowth the next time you're back home.

You end the call after saying your goodbyes go and retrieve your gear, then go meet Holly as she's petting the Houndoom Fie just introduced her to and apparently, making good progress on making friends.

>Right, let's go get that saddle and gather some supplies, then go.
>Try squeeze some last-minute training in first.
>Other

>>5542341

>You swap Sage out of your team for Volta

And Syurm for Kay O-o.

My bad. Didn't catch that on the reread.

>>5542341
>Right, let's go get that saddle and gather some supplies, then go.

>>5542341
>Right, let's go get that saddle and gather some supplies, then go.

Any training we might do won't be significant enough and we best get to the island early.

So let's grab:
>Electric type charger\converter.
>Leppa berry seeds (pp restorative that we can grow).
>Swiming vests and bathers.

File: Spoiler Image (10 KB, 257x196)

10 KB JPG

>>5542350
>>5542383
>>5542394

"Right, let's go get that saddle and gather some supplies." You say as you join the pair.

"Okay, here's the rental fee and this is where you need to go." Fie says, handing you a note with an address.

You nod, before borrowing her pen to make a note to get some bathers, a charge converter and some Leppa seeds, though here at least, Fie comes to your rescue with some of her own to save you time.

This done with, you catch a taxi to the beach and head towards the pier, making a detour to a surf store to get yourself some swimwear.

Holly meanwhile, gets something without your input, which you're initially a-okay with and even pleased about, taking it as a good sign she's growing less self-conscious, until she rejoins you, blushing and refusing to say what's got her so flustered.

You mentally shrug her embarrassment off and head down to the rental place Fie noted and get Rascal fitted with appropriate tack for flying, as well as harnesses for yourself and Holly, before you spend the next fifteen minutes practicing the mount and dismount to make sure you know what you're doing with it. On the advice of the manager of the rental place, you also grab a life preserver each, just in case.

This taken care of, you and Holly grab some emergency supplies in addition to the charger.

By the time you've finished packing and have made it to the correct dock at the pier, the boat out to the islands is making final preparations to leave.

You pay for your tickets and board and within ten minutes, you're on your way.

(Part 1)

>>5542430

Actually, what do you do on the boatride?

>Study your pokedex.
>Study your map.
>Pokemon watch.
>Talk to the other passengers.
>Other

>>5542432
>>Study your pokedex.
>Pokemon watch.
I wanna know what's around the island, to focus our search and maybe expand the team a bit

>>5542432
>Study your map.
>Talk to the other passengers.
Let's see if we can gain more information on what to do one we get there.

>>5542432
>Study your pokedex
>Talk to the other passengers.

>>5542432
>Study your pokedex.
>>Study your map.

Check for things like habitat and diet with the focus being on the sighted psychic types.
Do include some fighting types and the domestic pokemon we're looking for as well.
Gogoat have to be running wild on the islands.

>>5542432
>Study your pokedex.
>Study your map.
Knowing is half the battle

Holly will be a douche bag magnet with that outfit.
We'll get plenty money from battling then.

>>5542432
>Study your pokedex.
>>Study your map.
Overlap habitat jizz and that shiet.
>Other
Befriend the Houndoom by offering it some of the pokeblocks. Also talk it into treating us as packmates, should help with its behavior.

>>5542432
>Study your pokedex.
>Study your map.

>>5542445
>>5542488
>>5542555
>>5542570
>>5542634
>>5543461


After you and Holly get settled, you both take out your pokedexes and get down to seeing what pokemon live on and around the Barrier Islands.

Wingull+
Abra+
Natu+
Exeggcute+
Tropius
Ferroseed+
Spoink+
Munna+
Solosis+
Espurr+
Hatenna+
Ralts+
Staryu+
Slowpoke+
Clamperl
Shellder+
Popplio+
Squirtle+
Totodile+

As it turns out, there's a fair bit of variety in the pokemon found there. There's also a note that a lot of mainland pokemon aren't found on the islands and the Rangers take pains to keep it that way in order to protect the local ecosystem.

(Part 1)

Alright boys, I'd love a feroseed.

File: whitsunday-island-map[1].jpg (376 KB, 3000x2000)

376 KB JPG

>>5543463

A casual look at your map doesn't reveal all that much about the Barrier Islands, besides the fact that they sit atop a coral reef, they're populated by a disproportionate number of psychic pokemon and that according to legend, those pokemon are the descendants of pokemon that gathered there long ago to stop a calamity from befalling Arnet.

>Read further about the Barrier Island legend.
>See if there's a detailed map of the Barrier Islands
>Pokemon watch.
>Talk to the other passengers.
>Other

Because I'm a dumbass and there's a reason why I made my screen name what it is, I'll start working on a rough map now so I don't have to keep stealing the IRL map of the Whitsundays.

>>5543466
>Read further about the Barrier Island legend.
>>See if there's a detailed map of the Barrier Islands

Topographic map.
Read out the individual pokedex entries for the psychic types to figure out their likely locations and map out a rough route for travel/camping.

Also note down Totodile for later capture.

>>5543468
It's alright.
Just curious.. You weren't planning on having us meet a Galarian Articuno?

File: tegaki.png (23 KB, 400x400)

23 KB PNG

>>5543466

Rough map of the Barrier Islands.

If anyone wants to do up a better map, DM me on Discord and we'll figure out something actually workable, because I'm absolute dogshit at digital art.

Slightly better at hand-drawn, but I don't have a scanner or a sketch tablet.

>>5543474
Not here. There is one kicking around elsewhere.

There *are* Legendaries associated with the Islands though.

>>5543481

Orange outlines are meant to be beaches, but gave up on them after the first two isles.

File: 95[1].jpg (226 KB, 1600x560)

226 KB JPG

>>5543472

Intrigued, you decide to read further. Finding a good account of the legend is frustrating, but while you’re looking, you discover some interesting information:

The Barrier Islands themselves stretch from just off the coast of Saltcoast City up to Cape Castelia, though the term is also used interchangeably with the nine largest islands, which are less-commonly referred to as the Guardian’s Shield. The southernmost island is called the Mariner’s Temple but despite wild tales of fantastic treasures and powerful pokemon, all that’s in abundance there are Wingull and Pelipper which use the island as a nesting ground.

There’re also a few small settlements on the four largest islands, namely South Crescent Island, Timekeeper’s Scepter, Dragon’s Claw and Mantine’s Wing.

South Crescent Island boasts the oldest settlement, which maintains a peculiar and ancient relationship with Sinnoh and specifically Jubilife City, being founded in the aftermath of a ship of traders bound for the nascent settlement getting lost in a storm and foundering there.

Timekeeper’s Scepter’s settlement is apparently little more than an outpost used by trainers or pilgrims looking to visit the Johto-styled shrine that can be found at the centre of the island, apparently after the rescue of the initial settlers of South Crescent Island, though there are some claims that the shrine actually predates them, preposterous as it sounds.

The settlement on the Dragon’s Claw is likewise another shipwreck story, though it’s one of the more popular islands to hike, featuring the best tracks as well as the most facilities, including camp and picnic grounds and rest stops.

Mantine’s Wing meanwhile, is privately owned by Palm Corp and is host to an exclusive, ritzy resort.

Quite how Palm Corp came to purchase the island and set up the resort in the manner it did, which is to say with a devil-may-care attitude to environmental laws and habitat destruction, without getting crucified by the League and the Arnet government is a matter of some debate, but it’s still a popular holiday destination for the very rich and even hosts a vibrant high-stakes battling scene.

(Part 1)

>>5543501

Finally, you find a good account of the legend itself:

Back in the mists of time, a great Mantine and a great dragon would antagonise one another for their own amusement.

One day, their pranks went too far and driven to rage, they began to fight, headless of the destruction their conflict wrought on the world at large.

Their fighting stirred Arnet’s Guardian from its slumber, but the Guardian couldn’t quell the fighting alone, so it sought out the Great Serpent, which both the Dragon and the Mantine held in great respect.

The Serpent came upon the pair and demanded they stop their conflict, which they did, ashamed, but too late, for a great wave had gone up and was set to destroy all of Arnet.

In desperation, the Guardian begged the Timekeeper’s aid in stopping the impending doom racing across the sea to Arnet.

The Timekeeper acquiesced and speared her sceptre into the sea, disrupting time in the area and giving the Guardian enough time to muster his strength and raise a great barrier with a beat of his mighty wings.

When the wave struck the barrier, it shattered into pieces and bent the Timekeeper’s Sceptre, which had formed the heart of the Guardian’s barrier.

Exhausted, he retreated to his home to rest once more, while the Great Serpent banished the Great Manta to a lonely lake and sealed the Great Dragon beneath a red mountain before taking to the sky to keep vigil in case the pair should try to cause more mischief.

The Timekeeper though, couldn’t loose her sceptre from the sea and it’s remained stuck in the sea ever since.

(Part 2)

>>5543505

You frown.

Where did all this about a 'Timekeeper' come from?

A quick search later and you're trawling through stories that seem just a little too far fetched to believe:

If you believed some of the stories you find, time doesn't work quite as it should around Timekeeper's Sceptre and never has.

There's everything from accounts of hikers being accosted by armoured knights and samurai, tour boats running across tallships and extinct or non-native pokemon sightings out the wazoo.

Apparently the island's outpost has enough of a presence from scientists and hopeful trainers alike to have a permanent pokemon centre.

>Well. Timekeeper's Island sounds like the best place to go.
>The Dragon's Claw sounds like the best bet.
>South Crescent Island sounds like the ticket.
>Maybe we'll find something on Mantine's Wing?
>Maybe one of the smaller islands will be a better shot than one of the big ones.
>Other

Also: Normally, I'd wait for more than one vote before doing a write up, but I've been thinking on this since last night and if I don't get it done now, I'll forget it.

>>5543507
>Well. Timekeeper's Island sounds like the best place to go.

>>5543507
>Maybe one of the smaller islands will be a better shot than one of the big ones.
We can get this out of the way first, then island hop to the other ones if we don't find anything.

>>5543507
>South Crescent Island sounds like the ticket.

Let's go through the islands one at a time but stay away from Palm Corp.
Going through the safer ones step by step towards the more difficult ones will do us good.

If we go to the time distortion getting rare foreign mons is possible but so us getting lost or possibly finding Holly's mom.

>>5543507
>South Crescent Island sounds like the ticket.

Let's go with finding out some local records first.
Some bookworm research possibly covering Hisuian formes etc.

>>5543717
>>5543949

It's while you're studying that a hostess starts making the rounds and apparently finding out where everyone is bound.

When she gets to you, she gives you both a welcoming smile.

"Where would you two be bound today?" She asks, winning a lot of brownie points in your point by not just assuming you're headed somewhere particular based on the look of you.

"South Crescent Island." You reply.

The hostess nods and then quotes you an arrival time of two hours, before continuing on her rounds.

"Why South Crescent Island?" Holly asks. "Wouldn't Dragon's Claw Island be a better bet? Or the Timekeeper's Sceptre?"

"Mostly, so we can gather information." You reply. "Also, South Crescent Island might boast the largest settlement, but it's still not as developed as the Dragon's Claw." You explain. "It's also liable to be safer than the other islands for it."

Holly nods.

"You're right." She admits.

You don't need to mention Mantine's Wing. You know why Holly wouldn't want to go there and she knows you know why she doesn't want to go there.

The only question now is how to spend the next two hours.

You're broke, so buying anything from the onboard kiosk or canteen isn't on the cards right now, but before you boarded, you did see a small arena on the top deck, so you might be able to get a battle or two in, provided you don't get carried away.

>Keep studying.
>Talk with the other passengers.
>Talk with Holly.
>Challenge another passenger (Roll)
>Pokemon watch.
>Other

>>5544124
>Talk with Holly.
>Talk with the other passengers.

>>5544124
>>5544132
Supporting.

>>5544124
>>Talk with the other passengers.
See if anyone is talking about the local environment l, history or pokemon.
>>Talk with Holly
Once we're on land let's pick up a handful of jobs at the pokecenter like clearing wingull nests or scaring wild water types out of the port.
We'll need the pocket money.
We can go about studying at the local library before evening.

>>5544132
>>5544154
>>5544258

"So, I'm broke right now." You say frankly to Holly. "When we reach South Crescent Island, we should probably see if the pokemon centre has any odd-jobs they need doing."

"Why not just battle some of the other passengers?" Holly asks with a frown.

>...Good point
>It'll be easier and I'd rather have my team fresh for when we go looking for a teacher for you.
>My mother's a nurse, so just looking to help.
>Other

>>5544276
>It'll be easier and I'd rather have my team fresh for when we go looking for a teacher for you.
>My mother's a nurse, so just looking to help.

>>5544276
>It'll be easier and I'd rather have my team fresh for when we go looking for a teacher for you.
>My mother's a nurse, so just looking to help.

>>5544276
>It'll be easier and I'd rather have my team fresh for when we go looking for a teacher for you.

We can't really afford leisure battles or any wasted bets.

>>My mother's a nurse, so just looking to help.
Pokémon centers always have job postings for things like fence maintenance, spraying repel, removing wingull nests and such.
Small jobs that can be quickly done but are a chore on the shorthanded staff so it's posted for trainers willing to do them.
We can't really afford to go without income and while we're there we can pick up on rumors.

>>5544276
>It'll be easier and I'd rather have my team fresh for when we go looking for a teacher for you.
>My mother's a nurse, so just looking to help.

File: Spoiler Image (81 KB, 500x521)

81 KB PNG

>>5544282
>>5544298
>>5544331
>>5544334

"We can't really afford any wasted bets." You reply. "And between Fie's advice and the Houndoom she loaned you, I think it's fair to assume that it's generally pretty experienced trainers that come out here."

"I could spot you." Holly offers.

"That's kind of you, but I think you should save your money." You reply.

Wordlessly, Holly shows you her trainer card.

You stare for a moment, before shaking your head.

There's a few zeroes there and you kind of want to ask how precisely she managed to get - you assume steal - that much off her father and whether or not anyone looking for her has put two and two together on Sophia Palm's disappearance and this random rookie trainer walking around with that much money but either way, you feel obliged to decline on general principle.

"It's okay." You assure. "Pokémon centers always have job postings for things like fence maintenance, spraying repel, removing wingull nests and such. Small jobs that can be done quickly but are a chore on the staff, since they're usually short-handed. so it's posted for trainers willing to do them." You explain. "Besides, my mother's a nurse so I don't mind helping."

"Okay, but what if I gave you some money to battle with?" Holly asks.

You get the impression that she's a little bit desperate for you to let her help.

>Alright, if you insist. I'll pay you back later.
>It's fine, really.
>Other

>>5544398

Just a note that she's not got half a million, but she's still fairly rich.

>>5544398
>Alright, if you insist. I'll pay you back later.
Hopefully this isn't a mistake.
My hope is this will appease her psychic anchor thing, and keep her from doing something worse in the future.
Or maybe it's just her crushing a little.

>>5544409
Huh, I guess it's to be expected.

>>5544398
>Alright, if you insist. I'll pay you back later.
>Other
Holly just a warning from now on, when you place bets from now on use a set moderate numerical value like 500$ rather than going by bets like half what's on your card.
Don't want you to be on the short end by trainers trying to force battles for money.
Also once we've settled this matter with your teacher we will take the time to do some of the tasks at the pokecenter just so you can get a general idea of the value of labour alright?

>>5544418
>>5544420

You can tell this is important to her, so you cave.

"Alright, if you insist." You say. "I'll pay you back later though, you warn."

She wires you about a tenth of what's on her card and looks very pleased afterward.

You also get a sense of relief at being able to help out from her.

In the aftermath though, you're compelled to offer some advice.

"If I were you, I'd not go flashing that around." You say in an undertone, leaning in. "And when you place bets in a battle from now, I'd set an actual, numerical value like, say, 500, rather than just doing percentages." You say. "You don't want to go getting bullied for money by opportunists."

Holly looks at you, rather taken aback and a little bewildered, but she nods all the same.

"I will." She promises.

>Challenge someone to a battle (Roll)
>Talk with the other passengers
>Pokemon watch.
>Just relax until the boat arrives.
>Keep talking.
>Other

>>5544464
>>Challenge someone to a battle (Roll)

Rolled 93 (1d100)

>>5544464
>Challenge someone to a battle (Roll)

File: Rich_Boy.png (255 KB, 663x622)

255 KB PNG

>>5544473
>>5544504

Now you've got some money to bet with, this opens up some options.

You make a note to check the job board when you get to the pokemon centre regardless, since it'll be a good way to teach Holly the value of labour.

In the meantime, looking around there're a few other trainers to choose from and you're paralysed with indecision for a moment before a bored-sounding sigh from across the way catches your attention.

When you turn to get a better look at whoever sighed, you see it's a kid about your age. His kit looks to be pretty high end and the bookish-looking boy next to him is engrossed in a book.

The guy starts looking around and brightens as he sees you looking before standing and sauntering over.

"I say, you wouldn't happen to be a trainer, would you?" He asks with very obvious hope.

His accent sounds like posh Galar.

"I am." You confirm. "You looking for a battle?"

He nods enthusiastically.

"That sounds like a splendid idea." He says. "How does three on three for, oh, 2000 poke sound?" He asks.

"Sounds reasonable." You admit. "How many badges do you have?"

"Three." He replies. "I'm only really dipping my toes into this Trainer business, as it were, before I finish school and it's off to university." He admits sheepishly. "Still, Arnet's been a wonderful adventure so far." He adds earnestly. "So, shall we?"

"Sure."

With that, you head up top to the arena. You have to wait a bit for a match in progress to finish, but once it's over, you face off across the arena.

The referee is one of the crew who looks at you both warningly.

"Right, no really big pokemon and no moves that could be a risk to the boat or anyone on it, clear?" He asks.

"Crystal." You assure.

"Of course." The guy replies.

There's a pregnant pause as you both reach for your poke balls.

>>5544535

>Renegotiate the number of pokemon
>Renegotiate the bet

>Rascal (Braviary)
>Blitz (Growlithe)
>Latias
>Volta (Luxio)
>Kay O-o (Jangmo-o)
>Fluffy (Eevee)

Right, didn't think this through, but I'll ask now:

Do you mind if I set up battles like this to save time or would you rather vote for numbers and bet straight up?

>>5544537
>Blitz (Growlithe)
I'm fine with doing it this way

>>5544538
Nah I think this is fine.
We can renegotiate bets just fine but if we see fat sheep who do not care to be polite we shear them with percentage based bets.

>>5544537
>Go KayO
Dragon dance right away

>>5544537
>Rascal (Braviary)

>>5544537
>Kay O-o (Jangmo-o)

Kay O-o will be evolving soon.
Is there a growth spurt period after the evolution that we need to care about?
Like making sure he gets the best strength training during that time...
For that matter Rascal will get his by simply flying us around more.

>>5544537

>Kay O-o (Jangmo-o)
Lead with him and let him flex.
Maybe he'll evolve

>Rascal (Braviary)
He wants to battle anyway and has lacked entertainment and training lately.

>Blitz (Growlithe)
He's level 21 now so by now he has learned Flame Wheel, Agillity and Helping hand innately.

>>5544768
>>Kay O-o (Jangmo-o)
Should learn Dragon claw on his next level just as he evolves.

>>Rascal (Braviary)
Should already know Superpower as it's a level up move (this early on it's going to be a noob sweper).

A few more corrections since i noticed the team stats weren't updated.
Also Fluffy already knows Wish and Heal bell from being with mom at the hospital.

>>5544761
I hadn't thought about that, but I like it.

>>5544768
>>5544773
Just to clarify, moves aren't auto-learned on level-up like the games and there's no 'active movepool' like Legends Arceus. You need to spend at least some time practicing them, though they're easier to learn when the pokemon in question is 'at-level'.

>>5545050
I forget if this was mentioned, but are pokemon able to learn moves in this quest they aren't supposed to in game?

>>5545057

If it's come up prior, it was a while ago.

It's on a case-by-case basis.

File: Pokemon-GO-Herdier-Counters[1].jpg (155 KB, 1600x800)

155 KB JPG

>>5544603
>>5544659
>>5544768

"Kay O-o, you're in!" You say, releasing him as the kid opposite you releases a Herdier.

It looks decently experience, but if you're any judge, Kay O-o is definitely more experience.

"Oh, bravo to you, sir." The boy says. "I didn't know Jangmo-o could be found in Arnet." He says.

You briefly wonder whether or not this guy ever stops talking before you respond.

"We can talk after we're done battling." You note.

"Very true. Herdier, Work Up." He orders.

"Dragon Dance." You order.

>Tackle
>Leer
>Protect
>Dragon Tail
>Scary Face
>Headbutt
>Low Kick
>Dragon Dance
>Aqua Tail
>Aerial Ace
>Rock Smash
>Dragonbreath

>>5545113

>Switch
>Other

>>5545113
>Dragon Tail

>>5545113
>Dragon Dance

>>5545113
>Dragonbreath
Procc paralysis then knockout with
>Rock smash

>>5545121
>>5545125
>>5545226

>Dragonbreath
>Dragon Dance
>Dragon Tail

Next vote decides.

We should probably start on teaching KayO-o Iron defense soon.

>>5545392
>Dragon Dance

Lets get this show on the road.

>>5545392
I'll change my vote to Dragon Tail, just to keep this moving along.

>>5545432
That's a good idea.

Rolled 54 (1d100)

>>5545442

>>5545443
Never mind, keeping my vote to Dragon Dance.

>>5545446

"Dragon Dance again." You order.

"Alright Herdier, Play Rough." The boy says.

You barely have time to feel a sinking feeling before Herdier's pounced on Kay O-o and the two scuffle.

Kay O-o is wreathed in crimson when you draw upon your aura to see the damage.

He's swaying, but he's still up and he looks like he's still got some fight left in him.

Still...

Holy shit, one move and Kay O-o's nearly out?

You're going to have to start watching yourself.

>Tackle
>Leer
>Protect
>Dragon Tail
>Scary Face
>Headbutt
>Low Kick
>Dragon Dance
>Aqua Tail
>Aerial Ace
>Rock Smash
>Dragonbreath
>Switch
>Other

>>5545450
>Rock Smash
Two boosts and SE move OHKO unless this fucker has a lvl 60 Herdier.

>>5545450
>Rock Smash

>>5545450
Also maintain aura sight at all times from now on.
We should be using it by default.

Rolled 81 (1d100)

>>5545452
>>5545454

Normally, I'd wait longer between votes, but if there's people here, fuck it.

Roll.

Rolled 88 (1d100)

>>5545460
>Roll.
I'm guessing you're asking for us to roll?

Rolled 48 (1d100)

>>5545460
Here goes nothing

>>5545462
Nice save anon.
Guess KayO-o wins and is evolving now.

>>5545462

Yep. Still need one more though.

Are there going to be any benefits to observing KayOs evolution via aura sight?

Rolled 80 (1d100)

>>5545460
Forgot my roll.

>>5545470
We be moving fast today. Thanks OP.

File: Azumarill.jpg (16 KB, 190x265)

16 KB JPG

>>5545460
>>5545462
>>5545463
>>5545492

"Rock Smash." You order.

The boy hesitates, drawing a poke ball, before Kay O-o collides with Herdier and knocks it out cold with a single tail strike before giving a triumphant roar, that would be cute if he wasn't in such a bad way.

"Azumarill, you're in." The guy says as he recalls his Herdier.

If you recall correctly, this is a terrible match-up for Kay O-o and he's injured to boot.

At the same time, he is set up...

>Tackle
>Leer
>Protect
>Dragon Tail
>Scary Face
>Headbutt
>Low Kick
>Dragon Dance
>Aqua Tail
>Aerial Ace
>Rock Smash
>Dragonbreath
>Switch
>Other

>>5545490

None, really.

>>5545516
>Switch
Aqua jet isn't worth it.
"KayO you did excellently. Let the others have a turn too."

>Go Rascal
Aerial ace

>>5545516
>Switch Volta

Rolled 66 (1d100)

>>5545522
>>5545537

>Switch Rascal
>Switch Volta

Next vote decides.

>>5546608
>Volta

>>5546608
>Switch Volta

File: Luxio1.jpg (48 KB, 337x480)

48 KB JPG

>>5546628
>>5546691

"Aqua Jet!" The boy orders.

Do or die.

"Volta, you're in." You say even as you're recalling Kay O-o.

She tags in just in time to body-block Aqua Jet from hitting Kay O-o as you safely return him and looks largely unphased by it.

"Oh wow, that was the fastest switch I've ever seen." The boy says, eyes wide with startlement. "You must really have put in practice to do that."

Seems Emma's training session had some side-benefits.

>Tackle
>Leer
>Thundershock
>Bite
>Spark
>Fire Fang
>Thunder Fang
>Protect
>Double Kick
>Switch
>Other

>>5546748
>Thunder fang

>>5546748
>Thunder Fang

Rolled 18 (1d100)

>>5546752
>>5546757

Roll.

Rolled 98 (1d100)

>>5546789
rollin

Rolled 48 (1d100)

>>5546789
Looks like Azumarill is kil

Rolled 22 (1d100)

>>5546789
>>5546797
>>5546810


"Thunder Fang." You order.

"Mud Slap, Azumarill." The boy counters, calmly.

Volta bounds forward, avoiding most of Azumarill's hurled mud before clamping down lightning-wreathed fangs on Azumarill's shoulder, dealing an incredibly hard blow to the rotund, blue pokemon but as Volta disengages, Azumarill is still up, wreathed in amber to your eye, while Volta still glows a healthy green and somehow, not blinded by the mud Azumarill threw.

>Tackle
>Leer
>Thundershock
>Bite
>Spark
>Fire Fang
>Thunder Fang
>Protect
>Double Kick
>Switch
>Other

>>5546814
>Thunder fang
Don't break up a working strategy

>>5546814
>Thunder Fang

>>5546814
>Thunder Fang

>>5546823
>>5546858
>>5546863

Roll.

Rolled 56 (1d100)

Rolled 9 (1d100)

>>5546879

Rolled 61 (1d100)

>>5546879

Rolled 39 (1d100)

>>5546879

Let's have Fluffy heal up our team with Wish/Heal bell right after the fight.
Maybe offer the same to our opponent while chatting/making connections.

File: 9e0cbb91-218b-4c70-aa9c-d(...).png (361 KB, 400x550)

361 KB PNG

>>5546814
>>5546898
>>5546913
>>5546915

"One more time, Thunder Fang!" You order.

"B- no, Slam!" The boy orders.

Azumarill takes a swing with its tail as Volta bounds in, misses and is promptly knocked out by Volta's bite.

"Way to go." You cheer as the boy returns his azumarill and frowns thoughtfully.

"It seems I'm in a spot of trouble. Breloom, come on out." The boy says, releasing the bipedal grass type opposite Volta.

>Tackle
>Leer
>Thundershock
>Bite
>Spark
>Fire Fang
>Thunder Fang
>Protect
>Double Kick
>Switch
>Other

>>5547323
>>Fire Fang

>>5547323
>>Protect
See if he has Spore and try to measure if we outspeed him.

If yes then go for
>Fire Fang
right after

I want to train Double kick with Volta some more later.
Re-adapt the move for rapid movement changes and jumps rather than just attacks.
It could be our top manouvering tool.

Rolled 27 (1d100)

>>5547326
>>5547327

Roll

Rolled 40 (1d100)

>>5547373

Rolled 26 (1d100)

>>5547373

Rolled 43 (1d100)

>>5547373

Rolled 73 (1d100)

>>5547373

>>5547373
>>5547382
>>5547399
>>5547401

"Mach Punch." The boy orders.

"Fire Fang."

Volta gets tagged before she can move, predictably, but Breloom doesn't disengage in time to avoid getting bitten in return her fangs wreathed in flame this time, which actually leaves Breloom burned.

Volta spits some fine powder afterward, but seems otherwise unaffected.

It seems neither attack was a particularly solid hit:

Volta's aura is still green with spots of yellow, while Breloom's is only slightly tinged by yellow, though the yellow spots grow more pronounced as Breloom is afflicted by its burn.

>Tackle
>Leer
>Thundershock
>Bite
>Spark
>Fire Fang
>Thunder Fang
>Protect
>Double Kick
>Switch
>Other

>>5547585
>Protect

>>5547585
>Protect
Stall a bit the fire fang again.

Rolled 47 (1d100)

>>5547590
>>5547668

"Uh... Spore." The boy orders, clearly rattled.

"Protect." You order and the powder Breloom scatters around and over Volta settles harmlessly around the barrier she snaps up, leaving her unaffected as Breloom's aura turns properly yellow now as its burn continues to whittle it down.

>Tackle
>Leer
>Thundershock
>Bite
>Spark
>Fire Fang
>Thunder Fang
>Protect
>Double Kick
>Switch
>Other

>>5547774
>Fire Fang

>>5547774
>Fire Fang

>>5547785
>>5547795

Roll.

Rolled 62 (1d100)

>>5547845

Rolled 9 (1d100)

>>5547845

Rolled 61 (1d100)

>>5547845
better roll?

>>5547893

Well, it was. Just looking for a different ID.

Rolled 70 (1d100)

>>5547896

Rolled 61 (1d100)

Rolled 85 (1d100)

>>5547845

>>5547848
>>5547893
>>5547927

"Alright Volta Fire Fang, one more time." You order.

"Spore!" The boy orders.

It's tight, but Volta gets in first and sinks her teeth into Breloom even as she's coated in spores, dropping Breloom even as Volta sways before nodding off.

"Breloom is out." The referee declares. "Victory goes to the blue corner."

You recall Volta before meeting the boy off to the side, where he gives a heavy sigh.

"Well fought." He says, shaking your hand in congratulations.


>Why'd you hesitate?
>Yeah, that was a good battle. Just what I needed, in fact.
>Go get Volta cleaned up.
>Other

>>5548636
>>Yeah, that was a good battle
>Go get Volta cleaned up.

>>5548636
>Good battle.
>Why'd you hesitate?
>Go get Volta cleaned up, see if you can get Kay O-o healed up.

>>5548636
>Why'd you hesitate?
Make smalltalk and introductions as we
>Clean Volta up
>Other
Heal the team up via Fluffy using Wish and Heal bell on them.

>>5548638
>>5548639
>>5548668

"Yeah, good battle." You agree, before you cave and decide to ask something that's been bothering you. "Why'd you hesitate? With Azumarill and switching on Herdier?" You ask.

"Oh, well on the first, I wasn't sure who to switch in and on the second, I didn't think 'Bounce' was a particularly good idea with the clip this boat is doing." The boy replies. "Still, a loss is a loss and it'd be poor form to be sour grapes over my own failings."

This takes you a moment to process, before you nod. A quick question as to where he's bound revealing his destination to be Mantine's Wing. You part ways after that, two grand richer and with some valuable experience of your own.

Not to mention rattled by how hard Kay O-o got hit. He did well to hang on, but if he had've gone down there, you'd have been in serious trouble.

This thought plagues you as you clean Volta up and patch her and Kay O-o up with Fluffy's help.

Holly buys you all refreshments while you work and you settle in to enjoy the rest of the trip to South Crescent Island.


>Study pokemon moves.
>Keep studying the Islands.
>Study the other Gym Leaders.
>Study the other major landmarks of Arnet.
>Talk with the other passengers.
>Talk with Holly.
>Challenge another passenger (Roll)
>Pokemon watch.

>>5548964
>Study pokemon moves.

>>5548964
>Talk with the other passengers.
>Talk with Holly.
>Keep studying the Islands.
If we can do all three, that'd be great.

>>5548964
>Study pokemon moves
>Talk with Holly.

Let's see the moves we've reached the requisite levels for otherwise try and teach Rascal, Fluffy and Blitz Agility.

>>5548967
>>5548978
>>5549176

While you're eating, you decide it's time to look at moves again.

You decide to check Growlithe first to double-check when Blitz can safely finish training Crunch.

As it turns out, he can't for a while yet, but Agility and Flame Wheel are both good alternatives as is Helping Hand and on double-checking, you've not taught him Protect yet, which considering how often it's saved your ass and how much you tend to use it, you feel you ought to remedy as soon as you can.

Kay O-o, meanwhile, is coming up on evolving, where he'll have access to a much more diverse range of moves,including punches, thanks to the fact he'll actually have hands.

Right now though, from what you're reading, Iron Defense, Dragon Claw, Screech and Work Up are all moves he can comfortably learn and considering Checkers knows Safeguard, you feel you could teach it to Kay O-o with Holly's help an.

Rascal meanwhile is in an interesting position:

He'll apparently need a lot more training before he can learn some of the moves you can see, but he'll pick them up a lot more organically than most of his wild brethren will, if you're right.

Tailwind, first and foremost along with Whirlwind and Air Slash.

Normally, he'd be able to pick up Superpower, but he simply hasn't got the strength necessary at present and after the incident with Blitz's tooth, you have reservations about attempting to teach Rascal Sky Attack.

There's also a small boatload of moves you could teach him from TMs, but Agility is the only realistic one you could manage right now, with Latias's help.

Overall, he seems to be in a pretty decent place for the time being, from what you can judge.

Volta meanwhile runs into a similar issue, with Roar and a few choice TMs being the only real choices until around the same time she'll be ready to evolve.

Fluffy, meanwhile is in an interesting spot where he's ahead of the curve in some respects and behind in others. He knows Bite before he really should according to the pokedex, along with Heal Bell and Wish, but he's not picked up Quick Attack or Swift, though you perk up when you see Baton Pass is a move he can learn and you feel decently confident he could pick that up with Latias's help.

And as to Latias, she's once again, rather eclectic, which you feel is partly down to Henry's having trained Latias and Latios as best he could.

You have a few ideas for her though. First and foremost, Reflect and Light Screen to complement Safeguard, along with Camouflage.

You feel like yshe could pull off some very impressive tricks with those moves.

Beyond those, Stored Power catches your eye, though she's not quite ready to learn Mist Ball, from what you can see.

(Part 1)

>>5549297

You blink and look up to see Holly grooming Checkers.

"So, how'd your battle go?" She asks curiously.

>I won comfortably.
>I won, but I had to work for it.
>If just one thing had've gone differently, I probably would've lost.
>Other

>>5549312
>I won, but I had to work for it.
I think this is accurate, not entirely sure.

>>5549312
>>I won, but I had to work for it.
We read the opponent right by checking out his moves with Protect.
Volta could use some mobility/evasion training by reapplying Double Kick.

>>5549326
>>5549349

You lean back and close your tab with a sigh.

"I won, but I had to work for it." You reply. "There's definitely more training I've got to do with my team, sooner rather than later. Kay O-o's by far and away my strongest pokemon, but he nearly got knocked out in one shot. If he had've been, I could've very easily lost."

"Oh." Holly pauses in her brush strokes. "Well, maybe while we're island hopping, we can do some training?" She suggests. "I've been doing some by myself. Just general conditioning, mostly, but it seems to be paying off. I think my team could use some more move variety though..." She says, then fidgets, apparently grappling with something before she takes a deep breath. "Alex..." She says and you see a blush creeping up her neck.

Uh-oh.

"Do you, um... could you please..." She's so red you'd think she was sunburned if you hadn't just seen her turn that colour before your eyes. "Couldyoupleaseteachmetofight?" She mumbles in a rush.

What?

You have to play that last part back, but it sounded like she asked you to teach her how to fight.

>Sure. You probably ought to know anyway.
>Sure. Why's that so embarrassing to ask?
>Sure. We probably should've started sooner.
>...You'd be better off asking Fie.
>No, I've got enough on my plate.
>Other

>>5549378
>Sure. Why's that so embarrassing to ask?
No need to be shy about it.
If you're nervous you just need to get used to it and build confidence.

>>5549378
>Sure. Why's that so embarrassing to ask?

File: Spoiler Image (197 KB, 500x467)

197 KB PNG

>>5549379
>>5549386

"Sure." You reply. "Why's that so embarrassing to ask?"

You were expecting something a lot worse from how she was blushing.

"Well, uh... it's not ladylike." She says, fidgeting. "And- and well..." More blushing before she leans over and whispers a lurid series of ideas about activewear, posture and technique correction, working out until you're both pouring sweat and cleaning up afterward that has you staring in turn.

"...I can say categorically, no, learning to fight is nothing like that." You assure after you've finally shaken the images that put in your head loose.

"Oh." She slumps in relief. "That's a relief." She says. "I'm not sure if I could... um..." She trails off fidgeting again.

Arceus above, she's got it bad for you.

Which in a twisted way makes teaching her self-defense an even better idea, since some self-confidence would probably go a long way to at least mitigate her hero-worship.

You steer the conversation away from bad romance novel territory after that and back to the practicals of your little expedition and shortly, though thanks to all the planning you did this morning, there's not really a lot left to go over. Just last-minute supply gathering you can get done at the supply kiosk at the pokemon centre.

That done with, you fall back on studying and spending time with your team until the boat finally reaches South Crescent Island.

(Part 1)

File: UehkmLzWfiTDQDTQzWm7if[1].jpg (318 KB, 1920x1080)

318 KB JPG

>>5549428

The settlement the boat stops at, properly Half-Moon Village, looks a lot like you've stepped back in time and the architecture looks exactly like something out of a history book on ancient Sinnoh's past but it's pretty clear that this isn't a replica:

The roads are paved, there're solar panels on every roof and small helix wind turbines here and there and the everyone's mode of dress would fit right in on the mainland.

Still, with the lush greenery everywhere, it's still a beautiful town and it's clear the locals put a lot of effort into keeping it that way.

You quickly make your way to the pokemon center and sure enough, there're a few jobs in need of doing.

You take relocating Wingull nests and after encouraging Holly to pick something, she's welcomed to the kitchen to prepare for lunch.

>Roll 2D100

Rolled 21, 80 = 101 (2d100)

>>5549436

Rolled 39, 35 = 74 (2d100)

>>5549436

Rolled 89, 89 = 178 (2d100)

>>5549436
Guess we'll help Holly select some fitness gear if she wants actual physical training...

Rolled 46, 57 = 103 (2d100)

>>5549436
>5549378
Did dubs grants something nice?

>>5549437
>>5549452
>>5549510

Moving the nests takes no time at all.

You've been doing this with other bird-pokemon in Greenshoot for years now, so you know exactly what you're doing.

That taken care of, you spray some repel around the gutters before heading inside to see how Holly is doing.

She looks mildly panicked at the pace of work necessary in the kitchen, but she's managing quite well and by the time lunch is called and some of the locals and visiting trainers filter in to take advantage, she looks exhausted.

The food's pretty good and when she rejoins you after lunch, looking exhausted, you congratulate her on a job well done before going up to the counter to collect your pay.

It's not a bad little stipend you pick up and Holly is faintly bemused by her own pay for the hour's work, but doesn't say anything as you start looking over a map of the island.

Over lunch, you were able to pick up some good information from the locals: There's a mountain towards the centre of the island, where apparently more powerful pokemon reside, while the northern and southern tips of the island are less frequently visited, but tend to to be frequented by rarer pokemon for it.

>Head for the central mountain.
>Head for the northern tip of the island.
>Head for the southern tip of the island.
>Circumnavigate the island.
>Other

>>5550031
>Head for the central mountain.

>>5550031
>Other
Seek out the towns library to read up some more on local history, legends, traditions regarding food/poke food.

>Circumnavigate the island.
Let's just follow the shoreline first.
Might nab a few pokemon for ourselves too and we can get started on some exercises for you too after we grab you some fitness gear.

>>5550031
>Head for the southern tip of the island.

>>5550058
Supportin'

>>5550538
>>5550058

After some debate, you decide to just circumnavigate the island.

"Isn't that going to take a while?" Holly asks anxiously.

"Two days, according to what I heard over lunch." You confirm. "We can just follow the shore. It'll be a good way for us to start on some proper exercises for you after we've got you some fitness gear."

Holly swallows.

"Uh... h-how about we just head north?" She asks. "No need to go wasting time on side-stuff right now."

She raises a good point.

>No, we might as well start now.
>Okay, we'll start on conditioning when we get back to Saltcoast.
>Other

>>5550597
>Okay, we'll start on conditioning when we get back to Saltcoast.

>>5550597
>No, we might as well start now.
>Other
Don't worry about flareups or getting exhausted while I'm with you alright?
We'll handle it.

>>5550597
>Okay, we'll start on conditioning when we get back to Saltcoast.

Guess we're searching for Slowbro and Slowking now.
See if we can bribe any into teaching Holly something about psychic power, telekinesis perhaps.

>>5550597
>No, we might as well start now.
We'll keep it light for now with some gymnastics, breath exercises and jogging in the morning should do. Don't worry I won't tire you out when we're here to find you a teacher.

>Other
I'll also try to keep up my aura meditation to twice a day as well since Gareth said I can help you subdue your psychic power that way.
Might be worthwhile to split it into morning practice along with KayO, Rascal and Blitz along with evening practice with Fluffy and Volta.

Rolled 4 (1d4)

Odd
>>5550645
>>5550737
Even
>>5550662
>>5551136

>>5551467

"No, we might as well start now." You admit. "Don't worry about flareups or getting exhausted while I'm with you, we'll handle it." You assure.

Tracking down a sports shop doesn't take long and after Holly has some proper sports clothes, you head off northward in earnest.

The northern tip of the island seems to be rockier than the south according to your map, which contributes to it being so infrequently visited, but Seel, Spheal and more rarely Poplio have been known to rest there, along with their evolutions and there's also a Slowpoke colony.

>Just focus on getting there.
>Watch for pokemon on the way.
>Watch for trainers.
>Other

>>5551663
>Watch for trainers.
As long as it doesn't take too much time or is against some Ace trainers. I'm mostly taking this so that we can pay Holly back (unless we already have enough money for that).

>>5551663
>Watch for trainers.

>>5551663
>Watch for pokemon on the way.

>>5551671
>>5551701

Roll.

Rolled 24 (1d100)

>>5551747

Rolled 16 (1d100)

>>5551747

Rolled 53 (1d100)

>>5551753
>>5551756
>>5551759

The island itself is quite beautiful and with the white sandbars just offshore and the shoals of whitebait in the shallows and the water pokemon out in the deeper, clear blue water, it's paradise. The weather is just the right side of warm and the sun is out and balancing the breeze stirring the forest inland.

It's paradise... And for all of an hour, you and Holly have it all to yourselves as you jog along and cycle with just walking to work on Holly's stamina.

About an hour out of town, you catch up with a trio coming the other way.

A junior ranger with a heavy-looking hiking pack, a woman a few years older than you with a roll of what looks like crepe paper in her belt and who does a double-take when she notices you and looks like she's trying to decipher something, and a boy with a heavy bracer on his left arm and wearing a tight bodysuit of somesort, with goggles hanging around his neck and a helmet looped through his belt by the strap.

They wave as you get closer.

"Hey, either of you trainers?" The guy in the suit asks.

"Yeah, you looking to battle?"

"Yeah, two on two for half sound good to you?" He asks.

>Sounds good.
>What about her? (Challenge the woman)
>What about him. (Challenge the camper)
>How about you, Holly?
>Other

>>5551770
>Sounds good.

>>5551770
>Other
Eh let's keep it at 1k for the bet and you're on.

>>5551770
>I'd prefer a set amount. Is 1k okay?
>What about a double battle?

>>5551770
>>5551797
+1

>>5551795
>>5551797
>>5552029

"How about a double battle and we keep the bet at a thousand?" You suggest.

"Hey, now that sounds like fun." The camper agrees, perking up.

"Sure thing." The guy in the suit says.

"I guess I'll officiate." The woman says.

Holly gives you a bright smile and selects a ball.

>Go Rascal (Braviary)
>Go Blitz (Growlithe)
>Go Latias
>Go Volta (Luxio)
>Go Kay O-o (Jangmo-o)
>Go Fluffy (Eevee)

>>5552348
>Go Rascal (Braviary)

>>5552348
>Go Fluffy (Eevee)
Haven't used him in a while.

>>5552348
>>Go Rascal (Braviary)
>>Go Fluffy (Eevee)

>>5552348
>Go, Fluffy
With a bit of luck, he'll be close to evolve soon.

File: Pidgeotto.jpg (10 KB, 212x238)

10 KB JPG

Rolled 79, 81, 73 = 233 (3d100)

>>5552356
>>5552624
>>5552819

"Go, Pideotto!" The guy with the suit says and suddenly, it clicks: It's a wingsuit.

He must specialise in flying types.

"Go Nidorino!" The Camper says as he releases a large purple pokemon in turn.

"Checkers, you're in!" Holly says, releasing her Espurr.

"Fluffy, you're up." You say.

It's a little late to be second-guessing now.

You hope Holly remembers her lessons with Fie, because this looks like a pretty even matchup to you.

>Tackle
>Growl
>Tail Whip
>Helping Hand
>Covet
>Bite
>Protect
>Wish
>Heal Bell
>Switch
>Other

Roll order: Holly, Bird-Keeper, Camper

>>5552868
>Helping Hand
We might be able to One-shot the nidorino with a good enough roll.
Else, we can metagame and protect on that unfavorable turn.

>>5552868
>Covet
On Nidorino

>>5552868
>>5552876 +1

>>5552868
>>5552876
Supporting (I'm assuming we're using it on Checkers).

Hm wonder how we should structure our training.
I'm thinking:

>Early morning: Agility with Rascal and Blitz, Dragon Claw with KayO and aura meditation for Alex mastering Low Kick Aura strike. Holly's team with Cotton and Checkers can join in on Agility training. We let Latias/Latios camouflage them selves to stay on watch or use aura sight to oversee.

>Noon:
Holly Psychic meditation (Calm mind+positive emotional suggestions+telekinesis practice)
Alex fishes up some magikarp for cooking.

>Evening:
Volta and Fluffy training Double Kick, Volta training it to apply it as a positioning maneuver (i.e. using it for jumps, sidestepping and rapid direction changes). Alex meditating on the move Secret Power or finishing Low Kick.

File: Nidorino.png (153 KB, 245x342)

153 KB PNG

Rolled 48, 22, 28 = 98 (3d100)

>>5552876
>>5553149
>>5553158

"Fluffy, Helping Hand Checkers." You order.

"Espurr, Fake Out Pidgeotto!" Holly orders with a degree of urgency.

"Whirlwind Eevee, Pidgeotto!" The bird-keeper orders.

"Toxic Spikes, Nidorino." The Camper orders.

Apparently, these two have a favoured strategy.

Fluffy glows and causes Checkers to glow in sympathy as he claps his hands loudly, startling Pidgeotto in the process and messing up its attempt to blow Fluffy back to you as Nidorino flings dozens of glowing crystalline shards of solidified poison over your side of the field.

Holly gives you a nod and a thumbs up.

Pidgeotto is wreathed by yellow under your aura sight, while everyone else is green.

>Tackle
>Growl
>Tail Whip
>Helping Hand
>Covet
>Bite
>Protect
>Wish
>Heal Bell
>Switch
>Other

Roll order: Holly, Bird-Keeper, Camper

>>5553545
>Helping hand Again
>>Other
Fluffy stand next to Checkers and help him attack from a range to take down Pidgeotto.
Intercept any attack coming his way.

>>5553545
>>5553565
Supporting.

Rolled 100 (1d100)

>>5553545
>>Protect

Rolled 40, 17, 73 = 130 (3d100)

>>5553565
>>5553574

"Helping Hand again, Fluffy!" You order.

"Checkers, Swift!" Holly orders.

"Nidorino, Rock Smash Eevee!" The camper orders.

"Pidgeotto, Whirlwind Espurr!" The bir-dkeeper orders.

Once again, Fluffy glows and boosts Checkers as he launches a spray of stars which pelt Pidgeotto and Nidorino, knocking Pidgeotto out as Nidorino charges Fluffy and deals him a hard hit that has him wrethed in dark orange in your eyes.

Nidorino is in slightly better shape, but it seems both your opponents are getting a little sick of Holly and Checkers battering them like this.

"Tch. Go Pelipper." The Bird-keeper orders.

>Tackle
>Growl
>Tail Whip
>Helping Hand
>Covet
>Bite
>Protect
>Wish
>Heal Bell
>Switch
>Other

Roll order: Holly, Bird-Keeper, Camper

>>5553944
Use Protect.

>>5553846
Nice crit a shame we couldn't use it.

>>5553944
>Protect

>>5553944
>Protect

File: Growlithe.jpg (6 KB, 225x225)

6 KB JPG

>>5553962
>>5553985
>>5553993

"Fluffy, Protect!" You order.

"Checkers, Confusion on Nidorino!" Holly orders.

"Rock Smash Eevee again, Nidorino!" The Camper orders.

"Pelipper, Aqua Ring!" The Bird Keeper orders.

Nidorino charges at Fluffy and bounces off his protective barrier as Pelipper cloaks itself in an aura of blue, before Nidorino is picked up and thrown back by a visible psychic aura from Checkers, landing back on the other side of the field knocked out.

"Go, Growlithe!" The camper says after recalling Nidorino.

All in all, you're actually not in a bad position, but there's no guarantee that Protect is going to work a second time and Fluffy is in rough shape.

>Tackle
>Growl
>Tail Whip
>Helping Hand
>Covet
>Bite
>Protect
>Wish
>Heal Bell
>Switch
>Other

Rolled 32, 100, 1 = 133 (3d100)

>>5554006

Roll order: Holly, Bird-Keeper, Camper

Also: Been trying to think of a way to make the roster more fluid and the easiest ways so far as I can see are a 'fatigue' system and\or upping the frequency of injuries.

Thoughts?

So far, I've been relegating injuries to critical knockouts or situational failures with training and while it's come up a couple of times, it's not working out quite as well as I envisioned.

My thoughts with 'fatigue' is basically 'you finished a town\arc\leg of the journey, your present team could use a break.'

Injuries, I was just thinking link it to knock-outs, or high-rolls for enemy moves instead of crits, but again, I'm open to feedback or input on the subject.

>>5554017

...I *say* that critical knockouts haven't been happening and the Camper gets a Nat 100.

>>5554006
>Wish
That crit the Camper got will probably nullify anything we do, so we might as well try to use something that'll help us in the future.

>>5554017
>nat 100
>nat 1
This will be interesting.

I don't really have any thoughts on a fatigue system, but it sounds like it could add to the dept of the world a little. Having injuries could have a similar way going about things. My only worry is that it might become annoying after a while, but there's always a chance that happens with rolls so ultimately I'm fine with it.

>>5554006
>Switch to Rascal

>>5554006
>Protect again
Let's clutch to avoid critical knock-out on our starter that we want to friendly-evolve.

Rolled 1 (1d3)

1
>>5554025
2
>>5554028
3
>>5554068

>>5554094

"Fluffy, use Wish." You order.

"Reflect!" Holly orders.

"Growlithe, use Quick Attack Eevee!" The Camper orders.

"Pelipper, Wing Attack on Espurr!" TheBird-Keeper orders.

You don't see Growlithe move, but it bodies Eevee and you hear a crack that makes your heart freeze before he howls in pain and tumbles back to you where he fetches up trembling in shock and pain before Espurr raises a shimmering barrier of light which throws Pelipper off.

It misjudges its spacing and misses Espurr wildly, while simultaneously leaving itself wide open.

"Use Cut on Pelipper, Checkers!" Holly orders as you quickly recall Fluffy for the moment.

Checkers meanwhile doesn't waste the opportunity afforded and lands a heavy blow on Pelipper, turning its aura from green to yellow in the blink of an eye.

"Will your Eevee be okay?" The Camper asks in concern as you all pause.

"He's probably going to have at least a cracked rib." The woman says. "I'll do first aid." She says, hurrying over. "We're officially in time-out."

You release Fluffy again as the woman brings out a Revive and gives it to Fluffy, who quickly settles as the analgesic quickly kicks in as you use the scan function of your pokedex to do a cursory x-ray and sure enough, there's a clear crack in one of his ribs.

You dig out a potion and spray it on the site of the injury before pettinghim gently and murmuring apologies and assurances to him before returning him.

"You okay?" The Bird-Keeper asks. "First time dealing with a serious injury?" He asks.

>No, I've had a couple of training accidents before this.
>No, mum's a nurse. I've seen a lot of injuries.
>The first of mine in a battle.
>Other

Also:

>Rascal (Braviary)
>Blitz (Growlithe)
>Latias
>Volta (Luxio)
>Kay O-o (Jangmo-o)
>Call it a draw?

>>5554100
>No, mum's a nurse. I've seen a lot of injuries.
>The first of mine in a battle.
>Rascal (Braviary)

>>5554100
>Bird-keeper missed on 100
>Camper Crit on 1

>>5554100
>>The first of mine in a battle.
>Blitz (Growlithe)

>>5554116

...Fuck. I really wasn't paying attention on that one.

>>5554120
It's ok, good and solid update anyway mate

>>5554100
>>No, mum's a nurse. I've seen a lot of injuries.
>>The first of mine in a battle.
>Other
Console Fluffy a bit more. ''Sorry buddy. No more fighting for a while alright? Let's get you some milk later.''

Go
>Volta (Luxio)

Thunderfang or thunder-shock on that Peliper.
They were scoping us out with whirlwind which is dangerous with Latias and Latios in the party.

>>5554120
We'll it's better if it's only one of ours recovering from injury rather than Holly's.
Injury management should be kept to broken bones/shells if we do not want to turn it into a drag.

Guess we're teaching Fluffy Calm Mind and some other status or special moves from now on while he's recovering.
Light screens/cosmic power are good choices.

>>5554100
>No, mum's a nurse. I've seen a lot of injuries.
>>The first of mine in a battle.
>>Other
Console Fluffy. It's alright buddy. You'll need a week of timeout from physical training and battling but we can still play and learn together. I'll just have to get you checked at the center for any internal injuries.
(glance at Holly to see if she agrees to double back to town)

>Go Volta

>>5554100
>No, mum's a nurse. I've seen a lot of injuries.
>The first of mine in a battle.
>Other
>Keep consoling Fluffy

>Volta

It's best if we pedal back to town to resupply for dry food and revives after this.
Without a revive we'd be fucked right now.
Thank the ref for the save.
Have Fluffy use wish on him self and the downed two pokemon as a thanks+feed him some leppa berries to get back his energy.

>>5554100
>>5554100
>>No, mum's a nurse. I've seen a lot of injuries.
>>The first of mine in a battle.
>>Other
''Thanks for the save with the revive. I owe you one.
He hasn't got hurt this badly since a Team Green ambush on us.
Fluffy can you use wish and Heal bell on your self just in case?''

>>5554637
>>5554100
And
>Go Volta