Rules are simple: Votes are tallied every hour, with whatever course of action being the most popular being the course of action taken. Write ins are encouraged and non-mutually exclusive votes will be combined if possible.

When a roll is called for, roll however many D100 are specified. 5- is a 'crit fail' and generally means something bad is about to happen. 95+ is a 'crit success' and generally means something good just happened. a 'crit success' trumps a crit fail. User input on both will be taken into consideration.

Inventory, pokemon stats and other links: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15i2N08IpWqitoTJujsUMishe4PLbao1lqT-bCAmvPcE/edit

Discord: Rules are simple: Votes are tallied every hour, with whatever course of action being the most popular being the course of action taken. Write ins are encouraged and non-mutually exclusive votes will be combined if possible.

When a roll is called for, roll however many D100 are specified. 5- is a 'crit fail' and generally means something bad is about to happen. 95+ is a 'crit success' and generally means something good just happened. a 'crit success' trumps a crit fail. User input on both will be taken into consideration.

Inventory, pokemon stats and other links: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15i2N08IpWqitoTJujsUMishe4PLbao1lqT-bCAmvPcE/edit

Discord: https://discord.gg/rZqfMjD5

For a short summary for the new and to recap:

You are Alex. A newly minted trainer and camping enthusiast just starting out on your journey at the age of seventeen after your father lost his job in order to help pay the bills. On the road, you met Fie, the Fire Gym Leader, Gareth a novice Aura Guardian on pilgrimage and Holly, a runaway heiress using a pseudonym. You've also made enemies of Team Green a group of violent, radical activists looking to abolish pokemon training.

Recently, Fie returned to her gym for the time being.

Last thread, you beat an ass who was harassing Martha, reflected on your previous battles and cuddled with Nika while you went to sleep.

You're not long in drifting off and shortly thereafter, you blink awake in a field and are immediately tackled by Nika.

You wrestle playfully a little then sit up and look around.

It seems you’re in the middle of a grassy plain on a bright, sunny day.

You can see a forest in the distance, while there’s a beach closer at hand and a city and a mountain occupying the other cardinal directions. Quite which compass points these land marks are occupying is hard to determine, but you’re not sure it matters.

This seems to be Nika’s dream.

>Go explore the forest.
>Go explore the mountain.
>Go to the beach.
>Go to have a look around the city.
>Follow where Nika goes.
>Other

You're not long in drifting off and shortly thereafter, you blink awake in a field and are immediately tackled by Nika.

You wrestle playfully a little then sit up and look around.

It seems you’re in the middle of a grassy plain on a bright, sunny day.

You can see a forest in the distance, while there’s a beach closer at hand and a city and a mountain occupying the other cardinal directions. Quite which compass points these land marks are occupying is hard to determine, but you’re not sure it matters.

This seems to be Nika’s dream.

>Go explore the forest.
>Go explore the mountain.
>Go to the beach.
>Go to have a look around the city.
>Follow where Nika goes.
>Other

>>6259218
>>Follow where Nika goes.
I'd say she'll go to the beach and train on sand?

>>6259218
>Follow where Nika goes.

>>6259218
>>Follow where Nika goes.

Wow.
Did we... broke the permanent two-player state? I'm moved.

>>6259339
i've been here since the start lol

>>6259339
>I'm moved.
Same here. It's good to see more voters in this quest.

>>6259359
>i've been here since the start lol
Wish I could say the same. The earlier threads seemed like fun.

>>6259225
>>6259238
>>6259289

Well, this is Nika's dream, so you feel that she ought to be the one to decide where you go.

Nika seems content to just relax with you and you do so for an indeterminable period of time, before she stands, stretches with a yawn, before she grabs your hand and tugs you to your feet before towing you along towards the mountain.

When you get there, you're struck by just how big it is.

Standing in it's shadow, you feel small and insignificant.

This feeling is not helped by the gigantic pokemon you see prowling the mountain's crags - an immense Braviary flies overhead, while a huge Hakamo-o and Luxray prowl and occasionally fight when they cross paths.

A Leavanny darts to and fro as well, weaving silken walls, seemingly without rhyme or reason.

There're other pokemon about as well, but they seem to be half-remembered shadows.

While you're processing what you're seeing, Nika lets go of your hand and heads for a narrow track that leads up the mountain's slope.

>Watch what happens
>Follow her.
>Call her back.
>Other

>>6259359

Always glad to have people come back, even if it's just to see how stuff's going.

>>6259829
>>Follow her.
so she's mad impressed by our teammate. Good thing - she'll be receptive to tutoring and sparring with them.

>>6259829
>Follow her.

>>6259839
>>6259846

Roll

Rolled 68 (1d100)

>>6260476
nat 100 for Rusty Dragontail gameplay

Rolled 43 (1d100)

>>6260476

Need one more roll.

Rolled 66 (1d100)

>>6261224
i'll take it

>>6260485
>>6260550
>>6261231

Nika proceeds carefully, keeping a wary eye on the other pokemon on the slope as she picks her way along the rougher parts of the track.

As you follow her, you find yourself tiring as you pick your way through the rough parts of the trail as well.

This area seems to be a representation of what Nika perceives as her limits. She can outrun the occasional rock fall with ease and find her way along the more treacherous footing without issue, but she struggles whenever half-remembered pokemon jump out to attack her and often has to stop to rest afterwards.

Even when she falls trying to climb sheer cliffs, she picks herself back up and keeps trying. She's actually making pretty good progress, given how rough the path is.

She's half way up one when the gigantic Hakamo-o finds you both and lunges at her, picking Nika off the cliff and throwing her back to the path before pinning her under its foot and roaring in victory.

>Fight the Hakamo-o yourself.
>Give Nika an order
>Order the Hakamo-o
>Other

>>6261245
>>Order the Hakamo-o
Kay O-o; hold back. Be gentler with her so she can learn, not biting the dust helplessly

Seems we've hit a bit of a lull.

Anyone got any questions?

>>6261245
>Order the Hakamo-o

>>6262532
Is there a level cap for pokemon? Is 100 considered the strongest?

>>6261245
>>6262543
Meant to vote for
>Give Nika an order
But I'm honestly fine with either.

>>6262543

No, there isn't *really* a level cap.

There's a *functional* cap to how much a given pokemon can grow in a relatively short period of time, but they keep getting experience with age.

Which means that some pokemon, like some of Emma's A-Team or prodigies like Red, have some *horrifyingly* powerful pokemon that have some really nasty tricks they can pull with their moves and a constitution which means that, even hitting them with multiple consecutive Super Effective moves isn't necessarily going to be enough to put them out of a fight.

Celebi's trick with extending all your buffs, for example. It exhausted her afterwards, but that's because she's not trained that particular trick very much. That was also an extreme scenario, so it was pushing her abilities to their limits. Most battles don't feature an actual hundred-plus pokemon throwing down in a chaotic melee.

Trainers and pokemon with that sort of experience are rare though. Cynthia and Red are squarely in this weight bracket, but most E4 trainers and champions have at least one pokemon that falls into this category.

And there are wild pokemon that have this sort of experience as well, but they tend to live in remote areas and be quite old.

Functionally, all 'Level 100' means in this quest, is that a given pokemon has reached the limit of their growth for the time being, but that doesn't mean that they won't be able to grow more in a year or so.

>>6261269
>>6262543

"Kay O-o." You say, drawing the Hakamo-o's attention.

It snaps to look at you with a cold glint of steel in its eye, challenging you.

You feel a chill, even though you've only ever seen Kay O-o look remotely like that at the Imbrium Cape when he attacked Kyle and his henchmen.

You realise that this isn't just a representation of what Nika perceives as her limits - this is also a representation of her fears.

She's scared of other members of your team.

>Roll.

Rolled 15 (1d100)

>>6262556
Huh, interesting. So is there the potential to have a thousand lvl mon (in the context of this quest)?
Would some legendaries would fit into that 'over 100' category, are they comparable to Cynthia's and Red's pokemon?

>>6262559
Rolling.

>>6262577

There is the potential for a 'level 1000' pokemon to exist in the context of this quest.

And yes, some legendaries would fit. OG Mewtwo, for instance, or Hoenn's Kyogre and Groudon once they've fully shaken off their torpor from hibernating for god knows how long. They're outliers in that regard, though.

Cynthia and Red defintely have pokemon in the Post-100 legendary-busting weight range though, purely because most legendaries don't intensively train themselves.

This is also what makes OG Mewtwo a potentially catastrophic problem if anyone pisses that mofo off - he understands the value of training his powers. He knows *how* to train his powers and he's spent nearly twenty years doing just that while pondering philosophy.

>>6262583
>This is also what makes OG Mewtwo a potentially catastrophic problem if anyone pisses that mofo off - he understands the value of training his powers. He knows *how* to train his powers and he's spent nearly twenty years doing just that while pondering philosophy.
That sounds like a global problem just waiting to happen lmao

Rolled 81 (1d100)

>>6262559

Rolled 58 (1d100)

>>6262559
I'll roll again for the third dice

>>6262577
>>6263383
>>6264844

You don't look away, holding the Hakamo-o's challenging gaze for a long, long moment, before it lets Nika up with a huff and stalks off.

Nika sits up and hugs herself, looking at you with admiration as you come kneel beside her and comfort her.

"Kayo-o's not like that." You assure. "He'd sooner take a hit for you than hurt you. In fact, none of your team mates would dream of it." You add.

She doesn't respond at first, but nods all the same.

You help her to her feet and resolve to nip this apprehension in the bud. The very last thing you want is for Nika to be afraid of her team mates. Her family.

No, more than that - discord among your team of that nature would be a disaster, if you're ever forced to fight big battles like on South Crescent Island again and you doubt Team Green is just going to fuck off and leave you alone.

>Help Nika to where she's trying to go.
>Keep following Nika, only intervene if she needs the help.
>Explore Nika's mind more.
>Other

>>6262577
>>6263383
>>6264844

You don't look away, holding the Hakamo-o's challenging gaze for a long, long moment, before it lets Nika up with a huff and stalks off.

Nika sits up and hugs herself, looking at you with admiration as you come kneel beside her and comfort her.

"Kayo-o's not like that." You assure. "He'd sooner take a hit for you than hurt you. In fact, none of your team mates would dream of it." You add.

She doesn't respond at first, but nods all the same.

You help her to her feet and resolve to nip this apprehension in the bud. The very last thing you want is for Nika to be afraid of her team mates. Her family.

No, more than that - discord among your team of that nature would be a disaster, if you're ever forced to fight big battles like on South Crescent Island again and you doubt Team Green is just going to fuck off and leave you alone.

>Help Nika to where she's trying to go.
>Keep following Nika, only intervene if she needs the help.
>Explore Nika's mind more.
>Other

>>6264962
>>Keep following Nika, only intervene if she needs the help.

>>6264962
>>Keep following Nika, only intervene if she needs the help.

>>6264972
>>6264980

Well, it's nearly been an hour and if I have people here, we might as well try and make some progress.

Reading 404's Spartan quest in between this. It's good stuff.

Anyway, update shortly.

You keep following Nika, first up the cliff, then up another steep path and through a loose field of boulders, watching as she battles shadowy wild pokemon she half-remembers seeing on the road with you or at home.

You don't intervene unless she needs it though, normally by giving her warning of a threat that she's not aware of, or else catching her if she falls while climbing or slips on loose scree.

You'd help more, but after becoming as tangled up with Holly as you have with her psychic abilities, you're wary of similarly influencing Nika.

She's still just a pup after all and even without psychic influence, your help might accidentally do more harm than good.

And that asides, she doesn't really need the help more often than not.

The Braviary and Leavanny approach and both times, you warn them off like you did the Hakamo-o. They're obviously Syurm and Rascal, but thanks to Nika's relative unfamiliarity with them and this being a dream, they don't seem to recognise you, but they do yield to you, eventually. The same as the Hakamo-o did.

Eventually, you reach the summit of the mountain to find Martha's Lucario stood there.

So this is the real mountain Nika's set for herself to climb.

>See how things play out.
>Sit down and just enjoy the view.
>Give Nika directions when they inevitably spar.
>Other

>>6264985
>>Give Nika directions when they inevitably spar.

>>6264962
>Keep following Nika, only intervene if she needs the help.

>>6264988
lmao it didn't load for me yet.

>>6264985
>Give Nika directions when they inevitably spar.

>>6264982
I was reading it too. It's pretty nice.

>>6265044
>lmao it didn't load for me yet.
fuck, meant to reply to >>6265042
ignore my retarded posting I just woke up.

>>6265045

We've all been there. I keep forgetting to toggle my Trip.

>>6264988
>>6265044

He turns and regards Nika as she approaches.

They regard one another for a long moment before Nika squares up and Martha's Lucario, Blue, huffs and follows suit with an easy confidence that you get the sense that Nika admires.

It might have been arrogance, in most circumstances, but this *is* Nika's perception. And perception has nothing to do with the fact that dream or reality, this was going to be an exceptionally one-sided spar.

Moves:
>Ice Punch
>Rock Smash
>Bulk Up
>Drain Punch
>High Jump Kick
>Power-Up Punch
>Agility
>Quick Attack
>Foresight
>Endure
>Other

>>6265050
>Agility
Although I could be convinced to order her to do an attack move instead.

>>6265050
>>Foresight
Let's dodge that incoming high-jump kick.

>>6265050
>>6265054
I'll change my vote to support >>6265078

>>6265078
>>6265086

Okay then. Update tomorrow, it's late on my end and I'm tired.

Rolled 16 (1d100)

drill is none

>>6265093
*known

>>6265093

Yeah, rolling for this is a good call, since you're using Foresight as essentially a replacement for Detect here, now I actually think about this when not half-asleep.

>>6265497
My bad - ESL so I thought Foresight was "Détection" [Detect] instead of Clairevoyance

>>6265499

Ah, fair enough.

I mean, it's not a half-bad idea, but it will require a roll.

>>6265502
Yeah, "not a half-bad idea", right, that was the plan all along, powergame dreamin' like I tried to get Rusty to Dragon-Tail

Rolled 30 (1d100)

>>6265088
I'll roll too

>>6265602

Need one more.

Rolled 51 (1d100)

>>6265605
Double

Rolled 39 (1d100)

>>6265093
>>6265602
>>6265610

>>6265611


Well. No reason you couldn't even things up a little.

Nika might learn something out of this.

"Okay, use Foresight to try and predict what he's going to do." You direct, striving to keep a level head.

Nika frowns and her eyes flash before Blue jumps, turns a somersault midair, then drops an axe-kick down on Nika.

To her credit, she did seem to predict that and tried to get out of the way, but she wasn't able to react nearly quickly enough to evade the High Jump Kick and gets flattened by it.

It seems like Blue's struck Nika as a good sport though, because he doesn't press the attack, just lets Nika recover then helps her up and dusts her off.

Nika gives a heavy sigh, before she squares up again.

>Let Nika keep practicing with Blue.
>Try something else.
>That's enough.
>Other

>>6265614
>>Other
Almost there buddy! Let's try again!

>>6265614
>>6265622
+1

Rolled 41 (1d100)

>>6265622
>>6265819

Alright, roll.

Hope for something high.

Rolled 50 (1d100)

>>6266145
>)

Rolled 61 (1d100)

>>6266145

>>6266202
Your turn to double-roll?

Rolled 50 (1d100)

>>6266145

Taking turns for double rolls is one of those internet politeness things that I love lmao

>>6266155
>>6266202
>>6266219

Right. Update tomorrow, I'm off to bed.

If we get another roll with a unique ID while I'm sleeping, I'll use that instead, but otherwise, this is all stitched up.

>>6266228
me too buddy, me too

>>6266235
Have a good one, Busy.

>>6266145
>>6266235

"Alright, let's try that again." You encourage. "Use Foresight to try and dodge."

Once again, Nika frowns and tries to evade Blue's High Jump Kick and to her credit, she does do a better job of avoiding getting hit this time, avoiding the flying axe kick, but she trips over her own feet and winds up pinned by Blue before she can recover.

You keep repeating the drill a few more times with varying results, but Nika doesn't successfully manage to evade Blue the whole way through the practice session.

"It's okay, we can keep practicing. You'll get it eventually." You assure Nika when she finally sits down and gives a sigh of defeat.

She beams up at you and you ruffle her ears.

***

You're jolted awake by your alarm and with an effort, sit up and turn it off. Nika gives a tired huff beside you and curls tighter, nodding off again in record time, apparently content to sleep in further.

You return her to her ball before stretching and getting dressed.

When you go out to exercise, you're just about ready to start practicing when Martha comes out.

"What are you doing? It's like six in the morning." She asks incredulously.

"...Practicing?" You ask, taken aback. " Got to keep my skills sharp as well." You note.

She sighs.

"Well I guess." She concedes. "But your arm's still messed up." She notes.

She's got you there.

"Well..."

>She's right, just get ready to leave early and get your dressing changed before you go.
>She's right, focus on training your team this morning instead.
>It'll be fine. You've just got to be careful. (Roll)
>Other

>>6266727
>It'll be fine. You've just got to be careful. (Roll)
99% of gamblers give up before they win.

Rolled 37 (1d100)

>>6266727
>>It'll be fine. You've just got to be careful. (Roll)
We've been rolling bad, time to roll good

Adorable picture QM

>>6267021

A group had a whole gallery of really good pics on Facebook, so I copied them all.

Ordinarily, I try to figure out who did a given piece to credit them, but reverse google image search is a thing and a hundred pictures was just a little too much for my patience.

>>6266809
>>6267021

Two more rolls, please.

Rolled 97 (1d100)

Rolled 90 (1d100)

>>6267285
rollin'

>>6267289
Sweet.

>>6267021
>>6267289
>>6267323

Update tomorrow again. I'm beat.

Historical reenactment is fun as hell, but kite shields suck for how heavy they are.

>>6267324
Bouhou, the life-saving equipment is too heavy
(JK, I don't know anything about being in full plate under the Australian Sun for 8 hours)

>>6267328

Eh, crusades so the heaviest we get is chainmail and this was just a two hour training session. It's also the middle of winter.

But it is heavy. Fortunately, Kite shields are worth it.

I still prefer Heater shields though.

>>6267021
>>6267289
>>6267323

"I appreciate the concern, but it'll be fine." You assure. "I'll be careful."

Martha gives an exasperated sigh and rolls her eyes before she gets started on training her own pokemon while you limber up.

Once you're confident you're all warm up, you start on your own katas, keeping in mind not to use your right arm while you do.

It's a challenging work out, but a rewarding one and after about half an hour's work, you finish up as the sun's coming up and Martha's watching with her arms crossed.

"Alright, you haven't messed yourself up and I'll admit, that was pretty impressive seeing you do all that with basically one hand tied behind your back." She admits. "That all you're doing, though? Just working out yourself?"

You shake your head.

"No, of course not." You reply. "I train my team as well." You assure.

>Train someone.
>But this morning, we should just focus on making some distance.
>Other

Present Team:
Rascal (Braviary)
Fluffy (Eevee) (Everstone)
Rusty (Aron)
Nika (Riolu)
Piker (Feebas)
Volta (Luxray)

Out of Team:
Blitz (Growlithe)
Coolie (Applin)
Latias
Syurm (Leavvany)
Kay O-o (Hakamo-o)
Ayumi (Dratini)
Sage (Braixen) (Everstone)
Queenie (Cutiefly) (Incapacitated, 1 Day)

Rolled 71 (1d100)

>>6267837
>>Train someone.
Iron Tail/Dragon Tail Aron time!

Rolled 47 (1d100)

>>6267837
>>6267840
Supporting

Rolled 96 (1d100)

>>6267863
Hey, my turn!
>>6267837
Did I ever told you your Pokestralia and way to run a realistical Pokemon Adventure was (and is) a great inspiration to my current run of South-Kalos on a french forum? It's a place with more players than down here, I get like 10/12 consistent voters. If you're interrested I can provide a link (google translate might be a great friend)

>>6267868

Well, well, Rusty's going to be getting Iron Tail.

I do recall that you started that quest up citing this as an inspiration shortly after I started this one, but I wasn't aware that you still held it in such high esteem. Or that you'd iterated(?) on it.

Honestly, that's making me blush just thinking about.

And you're more than welcome to link it here. I've actually been trying to learn French off and on for a while, so you're doubly welcome.

Hella jealous of that player count right now, though, lol.

>>6267870
https://www.jeuxvideo.com/forums/42-51-74572247-1-0-1-0-fiction-pokemon-kalos-du-sud.htm

>>6267870
>I do recall that you started that quest up citing this as an inspiration shortly after I started this one, but I wasn't aware that you still held it in such high esteem. Or that you'd iterated(?) on it.
I love your portrayal of travel, making distances, the requirement of mounts for some roads...
In my quest, Rangers maintain the road themselves and there is a public transportation network, so you can go anywhere without being underlevel. You want a stronger Pokemon? Go in the wild - but with Pokémons like TTar or Gyriados changing the geology your map will certainly not be up to date. And how will you deal with the rain? You're wounded in the middle of the woods Because resident schizoretard player convinced the whole thread to assault a Jumpluff empty-handed at a few hours of the closest road, what do?

>>6267887

Yeah, uh... Pic related for next time if you don't already have it.

I'll be very interested to see how that played out.

The fact that guy thought that Air Cutter was the big issue though is mind blowing, when the various Powder moves exist. And in this at least, stack.

>>6268093
Incredible PICREL thanks

>>6267840
>>6267863
>>6267868

Martha nods, satisfied, before going back to practicing with her team while you send out Rusty.

"Alright..." You say, before you outline what exactly you want him to do.

Your little bit of subterfuge yesterday put an idea in your head and now, you want to make it happen.

Baby steps first though. Dragon Tail might be a bit of an ask, but Iron Tail seems reasonable.

"Here..." Matha says, releasing her Dragonair. "We'll help." She says.

And help they do. Martha's Dragonair knows Iron Tail and with that example and Martha there to help spot and advise you on Rusty's technique, it doesn't take particularly long before Rusty is using Iron Tail and by the time you can hear the breakfast call, he's not only using it consistently, but you've made some good progress on Dragon Tail as well.

"That wasn't bad for an hour's training. He caught on to that pretty quick." Martha opines.

"Yeah, I was expecting that to be a bit harder considering he won't have a tail until he evolves." You admit.

"Sometimes, it's best not to think about these things." Martha says, before she checks her pokedex as you head in, then she frowns, studies it for a bit, then closes it.

"What is it?" She asked.

"Might be in for some rough weather later." She says. "We might want to hurry."

>Let me have a look...
>Well if you say so, I'll take your word for it.
>Wait, can't Dragonair change the weather?
>We had better get to Redmont today, then.
>Other

https://youtu.be/JU3dS0K0H3Y?t=391So, how's the weather where you guys are?

>>6268805
>Wait, can't Dragonair change the weather?

>Weather
Hot here; it's been like two week of hot weather alert (35/37 during the day; 24 at the chillest of the night. It's harsh because the house soaked in all the heat and it's already as hot as outside inside in a country without an AC culture

>>6268813

Opposite here - damn cold and the east coast is getting slammed by a bomb cyclone.

>>6268805
>Wait, can't Dragonair change the weather?

>how's the weather where you guys are?
Humid, hot, and with constant rain. One of the worst heat waves I've experienced despite the wetness lol

>>6268859
>Opposite here - damn cold and the east coast is getting slammed by a bomb cyclone.
Damn I'd trade for that cold. Probably not the cyclones though lmao

>>6268868

Vid related, the bomb cyclone (and the enormous cold front that spawned it) is why it's so cold.

>>6268870
Huh it looks a bit worse than I thought after hearing of it. Hope the cyclone doesn't get any worse. Stay safe, Busy.

>>6268813
>>6268868

You frown.

"...Can't Dragonair change the weather?" You ask in confusion.

"That's just a myth. Sure, they can learn stuff like Rain Dance and whatnot and apparently way back when, there were some that could keep those moves going for a long-ass time, but in general? No." Martha replies. "So, if we don't want to freeze, get soaked by rain and get blown away by a gale, we're going to want to get to Redmont today." She says seriously.

You nod.

What can you even say to that? She has a point and it's one you can agree with.

You go and get breakfast for everyone while Martha goes and wakes Holly and Gareth, before wolfing down your own breakfast before going to see the nurse about a fresh dressing.

While the nurse is changing said dressing, you mentally review your team.

Present Team:

Rascal (Braviary)
Fluffy (Eevee) (Everstone)
Rusty (Aron)
Nika (Riolu)
Piker (Feebas)
Volta (Luxray)

Out of Team:

Blitz (Growlithe)
Coolie (Applin)
Latias
Syurm (Leavvany)
Kay O-o (Hakamo-o)
Ayumi (Dratini)
Sage (Braixen) (Everstone)
Queenie (Cutiefly)

>Swap your team around before you go.
>Your team's fine, just go once your dressing is done.
>Other

>>6269707
>>Your team's fine, just go once your dressing is done.

>>6269707
>Swap your team around before you go.
>Piker with Euphrates
I wanna interact with our mudkip.
Also it's been a while since we've spoken to Latias. Do we know how she's been doing?

>>6269726
I can get behind that.

>>6269730
We didn't spent any time with Piker though

>>6269726

You can always ask. Or else bring her back and see what she has to 'say'.

>>6269731
That's also fair. Though we haven't really even battled with Euphrates yet either. Though you're right, we should give some love to our fish boy when we get the chance before swapping him out.

>>6269732
That's fair.

>>6269707
>>6269726
Changing my vote to
>Swap your team around before you go.
>Volta with Latias

>>6269740
Changing my support from
>>6269716 to >>6269730 to >>6269740

>>6269740
>>6269745

Immediately, your mind goes to Latias and how she's getting on at home.

Hopefully, she's not gotten bored and wandered off.

You resolve to swap Volta out of your team for her before you go.

You're sorely tempted to swap Piker for Euphrates as well, but you've not spent enough time with your ugly duckling of a fish.

It's not that you hold being dragged across Lake Clarity against Piker either, so much as the fact that you've very much fallen into the trap Fie noted - that of over-committing yourself by catching so many pokemon so quickly.

It's still five months until the League, but you've got a lot of work to do.

It's just that some of your team need more attention than others - Syurm, Volta and Kay O-o are pretty alright for the time being, you feel.

Sure, they could all stand to learn some more moves, but they're all strong and dependable now. You don't need to worry as much about them.

Nika and Piker meanwhile, need more of your attention than most of the rest of your team - Nika, because she's a week-old pup and you're her primary caregiver and Piker because Feebas are both high-maintenance as a rule and because he needs to learn more moves.

And then on a whole other level, there's Latias.

Latias, who has a curious streak and is arguably the strongest member of your team. Latias, who is one of those rare and powerful pokemon that people refer to as a 'Legendary.' Latias, who if people became aware of you having her, would single you out for battles that you and her both are not ready for.

It's a weighty responsibility and one not helped in the least by the fact that if she gets too strong too quickly, there's every chance she's going to start challenging you.

Hell, to your vague understanding, she should be just about at that point, the same with most of your more experienced pokemon.

You resolve to ask Martha more about it as the nurse finishes up, before you go and call home.

>Roll.

Rolled 51 (1d100)

>>6270087

Rolled 36 (1d100)

>>6270087

Rolled 1 (1d100)

>>6270087
My turn again!

Also looking at the teams, we really need to get Coolie, Ayumi, and Euphrates some training. Queenie, Rusty, and Fluffy are close seconds.

>>6270191
Uh oh.

>>6270193
DC was 50, right?

>>6270197

Yep.

>>6270091
>>6270141
>>6270191

Welp. That's a problem... Update in a bit.

>>6270279

The call connects after a few rings to your father looking haggard and exhausted.

++"Alex... you're up early."++ He observes.

"There's some bad weather on the way, so we're trying to beat it to the next town." You reply. "I just wanted to swap Volta out for Latias before we leave." You explain.

Your father looks like he just bit down on a Nomel berry.

++"...That's... going to be a problem."++ He says. ++"She's gone. Some trainer saw her and tried to catch her, thinking she was wild. She vanished and flew off."++ He adds.

All the sound in the pokemon center goes dull and distant as what your father just said echoes in your head and your blood turns to ice.

"What?" You ask, incredulously.

This can't be happening...

>Did you get the fucker's number?
>Did you tell the police?
>Did you ask Daniel at the gym for help?
>...This is all my fault...
>Other

>>6270325
>Please tell me everything that happened.
Alright, let's see if there's any details and continue from there.
Well at least Team Green didn't get their hands on her haha!

>>6270333

I felt like that was a little too mean for a first failure like this. Even a crit fail.

It *is* something you should be concerned about, though.

>>6270338
>I felt like that was a little too mean for a first failure like this. Even a crit fail.
Nice.
>It *is* something you should be concerned about, though.
Yeah I won't delude myself into thinking we can just put this off lol. Maybe Team Green would become an issue if we do something dumb/keep putting it off or get another crit fail

I might be coping but at least this crit fail is gonna send us on a side quest to get our jet girl back lmao

>>6270345

A key rule of failures in any sort of RP I've observed, is that a failure or crit failure, ideally, shouldn't just and be punitive in nature.

Introducing complications is fine, but it shouldn't *just* be 'lol u die', unless someone's put themselves in deep shit or are doing something very risky and the danger has been adequately communicated, or should be so patently obvious from the get go, that players understand the risk anyway.

This is a situation where I've not really made clear that there's a risk inherent in Latias being looked after by your family, so this is your warning.

A fairly severe warning, sure, but then a Nat 1 should still be a major setback.

>>6270333
>Please tell me everything that happened
Alright several possibilities :
1/ She's pissed and flewing back to her home.
2/ She's looking for us
3/ She's scared, alone and near our parent's place

>>6270333
>>6270473

You feel sick. And angry.

How dare some random fuck hole try and catch Latias.

The anger is joined by guilt.

She's your responsibility. Your partner. Henry entrusted you with her well being and safety.

That she ran away from your home is no fault of your family. It's your fault, as surely as if you'd missed one of your father's 'sure thing' investment schemes.

You can't stew though. Details. You need details if there's any prayer of you fixing this. Brutalising the asshole who tried to steal Latias can wait. You need to find her and make sure she's alright, first.

"Please, tell me everything that happened." You say after taking a deep breath in and letting it out slowly in an effort to abate the guilt and hot rage you feel bubbling up inside you.

Your father nods and outlines what happened - Chloe and Tom were out in the back yard, playing with their pokemon when Latias joined in.

Your father didn't think anything of it, really - your home is on the outskirts of town and Latias was being careful to avoid hurting Chloe's Vulpix or Tom's Sobble, so he was focused on trying to get some work for the next few weeks around town on the local message boards.

According to what Chloe had said, their playfight had been interrupted by a guy about your age crashing into the yard with a Tyranitar which had bodied Latias into the house, before Kay O-o had interposed himself and given Latias the room to escape and disappear.

Despite the clear experience gap, Kay O-o actually managed to knock the Tyranitar back, but he was injured in the process.

Your mum was looking after him and while he might have a few scars from the encounter, he's otherwise fine.

When your father confronted the youth about his actions and the damage, he'd simply shrugged and written a cheque to cover the damage before noting that 'Latias weren't family pets' and that 'it was just a waste to leave one languishing like this one was. so he was going to actually use her properly.'

"Did you get this cunt's name?" You ask coldly, your mind filled with thoughts of stepping on some smug rich prick's neck, or caving their skull in with your bare hands until they were an unrecognisable smear on the ground.

(Part 1)

>>6270528

++"No, but you'd know him if you saw him." Your father replies seriously. "He was very well dressed, blond hair and very haughty. And completely unrepentant. I'd say he's at least somewhat skilled to be able to order a Tyranitar around like that."++ Your father replies. ++"We notified the police of course and he was smart enough not to head for the pokemon center, but we've not been able to find him, or Latias."++ He adds, before he slumps. ++"I'm sorry, Alex. You asked us to do one thing for you and we've failed you."++ He says.

You take another deep breath.

"No, this isn't on you." You reply. "You couldn't have known some brazen asshole would go and try and steal Latias like that." You add, tamping down on that desire to maim and kill.

++"Whoever this was..."++ Your father says. ++"He was rich. Very rich. He wrote out a large enough cheque to cover rebuilding the whole house without a second thought. It wouldn't surprise me if he was used to getting away with that sort of behaviour by buying his way out of trouble, or having really expensive lawyers."++ He adds.

>That won't matter once I've caved his fucking head in.
>That doesn't matter. All that matters is finding Latias before he does.
>Maybe ask Daniel at the gym. If there's a trainer like that running around, then the Gym Leaders will know.
>Alright, I'll be back just as soon as I can be.
>Other

>>6270530
>>That doesn't matter. All that matters is finding Latias before he does.

>>6270530
>That doesn't matter. All that matters is finding Latias before he does.

>>6270530
>>That doesn't matter. All that matters is finding Latias before he does.

>>6270543
>>6270553
>>6270620

"That doesn't matter." You say, reigning your temper in. "All that matters is finding Latias before he does." You add, struggling to keep your voice level.

You feel terrible. Wracked by an overwhelming sense of guilt and worry for Latias's well being.

This is all my fault

You end the call then dimly make your way over to where your friends are waiting to leave.

They take one look at you and their expressions morph from eager smiles to worry and concern.

"What's wrong?" Holly asks.

"What happened?" Gareth asks at the same time, alarmed. "You're in pain. And... angry." Enraged went unsaid.

You take a deep breath and swallow past a growing knot of hopeless panic growing in your throat.

"...Someone..." You begin, fighting to keep your voice level. "Someone tried to steal Latias. Attacked my home while she was playing with my brother and sister." You grind out.

"The fuck?!" Martha exclaims sharply. "Did your family get a description?" She asks.

You take another deep breath, then tell the other three what your father tells you.

When you're done, Gareth and Holly look horrified, while Martha looks about ready to rip someone's head off.

Holly's horror though isn't disbelieving like Gareth's. It almost looks like she knows who the culprit is, based off your description.

>Ask Holly what's on her mind.
>I'm going back. Don't wait up, I'll see you in Halfway City.
>Any idea who that guy is, Martha?
>I don't want to keep being a burden Gareth, but do you think you'd be able to help me find Latias?
>Other

>>6271128
>Holly, you know the fucker?
>I'm going back. I'd appreciate if you could be coming guys - although if you prefer going forward I'll understand.

>>6271128
>Ask Holly what's on her mind.
It's 100% her dad.
>I'm going back. I'd appreciate if you could be coming guys - although if you prefer going forward I'll understand.

>>6271156

I'm genuinely torn on this guy's identity.

I like the idea I have, but while this guy is absolutely *not* Holly's father, there *is* a part of me that wants to do the omega gay, trite and lazy thing and make it Holly's brother.

Like an inversion of Gladion and Lillie.

>>6271128
>>Ask Holly what's on her mind.

>>6271129
>>6271156
>>6271247

"You look like you've seen a ghost." You note to Holly.

"...I... I think I know who tried to take Latias." She admits with a nod.

"I'm listening." You assure, gesturing for her to keep talking.

"It sounds like the son of a friend of my dads. His name's Lawrence. Lawrence the fourth." She adds. "We've met a couple of times at parties." She says, shaking her head. "He's charming enough but... I never liked him. There was always something about him that didn't sit well with me." She admits. "...He actually invited me to travel with him this year. Before I ran away." She adds. "I turned him down, though. Not because of father, either. I just... had a bad feeling."

"Trusting your gut when it comes to guys isn't a sin." Martha assures. "And I think I know this guy as well." She adds. "Pretty sure we've fought at the League a few times. He's a piece of work, if so - selfish, and he treats his pokemon like tools, but he's strong."

So, if the girls are right, then you're up against a rich sociopath who's already done the League circuit at least once and who has zero qualms about stealing people's pokemon.

You nod.

"I'm going back." You say at length. "I'd appreciate it if you guys would come with me, but if you'd rather keep going, I'll understand." You add, addressing the last part in particular to Gareth.

"Alex, you don't have to do this by yourself." Gareth assures. "I do want to get to Genesis Cave, but what sort of friend would I be if I left you in the lurch in an emergency?"

You give him a weak smile.

"Just give me a minute." Martha says, holding up a finger, before hurrying back into the pokemon center.

She returns a minute later hefting a poke ball. "Okay, we're good." She says, releasing her Swanna and an Altaria. "If you need to go to the can, I'd do it now. It's a long flight to Greenshoot." She adds drily.

Holly giggles, as Martha puts saddles on both pokemon, before helping Holly onto Altaria's back.

"Who you want to ride with, Alex?" Martha asks.

>Ride with Holly.
>Ride with Gareth.
>Ride with Martha.
>Rascal knows Fly, I'll go with him.

>>6271462
>Rascal knows Fly, I'll go with him.
Bird time.
Also, seems like we're gonna be dealing with some more posh jackasses in the future. Well at least it isn't Team Green. Wonder when those bastards are gonna show up again to cause some trouble. I'm just now remembering Alex doesn't know about their attack on our home yet.

>>6271462
>>Rascal knows Fly, I'll go with him.

>>6271557
>>6271678

Okay, roll please.

Rolled 25 (1d100)

Rolled 56 (1d100)

>>6271703

Rolled 13 (1d100)

double

>>6271705
>>6271743
>>6272374

"Rascal knows Fly, so I'll go with him." You reply, releasing him.

You could fly with Martha or one of the others using her pokemon and it'd probably be easier, considering Rascal's and your own inexperience with this sort of long-distance flying, the oncoming cold front and the fact Rascal is probably eyeing up testing just what he can get away with given his experience at this point.

"Have you ever flown before?" Martha asks.

You shake your head.

"Not any great distance and not with Rascal no, but I'd rather not tire your pokemon out." You explain. "Besides, I have to learn sometime."

Martha sighs and pinches the bridge of her nose.

"Okay, pay attention..." She advises, before she walks you through exactly how to direct Rascal while you're flying as you saddle him up, rug yourself up and buckle on a helmet and goggles.

It's fairly simple in concept, the idea of steering him with your knees and shifting your weight, but you're expecting that it'll be tricky in practice.

"...And whatever you do, don't panic." Martha finishes. "Even if we're in for a rough flight with this cold front coming, Rascal's going to be about as well-equipped to deal with it as Swanna and Altaria are." She adds.

You look to Rascal, who caws confidently as you climb onto his back while Martha joins Holly on Altaria.

"Let's get going, then." You say, before with an awkward lope and a flutter of wings, Rascal is airborne, accompanied by Altaria and Swanna as you begin the long flight back south.

Successes to completion: 1 of 4

>Roll, DC 60 (+5 for Rascal being Large, +5 for Martha's coaching +5 for Martha's leading and experience -5 for Rascal's inexperienced. Overlevel negated due to Rascal respecting Alex.)

Borrowing this system from 404's Spartan II Quest to see how it goes.

Rolled 39 (1d100)

>>6272836

>>6272850

Oh, you get a +10 by the way. That's what the info in the brackets is for.

>>6272861
Still a fail.

>>6272870

Just to be clear.

Rolled 71 (1d100)

>>6272836
Uh wait, should I roll too?

>>6272904

Yeah, it's still best of three.

Rolled 36 (1d100)

>>6272918
In that case it's my turn to roll again please no crit fail

>>6272850
>>6272904
>>6272941

Update in the morning.

>>6272941
relax, second roll already passed

>>6272942

The land drops away below you and the rush of air past your ears makes it hard to hear anything as you coax Rascal around towards the south west and home.

Looking towards the east, you can see the grey bulk of the oncoming cold front and you suddenly feel very small as you stretching from horizon to horizon, the size of a mountain range and the cold wind scudding before it already battering your small party.

Fortunately, the winds aren't anything too bad just yet and are actually helping you along your way and cutting down on the amount of effort that Rascal is having to put in as you follow Martha, Holly and Altaria southward, Gareth and Swanna flying beside you and Rascal.

Below you, the dense forest looks like a lush green carpet and in the distance, you can see the gleaming silver bulk of Saltcoast City.

You see wheeling flocks of Wingull nearby out to sea, fishing before the storm blows in and grounds them.

This being your first time actually flying long distance, you were a little nervous about the height, but seeing the land unrolled below you like a map is exhilarating and it's hard to really be scared when you're as hyped up as you are right now.

It's hard not to grin, for the first hour as the forest rolls beneath you, gradually changing from lush rainforest to more arid bushland as you pass over the rolling hills that separate Silveridge and Saltcoast.

You can see the old mining town in the distance, a tidy looking place surrounded by orange scrubland and framed by the vast bulk of the old mine's spoil heap.

You don't need Martha to tell you that you're making good time. You just hope that you can at least get close to you Greenshoot Town before that cold front hits.

Successes to completion: 2 of 4

>Roll +15, DC 60 (+5 for Rascal being Large, +5 for Martha's coaching +5 for Martha's leading and experience, +5 for riding a tailwind, -5 for Rascal's inexperienced. Overlevel negated due to Rascal respecting Alex.)

Rolled 79 + 15 (1d100 + 15)

>>6273293

Rolled 66 + 15 (1d100 + 15)

>>6273293

Rolled 53 + 15 (1d100 + 15)

>>6273293
Time for me to roll again!

>>6273294
>>6273312
>>6273577

You angle a little more towards the south now, keeping the Divide to your right as you fly over the scrub land, the bulk of Lake Clarity glittering to the south east like a dark blue sapphire in the late morning sun.

Beneath you, the scrub beneath you looks rough and wild, clearly having been influenced by much stronger pokemon than those you'd encountered closer to the road.

The wind is still helping you along, but it's getting stronger now as you're closer to the front and you can see flocks of Mareep and its evolved forms gathering in meadows of fresh winter grass in anticipation of the storm blowing in from the east.

It makes the storm you sheltered on once you left Route 1 look like a minor squall up here and you can already see curtains of rain falling underneath it.

You're making really good time though, even if you're freezing cold, even with the extra layers and your coat from the freezing wind whipping by you.

You can only imagine Holly, Gareth and Martha are as cold as you are.

Still, However cold it is right now, it'll get an awful lot worse if you get caught by the storm and the winds are starting to get rough.

Rascal seems tireless though, riding the choppy wind seemingly without much effort, despite the fact you've been in the air for about five hours or so now.

At this rate, you figure you'll be back in Greenshoot before dark, but insofar as beating the weather is concerned... It's going to be tight.

>Roll +5, DC 60 (+5 for Rascal being Large, +5 for Martha's coaching +5 for Martha's leading and experience, +5 for riding a tailwind, -5 for Rascal's inexperienced -5 the wind is starting to get rough. Overlevel negated due to Rascal respecting Alex.)

Rolled 93 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>6273695

>>6273695

Successes to completion: 3 of 4

Forgot this. You're almost there.

>>6273696

Correction, you're there. And Rascal isn't even going to be tired.

So, update a bit later, got a few things to do.

Rolled 64 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>6273695

>>6273696
>>6273732

You keep flying, the front getting closer and the wind getting stronger, choppier and colder as it does, but it doesn't hinder Rascal much, if at all as he rides the air currents after Martha's pokemon.

You feel like a block of ice. It wouldn't surprise you in the least if you were hypothermic.

Despite never having seen your hometown from the air before, by late afternoon, you're in the lead as the front is looming large and random spatters of rain assail you and the others as you coax Rascal in towards town.

Fortunately, the pokemon center is very easy to spot from the air and you guide Rascal in to land in the court around the side, before with some difficulty, you unbuckle yourself from his back and guide him to the side to allow Martha and the others to land while you divest Rascal of his saddle.

To your private incredulity, he doesn't seem in the least bit tired.

He stands tall and proud, breathing evenly and looking to the looming front as if he intends to challenge it to a fight.

"Good job, Rascal." You say, patting his shoulder with a hand that's lost most of its feeling, aside from a bitter ache and a rubbery feeling in your fingers, as if you'd sat on your hands for an hour straight.

He crows in appreciation before you recall him and hurry to help Martha unsaddle her pokemon and help Gareth and Holly inside the pokemon centre where it's warm.

Part 1

>>6273738

"Alex!" The startled exclamation comes from your mother behind the counter, before she rounds it and pulls you into a hug. "You're freezing!" She says, surprise turning to alarm in an instant, before she's briskly taking the others' hands in order to check their conditions, her alarm deepening by degrees, before she orders all four of you into the center's showers to warm up while she checks over Rascal, Altaria and Swanna to make sure they've not been exhausted or injured by the flight you just made.

Fortunately, Greenshoot Town is a little out of the way for most people, so not a lot of people tend to visit the town this early in the season, so you basically have unlimited hot water and before long, you and Gareth are just about boiling yourselves under the hot spray.

After so long in the air, it's pure bliss to just stand there as feeling slowly returns to your extremities.

"We got lucky."

Martha's voice snaps you out of your tired funk.

"What are you-" Gareth begins from the cubicle next to yours, as taken aback as you are.

"There's no one else here and I asked the nurse if we could stick together for the time being and talk." Martha explains.

"I'm here too." Holly calls from the other side of Martha.

"Do what did you want to talk about?" You ask.

"The fact we're lucky to have made it here before the front, for one thing." Martha replies. "I was expecting to have to find somewhere to wait the front out." She adds. "You and that Braviary of yours did real well, Alex."

"Rascal's as stubborn as they come." You say with a hint of pride, recalling how doggedly he followed you up and down Route 2 and around Lake Clarity.

Of course he wasn't going to let something like a massive storm front stop him.

"Pokemon really do take after their trainers." Martha says with a snort. "So, what's the plan now? Beyond just finding you-know-who?"

>I'm going to have a look around first and make sure she's not just sticking close.
>I know a few good places we could start looking around town.
>It's too late to start looking now, but in the morning, we'll start looking in the foothills of the Divide.
>First thing's first - I've got a Meowth to find.
>Other

>>6273741
>First thing's first - I've got a Meowth to find.
Meowth? That's right!

>>6273741
>>First thing's first - I've got a Meowth to find.

>>6273743
>>6273748

Alright, give me a roll.

Also, as always, feel free to discuss, theorise and ask questions.

Rolled 31 (1d100)

>>6273768
Rolling.

>>6273773
How old is Meowth by this point? Or if he hasn't kept tract of his age, then would he be considered an old man?

>>6273784

He's an old man alright. He's not kept track of his age, but he's getting on towards 18-19 at least.

Rolled 51 (1d100)

>>6273768
Did Meowth discussed with our Latias? Have he any Idea where she might have gone?

>>6273937

You don't know, but that's a big part of why you want to find him.

Still need one more roll.

Rolled 39 (1d100)

>>6274091
Rollin

>>6273784
>>6273937
>>6274110

"First thing's first - I've got a Meowth to find." You say.

If anyone would have any inkling where Latias is or the asshole who attacked her, it'd be him.

"A Meowth?" Martha repeats, taken aback by this seeming non-sequitor.

"That's right." You confirm. "You'll see."

Once you've all dried off and dressed again, you head out to see your mum and check on Kay O-o.

He certainly looks banged up after his skirmish, barely cracking an eye to look at you when you call his name to wake him up and only giving you a dejected sounding rumble as he sees you.

"You did good, Kay O-o." You assure him. "You did good."

You stay with him while he drifts off again before your mothers shoos you out of the back to let him rest, before she shakes her head when you explain why you flew all this way with a storm behind you.

"I can't really say I approve of you taking such a big risk, but I can't really say I'm surprised either." She admits and shakes her head.

"Do you have any idea where Meowth might be?" You ask, rather than justify the risk you took or ask what she means.

"If I were to guess, he'll probably be conning an extra meal down at the pub." Your mother replies.

You nod.

That certainly sounds like Meowth.

"Alright, thanks." You reply, before pausing. "...Do you mind if my friends come around to stay tonight?" You ask before you forget.

"The house isn't in a livable state right now. That stupid boy and his Tyranitar compromised the stability of the house with their stunt." She explains. "We're staying with the Fairburns for the time being, or else here at the pokemon center."

You grimace.

Another reason to hold a grudge against this 'Lawrence' guy, or whoever he is.

(Part 1)

>>6274121

Armed with this information, you head for the local pub.

And sure enough, sat on the bar, talking with some of the local bar flies and stunning a few trainers who were apparently taking a break and having a meal, was Meowth.

Not *your family's* Meowth either. Just 'Meowth' is all you've ever known him as.

The distinction being, up until you met Kadabra on South Crescent Island, you'd never met another pokemon that could actually talk, nevermind hold a conversation like Meowth could.

In your experience, he was a bit of a smart ass, but there was no one better in town if you wanted gossip. Or wanted to make damn sure that the Skwovet understood exactly how much you disliked their getting into the fruit trees.

And on occasion, he had some very interesting advice to give on the subjects of digging holes, subterfuge and engineering.

Just then though, you were more interested in gossip. After a fashion.

"...So there." Meowth finished with an air of finality, apparently having settled some argument you missed.

Even though it's only been a few weeks, it feels like forever since you heard that Driftveil accent.

"Eh?" Meowth says, perking up as you walk in. "Ah, Alex!" He says, dropping down off the bar before striding over.

If you didn't know any better, you'd take him for much younger than his nearly twenty years of age, given how spry he remains, though it's often a lot more obvious when your mum or dad leave him in charge of the house and your siblings try to push their luck.

He's as stern as either of your parents when he wants to be.

"I thought you were out bein' a trainer and makin' money to keep us solvent." He says.

"I was." You reply, not in the least bit taken aback by Meowth's attitude while Martha, Holly and Gareth gape.

"Did that Meowth just..." Martha begins.

"...Talk?" Holly finishes faintly.

"Yer darn skippy I did." Meowth replies.

"Regardless, I didn't backtrack all this way because I got homesick." You say. "We need to talk."

Meowth sobers and nods, before waving to the bar flies and saying his goodbyes before you head for your home.

"Did you-" You begin.

"Not here." Meowth says, pre-empting you. "Too many ears. It's a bit of an open secret around here at this stage, but no reason to clue in any other out of town twerps about that after that blond tried swiping her."

You nod and head to your house.

You swallow, your mouth suddenly dry as you see a tarp pulled over the hole in the wall the Tyranitar made and Kay O-o evidently made worse.

"Your team are with your dad at the Fairburns." Meowth pre-empts before you go in and Meowth lights a candle so you can see. "So. What do you wanna know, Alex?"

>Do you have any idea where Latias might be hiding.
>Did you talk with Latias about anything?
>Do you know where the bastard who did this is?
>A bit of a detour, it's kind of relevant at this point - what's with the disguise kit and hot air balloon in the cellar?
>Other

>>6274130
>>A bit of a detour, it's kind of relevant at this point - what's with the disguise kit and hot air balloon in the cellar?
Use the balloon as a beacon obviously

>>6274146

Wouldn't really work. Beacons tend to be pre-arranged signals.

>>6274150
Well, Latias KNOWS the meowth so a life-size Meowth with meditationMAXXING might do the trick?

>>6274152

I'll treat the idea as a write in. If it gets the vote, I'll go with it, but it will require a roll and there may be unforeseen consequences, in addition to the very predictable ones.

>>6274153
like drawing aggro of faggot Lawrence? That's a part of the benefits of the plan.

>>6274157

Possibly. It may also attract the press. The balloon is also going to get blown away, because its incredibly windy out. Your parents would also be Not Impressed.

>>6274130
>Did you talk with Latias about anything?
>Did any of my other team members also talk to her?
First get info.
>Do you have any idea where Latias might be hiding.
Then from there we ask the obvious question.
>A bit of a detour, it's kind of relevant at this point - what's with the disguise kit and hot air balloon in the cellar?
And finally this because it's fun to hear about it.

>>6274146
>Use the balloon as a beacon obviously
>Team Rocket starts blasting off again

Well, if QM + other player tell me it's a bad idea, I'll retract the proposition. supporting >>6274176

>>6274180

Well, I've already posted pic related, but just making sure the risks and potential consequences are spelled out with that option.

>>6274176
>>6274180

There're a few things you want to ask, but first of all, you need information.

"Have you talked with Latias at all?" You ask.

"Not since she went into hiding." Meowth admits. "But before that, a couple of times. She's kind of a chatterbox when she gets excited." He adds reflectively.

"Does she talk with any of my team at all?" You ask, a vague hope forming in your chest.

"Sure, but the only one who might know where she went is that Hakamo-o of yours at the pokemon center and your ma's keeping him under while he recovers. He got messed up by that Tyranitar, even though he sat that bully on his ass."

"Damn." You sigh, shaking your head. "Well do you have any idea where she might've gone to ground?" You ask, a little desperately.

Meowth shakes his head.

"Not really." He replies. "Maybe the old machine shop, but just as likely, she's found somewhere in the Divide to take shelter, or else Origin Cave. She might even have gone back to Lake Clarity where you caught her, if she's not gone looking for you." He adds.

You grimace.

Those options had occurred to you, but at least with the old machine shop option, there's no way that Lawrence bastard would possibly think to check there. It's the sort of place only a local would think to look or would even know about.

"I'm sorry I don't have any answers for ya, kid. Or an easy way to fix things." Meowth says.

You sigh.

"It's... it's okay." You assure, before a thought strikes you. "Alright, this isn't related but this has been bugging me for a while - what's with the balloon and the other crap in the cellar?" You ask. "The disguise kit and stuff." You add by way of explanation.

"Ah."

(Part 1)

>>6274189

"Well..." Meowth said awkwardly. "Ya see..." He says. "We... That is, your parents, might've gotten themselves into some trouble when we were closer to your age. A lot of trouble. And me as well." He adds. "It's how we got mixed up with your godfather. So, a lot of stuff happened. A lot of it that I... really shouldn't talk about. We did some stuff. Stopped some other stuff. Moved around a lot. And eventually, we all just kind of got sick of it all and just... decided to move on." He explains, shifting uncomfortably as Martha, Gareth and Holly give him suspicious looks. "Your god father helped us do that. Helped us start over here in Arnet after we sort of made Palm Corp really angry."

Holly gasps.

"You were part of Team Rocket." She says.

"The crime syndicate?" Martha says, taken aback.

Holly nods.

"Yeah. I think it would've been like... twelve, thirteen years ago. Team Rocket got into some sort of dispute with my dad's company and orchestrated a bunch of strikes and industrial sabotage that nearly sank the company." She explains. "He still rants about them to this day when he's had a few drinks."

"We might have founded Team Cracker on accident." Meowth admits sheepishly. "We, ah, we helped a few small-time unions get properly organised and did some dirty work for them to force Palm Corp to pay their workers better and give them better conditions." He explained. "And showed some of the shadier members how to do what we did. Then, we retired and they started doing their own thing."

"So, my parents-" You begin.

"Used to be two of the most notorious hatchet men in Team Rocket." Meowth completes. "We even used to have this whole song and dance we did." He adds with a nostalgic sigh. "But, that was a long time ago. These days, your ma's a nurse and your dad sells hardware. Or he did, anyway."

Well.

You're not sure what you were expecting, but that sure as shit wasn't it.

"You alright?" Martha asks.

>Just peachy.
>...I'm going to need a minute to process that.
>Okay, putting a pin in that for now, who wants to go check out an old, leaky, rundown machine shop?
>Other

"You okay, Alex?"

>>6274202
>Better than expected. Surprised, for sure.
>I have tons of questions I want to ask, but there's still a Latias we got to find. Who wants to go check out an old, leaky, rundown machine shop?
>Also thank you Meowth for helping out.
Them accidentally creating Team Cracker was unexpected, but also pretty interesting. Team Cracker honestly doesn't sound that bad imo, especially if they're going against Palm Corp lmao
I don't think Alex would hate his parents or Meowth because of this, but I feel like it we'd eventually want some answers from them (though that'd have to be in a more private setting with mom and dad and Meowth).

>"You okay, Alex?"
Psychic talking in our head?

>Okay, putting a pin in that for now, who wants to go check out an old, leaky, rundown machine shop?

>Latias, is that you talking to my head?

>>6274287
>>6274326

Really tired typo, in all honesty, but I'll roll with it.

>>6274287
>>6274326

You don't know how to answer the question that just popped into your head.

You're too numb with shock.

"...Surprised." You manage at length. "Really surprised." You shake your head and take a deep breath. "Putting a pin in that for now. There're a lot of questions I want to ask, but Latias is the priority." You say, more to tamp down your shock and surprise and refocus on what's important. "So, who wants to go check out an old, leaky, rundown machine shop?" You ask with forced cheer.

Martha snorts.

"Smart ass." She accuses.

You ignore the jibe and look to Meowth.

"Thanks." You say. "Thanks for your help."

"What're you thankin' me for? I haven't done anything." Meowth replies incredulously, then sighs. "I guess I better come with you guys, now I'm here." He reasons.

With that, you head out into the rapidly dying light and the strong winds and make your way across town to the old machine shop where you met Fluffy.

The rain starts when you get about halfway across town and you wind up pulling out your torch once you reach the old industrial complex and lead the others to the shop.

The door's been blown down and it's no trouble to get inside.

It's eerie in the light of your torches though and you feel a shiver that has nothing to do with the cold go down your spine.

"Latias?" You ask aloud, breaking the quiet that hangs in the air under the howl of the wind, the drumming of rain on the roof and the gurgle of water in the downpipes.

>Roll.

Rolled 67 (1d100)

>>6274514

Rolled 77 (1d100)

>>6274514

Need one more roll.

Rolled 5 (1d100)

>>6274583
>>6274611
>>6274930

Silence, barring the sounds of rain and wind greets your question as you pan your torch around.

He's here... The voice from before says inside your head, laced with fear.

You hear footsteps behind you and turn with the others to see a young man wearing a haughty expression walking up behind you, holding an umbrella in one hand and a Devon Scope in the other.

"Hmph. An old ruin? How very droll." He says to himself. "I expect you're here attempting to keep me from my prize?" He asks.

"You." Martha says coldly.

You don't need Meowth to confirm it, just your father's description and that haughty attitude makes it clear that this is the fucker who wrecked your house and tried to steal Latias.

"Oh? What is a trainer of quality like yourself doing here in this dreary hamlet, Martha Saint Rose?" He asks, turning a vaguely interested look her way.

"I could ask you the same question, Lawrence." Martha replies. "You're not beating the allegations this time, you fuck." She adds.

Lawrence arches an eyebrow.

"Oh? What allegations?" He asks.

>Enough! (Battle)
>Walk up and beat the living shit out of this fuck.
>Who the hell do you think you are?
>What the hell are you trying to pull here?
>Other

>>6274943
>>Walk up and beat the living shit out of this fuck.

>>6274943
>>Walk up and beat the living shit out of this fuck.

>>6274948
>>6274957

Roll.

This guy's team is jacked, by the by.

Rolled 72 (1d100)

>>6274966

Rolled 89 (1d100)

Well, we're stronger than teamVegetable but they messed up all good with physical aggression in the past

Rolled 84 (1d100)

>>6274966

>>6274969
>>6275000
>>6275079
Well this should settle it.

>>6274969
>>6275000
>>6275079

Whatever Martha might have said, you don't here as you walk out into the rain, dropping your torch in favour of flexing your fingers as you ball them tightly into a fist.

"Oh? Do you really think you can beat-"

The blond fuck is cut off as you roar and throw the hardest haymaker of your life.

It's good, hitting him square on the nose and you feel a distinct crunch as it breaks under the impact.

What's surprising though is the flare of scarlet that accompanies your punch and washes through the prat's head as he staggers, before he's launched backwards through the air, fetching up out cold on his back some ten feet away, spread eagled and with a look of surprise and fear on his face.

You breathe raggedly as blood drips down your knuckles and you see a red-grey aura surround the selfish fuck as you come down from the towering, burning rage you feel.

Then Gareth is grabbing your arm and turning you to look at him.

He's alarmed, moreso than you've ever seen him before as he reaches out to touch your forehead with two fingers before there's a moment of disorientation before there's suddenly sound in the world again, your hand is throbbing you're cold as ice from the rain and Martha's tying the sobbing heir up.

You've seriously fucked up his face with that punch and you're spattered with blood.

"Arceus Alex, don't scare me like that!" Gareth shouts over the rain and wind, before he hugs you. "I thought we were going to lose you." He says, before he releases you.

>...What?
>Wait, what just happened?
>I'm sorry. I lost my temper there for a minute, that was beneath me.
>Serves the cunt right.
>Other

>>6275624
"Sorry... What type was that? Dragon-punch?"

>>6275624
>>Wait, what just happened?

>>6275624
>Wait, what just happened?
>Serves the cunt right.

>>6275625
>>6275630
>>6275689

Alright leave this one with me, I need to think a bit, because all of these are a slightly different tone to one another.

>>6275625
>>6275630
>>6275689

"...What just happened?" You ask, shaking your head to clear it.

It feels... fuzzy after that.

Gareth sighs heavily.

"You threw an aura strike. Using your anger." He explains slowly. "Which... really isn't a good thing." He adds. "I can't blame you, given the circumstance but... if you use your anger to fuel aura like you were just doing, it... changes you." He explains. "I managed to stop it burning you up any further, but..." He trails off.

You take a deep, shuddering breath as the aftermath of the adrenaline fades.

"...Serves the cunt right." You say coldly. "I'm not sorry."

"I'm not judging." Gareth assures. "Just... don't do that if you can help it. Losing your temper's not great at the best of times, but for an aura user, it's genuinely dangerous." He adds seriously.

You sober as you think about that.

You doubt your capoeira instructor would rake you over the coals too much for this. After all, this isn't something minor you lashed out over, this fucker was going to steal Latias off you. Probably over all your dead bodies, if he had to, considering he attacked your family and wrecked your house in his first attempt.

But you know he'd have been disappointed.

And you've been told often enough as a kid about controlling your temper to know that even without aura, it's easy enough to let it get away from you. And you certainly don't want to be ruled by it.

You nod. "Only if it's life or death." You assure.

Gareth nods in return. "Only if its life or death." He agrees.

He hands you back your torch and then nods meaningfully back to the shed.

(Part 1)

>>6276241

You head back into the shed and are greeted by a face full of down and strong arms around your back as Latias hugs you fiercely and coos in relief.

You return her hug and after a long moment she releases you.

"Hey, you okay?" You ask gently, scratching her neck gently as your anger evaporates in the face of the overwhelming relief you feel right now.

I am now. The voice replies, confirming that you were hearing Latias before.

More relief nearly floors you and you have to hug Latias again to keep from falling as your knees buckle.

"I'm glad." You reply. "And I'm sorry. I never should've let you out of my sight."

This earns a reproving bump.

You weren't to know. Besides, your family are nice." Latias replies.

You don't reply to that as a lump in your throat silences you.

"Ahhh..." Meowth says, shaking his head. "Well, crisis averted." He says. "So, where're you stayin' the night?" He asks.

>The pokemon center.
>First, we're handing this fuck over to the police.
>The Fairburns with dad, Tom and Chloe.
>We're going to find some place dry and make camp.
>Other

>>6276241

You head back into the shed and are greeted by a face full of down and strong arms around your back as Latias hugs you fiercely and coos in relief.

You return her hug and after a long moment she releases you.

"Hey, you okay?" You ask gently, scratching her neck gently as your anger evaporates in the face of the overwhelming relief you feel right now.

I am now. The voice replies, confirming that you were hearing Latias before.

More relief nearly floors you and you have to hug Latias again to keep from falling as your knees buckle.

"I'm glad." You reply. "And I'm sorry. I never should've let you out of my sight."

This earns a reproving bump.

You weren't to know. Besides, your family are nice." Latias replies.

You don't reply to that as a lump in your throat silences you.

"Ahhh..." Meowth says, shaking his head. "Well, crisis averted." He says. "So, where're you stayin' the night?" He asks.

>The pokemon center.
>First, we're handing this fuck over to the police.
>The Fairburns with dad, Tom and Chloe.
>We're going to find some place dry and make camp.
>Other

>>6276241

You head back into the shed and are greeted by a face full of down and strong arms around your back as Latias hugs you fiercely and coos in relief.

You return her hug and after a long moment she releases you.

"Hey, you okay?" You ask gently, scratching her neck gently as your anger evaporates in the face of the overwhelming relief you feel right now.

I am now. The voice replies, confirming that you were hearing Latias before.

More relief nearly floors you and you have to hug Latias again to keep from falling as your knees buckle.

"I'm glad." You reply. "And I'm sorry. I never should've let you out of my sight."

This earns a reproving bump.

You weren't to know. Besides, your family are nice." Latias replies.

You don't reply to that as a lump in your throat silences you.

"Ahhh..." Meowth says, shaking his head. "Well, crisis averted." He says. "So, where're you stayin' the night?" He asks.

>The pokemon center.
>First, we're handing this fuck over to the police.
>The Fairburns with dad, Tom and Chloe.
>We're going to find some place dry and make camp.
>Other

Third time's the charm.

>>6276251
>>First, we're handing this fuck over to the police.

>>6276251
>The Fairburns with dad, Tom and Chloe.
>But first, we're handing this fuck over to the police.

>>6276251
>>The Fairburns with dad, Tom and Chloe.
>>But first, we're handing this fuck over to the police.

solid update.

>>6276256
>>6276333
>>6276431

"We're going to stay with the Fairburns, if they've got room." You reply. "But first, we're taking that fuck to the police."

"That'll be easy enough done." Meowth assures. "They've got the heater in the shed going for all your team and the old gang to keep warm, since it's a bit crowded otherwise.

He winks a golden eye at you.

"Your ol' pal Jacky is home as well." He adds conspiratorially. "Been too busy with being the Champion to come back home lately." He adds wisely, clearly trying to shock you as you help Martha haul Lawrence to his feet.

"I know. We met her on the road a week or so ago." You reply, feeling a cold flash of vindictive satisfaction as your prisoner stiffens.

"Yeah, your money's not getting you out of fucking with the regional champion's old friend, now is it asshole?" Martha says as Latias uses Safeguard to buffer you against the rain and wind.

"I'mb sowwy..." Lawrence says thickly through the broken nose. "I'be godt munney..." He tries.

"Not nearly enough. Besides, dad would've cashed that cheque by now you stupid fuck." You add as you frog march him down the road.

It's a bit of a march to the police station, but that's somewhat helpful, given it gives you a chance to ring Jacky and update her on things, since according to Meowth, she's been hunting Lawrence since she heard about what happened from your dad.

When you get there, she's waiting with two officers who take one look at Lawrence then nod.

"He take a bit of a tumble on the way here, did he?" One of them asks before Lawrence can open his mouth.

"Yeah, slipped in the mud and broke his nose on a rock." Martha supplies without skipping a beat.

"I didn't!" Lawrence tries desperately regardless. "That brute punched me in the face!" He adds, nodding to you.

"After you wrecked his house and tried to steal his pokemon, I think you earned it, myself." Jacky says coldly. "Don't think you're getting a trainer's licence here ever again. Or anywhere else, if I have any say in the matter." She adds and you feel a thrill, both at how cold Jacky sounds and the fact she's clearly angry on your behalf.

"Ah, the other half of this case." The second officer replies. "Have you located the pokemon the accused allegedly tried to steal?" He asks. "A Latias, wasn't it?" He adds, sounding skeptical, but then it does sound far fetched when you stop and think about it for a moment.

You turn to the space in the air where you know she's hovering by your shoulder and pat her shoulder reassuringly.

"It's okay. You can come out." You assure.

And just like that, you're treated to a look of unfiltered surprise break through the carefully neutral expression on the second officer's face as Latias reappears.

(Part 1)

>>6276256
>>6276333
>>6276431

"We're going to stay with the Fairburns, if they've got room." You reply. "But first, we're taking that fuck to the police."

"That'll be easy enough done." Meowth assures. "They've got the heater in the shed going for all your team and the old gang to keep warm, since it's a bit crowded otherwise.

He winks a golden eye at you.

"Your ol' pal Jacky is home as well." He adds conspiratorially. "Been too busy with being the Champion to come back home lately." He adds wisely, clearly trying to shock you as you help Martha haul Lawrence to his feet.

"I know. We met her on the road a week or so ago." You reply, feeling a cold flash of vindictive satisfaction as your prisoner stiffens.

"Yeah, your money's not getting you out of fucking with the regional champion's old friend, now is it asshole?" Martha says as Latias uses Safeguard to buffer you against the rain and wind.

"I'mb sowwy..." Lawrence says thickly through the broken nose. "I'be godt munney..." He tries.

"Not nearly enough. Besides, dad would've cashed that cheque by now you stupid fuck." You add as you frog march him down the road.

It's a bit of a march to the police station, but that's somewhat helpful, given it gives you a chance to ring Jacky and update her on things, since according to Meowth, she's been hunting Lawrence since she heard about what happened from your dad.

When you get there, she's waiting with two officers who take one look at Lawrence then nod.

"He take a bit of a tumble on the way here, did he?" One of them asks before Lawrence can open his mouth.

"Yeah, slipped in the mud and broke his nose on a rock." Martha supplies without skipping a beat.

"I didn't!" Lawrence tries desperately regardless. "That brute punched me in the face!" He adds, nodding to you.

"After you wrecked his house and tried to steal his pokemon, I think you earned it, myself." Jacky says coldly. "Don't think you're getting a trainer's licence here ever again. Or anywhere else, if I have any say in the matter." She adds and you feel a thrill, both at how cold Jacky sounds and the fact she's clearly angry on your behalf.

"Ah, the other half of this case." The second officer replies. "Have you located the pokemon the accused allegedly tried to steal?" He asks. "A Latias, wasn't it?" He adds, sounding skeptical, but then it does sound far fetched when you stop and think about it for a moment.

You turn to the space in the air where you know she's hovering by your shoulder and pat her shoulder reassuringly.

"It's okay. You can come out." You assure.

And just like that, you're treated to a look of unfiltered surprise break through the carefully neutral expression on the second officer's face as Latias reappears.

(Part 1)

>>6276442

"...Yeah, that's a Latias." The first officer confirms, having checked a pokedex to match what she looks like with the 'dex's picture. "So that's the motive confirmed and we've taken statements and collected evidence, so we'll just take your statements and we'll let you go." He adds.

Taking statements is fortunately a fairly painless process and once the officers are finished, they hand you over to Jacky, who's all but bouncing on her toes.

Once you're well away from the station, Jacky sighs heavily.

"I'm sorry this happened, Alex." She says. "I've been trying to have that creep thrown out for ages, but money talks and his family has a lot of it." She adds.

"Even if he dodges the charges, I think he'll at least think twice before he tries that again." You say coldly.

She nods.

"Wish I had've seen exactly what you did to him." She admits.

"Yeah, not happening." Martha replies. "That video got deleted the moment Lawrence hit the ground." She adds. "Figured things would be cleaner if they stayed 'he said, she said'." She adds.

"It should be." Jacky replies tiredly.

By the time you reach Jacky's house, you're chilled to the bone and it's a relief to get inside where it's warm.

You leave your bags with your boots by the door and are greeted warmly by Jacky's mum and dad.

You make introductions and enjoy a blessedly hot pasta bake dinner with your brother and sister before the subject of sleeping arrangements comes up, at which point it's determined that the shed is indeed the only practical solution to where you'll be able to fit, since your dad has the couch and Chloe and Tom have the guest room, since Jacky has her room at present.

Fortunately, the shed is huge and even with your parents' and your pokemon sheltering in there, you've got ample space to set up your bed rolls and it's not even that cold with everyone present.

>Time to call it. You're beat.
>Spend time with all your team and especially Latias.
>Spend some time with Jacky and ask if there's any way you can avoid this ever happening again.
>Talk with one of your travelling companions. (Martha, Holly, Gareth)
>Other

Sorry this last bit is so abrupt. Headache.

>>6276447
>>Spend time with all your team and especially Latias.

I really wasn't sure that we'd get through that in one thread.

I didn't even have any of that planned, but I hope you enjoyed it.

Just goes to show you can plan all you like, the dice will have other ideas.

Also, just to be super-clear, this is what Alex did:

https://youtu.be/IX2EfnTc_Eg?t=43

>>6276447
>Spend time with all your team and especially Latias.

>>6276465
I did. It was pretty fun.

>>6276474
Sweet.

>>6276465
with what you said about him it was clear we weren't expected to win that easily lol

>>6276601

No, that was very much a battle where you'd need a lot of help to win, so in that sense, punching him in the face was the winning move.

>>6276460
>>6276502

And given that you have basically everyone present right now, you release the rest of your team, prompting the others to follow your example, which has the effect of making the shed a lot more cramped than it was, but with the storm howling outside and after the heart attack today was, you honestly do not care.

Latias is safe. And presently being fussed over by her brother who seems very intent on ensuring she's alright, despite her annoyance at his protectiveness as the rest of your team who were at your house crowd you for comfort.

Even Coolie, whom you haven't spent nearly any time with hops up to you before, in a moment of supreme boldness, clambering up to Syurm's old spot on your shoulder, much to her clear irritation.

Ayumi follows suit and coils herself around your chest while Sage cuddles in next to you while Rusty claims your lap and Nika huddles in between you and Sage.

Rascal meanwhile stands off behind you peering down at the assembly with curiosity while Volta lays herself down behind you, letting you lean on her side for support while Rusty claims the side opposite Sage.

Queenie settles on your other shoulder with a sigh so quiet you almost don't hear it while Fluffy, with an air of annoyance sits himself on Rusty's back.

Martha and Holly giggle at your predicament as the newest member of your team, Euphrates the Mudkip you caught just yesterday looks on curiously, while Martha's Medicham uses Psychic in conjunction with Swanna using Water Gun in order to fashion a sphere of water for Piker, much to your Feebas's great delight at being able to swim around in the air, choosing to orbit your group as Latias wins free of Latios and joins the rest of your pokemon, shifting Rascal and Volta in order to settle in behind you and leaving them to rearrange themselves as Latias coos expectantly.

(Part 1)

>>6277618

You chuckle as you bring out your pokedex and open the entry on Bidoof and continue reading about the ecology of what's widely held to be one of the most unremarkable pokemon there is.

It has the desired effect of putting most of your team to sleep, Nika being the first to nod off and subsequently being bundled up in a silk hammock by Syurm while the others nod off one after the other after that, the last ones left awake being Syurm - who's busy finding places for the others to sleep that isn't right on top of you - Sage, who's mostly trying to get some practice in reading over your shoulder - and of course, Latias, who is listening with rapt attention and thoroughly enjoying herself despite how dry the subject material is.

Eventually, even Sage nods off, snoring on your shoulder as Latias just keeps on listening while you pat her flank and savour the feel of her down between your fingers and the relief that she's safe.

Eventually, as you begin to tire and nod yourself as you read, your mind begins to drift.

You *never* want a repeat of this situation. The question becomes one of how you can avoid one...

>Vow to never swap Latias from your party again.
>Entrust one of your family members with the specific task of ensuring Latias is safe while she's at home.
>Ask Fie if she could watch Latias for you when you have to swap her out.
>Maybe Professor Conifer could get you some sort of dispensation to keep Latias with you, even when she's not a part of your 'active' party...
>Other

>>6277619
>>Ask Fie if she could watch Latias for you when you have to swap her out.
>Our Champion-ex-girlfriend-still-friend might also be an optino

>>6277619
>Maybe Professor Conifer could get you some sort of dispensation to keep Latias with you, even when she's not a part of your 'active' party...
And/or
>Vow to never swap Latias from your party again.