Thread 58517952

Continuing the 'I Woke up as a Pokemon, So What?' AU
Previous Thread: >>58422111

>FAQ
>What is this?
People are turning into Pokemon. Some are having the time of their lives, and some are struggling to survive. These are their stories.
>How do I join?
Just start posting.
>What's the lore?
People and animals (and at least one tree) are changing at random in their sleep, waking up still in the real world, but now as Pokemon, and nobody knows why (that includes you. Please don't try to explain it). Just enough transformations are occurring to notably change day-to-day life without collapsing civilization. This is not the apocalypse, even if it might feel like it to some characters in the moment. Some people are more in touch with their instincts than others, and some have lost more of their humanity than others. That's about it. Avoid legendaries if possible

Ongoing Stories:
>Transformed Into a Lucario
https://pastebin.com/dNfCG4se (embed)
>Herding Cats
https://rentry.org/HerdingCats
>Copanon the PokeWhisperer
https://rentry.co/PolicemanPokemonStory
>Super Macho Mon
https://rentry.co/MachampStory
>0332
https://pastebin.com/WMdqhP8H (embed)
>Digigirl
https://pastebin.com/rvUJh1Vd (embed)
>Professor Decidueye
https://pastebin.com/SqhmjjPB (embed)
>VetPhox
https://rentry.co/DelphoxStory
>Tinkanon
https://rentry.co/TinkatonStory
>Serpent and Wyrm
https://rentry.co/SerpentAndWyrm
>A Loser and a Very Lost Snowpix
https://rentry.org/tcab223e
>The New Police Animals
https://rentry.co/larsonkurt
>Kartanimator
https://rentry.co/kartanimator
>One-shots
https://pastebin.com/UtXMsyyD (embed)
>One-shots that were too spicy for pastebin
https://rentry.co/wokeuponeshots

Archived stories:
>Not a Pikachu
https://rentry.co/notapikachu
>Lopunanon
https://pastebin.com/ecBem3sz (embed)

I plan to actually write more of my story, but I decided to polish this section first because I felt like it(and I also forgot to write the part where Valentine describes himself.)

>So yeah. Hyuuuge nerd. WoTLK is peak wow.
>FiteMe.gif
>I'm not about to let the fact I'm short one finger stop me. I own a mouse with a keypad on the side because I am absolutely lazy.
>The hiss crack of a Dr. pepper fills the air and I ignore how badly my nose and senses recoil as I drink it.
>If I got used to near beer overseas, I can get used to drinking this. It could be worse, I could still be craving Bolani from the shitty 'don't ask what is in it' stand just outside the base.
>The cigar gets ashed to the side as I finish tallying up tonights haul, I got lucky and got the chest piece I needed for my tank set, groovy. Repairs weren't that bad, and we did actually earn our Kingslayer titles tonight. I can't be too angry.
>Why is my screen blurry anyways?
>Wait... Why does that clock say it's seven AM?
>Oh for fucks sake. I shake my head slowly and get up and stretch.
>And stare at my arch nemesis across the hallway.
>The Dreaded Shower. It awaits thee.
>I'm going to smell like wet dog after this, ain't I?

>>58514485
>...mmm...
>I really need to shake the sleepiness off, but...
>Agh, no, focus.
>I need to tell them sooner than later.
>I think I'll do a voice message with a picture.
>They've seen the news, maybe I was worrying over nothing, thinking they wouldn't believe me earlier...
>Just...
>Suck it up.
>Get it out of the way already.
>...Ah shit, right, need to use WhatsApp with 'em, it's what everyone their age uses...
>Good thing I also got the desktop for that one, even if Zuck can still go choke on it...
>...
>Please don't bombard me with questions...
>...Here goes...
...lortnoc ym fo edistuo saw yllear ti ,deneppah siht irros ...m'I .ti hctac ot yrt t'ndid raews I .gnihtyna ro sselkcer t'nsaw I esimorp I .thgin tsal .deneppaH ...tsuj ti tub ,luferac oot neeb ev'I gnihtyna fi ,em dlot uoy senilediug eht dewollof I .ti htiw tih tog I ...yletanutrofnu dna swen eht draeh ev'uoy wonk I .dad yeh, mom yeH<
>...add the reverse filter...
>Take this picture...
>...I hate looking at myself like this still...
>And sent.
>...
>I thought I didn't have heart anymore...
>So why is my chest beating like crazy...?
>...
>Please... Don't think it's my fault.
>Please don't think I was being stupid and gambled my life away for a chance to be a Pokemon...
>I swear I didn't mean for this to happen...
>I know you always worried about me getting too into fantasy, but...
>This isn't like that...
>please answer
>please
>i swear i didn't mean it
>i'm sorry
>please don't be mad at me
>you don't deserve to have this happen to you
>I promise I-
>...
>...please...

>>58518345
>"We're sorry for taking a minute, we had to... talk things over." -Pa
>"I'm sorry." -Ma
>"How do you feel? Have you had any headaches? Can you take tylenol still? Is your throat okay? You sound awfully stuffy." -Ma
>"Please be careful, don't make contact with others." -Pa
>"We know it's not confirmed to be a virus, but... please be careful just in case. Try sheltering if you can." -Ma
>"Just... promise us you really didn't mean for it to happen." -Pa
>I-I didn-
>"But... Since it already happened anyway..." -Pa
>"You... liked that one, didn't you?" -Ma
>...
>"I didn't look at it proper due to the shock earlier but... You did make one of the pokemones you are out of origami when you were little, right?" -Ma
>"You were so proud of it too." -Pa
>"Is it hard to draw like that? If you have issues with work, we can help you while you get back on your feet, just please tell us." -Ma
>"I'm sure we can find some job for you to do around here, I mean, you have superpowers now, right?" -Pa
>"Just be careful not to break something with them!" -Ma
>I...
>"...Maybe I could make you some wood sheathes if they can help? I remember you said that that thing was a paper sword or something like that." -Pa
>"It's... a difficult time for all of us, but... We know you're probably dealing with the worst of it..." -Ma
>"Please, if you need help, don't be afraid to tell us, we'll be there as soon as we can." -Pa
>I really...
>"If you need to talk, please, call us." -Ma
>"For now, just... take it easy mijo." -Pa
>I...
>Really don't deserve them...
>...
>T-that's... Funny...
>I can feel like... I want to cry, but...
>It's n-not happening...
>But...
>My vision is... getting blurry anyway...
>I...
>...

>>58518379
>S-so that's what it will be like, huh.
>It... almost looks like dew on my arm like that...
>What was I so worried about?
>I was... ashamed?
>At somehow having failed them?
>That I'd be a smear on our family history...? Our family name...?
>But... That's silly, isn't it...
>We... Did talk about how we'd feel if any of us caught it...
>And we agreed we'd all help each other no matter if it did...
>Moron...
>Really should've believed them.
>I'd hug the screen right now if I wasn't worried about cutting it open...
>...
.neht noos uoy eeS .uoy knahT .niaga yrroS<
>...
>And now the beating's gone...
>Just like that, huh?
>"We love you." -Ma
>"Stay safe." -Pa
>Heh...
>...What was I even worrying for...
>Well, that's another weight of my shoulders.
>I don't... Think I need to tell Toei about it today. Tomorrow'll do.
>I can't handle trying to do another message...
>...I need to get my mind off this, but how should I-
>Oh, right.
>Right!
>Before I forget, let me...
>Yeah, I think 5 kilos should be enough...
>...
>Lets check for sword training dummies too while I'm at it...
>Should get a strong one...
>...Somehow they have it.
>They things you find online!
>Wish I could order a rock too while I'm at it, I feel like the wooden one won't last too much.
>...I'll get 10 just in case...
>Good thing they're cheaper than I expected.
>...
>...let me also get some instructions on making one for myself...
>Aaand there.
>Same day delivery too, huh? Guess the local warehouse has all this.
>Somehow.
>Won't complain, should get here in a couple hours or so, perfect.
>Well then, with all... that, done...
>How can I waste my time in the meantime...

>>58518381
>...man i can't even finish my Z-A playthrough now...
>I wonder if someone'll develop Poke-accessibility controllers soon.
>Hm...
>Well, I guess I could try carving something out of...
>Actually.
>Shit would that work?
>So far the transformations seem "faithful" to the source material, at least for the most part.
>Who's to say it wouldn't...?
>...
>Alright I know what I gotta do.
>Just gotta look up a wooden flute tutorial and a wooden pokeball tutorial and...
>Alright, there it is.
>If this works I'll be so damn happy.
>...
>That Snorlax has blocked the road for too long anyway.

>>58518302
Small proofreading snarls in paragraph 5, but pretty good overall. I think the stark, Depression Quest realism of Val's afflictions also helps with it not feeling like it's falling into pity party territory. Heh, when you got to the part about his beard, though, I just started picturing Ross Scott, and now that image won't go away. Ross doing his best Garfield/Eeyore is now forever the voice I will read Val's narration in.

>>58518311
Trying to decide who's nerdier between you and Kartanon at this point, VetPhox. Don't worry, I'm sure you'll discover showering isn't ALL bad, considering Lucarioanon's experiences with it.

>>58518381
Wow, Kartanon's parents reacted A LOT less shittily than Lucarioanon's parents or VetPhox's mother did. We should all be so lucky. Even the intrusive thoughts that had our boy worried were kinda wholesome... in a toxic honorabru kinda way...

>>58518386
Oh dear. Be careful you don't wind up doing something you'll regret there, Kartanon.

So, how closely should we stick to the Pokedex sizes? The pokedex sizes are a great baseline but also they fall into the problem of "the Japanese cannot do sizes properly."

>>58518562
Great, now I can't see my own self-insert as anything other than a Ross Scott knockoff. Thanks a lot... At least he can make an interesting series about being in the mind of Red or something.

>>58518670
My logic for Kartanon is just that the dex's suggestion of 30cm just kinda makes enough sense? But he's slightly bigger just so it's not as miserable. I mean, a bit bigger than the average ruler, yeah I can see that for a funny little paper man

>>58518677
Kartana's makes sense, especially with what we're shown across all other media.
It's mostly the older Pokemon that are plagued with really weird heights and weights that aren't consistent across the media. Granted, part of the discrepancy is that the word they use in Japanese isn't exclusively height, but also length, so Dratini's "height" is actually their length for example.

>>58518670
I think Lucarioanon's Lucario got scaled up to the size of a human IIRC, so I'd say do what you want in that regard, honestly.

>now I can't see my own self-insert as anything other than a Ross Scott knockoff. Thanks a lot
To be fair, there are far worse things "that we have at home" that you could be than Ross Scott that we have at home.

But nah, seriously, just ignore me. My brain works in strange ways.

I'm not happy with the dialogue, which is part of the reason why I haven't shown much of it. It feels incredibly fake, for some reason. Exchanges longer than 4 sentences are really hard for me to write without doubting myself. Hopefully I can get past that.
Anyways, 7,477 words, and finally in the last 3 points I wanted to write around.

>>58518732
>Lucarioanon
Alright.
I'm going to use the Pokedex like I normally do: It's a rough estimate, but it's really rough and outliers both big and small are incredibly common.

>My brain works in strange ways
Nah, I get it. I have a similar brain that likes to make references when it can feel natural. Also, Ross Scott's funny, I like him.
The Type: Null's going to be making a LOT of those references, especially when the tard wrangler 9000 comes off for the first time and they lose control of themselves.

>>58518311
MMO mice for the win. Praise be to having thumbs. Though maybe Phoxanon could have learned to press the keys with his psychic powers eventually like Emma figured out. Hopefully Phox stocked up on shampoo, he’s gonna need it lol.

>>58518386
Glad to see that Kartanon has good, supportive parents. I feel like that fear of being rejected by family has got to be one of the worst things about transforming. Curious to see where the pokeflute leads, I think this is the first time we’ll see a Pokémon item used?

>>58518902
Jesus H. Tapdancing Christ! This guy's faculty (it sounds like, judging by the paperwork comment) and he not only attempts to mind rape the student that tripped over him, but also then brutally assaults them in a way that could EASILY have been fatal? See, there's a stark difference between being angry at a character for their actions and angry at the author for writing a character to take those actions. Fortunately for you, right now every single bit of INCENSED outrage I feel is firmly towards this unmitigated SHIT WHEEL of a Ninetales (great job there, by the way, phenomenon, giving someone like THAT the power to curse people. Well done) and no, your instincts are NOT a fucking excuse, sunshine - get some self-control, you fetid, dog-slobbering throwback! You need to be fired, mate, preferably out of a cannon! However, I am slightly concerned that if Val runs into too many more people like this, who act like COMPLETE barbarians in what is supposed to be a professional setting for really no reason at all, that it'll quickly start to feel forced, like the universe actually IS out to get Val and it ISN'T all in his own head, and from what we've seen so far it seems like that's not your intention.

https://rentry.co/serpentandwyrm

Serpent & Wyrm Chapter 3: By Royal Decree, is finally released!

Simon's first adventure into the forest beyond the mountain where he experiences the joys and troubles of being a leaf-snake.

Feel free to leave comments, concerns, requests on what you'd like to see. I greatly appreciate everyone's thoughts!

Sorry this took so long! This honestly might be the longest singular thing I've written outside of college research papers lol.

>>58519406
Nice work! I did not expect the “royal decree” to actually work

>>58519406
Your style of writing is very novella

>>58519406
Very nice! Really enjoy your writing a lot Snivyanon, you do a great job at scene setting and character acting, I definitely feel a bit bad for Simon but at least he's getting the hang of it (a bit) better by now! Also agree with the other anon, royal decree was a surprise, the wonders of being able to talk in a pompous manner (and having a big ol' dragon by your side also helps)

>>58519297
>Ninetales
Good, I'm glad he feels naturally hatable and doesn't feel forced whatsoever. This is kind of an important scene for potential future writing(see next response.)
When I made the paperwork mention, I was thinking something akin to assault allegation defense, but now I realize that colleges probably don't even offer that as an option, so maybe he's a sheriff or something. In any case, he seemed like a fine and well adjusted individual before transformation, and is totally not power tripping or anything.

>like the universe IS actually out to get Val
May you live in interesting times ;)
To be fair, I plan for that curse to be more of a Wild Wasteland-esque perk. An excuse for me to keep a somewhat grounded story that can sometimes go completely unhinged(which is also why Valentine couldn't feel anything different. You can't feel your luck swinging faster than Mike Tyson's punches, you just have to be good at recognizing patterns.) At the very least, it makes good justification to why he of all people will end up encountering Type: Null.
We'll see if I actually make use of it or if it's just an empty threat though. I'm pretty bad at keeping things like this intact.

>>58518386
>I really hope this'll work out...
>...And I wish I'd taken my dad up on his woodwork lessons more often than I did...
>But I still think I'm doing alright.
>Carving out the PokeBall part was much easier than expected, just had to hold my right hand out in a curve that'd be half the diameter of it, and spin the wood around with the left one so it'd get carved into shape.
>Carving out the inside was harder though, much more finnicky, but I think I got it down good enough.
>Also needed to do the line around it and the button, although for the button I mainly chopped some bits off a stick and they looked pretty on-point, just had to polish them up a bit.
>It hurt a bit to "ruin" the PokeBall but I did need to drill a hole through the top and bottom for it to connect with the main flute.
>The flute was a bit more annoying since it's nearly as tall as I am, had to be very careful to cut it right...
>Holes were easier than expected, if I make tubes with my arms I can basically just... Poke into the main body, and then pull out the bit of wood.
>I considered making the parts they were on slightly concave like flutes usually have them before remembering that that's meant for... human fingers, specifically...
>...
>...At least I could use the same technique to make the inside hollow...
>I really wish I had some paint to spare, this'd look amazing with it, but it'll have to do...
>It's been very relaxing working on this while listening to the music admittedly, always loved the HeartGold arrangement for the radio...
>It's odd, listening to it I feel relaxed, but also... More focused, awake.
>A very lovely tune.
>...can't believe the first thing I'm going outside for will be to wake up a Snorlax...
>I should just think of it as community service.
>...
>Just in case the flute itself doesn't work out, let me...
>There we got, Pokeflute Theme downloaded.
>Can't hurt having a plan 2.
>Really hope this bag'll be good enough for the stuff I need to carry...

>>58519779
Thank you! Sometimes you just need full confidence and a seven foot tall, pissed-off dragon to get people to do what you say.

>>58520072
Appreciate it! Definitely trying to stretch my writing chops with S&W. It’s been hard, but fun and worth it.

>>58520429
Thanks! I’m glad that everyone’s been enjoying the scene and character action details, it’s been interesting to play around with. Poor Simon’s trying in the best way he can to adapt to the situation. How mentally healthy that is over the long run we’ll have to see, especially considering his intense distrust of his instincts.

>>58520671
>curse to be more of a Wild Wasteland-esque perk
That’s actually such a good way to introduce all these wacky scenarios for Val to encounter, I love it.looking forward to the full chapter!

>>58521360
>The wonders of freebies in Japan.
>It's... uncomfortable I'll admit, but at least it leaves my arms enough room to spare.
>I'm... glad I'm strong enough to carry it. Seems like my... god what even are these, frills? Collar? Pauldrons? Whatever the hells, are pretty damn solid if need be. At least they keep the bag from slipping off.
>I should have the audio app at the ready in case I see anyone...
>Hopefully I won't, but you can never be too careful.
>Locking the house isn't hard, thankfully.
>I did learn a bit more about myself through turning the key though.
>These arms are really weird.
>I think it's like... I can control their stiffness somewhat? It's like... having blood rush to them to strengthen it, but I don't think I have blood, it's very very weird...
>At least it's something worth knowing.
>The Snorlax shouldn't be too far, just up at the exit to the highway.
>I wonder if I can lure it away from the road without a confrontation though...
>I can take him on if need be.
>I think.
>...why am I getting cocky preemptively...
>Hm.
>I think it's one of the neighbors' dogs, it appeared the same day the dog disappeared.
>That dog was always... really lazy, he wouldn't even get up to start barking at you and would just kinda look up from the porch.
>Must be having the time of his life.
>Sorry buddy, I just want to make our lives, and I'm sure you can have a better spot than the road...
>...not particularly great for you to raid the gas station in that corner every day either...
>Alright, I should be ready.
>...
>The evening Sun is very nice...
>Stretching out my arms like this... I can almost feel like I'm holding its light close to me.
>I'm ready.
>This dumb idea better work...
>I've gone through this road a lot of times before.
>Feels bigger now.
>IS, bigger, objectively, at least to me.
>I wonder how long it'll take me to get there on foot, or I guess, through flight, compared to driving...
>...Here goes.

>>58521761
>...The wind feels just like that dream...
>I think I get what it was trying to tell me now.
>Focus.
>I see as I pass by the houses in the neighborhood. Some are starting to turn the lights on...
>Guess it's that late in the day.
>I'm not sure a fight at night would be ideal for me.
>But I'm too far away already.
>...I pass by the many stores and office buildings on the way there...
>I think I've seen a few people turn their heads, but a good few of them shrugged afterwards.
>A lot probably figure seeing a Pokemon do Pokemon things is just a fact of life now.
>I mean, that's what I did when I saw some Manectric literally bolt down the street a few days ago.
>There's an odd noise as I stop and go.
>It almost sounds like the wind is whistling as I run.
>It sounds encouraging.
>...My legs really feel like they're made out of paper now.
>They dangle in the wind, but I keep moving forward.
>Still feels like running.
>Running like I never have before, but running nonetheless.
>I'll keep going until I reach that turn. Used to be the route I took to uni.
>Alright.
>...Snorlax still there.
>At least there's some open field off to the side.
>If I can wake it up and lead it there, that should do the trick.
>...man I can't imagine the traffic the freshmen have to deal with due to this, my heart goes out to them...
>A part of me is telling me this is a very, very dumb idea.
>And another feels like it's nudging me towards it.
>Hope listening to the latter won't be a mistake.

>>58521806
>...I forgot how freakin' big this guy was.
>Christ.
>Even as a human he was huge.
>If I tried climbing it the way a human would it'd seem like a damn odyssey.
>...
>Well.
>I'm already here.
>Came too far just to get stage fright at the last moment.
>There's not many people around, but a few are watching.
>Some are confused about the little paper me standing in front of them.
>...I think a few either know Gen 7 or are just baseline worried about Pokemon.
>They all keep their distance, makes sense.
>Shouldn't make it too theatrical, just... Tell them what's going on.
!tnemom a em evig tsuj ,daor eht ffo mih teg ot aedi na evah I kniht I dna god s'robhgien ym saw xalronS siht ,uoy tcartsid ot yrroS !olleH<
>...play it back on the phone with the reversal and...
>There.
>Ok seems they get it even if they look confused.
>That kid looks excited.
>I guess I'd be too in his place.
>Mom's doing good to hold him at bay.
>Something mine would've done in her place.
>Alright.
>Now, about you big guy...
>I made sure to properly memorize the melody as best as I can, at least it's simple enough and conveniently accessible to my weird arms.
>...
>...man this melody's really nice...
>Ok, its ear twitched, I think it heard it.
>They look... worried.
>Just keep playing so it faces the field and...
>Ok it's moving it foot, good, good!
>Just a bit more...
>Alright, it's awake!
>It worked!
>Maybe I should make more of these
>...
>Ok, it's... Standing up...
>Just gotta back up into the field...
>Keep following me...
>Ok, I think we're in a good spot, now just go back to sleep and...
>...
>It's... looking at me very intensely.
>Oh.
>Y'know.
>I never thought... a glare from a Snorlax could be scary...
>...
>I think I did in fact make a mistake.
>Oh no.

>>58521889
I'll be honest, I'm not even sure what Kartanon's plan was here. To catch the Snorlax so they couldn't be a menace any longer? Everybody knows you need to make some Heavy Balls out of black apricorns to catch one!
Well, good luck to him.

>>58522246
He may or may not have forgotten that the flute doesn't JUST wake the Snorlax up more often than not

>>58521889
>You know how hippos can be some of the most unassumingly dangerous animals?
>Multiply that by 10 and you get Snorlax.
>Hell hath no fury like a Snorlax rudely awakened.
>...
>HOW THE HELL CAN IT RUN SO FAST?!
>I'm lucky I can fly if not-
>AGH.
>Fuckfuckfuck.
>I think it just tried to body slam me...
>Maybe if I run deeper into the field it'll be safer for everyone back there and then I ca-
>FUCK that was a Fire Punch, why did it have to be Fire Punch?!
>It's still not giving up?!
>I think it's trying to run on all fours...!
>Of course, it WAS a dog after all!
>Can I even keep outrunning it if it does that?!
>These things eat their weight in food, right?! Is that how it has THIS much damn energy?!
>I thought I could just calmly Piper of Hamelin him off the road and leave it at that so everyone could be happy, I didn't think it'd get pissed like th-
>...
>huh?
>Wait it... stopped?
>Is it letting me go?
>Why are its eyes...?
>What's it even do...?
>...
>Oh.
>Oh god it learns Hyper Beam doesn't it.
>...
>What am I doing?!
>Get out of the way you moron!
>Do you want to die like this?!
>MOVE!
!EVOM<
>Why can't I move dammit...!?
>Dammit body, just let me run away!
>I don't want to die!
>Please!
>Just let me do something, anything...!
!---esaelP<

>>>/v/724423119
>Professor Decidueye walking between buildings on campus

>>58521761
This picture is super cute lol.

>>58522616
Well, saw this coming. You don’t wake a snorlax up from its beauty sleep and get away unscathed. Luckily it seemed like he was able to draw it away before it started shooting off moves, that would have been a mess to manage if it stayed in the street. Situation doesn’t look good though, overconfidence is a slow and insidious killer. Maybe Kartanon can tap into his mysterious past memories and parry the hyper beam.

>>58522664
When he gets distracted by something and doesn’t realize he’s hopping around. He later finds out what happened after a student showed a video of him doing it.

>>58520671
I think what makes the Ninetales work is, funny enough, how mundane it all is. This isn't some grand super villain conspiracy; a complete asshole just decided to act like the lowest form of slime in response to an unfortunate accident - very simple and straightforward. All the possible flavours and he chose abject evil. It still beggars belief on a college campus, but is just believable enough that, again, you want to throttle the Ninetales and not his creator (and yes, I'm still mad even after sleeping on it. That should tell you something). I hope bro gets all nine of his tails slammed in a particularly fast and heavy door for not only assaulting a student, but wishing for them live in abject misery for the rest of their days - infinite punishment not only for a finite crime, but for no crime at all. God, at least most villains have the decency to make your demise quick...

And yes, the advantage of this setup is that it can have as much or as little impact on the rest of the story as required. The ambiguity there leaves the audience to wonder, but doesn't feel like you're being jerked around with a mystery box.

>>58519406
Damn, I GOTTA catch up here...

The luscious forest descriptions are gorgeous, but it's almost a shame the watchtower's abandoned. The reactions of an incredibly boring dude like Henry from Firewatch trying to figure out how to react to the sight of a dragon stomping around would be pretty amusing. Hmm, something powerful, but cowardly. Ghost type, maybe?

Ouch. I don't think we've seen such extreme cognitive dissonance from our transformees before. Even Ben was kinda switching between the two mindsets freely (at least before his mind started to crumble), but here it's like each is actively paralyzing the other. I wonder if ProfD had similar philosophical worries early on and that's part of what prevented him from embracing his instincts and Pokemon abilities. Better and healthier to just assume that you're still you and carry on, I say...

I always love those little moments of animals treating an equivalent Pokemon just like the animal they replaced. Really adorable stuff. One might wonder how fire (or electric) types don't burn down the forest, but that doesn't seem to be an issue in Pokemon proper, so...

>He was a grown man
Shit, now I see the problem. Pokemon are creatures of strong emotion - they need discipline and mental fortitude to improve, but rely on vibe and feeling to tap into their powers to begin with. So if you've spent your whole life forcefully suppressing your emotions, well... Yeaaah, until he learns to unstick that mental block, he's gonna be VERY reliant on Miirym...

And then, of course, the Wurmple. Man... wish I could give ya a hug, Simon... Between the human half being slowly subsumed by the Pokemon half as in Ben's case and the human half remaining very much in the driver's seat but going completely batshit insane, as seems entirely possible in this case, I'm honestly not sure which would be worse...

What can I say? Your writing's sublime, man. I gotta go, but I promise not to wait until chapter 4 to read chapter 3 this time.

>>58522616
>I... I can't look...
>...
>It feels like everything stopped.
>I can still think but for how long?
>Even if it's supposed to be a normal move...
>I can't live it.
>I have decent defense but it's defending such a small life that I won't stand a single chance.
>I don't even have some stupid affection gimmick to deus ex machina my way out of this.
>God...
>It's a Snorlax.
>I have never fought in my life.
>What the hell was I thinking?
>Why would I even do this?
>I had been so rational about this up until now.
>And it just ends like this?
>I'm dead.
>I have to be.
>For no good reason.
>Just because I wanted to play around.
>God dammit.
>I'm well and truly dead, aren't I.
>...
>...But I shouldn't say that, should I...
>If I'm still here, I can stand a chance.
>And if this is that chance...
>I should just...
>Focus.

>>58523959
>I can see within the frozen time.
>I can't afford to escape.
>But I have no way to truly defend myself.
>Yet... I have to have some way.
>...
>Kartanas can cut through anything...
>...
>I must be able to cut through anything.
>A simple thought fills my mind.
>"A good offense is the best defense."
>...
>I'm staring at the gaze of death approaching me even as I think.
>It's a desperate gamble, but I have nothing else.
>My body moves without deeper input from me, as if on auto-pilot.
>Muscle memory from a battle I've never fought.
>As if on instinct, I cross my arms before me.
>...And slash a an X through the beam.
>My arms burn like all hell.
>I've never felt anything like this before.
>I burnt myself a couple of times in the past.
>But nothing like this.
>It feels like it would've burn my muscle tissue in the past.
>But I can't let myself scream.
>I can't give up.
>Not when I'm this far.
>Forged through pain, a slash must be seen through, specially if it's necessary to survive.
>I keep expecting the rest of the beam to strike my body whole, to annihilate me.
>But it doesn't happen.
>Time continues, and I keep watching...
>...My slash dispersed the beam, as I see a green X fly towards my opponent.
>It's splitting the Hyper Beam apart.
>...A blade beam of my own.

>>58523967
>...And eventually...
>Contact.
>Time resumes.
>The Snorlax is knocked back on its back.
>...
>...And doesn't get up...
>...
>For whatever reason...
>Despite having just done that...
>I feel a surge of energy within me.
>Like adrenaline.
>I'm ready to keep going.
>...
>...But there's no other opponent to strike.
>...
>Agh, what did I even do just now...
>...
>Blades look... burnt...
>...
>...should I grind them against each other or just buff them or...
>...Problem for later.
>Make sure you didn't just kill the fat dog first.
>Seems our spat made a bit of a mess...
>Good thing this place is public property...
>...He's...
>Already asleep again huh.
>I... guess that tracks.
>It was a Hyper Beam it used after all. My attack likely just pushed it straight past NREM.
>...Please stay here, will you?
>Well, if the dex is true, then...

>>58523973
>No wonder it said what it did, wow.
>What a soft belly.
>If I didn't have those packages to pick up I wouldn't mind staying here to sleep.
>...It's already dark out after all...
>...
>...この手、だれの手?
>...
>Guess now I can understand why cops don't try using these flutes to lure them away.
>Doubt they have enough able-bodied mons who can deal with the brunt of a Snorlax attack.
>...
>...ugh...
>I'll probably keep it as a caffeine substitute.
>...
>I... really should be headed home...
>Sorry for waking you up Popeye.
>Get some good sleep, you deserve it.
>And I should probably do the same...
>...
>...Surely my orders must've arrived by now...

I've done a terrible job incorporating this so far, but I wanted Valentine to be the type to want to really, REALLY like touching things and feeling their sensations, so... here's recompence I guess? I'll have to go back and write some descriptions on how things feel earlier in the chapter to make this feel less left-field, but for now, have him wonder how every Pokemon he sees feels :P
(Hah, I need a thesarus. I don't know what else to really call touch stimulus.)

I really oughta start commenting on other's stories again. Sorry again, I just haven't been in the right state of mind.
Writing Valentine has, in a turn of whiplash, led me to believe I was bipolar, only to realize I probably am not bipolar because I don't have a manic state, JUST a set of relatively emotionally healthy and depressive states. Talking about a bipolar belief, heheh.

>>58523710
I wonder how much of this attitude towards the Ninetales will change once you read how Valentine actually feels about the campus. He really fucking hates this place, and is actually shocked to see people not look miserable.
Ah well, you'll get to read all about that once the chapter's posted.

>>58518311
I was gonna suggest a sand bath but apparently foxes don't do that. Maybe with the right amount of fire control Phox can have an on-demand hair dryer.
>>58518379
This bit was very sweet
>>58522616
Pic made me laugh. Shame it was the last known image of Kartanaon before he got turned to ashes
>>58523979
Sweet, the art for this section was extra cool?
>>58519406
I wish I had a more specific compliment than "great stuff" but great stuff, excited for what's coming next.

>>58524671
>Sweet, the art for this section was extra cool?
Thank you! Honestly the way I go about it is mainly just picturing the scenes in my mind, and whichever I can see the most vividly, I put pen to paper n' draw 'em. I'd like drawing for every chunk of text but I only have so much time and energy

How about a double feature today? This has the longest unbroken chain of dialogue in the chapter, and felt strangely okay to write.
I need to find a way to git gud when it comes to dialogue. I can prose about the finer details of a car's bumpy plastic on its steering wheel all day, but dialogue's pretty damn important to keeping interactions interesting.

Damn I wish I could stick it out to do art. Well, there's always time to do it someday soon, but definitely not right now. College is starting to crush me, send help.
I forgot to mention that I have settled on a very, VERY unorthodox solution for the website. I think I'm going to double host the website on Cloudflare Pages and Nekoweb.
There's very little logic behind this decision, I just like the concept behind Nekoweb and see this as an opportunity to experiment, despite its unfortunately restrictive site size limit of 500 megabytes.

>>58523647
For the record, I've added Skarmory on the list of Pokemon that Valentine would like to pet, thanks for the inspiration of a weird one :P

>>58521889
Well gee, who could've seen that coming, apart from everyone? I think Kartanon might be a chucklefuck. Eh, we'll blame Pokeinstincts, I guess - chronic hero syndrome like Lucarioanon has.

>>58523959
>I had been so rational about this up until now.
Darwin Awards can strike any time..

>>58523967
Some proof-reading snarls here. This whole situation becomes a helluva lot funnier if you imagine that both Kartanon and the transformed dog are level 5 and this is actually nothing more than a Little Cup slapfight. Fun fact, Snorlax Hyper Beam doesn't even one shot an equivalent level Kartana.

>>58523979
The well-deserved couch of victory. Still, I hope you learned a valuable lesson today, Kartanon. No, that lesson is NOT to go hide in your room and never do anything again other than ruminate. Of course after a taste of battle like that your instincts probably won't let you vegetate anyway.

>>58524115
Hmm. Reads well, not really seeing much in the way of typos or tense snarls, but isn't this an awful lot of Pokemon to be wandering around this one college campus, especially as this is, IIRC, still relatively early into the phenomenon? Also, wouldn't this massive proliferation of 'mons immediately put pay to Val's earlier weird notions about the status of Pokemon in California and all that kinda stuff? Certainly proves that there isn't a soul who's listening to the government's advice to give Pokemon a wide berth, at any rate.

For a second there I thought the guys with the Growlithe merced a Cherubi. THAT certainly would've validated Val's feelings toward the place...

>>58525062
The dialogue is maybe a LITTLE stilted, but not too bad. What I'm wondering is why Val cares so much. Like he sees a cherry explode and suddenly he goes from depression session to Gord Brody, "What are you doing to that horse!?"

>>58525108
College? Huh, from the way you talk that I had you pegged for being MUCH older than that. I'm sure whatever you do with the website'll be fine.

>>58523754
Thanks a ton, glad you enjoyed it!

Having someone in the tower to react to Miirym would have been fun. The kinda unfortunate side effect of dropping the two in an incredibly isolated location is that you miss out on those human reactions and interactions. I realized that like halfway through writing chapter 2, which is one of the main reasons why I started up the Larson and Kurt stories. Still trying to figure out a way to introduce some human and human-mon characters into the story without making it easy for Simon to just ask them where the nearest town is and just leave. I have some ideas, but need to stew on it for a while.

I love the mental struggles in these types of stories, so it’s a big theme for Simon. Herding Cats was a great inspiration for me, actually. You’ll see more human vs instinct stuff in chapter 3, and how Simon warps his perspective of those to cope. And yeah, he’s a chronic worrier, so this stuff is nightmare fuel to him.

Yeah Pokémon are typically emotional creatures, so having an internal strife about your own nature makes using your new powers with any amount of control impossible. It’s why people who accepted what happened are way more capable of using their new bodies and moves, at least in my head.

>>58523979
Hell yeah, we got a beam clash!! Super cool sequence, and awesome art! Very fortunate that Kartanon has some hidden strength enough to part a hyper beam, or that could have ended horribly. Now we need him to fight a mecha-paradox with blade mode so he can rip out its fuel cell and make a metal gear reference.

>>58524115
Maaan I wouldn’t be able to contain myself either, Val. Gotta pet ‘em all. He needs a little notebook so he can tally off what ‘mobs he’s pet. Make it a bucket list for his road trip.

>>58524671
Thank you!

>>58525062
Dialogue reads alright here. I struggle with it too sometimes. Usually I’ll write out just what I come up with first, then go back and edit it a few times when I realize more natural ways of saying things later (sometimes in the middle of the night lol).

>>58525108
Good luck with college stuff, I definitely don’t miss that stress holy hell. Cool to see an update on the website, I don’t really know much about that stuff so go with whatever you feel would work best.

Skarmory is a good ‘mon and deserves all the pets.

>>58525611
>>58525058
...y'know Snivy, between you and Kartanon, we just have two of the gentlest, kindest, most wholesome chungus dudes on the entire board constantly making this thread an absolutely delightful place to be. I gotta ask; what are you two even doing here on this toxic pimple of a board, situated on the left buttcheck of the Internet that is this website?

And no, I don't what the right buttcheck is. Reddit, maybe?

>>58525640
Lmao. I found myself on /vp/ through pure abject boredom. Only really browsed here occasionally because I like PMD, and when you work a 12 hour graveyard shift you run out of distractions pretty quick. I just got lucky this thread was up and active.

>>58525789
Believe it or not, one of my closest online friends is an extremely wholesome nightshift worker. Well shit, now I have an Invader Zim level mighty need to get to know you better...

>>58525864
Haha, appreciate it. We got a good crowd here!

In the heat of the moment, as MT/OT heals on a healadin, sometimes you don't have the extra mental capacity to hit buttons with your mind because you're muted and yellin' at people for not catching callouts.
and yes, I love my gaming mouse - I'm an OG healer that refuses to use healer addons to make it easier. If I can't keep a tank or party alive, I've screwed up somewhere.

>>58518311
>I feel like soaked rat.
>Check that, I look like a drowned rat.
>also, obligatory 'Hey did you guys know, Vaporeons...' copypasta here.
>The shower was nice however I gave up halfway through and just took a bath instead.
>Much better results, until I got out of the tub.
>Here I stand, wet and weary.
>Eyes red and bleary.
>Trying my damndest to figure out how to - ... I'm a special kind of dumb, apparently.
>No, I do not need a towel.
>I am a goddamned magical fox.
>With fancy magical fox powers.
>I gave up on the towel ages ago, I'd probably end up with friction burns and still look like a wet dog, I do, however, understand how a blow dryer works.
>No, I do not own one. That would've made this easier to figure out.
>Waves of energy roll off me like some aura farming JoJo stand. Heat wavering in the air around me as I focus, add a little spin around me and... nothing.
>This takes some serious concentration.
>Fuckit. We Ball.
>Magical girl Mode: engage!
>Manifest the flames, spin them around me, use the psychic energy to keep it actually off me, and from torching the tub.
>After a few practice runs we tighten the spin, let the heat through without the flames.
>I like big flames and I cannot lie, all you other fuckers can't deny.
>I'm short, I'm strong, and these flames gonna get the friction on!
>And now I look like a fuckin' poodle.
>God. Damn. It.

I haven't got any idea how to write stories in the modern world. How do you guys do it?

>>58526496
Mostly thinly veiled self inserts or wish fulfillment.

>>58525607
>Pokemon
Eh, my timescale's probably pretty fucked up, though there is a bit of an untold reason for why the campus has so many Pokemon, which was that people were gathering the Pokemon here to make a centralized fortification to prevent the CDC from doing their job of quarantine. The logic of this isn't supposed to make much sense, and is meant to be emotionally and politically charged.
Currently, Valentine points out that during COVID, he was beaten with every restriction possible during the lockdown, and was surprised that the CDC wasn't getting listened to here. Valentine WAS going to ask, but I couldn't get the sudden snap from "optimistic future" to "miserable and surrounded by sharks" and Matsui's subsequent "this is a really creepy place" reaction good enough, so I settled with Valentine resisting the urge to ask an obvious caricature of a man.

>why Val cares so much
Distraction mode. He's desperately trying to find anything to keep his mind off things. One of the first things following this is "I need to do laundry, and now."
Also, wouldn't YOU be mildly interested if you caught someone putting a knife in a freezer, followed by this violent reaction from what appeared to be a cherry?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3NI9Y6nDZQ

Thanks for the feedback on the dialogue. I'll see if I can come up with something more natural on the second pass.

>age
I'm the same age as Valentine(22), I just kind of fucked up my life and failed to get either my bachelors or associates on time because I couldn't hold it together and cracked apart.
Valentine, for his part, managed to hold it together to get his associates(among other feats I wished I had accomplished,) but clearly he hasn't held up since then considering he's alluded to destructively removing his entire social support structure.

>>58525611
>notebook
Yeah, that'd be interesting. Professor of tactile right there, the Pokedex of haptics :P
Wonder if anyone would even buy something like that.

>>58526496
Take inspiration from yourself. Exaggerate some personality trait of yours until it takes a life of itself.
Valentine's burnt out nature is just a consequence of me bringing my overachieving nature and trauma to its final conclusion.
Matsui's innocence and attempts at dignity is the innocence I still hold, as fake as it can be sometimes as well as the part of me who fights back when I can't outwardly care anymore, ironically mixed with the Japanese cultural trait of shikatanai(literally "I can't help it." Basically, the trait of "I'm just an insignificant being who has things happen to me.")

Even the minor characters from my current chapter are like that.
The Ninetales that wasn't even in the story for very long was a nasty reflection of my own rage and suppressed attempts to spread my own misery.
The trio of "scientists" are just different takes on my own willingness to explore the world, doing dumb and ill-thought out things out of sheer curiosity.
The professor's so far the only one based on someone who isn't me.

Managed to tear myself out of my bed, let's see...

>>58525607
>chronic hero syndrome like Lucarioanon has.
He just wanted to see if the damn flute'd actually work like in the games while doing some good. Unfortunately he forgot what happens after using the flute in the first place.
>Snorlax Hyper Beam doesn't even one shot an equivalent level Kartana.
Someone else in there might've known that, but definitely not him.
Glad to hear you enjoy it still!

>>58525611
>Now we need him to fight a mecha-paradox with blade mode so he can rip out its fuel cell and make a metal gear reference.
Did say I want to maybe write for a Paradox transformee, so you never know... I actually have a couple ideas for a few mons but I feel like I want to get further along Kartananon's story before starting up any others. Specifically had one with a certain peach, but I'd need to try and have the same amount of tact Lucarioanon has with Kat so he wouldn't be too powerful while still a force to be reckoned with in the stories...

>>58525640
Mmmm, for me it's a bit of a mixture of things. I find the modern internet to be unfortunately kinda dumb, 4chan somehow feels like it respects my intelligence more in a way? Weird to say, I know, I'm just not a big fan of modern social media. That and I also think that, if a place allows you fully to be an asshole... Well, going out of your way not to be means more than it'd usually do, right? So I try to do that. I mainly stick to a couple specific /vg/ and /vrpg/ threads, but Z-A got me to look this way again, and like I said, premise hooked me, hard, so I'm very much glad to help contribute to this place!

>>58526496
I can write for modern day Pokemon just fine, but writing for the "real" world? Yeah I do admittedly fall a bit into the self insert angle even if I'm giving the guy a few key points making him distinct from me.

>>58526325
Pfft, yeah what did you expect after flash drying all that fur? Time for the hours of brushing fun. I laughed when he mentioned magical girl mode, now I’m just imagining him in the opening of Sailor Moon or something. I love how you write your greens btw, they’re super fun and goofy.

>don't have the extra mental capacity to hit buttons with your mind
Yeah that’s completely fair, youd probably end up breaking something because some moron died to the easiest mechanic because he wanted to greed for the parse (he would have gotten a blue anyways).

>I love my gaming mouse
I miss my Logitech g600 so much, probably my favorite mouse ever.

>>58526496
Yeah it can be tricky. I usually just end up randomly coming up with a scenario that I think could be fun to write about and fill out the details as I go. Other times I pull inspiration from something I see online.

>>58526995
>want to maybe write for a Paradox transformee
Could be cool, and given how great the kartana stuff has been, I got full confidence you could make it work! I barely know much about the paradox Pokémon since I haven’t played the series since Moon, I think, so I’d be interested to see ‘em.

>>58527423
I’m like 80% sure Veteran Delphox is a woman?

>>58527423
>>58527885
Yarp.

So I'm sort of "done" with the chapter, though I've yet to go through a revising pass so a bunch of the tensing issues, the dialogue's still pretty bad, and some logic problems remain. If you want to read this 10.6k monster of a chapter early though, here's the link, valid for 3 days. As per usual, I'm open to criticism. I want this to be really good.
https://litter.catbox.moe/dly8q5hz1nimtju7.txt

>>58527885
>>58528323
Holy shit how did I miss that, reread the earlier stuff and I feel dumb lol.

>>58528571
Sweet! I'll take a gander at this tonight.

>>58526325
Well it could've been worse. VetPhox could've burned her whole apartment to the ground pulling that stunt. Maybe she can learn to embrace the floofiness?

>>58526496
Take boring, everyday things and now put a Pokemon in the position of needing to try to do them. Presto - lierary gold.

>>58526657
So it's like what I suggested to Not A Pikachu's writer - this college is one of the first in the country to throw up a big, "Pokemon welcome!" sign, but in this case the place suffers from toxic positivity and is a bit of a false utopia. I can get along with that, so long as Val at least acknowkedges the weirdness internally and gives at least passing thought to how this contradicts his earlier beliefs (even if just wave the contradiction off).

>Distraction mode
Understood. That might be a case of me being thick as opposed to it being genuinely unclear.

>>58526995
So 4chan will hold your work to a higher a
Standard, you reckon. I guess that's fair.

>>58527774
Bro has a pilot license? Huh. I'll admit that paragraphs a little pity partyish, but talented and successful youths burn out and spiral until depression all the time. Maybe have him acknowledge he's not the only one in such a situation, even if the thought doesn't help at all ("other people have it worse" never helps, in my experience).

Might wait to read the big 10K version until you've given it an editing pass. I lazy.

>>58528912
Was wondering when THIS faggot would show up.

Anyone remembers what happened to the /poc/ thread? did they just die alongside other generals when PLZA got leaked/released?

>>58525611
>Herding Cats was a great inspiration for me, actually
Aw, I'm flattered. Looking forward to the next part of your story, I really like it.
>Still trying to figure out a way to introduce some human and human-mon characters into the story without making it easy for Simon to just ask them where the nearest town is
You could try some half-feral types like Kat from Lucario-anon's story. Smart enough to talk, not necessarily smart enough to help. Plus it'd probably freak Simon out pretty bad to see a human reduced to that. Actual humans are pretty tough, but maybe one got caught up in a psychic incident like Matsui and got teleported out to the forest.
>>58526325
A fate worse than death
>>58526496
Usually I don't. Herding Cats was originally a Mystery Dungeon story.

>>58529498
It wasn't really getting a lot of traction. Everybody stopped doing pity bumps during the leaks, and nobody has brought it back since.

>>58529498
POC?

>>58530050
I think it was actually called /pog/, it was a general for Pokemon OCs.

>Kurt felt his eyes glaze over as he began to finalize the last report of the night.
>His chair groaned as he leaned back before he pushed the mess of papers and folders away from the digital clock on his desk.
>12:43 AM. His head hit the top of his chair as he shut his eyes and grumbled to himself.
>Today was a complete mess. Both him and Larson ended up breaking up what seemed like some backyard fighting ring after getting a noise complaint about excessive roaring and clanging.
>Not a great thing to leave alone. Someone was bound to go overboard and burn a house down.
>The place looked like a party and smelt like something was burning not too long before. And booze, lots of booze.
>There were about 30 or so people all crammed in the backyard, cheap flood lights lit a basic, patchy ring.
>Kurt was pretty sure he saw a Kecleon sitting behind a fold-up table taking bets, but they vanished as soon as they spotted the officers.
>The stars of the show, however, were a Tyrantrum and a Honedge.
>You’d expect the Tyrantrum to be the more destructive ‘mon, but that Honedge was something wicked.
>Tyrantrum was obviously on the backfoot, chest heaving and littered with cuts and knicks.
>Honedge on the other hand just floated there, almost bored. It honestly seemed relieved once they started breaking everything up.
>The arena was totally wasted. Patches of ash, craters, and deep gashes marred the ring.
>Luckily the dinosaur Pokémon was relatively sane-of-mind and had been talked down before they had to escalate.
>The sword was either wild or too far gone. Kurt wasn't sure it could understand what they said to it, but it seemed to get the general idea that the fights were over.
>It seemed to bow to the Tyrantrum before it regarded both Kurt and Larson with a discerning eye.
>Kurt was poised to blast it if it tried anything, and Larson gave a rumbling growl in warning, but after a moment it seemed satisfied with what it found and melded into its shadow, which darted off.

>>58530148
>Hopefully that wasn’t something to worry about later.
>Larson seemed peeved that he didn’t get to fight something. Kurt was honestly relieved for once. Meant less paperwork for him to write up.
>Anyways, unsanctioned prize fighting was technically illegal, so a couple guys, including the Tyrantrum, got booked.
>Which led him to now, stuck in his office doing the work no one else wanted to.
>Kurt rested his elbows atop his desk and rubbed his eyes before he grabbed a cigarette.
>He promised himself that he’d stop smoking after his transformation, but between the long, stressful shifts, honing his new instinctual urges, and familial drama, nicotine sounded really, really good.
>He took a long drag. He wasn’t supposed to smoke inside the office, but it wasn’t like anyone would be able to stop him, really.
>His stomach growled. Luckily Larson ordered some chinese food for him so he didn’t have to make something when he got back home.
>Kurt glanced at his phone and smiled when he read Emma’s latest message in the group text asking about the movie plans on halloween night.
>He was glad that she was open to joining their little group. He hadn’t had much of a chance to hang out since the Porygon incident due to work, but it seemed like Larson liked her.
>Good. The guy desperately needed more friends.
>He popped his knuckles before getting back to the grind. Just had to finish up this last page and he could finally head home.
>After roughly twenty minutes, Kurt typed in the final information and hit save. The computer processed for a second before half the page went blank and the screen froze.
>Kurt internally screamed at the thought of losing all that work to a glitch.
>Fortunately the cause of the issue popped up in the corner of his monitor.
>In pixel-art form was the damn Porygon-Z, seemingly dozing away with a slightly distended belly.

>>58530159
>Kurt tapped the screen over the Porygon to wake it up.
>”No, bad, spit it out! I need that so we can go home! Seriously, we talked about this sort of thing NOT being ok. How did you even sneak into the computer?! Get back in the damn phone!”
>After cleaning Larson’s computer of Porygon related damages, Kurt was made responsible for looking over the corrupted digital duck because the captain wasn’t sure how they’d contain something that could basically just hop into someone’s phone and disappear to who knows where in the world.
>Slightly annoying, because of these exact scenarios. Emma provided an out of date desktop for him to use as its ‘home’, where it usually stayed, but sometimes it hitched a ride on his electronics when he went to work.
>Even though the creature was absolutely mad, it did seem to respect Kurt in that Pokémon way where they respected strength.
>Shooting it in the face that day was probably the best outcome that could have happened, it turned out. Or maybe a curse, Kurt wasn’t too sure.
>The Porygon startled awake at his angry shouts before it spewed the document out. It jittered around before undigitizing through the screen, where it floated above Kurt’s desk.
>Kurt gave it a flat, annoyed glare before he pointed to his phone. The Porygon let out a harsh, staticky warble before it melted into the device.
>Kurt sighed and really hoped it wouldn’t start messing with his social media accounts again.

https://rentry.co/larsonkurt

>>58530166
I was wondering what happened to the Porygon, tough break for Kurt. I wonder what it's been posting on his socials.

>58503726

>It wasn't the best start to the day for you.
>Not because you had to go to work but because you got sick.
>You were a manly man, and you got the manliest man flu to ever man flu.
>You felt like shit, barely able to breathe with your nose being like a Niagara Falls of snot.
>Thankfully you didn't have to worry about having to be online, as is the case in gridlock again.
>The detective forgot to inform the EPA, and now there are 4 feds arguing over if the police have the right to destroy a part of the forest in hopes of luring out a tree ghost.
>You were just glad that the ATF didn't show up to kill the Houndoom at some point.
>You knew one fire type.
>The problem was that she wasn't exactly fit for the task at hand.
>Either way, unless you found another Fire type, Houndoom was your best bet at luring that thing out.
>You heard your doorbell ringing.
>You were lying on the living room couch so you could see through the window who it was if you slightly leaned over.
>A guy in a hazmat suit.
>It was the CDC again.
>"Comming!" you said as clearly and loudly as you could.
>Your throat started aching from it.
>You opened the door.
>"I'm from the CDC. Moss sent me to check on you," said the agent at your door.
>"Moss? Ah, right, Moss. I assume he didn't send you with some chicken soup?" you said.
>"Unfortunately chicken soup isn't part of our policy. I've come to collect blood samples from you," replied the agent.
>"Let me guess, to check if I don't display any symptoms of turning? Ehh... Fine, make yourself at home," you invited the agent in.
>It didn't take long for him to disinfect your skin and jab the needle into your arm to collect some blood.
>"You know? I and Moss made a bet about if you were still human before I showed up here," he said with a jolly expression.
>"Yeah who won?" you asked.
>"Me," he replied, smiling.
>"Moss really thought I'd turned by now?" you asked.
>"He is getting tired of nothing ever happening," he replied.

Ah, yeah.
That reminds me.
Fuck.
I really need to address the CDC.

I don't even know where I want chapter 3 to take place, and now I have to deal with that.

Feels weird thinking that I somehow haven't gotten around to the Mystery Dungeon games, I do have Explorers of Sky on my Wii U, maybe I'll let it fast track my backlog queue once I'm done with Z-A, I know people like EoS a lot. Although, I could also play Rescue Team, have access to it too, is RT worth playing before EoS if I don't know if I'll fully commit to it? Or should I jump ahead so I'd be more easily "sold" on the series whole by the sequel?

>>58527423
>haven’t played the series since Moon, I think, so I’d be interested to see ‘em
If that's the case I oughta try and make a good impression, I do still genuinely love the Switch games a lot so if I ever get around to that I hope to do those mons justice, some of my favorites in the series honestly.

>>58528905
>So 4chan will hold your work to a higher standard, you reckon. I guess that's fair.
It's moreso that I don't really like how the algos and the like are on most sites and how very "open" they are in a way, with 4chan as a site it feels more like you do genuinely need to go out of your way to find stuff you care about, so if you find a thread with people talking about said stuff, it feels more... "earnest" in a way. It's much more of a "you chose to be here" situation compared to most other options. That and the anonymity, in a sense. Feels like stuff can stand on its own more instead of being attached to a broader name, makes it so having something that clicks with others at least feels more significant. Add onto it that it still feels kinda like the "old" internet I was promised as a kid even if I know it's not? Shit can get nasty and its up to you to manage your experience and all instead of being nannied by the system, so like I said, it feels like it respects your intelligence more. I've thought about this a lot in general, I guess I'm just weird and like being nice in a hellsite known for being a hellsite. Some of the nicest people I've met were because of threads on this site, funnily enough.

>>58530474
Rescue Team is very scuffed though the ideas are still decent today, and Explorers of Sky's extra postgame is kind of rushed, though it definitely has the spirit of fun behind it. I'd start with the sequel personally.
Just don't start with Gates to Infinity. I don't recall the game being bad, but it's the weakest entry from what I remember and was told.

>>58503726
>>58530328
>"Nothing ever happening? Am I hearing it right?" you asked.
>"In the medical context, I mean. The man has been reading papers about what is happening, and none of them provide any solutions or explanations to the issue," he said.
>"I'd assume you would have at least some knowledge of what was going on," you replied.
>"Well functionally speaking, we have none. Someone publishes a study that it might be transmissible, and the data presented doesn't reach levels of statistical significance. Another study has all the hallmarks of AI all over it with all the meaningless nonsense AI is known for. The third one is just theoretical bitching and complaining about not having enough funding, small sample groups, and not having twins for twin studies. The fourth and fifth look decent but are contradicting each other," he replied while pulling the vial with your blood away.
>"Just two more times just in case the first one was wrong," he said while putting another vial into the strange twin-needled syringe.
>"It is aVacutainer. The vial has a vacuum to suck out the blood. Neat, isn't it?" said the agent after he saw you looking at the syringe.
>"So you don't know?" you asked.
>"Nobody does. At least with Covid, you knew that it was a virus. Here we are throwing around theories ranging from viruses and prions to epigenetic factors and literal magic at this point. Trust me, it isn't much better sitting in one of the labs and banging your head against the wall with the hope you find something," he replied with a bit of bitterness at the situation while putting the second vial into a container and preparing the third one.
>"I'm kind of surprised that you didn't turn with that fat thing in front of your house. Besides, shouldn't the military have taken it away to that Lax Ranch or however it is called?" he asked.
>"To my knowledge, they only go after those that block critical infrastructure, and my driveway doesn't count," you replied.

>>58530474
RT's gonna feel a bit dated if you start with Explorers and come back to it, but I think if you're on the fence you should just go straight to EoS.
How's ZA so far? Hearing mixed-to-positive reviews even from friends who didn't like the Switch games.
>>58530569
>my driveway doesn't count
Damn. I know a guy with a flute who could help you out but he might be retired after his last job went sideways.

>>58530569
>"Well that sucks, but I get the logic of the military behind it. How long has that thing been there anyway?" he asked.
>"About since the Aggron attack," you replied.
>"And it hasn't moved from in all that time?" he asked, confused.
>"I think it changes position sometimes, but I haven't seen it move," you replied.
>"Either way, it was nice to have a chat, but my work here is done. Have a chocolate for your trouble," he said while pulling out a bar of chocolate.
>"Thanks," you took the candy.
>"No problem. By the way, I know you, and you don't know me. You can call me John," he extended his hand for a handshake.
>"Nice to meet you," you replied while shaking his hand.
>"So I have to go and take these samples to the lab. So... See you whenever you get better," he replied while leaving your house.
>Now you were back alone, holding some cotton to the place where the government worker sucked your blood.
>You decided to turn on the TV with the hopes of something interesting.
>For the first time in a long while, you weren't disappointed in the TV content.
>An interview with an "expert" about how to Pokemon proof your home just in case you turned.
>Honestly speaking, his ideas weren't exactly bad.
>Making sure you have some reliable way of communicating with other people, stocking up on a diverse array of food, getting a step stool ect.
>Too bad the interview was ending because the guy seemed knowledgeable about what he was talking about.
>Maybe he also had to deal with some people who turned.
>Either way, you asked your colleague to get you your groceries as you weren't exactly in the shape to get them yourself.
>After an hour, your colleague arrived.
>"Man you look like shit," he said when he saw you opening the door.
>"Thanks," you said sarcastically.
>Your colleague entered your house with two big grocery bags and took them to the kitchen.
>"What would you do without me?" he asked.
>"Be hungry, most likely," you replied.

>>58530741
>"Anyway I still have to get something from the car," he replied.
>He rushed back to the car and returned with a pot of some sort.
>"Some soup for you," he said.
>"Did your wife make it?" you asked.
>"Nah. It was our mutual lizard friend. When you told her you wouldn't be able to visit her tomorrow because you were sick, she texted me to pick it up for you," he replied.
>"Very kind of her," you replied.
>"Yeah it is very good. She gave me some when I went to pick it up. Not sure if it tasted so good because I was hungry after having not eaten anything since morning or what," he said.
>"On a different note, how was the day at the station?" you asked him.
>"In short, a circus. In long four feds arguing, and the captain verging on a stroke because of them," he replied.
>"So the usual. And our fed friend?" you asked.
>"She didn't do anything out of the ordinary, mostly reading reports and staying on the sidelines. She didn't even bother me about going on patrol," he replied.
>"By the way, apparently the CDC has sent one of their guys to check up on you. Is this true?" he asked.
>"Yeah. Guy showed up, took my blood, and gave me a chocolate bar before leaving. Being fair, a chill guy from the impressions he gave me," you replied.
>"For a fed," he replied.
>"For a fed," you affirmed.
>"Anyway I have to leave. I have some errands to run, and it is getting late. So see ya," he said while going back to his car.
>"See ya," you replied to him.
>You heard your front door close, so you quickly unpacked the grocery bags.
>You got yourself some of that still-warm soup and returned to watching TV.
>Your colleague wasn't lying; this was some good soup.

>>58504027
“I’m fine, Mom.”
“…”
“It’s okay, Mom.”
“…”
“I get it, uh, yeah, I get it.”
“Tell them I said hi, okay?”
“No. No, please.”
“Keep it secret.”
“…”
“You too. Bye.”
>You weren’t fine.
>The man would have cared.
>Try as you might…
>Nothing.
>Not truly indifference.
>No, some part of you cared.
>Recognized the wrongness.
>You tossed the bills on the table.
>The top ones slid across the lowest, fanning out.
>You should feel more.
>Threading your tail through the back of the chair came easy now.
>Swishing gooey, raw egg in your mouth provided another blessed, free moment.
>Enough money for another month.
>Maybe two, if you begged your folks.
>Anything to avoid man’s definition of productivity.
>You were so irresponsible.
>Work.
>Build a nest egg.
>Save for retirement.
>Thoughts of becoming an elder in this body made you shudder.
>Would you be bedridden?
>The notion terrified you more than the electabuzz threatening to fry you alive.
>How long would you even live?
>Would you live no longer than a canine?
>You felt healthy as could be, but there was no fighting biology.
>Except, perhaps, with money.

>>58530952
>If you had a shred of business sense, you’d…
>What would you do?
>Monetize it?
>Could you make money off fighting other pokémon?
>Pest control with your fists?
>It felt so dishonorable.
>Shameful.
>Selling your services like some mercenary?
>You massaged your eyes, rubbing circles in them.
>You’d manage.
>No matter what, you’d survive.
>Whether you still had a place of your own…
>Whether vigilante or sanctioned…
>Anyone’s guess at this point.
>The box holding the world was violently shaken.
>Given the news today, things could go in any direction.
>In the week since reaching mainstream consciousness, pokémon caused thousands of problems.
>Some small.
>”Dragons Delay Denver International Flight”
>”Waillord Blocks Cruise Ship”
>”Farmer Loses Acre of Corn to Hungry Torterra”
>Some big.
>Fires.
>Hauntings.
>Damaged bridges.
>The shock of how many pokémon used to be people hit the public with the grace of a freight train.
>Not everyone was as docile and well-mannered as the brionne and her espurr playmate.
>You avoided the worst.
>Nasty stuff was all over today.
>Talk of relief packages, stimulus checks, and government ongoings was completely drowned out.
>Couldn’t be everywhere.
>At least you’d make here worth living in.
>Hopefully, others shared your dumb altruism.
>Someone had to be a model pokémon.
>Set a good example.
>Bring order to chaos.

Updated aurabin: https://pastebin.com/dNfCG4se
Glad to see so many people having fun with writing. Dealing with grad school stuff. Time is a luxury right now. Can't write much.

>>58530927
Yeah, that tracks for scientific papers and their unreliability.

>>58530166
Boy's gonna spit out dirty brown water with that smoking habit.

>>58526325
Create a sauna with this one simple trick.

>>58519406
Will have to read later. Thanks for writing!

>>58523979
>...Taking it easy on the way back was the right choice I think.
>I think I'd normally feel more tired after a fight like that, but that... surge after knocking down Popeye really did reinvigorate me...
>I've seen a few people turn and point.
>I think none got to see the fight itself, probably just the light show from it...
>I'd try walking instead of flying if it didn't mean dragging my phone behind me.
>...that and the flute...
>Wonder if they'll put out some PSA about not playing the Pokeflute melody to Snorlax after my total jackass stunts just now...
>Maybe they already did and I just missed it.
>...ugh...
>I think nothing I did affected the surroundings that much and there's barely anyone around.
>If anyone posts about it at all it'll likely get swept up in the news whirlwind like many others...
>Seriously, fuckin' Geodude asshole ran around the other day making potholes everywhere and they still haven't said shit...
>Guess I shouldn't be too surprised.
>Probably not as interesting to report on compared to the stuff happening in that city.
>Heh, if I could get an interview with that guy and pitch him a manga I wonder if he'd take it.
>Although I did see a few doujin ones about it published on Pixiv.
>Probably very convenient for all the people who already did aura dog shit to be able to channel that into an actually true story for once.
>Oughta go to Comiket again, wouldn't be surprised if they dedicate a whole building in the venue just to Pokemon stuff now...
>Guess it'd somewhat count as "non-fiction" now, huh.
>Maybe we could get some official Pokehus now in ZUN's simply masterful art style...
>Heh...
>...
>God, that looks real nasty...
>Even if it's not fire that Hyper Beam still leaves a very bad burn...
>A part of me is telling me I should scrape my arms against each other so I can grind it away but I'd cringe at the thought if I physically could.
>Guess that'll be another conflict, huh...
>Human logic, Kartana instincts.

>>58531116
>It's so easy to think "Pfff, I totally could control myself if that happened to me" all the way up until it actually does.
>I'll compromise with myself and... try, when I'm home.
>Road feels longer than usual, but again, I'm tiny, makes sense...
>Been a minute since I walked down the city at night...
>It's nice.
>I think I stopped doing it since I was worried about the safety of doing it...
>...Well, if anything, I guess now I'M the thing to be worried about at night...
>Although, after earlier...
>...
>Ah, I shouldn't think about it too hard...
>If I really need to get something out of my system I did order those dummies, better to just use them...
>...
>Doesn't seem anyone's outside at the neighborhood, convenient for me so I won't complain...
>...
>Fuck.
>I... Didn't think about how I'd carry these packages inside anyway did I.
>...
>...why the hell did i order 10 anyway...?
>At least the sand is easy enough to carry, but...
>...
>no that'd be stupid i'd just get stuck on the boxes if i tried slamming into them to shove them
>Ughhhhhhh...
>I'll just... leave them here overnight so I can think of something tomorrow.
>It better not fucking rain I swear to god...
>...Feels weird going back to my home...
>It's the same as always, but it feels so...
>Imposing.
>I know it's just my size now but...
>...
>And here I thought it'd be future proof.
>That was dumb.
>No one can predict the future after all.
>Let alone predict being turned into a Pokemon in said future...
>Ugh... My neck... Or whatever it is...
>Glad I can lug that bag around but it's still a workout...
>Can't even stretch properly anymore...
>...
>I should go look up Toei's accommodations before I sleep...
>Who knows, maybe reading 'em will be the kick I need to tell them my situation...
>...man having to type one letter at a time with each hand still makes me feel fuckin' stupid...
>...let's see what we have here...
>"Statement regarding contract policy around ポケ人間 (MHLW Label)."

>>58531123
>Well, they're the most publicized on studio about the matter due to the Nihilego, makes sense they'd have to do PR about it...
>"We Toei Animation Co., Ltd. have been closely communicating with Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare officials over the risks and inequity tied to the recent Pokeningen (Tentative classification) phenomenon around the country..."
>...yadda yadda yadda, no one knows how it works, still looking into it, pokemon development halted...
>"The Company possesses deeply developed support networks for remote work, built up since the SARS-COVID epidemic, that we have strived to upkeep even with the return to local work. We intend to provide support to any of our contractors, Japanese national, Immigrant, or International, who have been subject to the phenomenon as they go through these challenging times, in order to aid them in preserving their careers, or, were they unable to continue in their field of work, help them in finding alternatives through many of our different associates. We send our deepest regards to those affected and their families, as we at Toei provide the best support we can for our workers who've been afflicted by the situation."
>...Guess maybe telling them won't be that bad of an idea...
>I'll check their response when I wake up.
>"こんにちは、八島さん。今日、私はポケ人間の病気人になりました。でも、来週で、私の バックグラウンドフレームお完了したいよ。私はちょっと遅いです、しかし、まだ描けるよ。ご不便をおかけして申し訳ありません。"
>...that should do it...
>Hope he won't be too mad at me...
>...

>>58530527
Fair enough, will probably do EoS then.

>>58530653
>Spoiler
Always wanted a continuation to Emma's story so it met my quota, but really though it's been great so far, very interesting lore going on with AZ and Zygarde, Lumiose is very cozy, and the combat's been fun, I like a lot!

>>58530166
I'd love to get that Tyrantrum's story. You're an entire T-Rex and yet you're so inept at fighting that you get whooped by a tiny ghost sword and pretty much let yourself get taken in when the cop 'mons show up. Poor guy might be less Rexy and more Barney, me thinks.

Hopefully Pokemon lungs can handle the tar better than human lungs.

Ha. Talk about responsible for the life you save, 'ey Kurt? I'm sure he'll grow to appreciate his glitchy pal in time, but for now, bro is getting a timely taste of what it's like to be Larson.

>>58530741
The experts may be frustrated, but in the absence of useful government advice the world is adapting in its own way. Slowly slowly. If only Copanon weren't sick, he could hang out on the sidelines with Fedorark, hurling popcorn and taking bets on who wins between cap and the four feds. Must be quite a sight to behold.

>>58530474
I seeee. That's fair, I get that. Well, happy to be enjoying the simulacrum of old Internet with you, in that case. I actually prefer Rescue Team to Explorers myself, as it's better to be an independent operator than to toil under Chatot's taloned jackboot, but I'm definitely in the minority there. If you can get Super Mystery Dungeon I highly recommend it. GTI isn't bad, but I gotta align with the broader consensus here that it's the weakest overall.

>>58530978
I've said it before - Lucarioanon is definitely taking too much responsibility solely onto his shoulders and definitely needs a posse backing him up. I suspect him not caring that he's not invited to family dinner or whatever is less his humanity slipping and more the normal psychological defense mechanism after your family rejects you the way his parents did. Social isolation bites, be you man or 'mon.

As for work, that is admittedly a tough one. Maybe construction could work with his need to help people? I dunno.

>>58531131
Kartanon's already having a very different experience with the Japanese response to the phenomenon as compared with Val. Interested to see how the scraping he doesn't want to do goes. If he can't find a way to manoeuvre the boxes, maybe it's time to inform a neighbour and ask their help?

>>58531477
To be fair, Val's news cycle happens early on in the timeline. By week 3 it'll be obvious what's happening and the veil will be lifted, but to clue you in on my plan...
The internal Japanese response is different to what's outwardly broadcasted by the west, and though not touched on by what Val's observed so far, this is the same case for a lot of Asian countries. There's a certain large country who wants to make sure they don't look like they've got the worst response this time around, and they're trying to make sure their neighbors look as bad as (in)humanly possible by preying on barely living history, and are attempting to prevent those countries from exonerating themselves to the outside world.

>>58531477
>very different experience with the Japanese response to the phenomenon as compared with Val.
Admittedly I was mainly zeroed in on the story I wanted to go with for that specific segment, however, I do have some reasoning to make it compatible with Val's situation that I might as well explain here since it won't come up much in Kartanon's FOV. Everyone knows about the whole aspect of not wanting to "rock the boat" in Japan, so the opposing responses are 2 camps assuming the "standard" would be one approach or the other, Toei aligning with wanting to aid those affected like some companies did in the pandemic by helping provide resources to people afflicted to help them keep a lifeline, so that stability can be preserved. Having to deal with the Nihilego thing being publicized kinda pushed Toei to lean one way or the other I figure, so providing resources while allowing remote work is the approach they took in my mind . That and I also figure some members of the MHLW likely got turned so there's more internal bias towards pushing the stigma away.

>>58531855
No, no, don't worry about making your story compatible with mine. There's no real overarching "plan" here, and no requirement to actually interlock or be remotely compatible beyond the initial story.
I actually got criticism for my Japanese response, which I do admit I did overdo, but now I've actually found a good way to make it work(China's politics are literally nothing BUT optics so it would make total sense for them to try to sabotoge their neighbors to look better after how badly they botched COVID, for all 3 people that actually remember the atrocities. As for how they managed to launch special operations so quickly, I'll never say it in the story, but my internal logic for how is that they mustered those resources to cut off Taiwan originally.)

I do intend to make Japan /kind/ of miserable though. Italy got the most transformations in my story, but Japan will most likely be a contender for #1 with the sheer number of human ferals, due to how many just give in due to shikatanai.
I feel like 2ch's countless mass suicide threads is enough justification for that. (I've been toying with the possibility that they will not be truly feral though, and instead just playing the part because they THINK they should be feral.)

All this said, I really like your logic.

Where did my spoiler go?
>>58531855
No, no, don't worry about making your story compatible with mine. There's no real overarching "plan" here, and no requirement to actually interlock or be remotely compatible beyond the initial story.
I actually got criticism for my Japanese response, which I do admit I did overdo, but now I've actually found a good way to make it work. China's politics are literally nothing BUT optics so it would make total sense for them to try to sabotoge their neighbors to look better after how badly they botched COVID, for all 3 people that actually remember the atrocities. As for how they managed to launch special operations so quickly, I'll never say it in the story, but my internal logic for how is that they mustered those resources to cut off Taiwan originally.

I do intend to make Japan /kind/ of miserable though. Italy got the most transformations in my story, but Japan will most likely be a contender for #1 with the sheer number of human ferals, due to how many just give in due to shikatanai.
I feel like 2ch's countless mass suicide threads is enough justification for that. (I've been toying with the possibility that they will not be truly feral though, and instead just playing the part because they THINK they should be feral.)

All this said, I really like your logic.

>>58531855
>>58531910
I should point out that I made that point about the Japanese response not to criticize Kartanon's writing, but merely as a point of interest. It's worth noting that not even Japan is as monolithic as Japan would like you to believe, so I honestly think the difference in Kartanon and Val's experiences can work even without Chinese interference.

>>58531855
>>58531910
I should point out that I made that point about the Japanese response not to criticize Kartanon's writing, but merely because it made for an interesting contrast. It's worth noting that not even Japan is as monolithic as Japan would like you to believe, so I honestly think the difference in Kartanon and Val's experiences can work even without Chinese interference.

Machamp-anon I dunno how much longer I can keep editing this, I can already feel my exasperation growing over having to reread each paragraph to find fucky tensing, especially since I don't feel like I'm finding many. This is in spite of the fact that I KNOW that more than a few are still left in here, because I DID NOT correct them when you originally pointed them out.
My eyes are set squarely on the dialogue, which I'm not even sure how to improve...

>>58531997
I didn't think it was criticism, I was just pointing out that Val's story was rather early in the timeline after the Lucarioanon epoch compared to Kartanon's who seems to have placed his story a fair bit later, which adds another level to why the response seems so radically different.

This would have made a better image to go with my last update. Surprisingly apt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmKZXZ3wD3Y

Machomon-anon I dunno how much longer I can keep editing this, I can already feel my exasperation growing over having to reread each paragraph to find fucky tensing, especially since I don't feel like I'm finding many. This is in spite of the fact that I KNOW that more than a few are still left in here, because I DID NOT correct them when you originally pointed them out.
My eyes are set squarely on the dialogue, which I'm not even sure how to improve...

>>58531997
I didn't think it was criticism, I was just pointing out that Val's story was rather early in the timeline after the Lucarioanon epoch compared to Kartanon's who seems to have placed his story a fair bit later, which adds another level to why the response seems so radically different.

>>58532033
Ha. This is brilliant.

>>58532037
Well let me know when you've edited it as much as you can. By the way, I should mention that I do like the idea of the phenomenon finally laying bare some of the darker aspects of Japanese society nobody wants to acknowledge. Someone braver than me, who would actually be willing to touch Russia with a barge pole in this setting, could probably do something interesting with the notion of smekalka as well.

>>58532033
Maybe it’s when he tried to recreate the recipe back at home.

>>58531123
>...
>Just get it over with.
>It'll probably be like cutting your nails if anything...
>...
>Putting my arms against each other knowing how sharp they are is stressful.
>But... It also feels natural.
>...
>You're just getting rid of dead tissue.
>That's all.
>I'm trying to remember that dream...
>Dammit, why does it have to be so fuzzy now?
>I swear I remember hearing swords grinding against each other...
>But why...?
>Come on, can't you give me a better hint?
>Does this NEED to be a "learn as you go" thing...?
>...
>Wait, was the Snorlax encounter also meant to...?
>...
>Funny.
>I think I'd never questioned if my decisions were my own until now.
>I hope they still are.
>And if they're not...
>I hope whoever actually made them would explain himself.
>...
>...please don't hurt that bad...
>...

>>58532275
>H-huh.
>That... Actually feels rather nice...
>It's very... strange though...
>I don't even know what to compare it to.
>Should I allow myself to think that way again...
>I would say a cleansing of the blades brings about a cleansing of the mind.
>...
>..s'pose that makes enough sense at least...
>I guess it's like... Rubbing alcohol on a cut to heal it...
>It... stings at first.
>You regret doing it in the first place.
>But the more you peel back the damage... It feels more relieving.
>It also feels... Cool, despite the fact it should cause friction.
>Like I can feel the wind around the area more intensely due to my... maybe nerves, being more exposed.
>It... does hurt.
>It still hurts.
>But I'm doing this now will make it so it doesn't hurt later.
>It just... takes some time...
>And here I thought cats bathing themselves through licking must be cumbersome...
>Ow.
>Need to remember not to use the tip for this else I poke myself...
>But just... Gotta keep at it until at least most of the charred parts are gone...
>The rest will be my battle scars or something I don't know.
>Ow.
>I guess I just need to be more cautious if I don't want to deal with this in the future.
>Definitely not hoping to pick fights any time soon.
>...
>Ow.

>>58531910
I have a very "if A and C factor, then B between makes sense" thought process when writing, seems to lead to fairly logical outcomes at least! Japan's pretty multifaceted so I think the contrast helps make it a bit more real.

>>58531997
>It's worth noting that not even Japan is as monolithic as Japan would like you to believe
Can confirm!

>>58532033
To his credit he did try.

>>58532037
>Kartanon's who seems to have placed his story a fair bit later
I'm trying to keep specifics a bit vague for the time being, but I still do want it to "fit" neatly with the rest.

Also: fuck you Machomon-anon because every time I see your posts the crusty ass "Super Macho Man" voice clip from Super Punch-Out plays in my head dammit

>>58532300
BOGUS hahahaha
Yeah that's been happening for me too lol

>>58517952 (OP)
>I Woke up as a Pokemon, So What?
You have to sleep on the doggy bed, that's what.

>>58530474
>is RT worth playing before EoS
Honestly either or, gameplay-wise they're all pretty similar, maybe EoS if you aren't sure you'd commit to both. Super is good too, just kinda annoying storywise since they abandon like, the entire first half of the game's set up to go back to guild shit. GTI is considered the black sheep of the series because it cut down a ton of mechanics to try to make the game simpler, and it had a huge dex cut due to the 3D jump, but otherwise its fine. The big appeal of the series is the world and the characters, so you can't really go wrong with any of them.

>>58530927
Good 'ol research science community taking shortcuts in the race to be the first on a breakthrough. I can imagine all the shitty top 10 tips to poke-proof your house articles being printed by AI onto the internet. You won't believe number 6!

>>58530978
I feel so bad for Lucario, being rejected by your family is awful, and I can't imagine the stoicism is purely from his pokemon side considering his pack mentality from earlier in the story when he thought of his parents. Hopefully the guy can get some more friends. Found-family can sometimes be better.

Good luck with grad school stuff!

>>58532049
Alright SUPER MACHO MOOON, I think I've caught most of the tensing errors that I could. I haven't done a proper dialogue pass yet, though I DID rework a small bit of dialogue involving the test brothers.
https://litter.catbox.moe/szqpsi24remld4ox.txt
3 days as before.

>>58532300
>thought proces
Yeah, it works out.
I'm going to be honest, I only have a very specific angle of Japanese culture, which sucks because I REALLY want to do more with it. Unfortunately, I've only got the most basic bitch parts of it, but I'm going to try to do what I can with it regardless.
It's the same with Russia but I may touch on Russia's state of affairs and effectively how they're imploding.
That all said, I would like to imagine that the phomenon is causing a soft reset on the social climate and by extension politics. The current day system is easily argued as fragile by design and meant to be a powder keg to violently shuffle power around when it detonates, but what happens when that powder keg is punctured and drained of its explosive before it can? Pokemon seem like the perfect curveball to do that. Perhaps I'm too optimistic about that though.

>machomon
Here, I'll give you a different thing:
MACHO MACHO MACHO MOOON~
I WANNA BE
A MACHO MON

>>58532049
Alright SUPER MACHO MOOON, I think I've caught most of the tensing errors that I could. I haven't done a proper dialogue pass yet, though I DID rework a small bit of dialogue involving the test brothers.
https://litter.catbox.moe/szqpsi24remld4ox.txt
3 days as before.

>>58532300
>thought process
Yeah, it works out.
I'm going to be honest, I only have a very specific angle of Japanese culture, which sucks because I REALLY want to do more with it. Unfortunately, I've only got the most basic bitch parts of it, but I'm going to try to do what I can with it regardless.
It's the same with Russia but I may touch on Russia's state of affairs and effectively how they're imploding, and unfortunately not just due to internal factors.
That all said, I would like to imagine that the phomenon is causing a soft reset on the social climate and by extension politics. The current day system is easily argued as fragile by design and meant to be a powder keg to violently shuffle power around when it detonates, but what happens when that powder keg is punctured and drained of its explosive before it can? Pokemon seem like the perfect curveball to do that. Perhaps I'm too optimistic about that though.

>machomon
Here, I'll give you a different thing:
MACHO MACHO MACHO MOOON~
I WANNA BE
A MACHO MON

>>58531131
Officially it seems like he'll be fine with letting work know what happened, we'll just have to see I guess. Definitely needs to rip the bandaid off sooner rather than later. And yeah, might have to ask a neighbor for assistance if he can't get those packages up.

>>58531325
>Poor guy might be less Rexy and more Barney
Just because you're big and look scary doesn't mean you actually know how to fight, as seen by plenty of human-mons so far. Between getting his ass kicked by the Honedge, then the two policemons involved with almost every pokemon-related altercation in the town showing up, he knew he was screwed lol.

>>58532033
Lmao, yeah that would have been perfect. (Also lol'd at the Torterra getting watering canned)

>>58532300
Monster hunter whetstone animation.gif

Hey Snivyanon, incase you see this: Make sure to give feedback on >>58532879 and not >>58528571. You said you wanted to take a look tonight.

Also my revisions bumped the word count up to fucking 11.5k. I don't even know where nearly 1k words came from, especially because I ripped out a plot point title I forgot to remove the first go around.

>>58532879
Alright, just finished reading this chapter. There were a few tense issues (I would just ctrl f every instance of “I’d” or “I would”) and some awkward sentences to try to parse what was being said, but overall solid stuff.

The relationship between Val and Matsui from his perspective is interesting. You have this dichotomy where he gets intensely peeved with how she treats him, yet he simultaneously sees her as this way to cope with his self-loathing. And it ties in with his selfless-victim carding where he wants to help her out best he can by leaving her in more capable hands and doesn’t think he deserves help in kind, yet also kinda whines about the “who helps the helper?” sort of thing.

I do sort of wish Matsui spoke up during Val and the professor’s exchange. It seemed sort of odd that she would least attempt to get into a conversation about her situation, especially when the two are speaking in a language she doesn’t understand. Maybe even just a short comment or her thoughts, just to get her somewhat involved.

Val daydreaming about stuff like the phoenix wright court case or his projects is fun, I’d like to see more of those. Helps balance out the long paragraphs of either self misery or abject hatred (I really hope the story moves out of Cali soon). I’m also amazed he hasn’t wrecked his car with how often he zones out while driving.

Keep it up, I’m interested to see where this goes.

>>58532300
Let's hope Kartana's healing factor is up to snuff. Future interactions with his instincts are sure to be interesting in light of all this.

>voice clip from Punch Out
Mission accomplished, although the one looping in my head is the one from Wii Punch Out.

>>58532879
Here's my proofreading pass of the chapter, with some additional commentary about the actual story on top of what I've already given in response to the various snippets:

https://files.catbox.moe/scc84g.txt

This was a lot of work, so I'm thankful the quality of your work substantially improves over the course of the chapter. Mostly really good, too, balancing unflinching exploration of the worst a human mind can subject itself to with interesting set pieces, moments, and musings. Kinda iffy on the laundromat scene at the end of the chapter, but I won't reiterate what's already in the link, so just give that a read when you can. I do agree with Snivyanon that a little more from Matsui as she's being dropped off would've been nice, but it kinda fits with Val's very "here today, gone tomorrow" outlook on everything. Does kinda feel like it leans in the direction of her not returning later, but if she does there's potential there for her to be even more frustrated that she's stuck with this guy AGAIN, and Val even more tormented by having to perpetually disappoint this cutie AGAIN, before they finally manage to break the ice and start to develop a real bond.

>what happens when that powder keg is punctured and drained of its explosive before it can? Pokemon seem like the perfect curveball to do that. Perhaps I'm too optimistic about that though.
Maybe, but I feel that's exactly the sort of thing we want from our writings in this thread - just enough realism to keep things grounded, but just enough optimism to keep things fun.

I will say that if Val does manage to overcome his demons it's going to be INCREDIBLY satisfying to read.

I don't like writing the depresso espresso, to be honest. It's such an ugly magnified reflection of my past problems, and I'd rather believe I've mostly moved on from that beyond the occasional quiet return. I still occasionally have conversations with my friends where I question why I haven't removed myself from their lives though, so I'm not out of the sewers just yet.

>>58533776
>ctrl+f
I did.
That's literally the first thing I did. In fact, the first draft I posted wasn't even the original first draft, I had already DONE that to it before I uploaded it.
That's not good news if I've failed to catch much of anything relating to it after I went through every instance of the word "would" and "I'd" *twice.*

>Matsui
Yeah, okay. I'll see what I can do. Unfortunately the perspective isn't omniscient or anything, and the last time I've tried perspective switching, it confused the shit out of people(even though there was a VERY CLEAR demarcation line and I had only done it once in the entire chapter.)

>moves out of Cali soon
Yeah, he's not sticking around. This probably won't be the last time he's in California, but the next chapter is him near the end of his recovery in Literally Anywhere Else Away from the West Coast, USA.

>>58534515
Thank you so much for all of your hard work. I dunno how I'd make good stories without your hard work to be honest.

>the ungodly amount of mistakes
Holy fucking shit, how did I miss THAT fucking much? God damn it, that is UNBELIEVABLY disappointing. Oh well, time to implement the feedback. Again, thank you.

>laundromat scene
Yeah, I didn't really know how to end the chapter. The events of chapter 3 can't really be predicted by Valentine(who the hell predicts encountering a biologist who turned his would-be meth lab into a genetics lab to study the plants he found) and probably will take place after a substantial time skip too.
Maybe I can have him do his rumination in the car on the WAY to Nevada, or something.

>>58535531
>Unfortunately the perspective isn't omniscient or anything
Yeah it doesn’t need to swap perspective. Maybe have her pipe up near the end of the convo that ‘she’s right there’ instead of Val being the one to mention that the prof should be asking her the questions. Again, doesn’t have to be a major shake up to the dialogue, and to be honest a change isn’t really necessary as the dialogue is fine as is, I just figured given her personality she’d be slightly annoyed that she’s being left out of this conversation.

>>58532300
>Feel real stupid for thinking this'd be a lazy week for me now...
>I think I've had my fill of excitement for the whole month already...
>...
>Arms seem to have healed up nicely after grinding them against each other...
>Good to know even if it still isn't particularly fun to do...
>...
>Ugh.
>...a fuckin' kartana, huh...
>I guess that's how rolling the dice goes when that dice has over a thousands sides to it...
>I guess I'm lucky I at least still somewhat look humanoid...
>...really couldn't have had the charity to at least make me into one with more human hands huh...
>...
>I shouldn't keep trying to distract myself from this, but...
>...
>...Ah, Yashima replied...
>"わかります。このフォームに記入してください。サポートを提供するために必要。"
>...guess they need me formally registered or something like that, I'll get to it tomorrow...
>God, I feel like shit and like I just had like 5 energy drinks at the same time...
>I should try and see why that might...
>...just open WikiDex and...
>...Shit.
>That was a Beast Boost, wasn't it?
>I guess that'd explain that adrenaline rush, but...
>...
>Not particularly comfortable with the idea that taking out others makes me stronger...
>I'll just pray I never have a reason for that to even come into play.
>At least... not again.
>...
>Man, how do people even figure out what the fuck to do with their lives after they turn...?
>Guess it's not too different from being crippled by an accident, in a way...
>Could've lost my hands just as suddenly as a human...
>...Wish I knew if the ones I have now are even my own...
>I wonder what it's like for those who just give up and go feral...
>Would you call it hedonism?
>In a way, you're giving in to your basic desires and impulses I suppose.
>Some just... keep trucking on as if nothing had changed.
>I wish I'd be in the camp that could do that.
>If only I'd kept my fingers with me in the change.

>>58536408
>...
>I've heard of people finding new callings in life.
>Some just change careers according to their new abilities.
>I think some just choose to follow the behavior of the mon they were turned into.
>What's it like, to have your whole personality be flipped on its head like that overnight?
>Is that what's happening to me?
>Or are those cartoonishly "anime" thoughts just the usual that I never brought forth much before?
>Is this just... enabling me, to be even more "me"?
>...
>I'd like asking why but somehow I feel like that'd be the least likely question to ever be answered...
>...
>Wonder how long it'll take the neighbors to notice...
>I've always been a bit of a cryptid, even before this, so I doubt they would notice if they don't see me outside for a while...
>...
>I should stay more positive through this shouldn't I?
>...but then the fucking realization hits me like a freight train...
>Ugh.
>...
>Am I even any better than Takumi if I just keep hiding away...?
>Wasn't that the point I was supposed to take from that story...?
>...
>But it's not like I could uncover some wild conspiracy, I'm just a loner otaku nerd who gets too stuck up on his own art farts.
>Fuckin' hell it's not like I even have the power to manifest shit with my mind.
>All I can do is cut good.
>...
>I'm sure I'll find something worthwhile in this situation at some point.
>I have to.
>...
>Funny. I always loved thinking about the cool stuff I'd try doing if I was stuck in different series' plots.
>Now something like it happens and I just... freeze up?
>...
>Not like I even have much I could do in the first place...
>...
>How dull...

>>58536412
Ahh, there's the existential ponderings. Its kinda funny how Kartanon isn't sure that the shonen thoughts are a result of Kartanon transformation, or if its just amplifying their own weebness. Hopefully they dont fall deep into that slump, it seems like there are plenty of support systems in place now for transformees, so if they can get some direction if they feel like they need some sort of new 'purpose'.

I'm not having fun with my public speaking class. Have a bump!

Fun fact of the bump: Matsui knows English to a limited degree. She just doesn't speak it because she, like Valentine, is out of practice and feels she'd embarrass herself trying to speak it.

Pretty quiet tonight so here's a bump. I know some of you guys are pretty busy, but I hope everyone's doing alright! I'll try to get something written tonight and brainstorm some Halloween ideas.

>>58538460
I'm not busy, I just don't know what to even contribute right now. I guess I could mooch your ideas for chapters 3+, because my chapter ideas are kind of ass and you guys have REALLY good ideas.

>Halloween
I really would like to participate but the few greentexts I managed to throw out are kind of special cases, and you saw how long it took me to make chapter 2.

The irrational part of me is trying to make me feel inaedequate because of the story progressions of everyone else, but there's not much I can even do about it. One thing has to happen at a time, and I SUCK at making things short and sweet.
At the very least, maybe I can find solace in the fact that I'm pretty sure that I've outpaced every greentext story here in word count?

>>58537000
>Its kinda funny how Kartanon isn't sure that the shonen thoughts are a result of Kartanon transformation, or if its just amplifying their own weebness.
There's a lotta things I wanna go into with Kartanon tying to that aspect that I'd love rambling about but it's probably better letting the story reach that point rather than spoil it. I'm at a slight crossroads internally since a part of me does genuinely want to have some more "big" setpieces and action going on, but what I established from the start was an idea of someone who got a not-great pokemon to turn into, but still does genuinely have stuff in his life to make that situation "easy", just... someone who got relatively lucky all in all. My writing tends to be spur-of-the-moment so I think I'm finding out the story at the same time as anyone else reading it is admittedly, even if there are a couple things I do have planned...

>>58538460
I slightly worry I might've overexerted my creative muscles these last few days since the 2 posts I did write earlier felt like they had a bumpier road to being put to text than the previous updates had, but that could just be the storybeat they were built around...

>>58538569
Will say, I kinda didn't notice updates on Val's story since I was mostly checking the OP rentry links to see if any story'd been touched, at least until I realized you were tossing 'em in catbox earlier, very solid stuff so far! Definitely agree on the Ninetales being a solid "meant to be hated" character, y'did good!

>>58538460
The captcha keeps playing dumb for me.
>Halloween
I don’t remember Halloween being too big on my campus. Any ideas?

>>58538693
You know, you've just made me realize, I've literally never once spent Halloween on campus. I went home to see my family the one October I actually lived in a dorm, and all my classes somehow have managed to avoid October 31st.

Anyways, uh... costume party that gets rowdy with alcohol? Seems like an obvious thing.

'kay, I think the cutoff to delete posts is 30 minutes.
>>58538693
You know, you've just made me realize, I've literally never once spent Halloween on campus. I went home to see my family the one October I actually lived in a dorm, and all my classes somehow have managed to avoid October 31st.

Anyways, uh... costume party that gets rowdy with alcohol? Seems like an obvious thing.

>>58538629
Yeah, don't worry about it. I'm only litterboxing them for proof reading purposes. The rentry will update, and I think that will be the last time that the rentry gets updated as I'm going to try to focus on getting the website up and running.

>>58538693
>The captcha keeps playing dumb for me.
Is it the "type only the letters with a circle" thing?
>I don’t remember Halloween being too big on my campus. Any ideas?
Well I was an art student so we mainly did stuff themed around that in my area, really. Never really did parties but generally speaking people'd dress up, we'd have some casual vidya tourneys, do themed timed drawing stuff, was nice. Though that was just us art nerds, more broadly speaking there were costume contests and spooky movie showings.

Hey Machoanon, if you check the archives: I just realized that the reason the "an missing" was repeated twice was because I changed an amber alert to a purple alert(before changing THAT to a critically missing adult alert.)

>>58538569
Yeah that's fair, no worries.

>>58538629
I'm pretty spur-of-the-moment as well with my writing too, sometimes just gotta wait until an idea pops up and just see where it goes. And yeah you've been a green machine these past few days, I don't blame ya for slowing down a bit lol.

>>58538693
Costume parties, horror movies or games, haunted houses, dealing with trick-or-treaters, that sort of stuff. Could also parody horror movies and tropes. Pokemon side you could theme it around dark or ghost type shenanigans!

With all the talk about Halloween, I... did end up getting inspired to draw again, whoops. Samurai are basically Japan's equivalent to cowboys and vice versa if you really look at them next to each other honestly, so this costume for him felt fitting. If any of you can guess which cowboy I referenced specifically I'll do a doodle based on your story.

>>58539108
>I don't blame ya for slowing down a bit lol.
Well now that I finished this thing up I do feel like it was just a slight lull for me earlier. Wouldn't be surprised if I'm still awake an hour from now actually writing something...

>>58539149
>Samurai are basically Japan's equivalent to cowboys
Historically, they're much closer to knights than cowboys.
That all said, the western inspired the samurai movie which inspired the second generation western movies, so Fistfull of Dollars is really just the western equivalent of Yojimbo :P

Alright, I'm almost done with L&VLS. I'm revising the ending of the chapter, and then I'm sticking it on Rentry. In other news, the special CSS just unlocked. Kind of a weird time for it to do so, but okay.
Have a nice night ya'll, and thanks for putting up with my bullshit.

>One day before Halloween, and with everything that’d been going on they hadn’t had much time to get ready for the festivities.
>Larson usually put up a few decorations outside the house every year. Cobwebs, string lights, and a few miscellaneous decorations you’d find for sale at those pop up Halloween stores like some tombstones, spiders, and bones.
>He didn’t host parties or anything, just put them up for the hell of it. Probably nostalgia. Most of the other houses in the neighborhood didn’t bother anymore.
>There were still a few kids he figured would be trick-or-treating this year. Felt like less and less every Halloween. Still, he felt it would be lame for the kids if at least some of the houses giving away candy didn’t decorate.
>Of course, he couldn’t really put most of the lights or fake cotton webs up himself. Paws and stuff. That was Kurt’s task.
>Larson had to go rummaging around his storage closet to find the plastic storage tub holding all the decorations.
>Typically an annoying task due to all the random crap hoarded in there, but now he could just look through objects to search for what he wanted. Thank you, special Luxray eyes.
>Man he really needed to get rid of some of this junk. A problem for another day.
>After he pushed away loose junk to make an opening, he grabbed the handle between his teeth and pulled it through the house.
>He had put up some tunes on the living room TV earlier to help get into the festive mood, but when he turned into the kitchen from the hallway, Larson couldn’t even tell what the hell was playing.
>Just the most incomprehensible bombardment of hyper edited sound and visual effects, esoteric generative AI clips, and generally low quality garbage that was unbearably loud.
>And the Porygon-Z sitting on the couch in an almost comatose trance, lobotomizing itself with Instagram brainrot.

>>58539785
>Larson wanted to go in there and turn it off, but on the other hand this was the first time he’d seen the corrupted digital duck actually sit still for once.
>Just ignore it Larson, the corrupted digital duck wasn’t terrorizing their electronics without Kurt scolding it beforehand for once.
>He did turn the volume down, though. The Porygon slowly turned its head to regard the Luxray as if questioning why he would do such a terrible thing.
>”Look, I don’t really care that you’re watching this garbage, but keep it down. I’d like to not get another noise complaint, thanks,” he grumbled.
>The Porygon twitched erratically for a beat, before it returned its deadpan gaze to the television and resumed its relentless doomscroll.
>God that thing gave Larson the creeps.
>He returned to the task at hand, making it onto the porch and popping the lid before checking Kurt’s work so far.
>Orange string lights were all strung up around the doorway and porch and were plugged in, causing the lights to alternate between themselves in a steady pattern.
>The cobwebs looked like they were put up by a coked-out spider.
>Larson had to stifle a laugh. Seriously, it looked like Kurt just grabbed a handful of the stuff and threw it at the walls and bushes at random, before pulling maybe one or two strands from the glob to attach elsewhere.
>”Oh come on man, you could put a liiiitle effort into it,” he called out to the Inteleon placing a styrofoam headstone by the mailbox.
>”What? I did what you said, I think it looks fine!”
>”You gotta like, pull the webs apart from each other before you start hanging them if you want them to look sort of real, like this,” he explained, attempting to pull apart the strings of cotton with his claws.
>Of course, it was incredibly awkward, and his sharp claws cut more than pulled, so the end result didn't look any better.

>>58539792
>”Well sorry mister expert threadspinner, this is the first time doing this. My parents thought we’d go to hell or something if we put up decorations for Halloween when I was younger.
>”I, for one, think they look incredibly charming, all placed with love and care from me,” Kurt remarked, hand placed over his heart in faux dismay.
>Larson rolled his eyes as he attempted to shake off a clump that was stuck from his paw, growling in annoyance that it wouldn’t let go.
>He just ended up burning it off with a current of electricity, where it very readily caught fire. He paused at that, coming to the sudden realization at the potential fire hazard he posed.
>”You know, on second thought, maybe we should just put those away. I’d rather not accidentally burn the house down because I accidentally spark up or something…”
>Kurt sucked a breath through his teeth after witnessing the display, “Uhhh yeah, that’d probably be for the best. My poor work of art though!”
>”...Though I ammmm a water type, could just put out a fire if one popped up easy-peasy,” Kurt suggested.
>”I would trust a 40 year old sprinkler system more than having to rely on you actually waking up in the middle of a roaring housefire.”
>”Yeah, that’s fair.”
>”Next year I’ll try to find some fire proof ones for you to put up,” the Luxray consoled the Inteleon.

>>58539798
>Kurt tore down his masterpiece while Larson took out the final decorations from the plastic tub and placed them around the yard.
>Kurt spoke up while he placed handfuls of webs back into their bags, “Did Emma talk to you about tomorrow yet?”
>”Nah, haven’t heard anything, what’s up?”
>”She wants us to show up at her place early so we can all get dressed up for the movie marathon. Apparently she’s a cosplayer? Dunno, she sounded pretty excited about it and said she had a good idea on what we’d all go as,” Kurt shrugged.
>”I don’t know if I should also be excited, or absolutely terrified,” Larson replied.
>”Ha, you and me both. She’d definitely be the type to go overboard with this,” Kurt chuckled.
>”I’ll be sure to pray for our souls tonight.”
>It wasn’t much longer before the two finished. Even without the classic web decorations, the yard was serviceable to the holiday spirit.
>The two fistbump each other for a job well done. Kurt opened the door, about to walk back in, when he froze.
>”What the hell is going on in there? I feel like I’d get a migraine just walking to my room,” he side-eyed Larson.
>”Hmm? Oh, our new roommate is enjoying the wonders of modern internet media, and I have a feeling it would be particularly upset if you turned it off.”
>Kurt peered in to glimpse at the Porygon on the couch, its eyes glazed over in complete rapture at the TV.
>Kurt slowly closed the door and forced a smile onto his face. “You know, I think I’d like to just sit out here and enjoy the decorations a bit longer because they just look so good and nice, wouldn’t you agree?”
>”Kurt, our home was taken over by a monster…” Larson lamented.

https://rentry.co/larsonkurt

>>58539149
Yoo this is sick! I'm assuming Clint Eastwood's Joe as the reference based on the file name, if not I have no clue, I'm terrible with pop culture lmao

>>58539149
ZOMG He’s dressed as Revolver Ocelot!!1!
https://youtube.com/watch?v=XVmqWMi_-fM

>>58539149
Yeah, sure looks Clint Eastwood. Wore ponchos in the Dollars trilogy.
Don't think the design matches any specific movie exactly, but I think it's similar to the man with no name in 'For a Few Dollars More'

>>58539810
Good stuff

>>58539810
Never did think about how big of a fire risk being an electric type could really be, hope they can find some non-flammable web for next year! Cozy little read, definitely amusing but fitting that algo slop would be what keeps the Porygon Z at ease.

>>58539810
>I'm assuming Clint Eastwood's Joe as the reference based on the file name
>>58540941
>sure looks Clint Eastwood. Wore ponchos in the Dollars trilogy.
Close, the guy is very much designed after Eastwood (consider: i'm a turbo weeb)

>>58540512
>ZOMG He’s dressed as Revolver Ocelot!!1!
I can at least tell you he's from a vidya

>>58540978
>algo slop would be what keeps the Porygon Z at ease
Porygon is the only soul who truly appreciates the artistic value of brainrot.

>he's from a vidya
See my brain kept jumping to the Red Steel 2 protag since he has a katana and stuff so I’d fit with a kartana cowboy, but he doesn’t wear a poncho. After digging around, is it Sundown Kid from Live a Live?

>>58541497
>After digging around, is it Sundown Kid from Live a Live?
Congratz, ya got me. Genuinely didn't expect anyone to guess him, the main giveaway is the poncho pattern, thought it'd be sneaky enough since you can't really see it in-game due to the pixel art. Either way, I'm a man of my word, have any specific scene you'd like seeing (from either story really), or would you rather I just pick out one myself? Maybe something Halloween-themed could be fun but I'm not sure I've got a deep enough read on your cast to know what kinda costume they'd wear exactly (if they'd even do so, 'course), so pointers there would be appreciated!

>>58541497
>”No you don’t understand, I feel the pure childhood joy of the soul when I see the “autistic creature” appear and “yippie.mp3” play as a confetti screen effect is overlaid.”
What everyone else hears:
>BZZZT GZZZRT VRRRRT

>>58541547
Oh i definitely would have never figured this out without going on a thirty minute rabbit hole, luckily i stumbled on fan art of him. Hmm, if you want to go with the Halloween theme Emma is making the three of them dress up as Bloodborne characters: Larson as Darkbeast Paarl, Kurt as Gehrman, and herself as Lady Maria.

>>58541557
Fuckin lmfao holy shit

I could write Type: Null for Halloween but what would I even do?
I had one idea, but I'm not happy with it. Basically, a group enters a plantation house, attempting to find refuge from the hard rains and a phone(their cell service is out due to the severe weather.) There, they accidentally disturb the out of control Silvally, who attempts to be rid of them by any means necessary-immediately resorting to violence.
Not happy with it though. Not spooky enough. Sure, having an Arcanine sized chimera come at you is pretty terrifying, but there's a problem of build up.

>>58530927
>It took a while for you to get better.
>By the time you finally got better, you were basically scheduled for the Halloween shift.
>Not like you weren't against the idea.
>What you knew was that despite all the warnings against it, people would go out trick-or-treating.
>Which meant that there would be an increased chance of encountering a Pokemon.
>Mostly because the captain thought that some of them would come out of the woodwork because they could just claim to be dressed up as one.
>The logic wouldn't work for anyone capable of putting 2+2 together.
>On the other hand, you would expect some less intelligent individuals to pull a Dunning-Kruger.
>So you couldn't completely disregard the chances of something like that occuring.
>So you were on the patrol wasting away time in hopes of something interesting happening.
>All in all, it was a Halloween, even if with fewer people on the streets.
>Obviously you got some stupid calls by Karens about children being dressed up as Pokemon, but those were the exception to the rule.
>Besides that, it would have been a normal night of nothing ever happening.
>Until you received a call that a dead body had been found in a vacant building.
>So you drove there asap.
>It was a building at the edge of town bordering the forest on one side.
>The building was clearly unfinished, the surrounding terrain overgrown, and no construction equipment visible.
>Seemingly the construction was halted at some point, most likely due to a lack of funds.
>You stepped out of the car, greeted by the sight of the slasher movie victim demographic sitting near the sidewalk.
>One of the teenagers had the courage to speak to you of what they have seen.
>"T-there was a b-body... B-blood s-smeared e-everywhere..." said the teenager, shaking.
>"Try calming down. Where was the body located?" you asked while putting a hand on the kid's shoulder.
>"T-third floor. R-Room at the end of the c-corridor. F-From the side of the f-forest," he said.

>>58541615
Noted, gotta ask, I know Emma'd be having a great time, but how'd the other 2 feel about their costume choices? Just to know if either should seem like they're having fun or just specially unamused by the situation

>>58542511
I think they’d be fine with it, mostly because this was spur of the moment and Emma didn’t have a ton of time to prepare something more elaborate (god help the next year) so they didn’t have to sit through hours of getting into costume. Kurt has zero clue who he’s supposed to be, Larson vaguely remembers but it’s been like nine years since he played the game.

>>58541707
Could be where they accidentally wake it up from stasis, then you could start having it pick people off one by one till you have the final survivor to tell the tale. Could up the body horror aspect of being a patchwork creature by making it sort of shudder around like it’s not perfectly put together, constantly groaning in pain and having strange behavioral ticks.

>>58542357
Ooh here we go, nothing like being sick for a few days and the first shift back theres a murder call. Is it real or just an elaborate prank? Nothing ever happens after all…

>>58542916
>The story concept
Damn it, why can't I ever make anything as interesting as this?
I think I've got a way to execute this story. Now the problem is that I don't think it'll be ready by tonight.

Yup, not happening. Trick or Treaters have began arriving and I've only got an outline and like 2 paragraphs done. Maybe I'll finish writing it for next Halloween if we're around by then, or just an out of season horror oneshot that's still supposed to be Halloween adjacent.

>>58542916
Eesh man, couldn't have thrown me a bone with some simpler designs huh? Sorry for taking so long, hope you like it! Sometimes having a night out with pals is just what ya need. I do really like what you've been doing with Larson n Kurt (+Emma), always a joy seeing a new green for 'em drop! Reading the newest one actually has me a bit torn on wanting to do a Halloween thing for Kartanon, but my crippling autism tells me to keep up the direct continuity between posts and I don't think I can get to a logical jumping off point into Halloween given where the story stands right now...

>>58543913
Holy shit this is so good I love it!!!! Thanks a ton, sorry if it was a pain, got really into the idea that Luxray could make for a good Paarl since they already got the wirey black fur and blue electricity. I super appreciate it!

>>58543913
Aw shit man. I'm so envious of your skills to draw. This is fucking sick.

Trying something a bit spooky and my first ever attempt at using rentry.
rentry.co/ProfD
Please don’t vandalize if I did it wrong.

>>58544936
Also, do I still post the latest chapter here in greentext, or do I just leave it?

>>58544945
Either or, doesn't matter too much. My compromise would be post the greentext when we need a bump(which is what I do with my greentexts normally,) but I recognize people probably won't like that too much.

>>58544936
Oh this is so good, really visceral nightmare about ProfD’s transformation hang-ups and his worries of how he’s perceived on campus.

>This form doesn’t exist naturally, so you, in effect, get to decide what it means to be one
Is such a good line. Lots of people are afraid that embracing their newfound Pokémon side means giving up who they are, but how do they really know that’s the case? Ironically by thinking like that, they let the fear change them in the exact same way. Good stuff man.

>>58544945
I saw go for it, chance someone might miss that you made a rentry with a new chapter in it. Can always do that when we need a bump.

>>58536412
>...
>Wish I could settle on whether I want a simple life or an interesting one...
>It's weird...
>I feel like being given these kinds of powers should be some kind of push to do something... "more".
>But... what even could that be?
>I don't want to lose my job, but...
>Agh, isn't it a waste not to make more out of this?!
>...
>Is this interesting enough?
>Wasn't I just worrying my life was too boring a couple days ago...?
>So now this happens.
>Shouldn't I be grateful?
>Grateful that something different finally happened?
>...ugh, you're not a fuckin' shonen protag, your life's won't just magically become that interesting buddy...
>You've gone over the damn storyboards for those a dozen times before and asked yourself how it'd play out if it happened for real...
>Now it happens and you start wanting to act like those tropes?
>Give me a break...
>...
>In the hurry of everything, I... never gave myself time to process it all properly, huh...
>...should've done that instead of pissing off a snorlax, huh...
>Well... I guess this is my state of affairs now.
>My anatomy changed completely, and am now a fantasy creature from a series I've loved since I was a kid.
>In another circumstance, I might think this is awesome.
>But with this specific one, it makes life hard.
>Physically, I'm more limited when it comes to dexterity, sucks for my profession specially, and I...
>...
>I... don't think I can make contact with people anymore unless I'm incredibly cautious...
>...
>Guess that's just karma for being a relative loner, huh.
>Should've done it while I still could...
>"Don't know what you have until" etc.
>Feels like my head's just raring to ache...
>If I'm also honest with myself...
>Something about the fight was fun, despite how terrified I was.
>It felt... Right, to attack back.
>Striking in retaliation towards a worthy foe.
>Something to test the metal of my blades beyond smaller time wasters.
>...

>>58545131
>If I didn't know logically it's an awful idea maybe I'd consider looking for Pokemon battle clubs.
>...Maybe one of the "well kept" gyms that've been cropping up, even though I think they're still not sanctioned...
>But I've never been a fighter.
>If anything I'm a coward.
>Was too scared to even move to Japan when given the chance because I didn't want to change my life too much.
>I didn't want to lose my easy outs.
>In retrospect, there was some prudence in that maybe.
>Toei was accommodating but I've heard that some transformees over there have been having it rough...
>Though who knows, could be the usual demoralization, I saw firsthand how different the real Japan is after all...
>...
>...fuck me dude...
>Maybe some cocoa will help...
>...even if I'll likely have to keep it cool just in case...
>I guess I could do a cold one.
>Wonder is my arms could work to blend it up, heh.
>...
>Ugh.
>I'll just... Leave the blender to do its thing...
>What the hell even am I now?
>I always thought Kartanas were cool, but what does being one even entail?
>I remember thinking about "what if I were a Pokemon" when I was a kid but I always thought of the easy options.
>Mewtwo, cool psychic powers, flight, super powerful.
>Latios, jet dragon, can possibly shapeshift according to Heroes.
>Chesnaught, great defense and resistance if a bit slow.
>Hoopa, dimensional powers, secret form, can fly and teleport wherever.
>I think even the quadrupeds I considered weren't THAT bad, in maybe Keldeo or Solgaleo.
>But of course, always thinking about the big legendaries, least for the most part...
>But that'd just be too easy now wouldn't it, wannabe protag man?
>No, instead I get stuck as one of the dangerous aliens with no fucking hands and no specially unique abilities considering I'm the embodiment of conflict-averse...
>God...
>And I just punctured a hole in my couch by trying to slam my fist into it.
>Great.
>Just fuckin' dandy.
>...

>>58545141
>Maybe I should just take a nap, clear up my mind.
>Kartana brain, if you're somehow listening...
>I have a feeling I'll get some weird dream again.
>If it HAS to be about how to "be" a Kartana could it at least be more descriptive instead of just wholly cryptic like my nap earlier?
>I will take any pointers I can get, just let me "get" them in the first place...
>...ah, did end up warming the water for the cocoa, didn't i...
>...I just went autopilot on it...
>Probably a habit I need to change...
>At least it was through the microwave instead of on the stove...
>I think if I tried the stove the fire would've definitely snapped me out of that trance.
>...well, down the hatch...
>...
>FEELS hotter than before, agh.
>But... At least it does still taste nice...
>Well, it does have a milder taste than before, but maybe I just didn't mix it right...
>...Nothing to ease the mind like a warm cup of cocoa.
>Just...
>It's all too much to think about, but I should be more... stoic, about this.
>Probably the best way to keep myself grounded and not completely insane...
>...Alright, that's enough for today...
>Best to go sleep.
>Hope I actually do get some rest out of it this time around...
>...Man, I didn't realize how badly I did fuck up my room until now...
>Hope I can borrow some wood filler off of dad soon to make them look decent...
>I can probably glue Red back together too if I'm careful, at least the NFC chip didn't seem to get damaged...
>Thank god I didn't try pulling out any of my CDs, goodness.
>Man, I turn into a Pokemon and of course I still worry about all my weebshit being intact.
>Great.
>Guess some forms of autism are too crippling.
>I think I'll just... lay down in bed...
>...
>Man I... hadn't realized resting on a pillow would be this uncomfortable...
>I think I'll just shimmy on down a little bit and...
>There we god.
>More like it.
>I'd feel odd about laying so... flat.
>But I guess it works.
>...
>......

>>58545144
>I'm standing in the middle of Shibuya.
>I don't know how I got here, but... I feel like I have to be here, for something.
>I can hear the rumble of Scramble Crossing behind me.
>And 109 is as strikingly obvious as ever.
>No one seems interested in me.
>Why would they be?
>There's dozens upon dozens of Pokemon around.
>Much more interesting and imposing than me.
>It's interesting.
>They all seem to be going down different paths, no?
>So much noise.
>So many people going about their own lives.
>And yet they never bump into each other, someway, somehow.
>A Ferraligatr with an easel, probably a street artist.
>A worried woman in a business suit, rushing to her office job.
>A small Tepig with a backpack on its back and a sun hat, probably an elementary school kid.
>Some girl in gyaru makeup talking on her phone, headed to the station's mall.
>A Pansear with a backpack too, but wearing some kind of black jacket, possibly a high schooler.
>A guy wearing leather getting into an argument with a Simisage, seems like a couple of delinquents.
>A Slaking resting on a bench with a can on his hand, likely hungover from a drinking party last night.
>An old lady at a Taiyaki stand, serving a boy and a Mime Jr.
>I see a Gardevoir who's seemingly become a local idol, wearing cosplay with a small crowd of both people and Pokemon gathered around her.
>So many options, yet... They all seem so clear in what they're doing.
>I feel as though I can see the life emanating from them into the places where they stand.
>...
>But I can't see any from myself.
>Like I'm in a small bubble of stillness.
>I can see as some gathers when anyone passes by, but as they leave, it empties itself out again.
>...
>I look at my shadow.
>I swear the tip of my head looks like it's pointing to a small street fight.
>...
>My shadow shrugs.
>"If you are lost, I can recommend some ideas." it tells me.
>"Yet, you're still you."
>"If it's not a choice you'd make, don't do it."

>>58545148
>But I should be more decisive, shouldn't I?
>"Yes. But 'should' isn't strictly 'is', correct?"
>I suppose...
>"Make your own choice. Any choice. As long as it's yours."
>...And like that, my own shadow leaves.
>I can see as it fades into the light.
>The world continues moving around me.
>So many lives and paths.
>But... None seem right. Not for me, not yet.
>So I'm stranded.
>In the middle of the Scramble.
>Nothing has happened yet, people have simply kept crossing.
>...Until the light finally changes to green.
>Everyone walks away on their own paths...
>But I stay in place.
>I see no clear path for myself.
>But... I can't stay still, can I?
>After all, if I don't, I'll get hit.
>I can't bring myself to join my arms.
>Like I'm not allowed to.
>As I stand there, I see them approaching.
>Those cars don't care that I'm standing here.
>They're coming through regardless.
>...But I can't move.
>I don't know where to move.
>I have so many ways I could move, but...
>...Which one is the right one?

Whew, sorry about the shotgun burst greens for me, whenever I get the writing bug I tend to overextend a bit.

>>58544183
Very much glad to hear! I'm playing up the annoyance, the trio was pretty fun to draw, and I can definitely see what you mean with Paarluxray, haven't played Bloodborne myself but as soon as I saw it it was an immediate "oh yeah makes sense" from me.

>>58544395
Thank you thank you, been trying to force myself to do it more often, Kartanon's been a great catalyst in that regard. I feel like having unique images helps flesh out scenes better than raw text, at least it helps me show the details of the mental scene I have.

>>58544945
I personally back up my greens to the rentry at the same time I post them so they can be archived simultaneously for what it's worth! Also, damn good chapter, really like that nightmare sequence for the Professor

https://rentry.org/tcab223e#chapter-2-a-better-place
I think I'm finally content with the state of that chapter. Wish I knew where to go from here beyond "Valentine meets a potential inventor of the Pokeball" though.
I apologize for the delay on the website, I've been doing some more technical stuff to try to make the website easier to maintain for the future. I'll see if I can get the first iteration of the website up and running within the next two weeks. (I probably won't.)

Here's the song vaguely referenced in the end by the ways: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNy_retSME0

>58517967
>>Copanon the PokeWhisperer
>https://rentry.co/PolicemanPokemonStory

This is pretty good, I'm enjoying what you've got so far here.

Finally finished the Halloween episode which turned out way longer than expected (had too much fun with the dialogue). Will get it posted when I’m back home from work.

>>58545155
Kartanon’s got some good advice from the dream this time around. They’re still themselves, they can’t just wait for something else, instinct or otherwise, to make decisions for them. And while that’s liberating, it can also be scary. If you’re given a second chance, what if you make the same mistakes and squander opportunities again? Hopefully they don’t lose themselves in that paralysis.

>>58545359
Looking forward to the site! If you ever want to spitball ideas for your story, feel free to let me know.

Ah, damn it! I forgot to write Matsui's interjection. I'll do that tomorrow.

>>58545521
I will absolutely take you up on that offer. Both you and Macho have come up with INFINITELY better ideas than I have. I don't trust myself with coming uo with reasonable ideas anymore beyond a few key points I want to hit, like Valentine actually using his pilot's license for money and meeting Type: Null.

Ah, damn it! I forgot to write Matsui's interjection. I'll do that tomorrow.

>>58545521
>site
It won't be anything too impressive, I'm afraid to say. I have the graphical sense of a man who's never heard of color theory. Still, glad you look forward to it.

>spitballing ideas
I will absolutely take you up on that offer. Both you and Macho have come up with INFINITELY better ideas than I have. I don't trust myself with coming up with reasonable ideas anymore beyond a few key points I want to hit, like Valentine actually using his pilot's license for money and meeting Type: Null.

I get the 4chan trust system and how it works... but also having an inconsistent delay is bullshit and I fucking hate it. Let me delete my damn post on mobile already.

>Larson shuddered and lashed his tail in discomfort as the last vestiges of motion sickness drained away once he leapt out of the back of Kurt’s car.
>They arrived at Emma’s apartment early in the morning, per her request to get ready for their Halloween festivities.
>Kurt lit a cigarette, taking a long, sleepy drag as he locked up the vehicle.
>Larson’s nose scrunched up at the scent of the sickly smoke.
>It was particularly offensive to his enhanced sense of smell, even if he was somewhat used to all the smokers at the station.
>”Thought you said you were gonna quit?”
>Kurt glanced down at the Luxray as the two began to walk to Emma’s apartment, “Huh? Oh. Yeah, I guess old habits die hard, or something. Unfortunately ol nic’ and I have some unfinished business with all the long nights at work.”
>Larson felt a frown grow on his muzzle, “Hey, I told you if you needed help with office stuff that you should let me know. You know I feel bad about all that crap getting piled on you.”
>”Eh, it’s fine, just need to be better about not pushing it all off until the last minute. I didn’t forget about that, just know writing up papers is a major pain in the ass for you more than it is for me,” Kirt replied, flicking the ash off the cigarette.
>”I mean sure, it’s not really feasible for me to type stuff out, but I could always ask Emma if she knows anything that might help me write. You don’t have to shoulder everything on your own, I’m not completely helpless.”
>”It’s fine, I’m fine! I told you I can handle it, can we just leave this conversation for some other time?” Kurt spat with more force than he intended, pinching the bridge of his snout.
>Larson’s ears pinned back as he glanced away, “I- yeah, alright. Sorry, I just worry that I’m not pulling my weight sometimes,” he muttered.

>>58546036
>Kirt sighed as he flicked the butt of the cigarette onto the street, hesitating a moment before he reached down to pat the Luxray.
>“I’m doing all this because I wanted to help YOU out. Yeah there’s a lot of stuff going on, but it’ll get easier, and I feel good knowing that your life isn’t a living hell.”
>Kurt searched the apartment numbers on the wall until he spotted Emma’s.
>The Inteleon clapped his hands and took a deep, cleansing breath before placing his smile back on his face, “Alright, no more of that shit. We got some costumes to put on, then some horror flicks to binge!”
>Larson softly sighed and internally cringed at the thought of being stuck through so many horror movies.
>But Kurt was excited, and if it brought some levity to his situation then Larson would put up with anything.
>The two marched up to Emma’s door, giving it a few knocks and waited for a response.
>A moment passed where nothing happened. Kurt was about to knock again when the door sluggishly creaked open on its own.
>The two glanced at each other, Kurt scoffing a laugh.
>”Ooooh, very scary Emma. Poor Larson’s already shivering!” Kurt gleefully called in.
>There was a snap of electricity and a pained shout.
>The two walked in, Kurt rubbing his arm where he was shocked, and glanced around for any signs of the Espeon.
>It didn’t take long to spot the pink psychic type, who was seemingly asleep atop an old dining room chair placed near the far left wall of the living room.
>She was already in costume; layers of flowing cloth and leather covered her form, and a small tricorne hat with a feather on the side between her large ears. She looked straight out of the Van Helsing movie.
>”Emma? You ok? Don’t tell me you stayed up all night making our stuff,” Kurt called over.
>When he didn’t receive a response, he walked over and reached out to shake her awake.

>>58546040
>His eyes snapped open in shock when he suddenly felt something grip onto his outstretched arm, pulling him in close.
>”A corpse, should be left well alone. Oh, I know very well how the secrets beckon so sweetly,” Emma whispered into his ear as she sat up.
>She slowly opened her eyes which shone a shimmering blue, meeting his gaze, “Only an honest death will cure you now.”
>Kurt’s brows scrunched up in confusion, “Uh, ok? Are you like, larping or something? Because I don’t get the reference.”
>He stumbled backwards as the telekinetic grip was released, Emma’s ears flat in annoyance.
>”Aw what? And you call yourself a horror fan,” she grumbled.
>Larson spoke up from the door, “Lady Maria, right? Been a while since I played Bloodborne.”
>Emma’s ears shot back up as she smiled at the Luxray, “Bingo! At least someone here is cultured.”
>”Oh. Well I don’t play roll slop,” Kurt mumbled as he crossed his arms. Emma stuck her tongue out at him.
>”Guess Kurt wasn’t lying when he mentioned you cosplayed, that costume looks crazy. When the hell did you have the time to make that?” Kurt asked as he padded over to get a closer look.
>”Well luckily I already had this one from last year, just had to adjust it from human-size to Espeon size. A little tricky and not perfect, but it didn’t take too long. Finished it up last week actually.
>”Kurt’s costume is also one of my previous ones, but adjusting it to fit him was a heck of a lot easier since he’s all normal proportioned besides being taller and lankier than I was.
>”Yours took the longest since I had to make it from scratch, but it was mostly just stencil work and molding foam and rubber.”
>Kurt raised a brow, “wouldn’t you have needed to get our measurements beforehand to do all that?”

>>58546047
>”Oh so that’s the neat part! Figured out that when I telekinesis something, I sort of get its dimensional data pictured in my mind. Sooo, whenever we met up I just lightly used my powers to get your measurements without all the hassle of using a measuring tape!” Emma excitedly explained, tail wagging behind her.
>A moment passed as the gears in Kurt’s brain turned, before he covered his mouth to stifle a laugh. He failed.
>”So- So, wait. You were psychically feeling us up this past week?! I didn’t know you were so scandalous!” Kurt forces between barks of laughter, wiping tears from his eyes as he doubled over.
>Larson failed to contain himself and joined Kurt on the floor.
>Emma’s eyes widened as a mortified expression overtook her face, her tail going rigid. The fur on her cheeks stood out in a blush.
>”Wha- I didn’t- WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU?!” she sputtered, grabbing Kurt’s costume and launching it into his chest, which he grabbed with a slight groan as the wind was knocked out of his chest.
>”YOU, OTHER ROOM, CHANGE NOW!” she shouted with a snarl, eyes glowing threateningly. Kurt scrambled into the guest room and shut the door.
>Emma turned her baleful gaze to the Luxray, who was currently banging a paw into the ground trying to catch his breath.
>She grabbed a hold of a large brush, and not-so-gently began raking it through Larson’s mane which snapped with static electricity.
>Larson’s eyes bugged out in pain as he yowled in surprise, “Ow ow ow, I’m sorry, I’m sorry! What the hell are you doing?!”
>”I need to do your hair. Now stop squirming around if you want me to make this quick,” the wrathful Espeon growled through gritted teeth.
>Larson calmed himself down and let Emma do her thing, occasionally snickering. She made sure to tug extra hard when he did.
>The two fell into an easy silence with the sounds of brushing, hairspray and Emma’s soft humming as their backdrop. Eventually Larson would speak up.

>>58546058
>”So, what am I supposed to be?”
>”The big zappy skeledog Paarl. Was the most fitting thing from the game in my eyes. Also the easiest for me to put together quickly since you already got the fur.”
>”I think I remember that one. You know, kinda funny you chose Bloodborne for this year considering the whole Pokémon thing.”
>Emma cocked her head to the side, “How do you mean?”
>”Second boss, Gascoigne. ‘Beasts all over the shop, you’ll be one of them sooner or later’? Pretty ironic considering people are turning into Pokémon.”
>”Ha! I somehow glossed over that. Well hey, plus one for me on choosing a relevant theme. Maybe we haven’t seen any Ultra Beasts because we don’t have enough ‘eyes on the inside’.”
>”It's a good thing our insight isn’t high enough, might go insane from all the cosmic squids and stuff,” Larson chuckled.
>Eventually Emma started tying the rubber bone coverings over his legs and placed the mask on his face, which he scrunched around to make it sit comfortably.
>Emma circled around him, inspecting her work. Satisfied, she sat in front of him with an excited energy in her eyes.
>”Ok, now I need you to stream some currents through your fur for the full effect. Don’t worry about the costume, shouldn’t mess it up.”
>Larson stood and closed his eyes in focus as he sent blue sparks down his body. He heard Emma shout in joy and smiled at her infectious enthusiasm.
>”Yes! Oh it’s perfect! Still got my touch!”
>She brought a mirror over for Larson to inspect himself, where he was also left impressed by the craftsmanship.
>”Wow, this is awesome! Sorry you didn’t have much time to put this together, must have been stressful.”
>Emma waved him off, “No no, it was a fun challenge. I was honestly kind of worried that after changing, I wouldn’t be able to make costumes anymore. But I’m glad I pushed myself to do it, made me feel… I dunno, like things were still normal I guess.”

>>58546071
>The Luxray leaned down and nuzzled the Espeon, who squeaked but didn’t pull away, “Thanks. I’m glad it made you feel better, too.”
>They enjoyed the quiet moment before the guest room door slammed open, startling the cats into scrambling away from each other.
>Kurt walked out donned in an attire similar to Emma’s, but with a long ragged cape and a frumpy old top hat.
>He posed in front of the two, “Well, what do ya think? I make for a pretty cool vampire, am I right?”
>Larson snorted, “Yeah, pretty cool for a wheelchair bound old man.”
>”Oh. Well that’s kinda lame. I thought I was Dracula or something,” Kurt grumbled as he sagged slightly in disbelief.
>”Well to be fair, he does get out of the wheelchair and kick your ass with a giant scythe and a shotgun,” Emma piped up.
>Kurt snapped his fingers, pointing at the Espeon, “And we’re right back to being cool again, thank you Emma.”
>Emma preened under the praise while Kurt fished his phone out of his pocket.
>”Alright, the first movie’s starting in thirty minutes, so we should get going if we want to pick up snacks and stuff.”

>>58546081
>And so they did. The theatre was abuzz with activity when they arrived, the Halloween spirit infecting most of the movie goers, many of whom were also in costume.
>They ended up drawing a small crowd of people wanting to take pictures with them.
>Emma thrived under the attention. Kurt and Larson would have been uncomfortable under so many eyes, but this afternoon that usual oppressive feeling seemed far away.
>Maybe it was because everyone else was dressed up, so they didn’t stick out quite as much as they usually did.
>They joined in after some coaxing from the Espeon.
>Popcorn, candy and soda were all bought in preparation for the marathon of slashers, thrillers and mysteries.
>Poor Larson sat hunched over, rigid, and wide-eyed in constant, horrific anticipation of any jump scares every movie. Some seats now had scars from claws that dug into the fabric.
>Kurt did his best to comfort his friend while trying not to tease him the entire time, as much as he was tempted to. It was very hard to control himself.
>Concessions floated between the three as Emma passed out their snacks, ensuring everyone had their fair share… For the most part. Not like they would notice if she had a little more.
>And all three got to enjoy a day without the worries and stress of work, life, and the strange circumstances they all found in common.

https://rentry.co/larsonkurt

Hooooly fuck, sorry for the carpet bomb, I also got super carried away writing this.

>>58546089
Very nice little read! Sometimes it's just nice getting to ease up on the stress of life and enjoying a day out with friends, really liked this!

>>58545155
>...
>...the next day, isn't it...
>Mmm... Head feels better at least...
>I guess I did ask for a more blunt dream, didn't I...
>If... you can hear me still, thank you.
>Guess I wasn't expecting... That part of me, whatever you are, to actually indulge me in that request.
>...If you can hear this still, thank you.
>...
>Still a Kartana.
>Hm.
>Man now that I think about it...
>I did dream about turning into a Pokemon when all this started, didn't I...?
>What was it, a Ceruledge...?
>...
>I guess it wouldn't have been that different, just swap out the flight for being a more normal height.
>...and probably swap being weak to fire to being weak to water...
>Maybe fire being dangerous is the easier worry to have...
>I mean, it already was a risk when I was a- for me before today, right?
>Just... Need to be more careful than I already was.
>No biggie.
>Just... gotta roll off bed and see if that wake me up proper...
>...
>I... still haven't touched the floor...?
>...oh yeah...
>Mmm...
>Not looking forward to replacing my sheets...
>...First things first...
>Gotta send Toei that form.
>Hope something good'll come from it.
>I mean it's fuckin' Toei, they probably have the GDP of a small country just of how much this place watches it alone...
>...Shit, an updated picture huh?
>Guess it makes sense...
>I'll just send them the one I sent mom n dad...
>...still an external contractor, no i don't plan on moving to japan soon, previous terms, i can still work but have been somewhat impaired by the situation, yadda yadda...
>...There.
>Even in creative industries there's no escaping the lull of paperwork...
>...And sent...
>Alright.
>With that done...
>I probably should take a bath.
>...Can I take a bath?
>I mean, I already tested getting water on me earlier and I was fine...
>Should just do it.
>...
>Blades could get that slight grime from last night cleaned off anyway.
>Seems to get a bit stuck on the scratches...
>I should probably grind those out too...

>>58547286
>But not right now.
>...
>Shower feels massive...
>Maybe I'll just use the tub tap instead for now...
>Just gotta open up both of those so it's not too hot or too cold...
>There.
>...Feels nice still...
>Dab some soap on my arm, and...
>There.
>Good to know I can still rinse myself with this...
>...
>Shit what the hell will I do with all my shampoo now?
>I guess I'll keep one of the unopened bottles for guests, you never know after all...
>I'll probably tell the neighbors about the rest if anyone could use 'em...
>Neighbors, neighbors...
>Right. Gotta see about those dummy boxes.
>Ed would probably be willing to help if he's not busy...
>It's a Saturday, he's probably not...
>...
>Gotta rinse behind the...
>Shit what even are these?
>Antennae? Horns? Crest? ...Eyebrows?
>Whatever the hells.
>At least if I need to get the water out of them I can just flip myself upside down...
>...Don't think I can dry myself with the towel, but I do have an idea...
>Just gotta...
>...
>W-well, I guess the cost of that is a slight bit of dizziness, but hey, I seem to be dry now...
>Didn't cut up the curtains in the process so another win for me.
>I'll shoot Ed a message before I go knockin' on his door, it's still early anyway...
>I think I'll have some leftover gyudon from yesterday for breakfast...

>>58545521
>what if you make the same mistakes and squander opportunities again?
Therein lies the question... Just a lotta stuff to think about with this whole premise admittedly. I do definitely want Kartanon to have an "easier" time than most other transformees, though, that doesn't mean there won't be bumps in the road ahead.

Damn, I got a lotta catching up to do...

>>58539810
Larson and Kurt being great bros once again. The Porygon is is basically Number Five if Number Five didn't give a hoot about the quality of the input he's receiving. I'm sure pouring unlimited amounts of AI slop into its system definitely won't have any horrific negative consequences whatsoever.

>>58542357
This can lead to any number of interesting Pokemon-related outcomes.

>>58543913
There really aren't enough good things one can say about you, sir.

>>58544936
>>58544945
Standard practice would be to post it as green and then update the corresponding Rentry at the same time. Unless it's absurdly too long for green, in which case you announce the next chapter and provide the link.

Anyways, I love how constructively ProfD is choosing to interpret the implications of that dream. It's true, you can't truly self-actualize in a new form without embracing that form's potential. To become no longer human is not the same thing as to become inhuman. "You" are more than the particular shape of your flesh. You are values, beliefs, emotions, perspectives, memories, and experiences. To fly under your own power is merely one more new experience.

So come, professor. Embrace your wings. Fly. No for us - not for our amusement - but for yourself.

>>58545155
"I wanna make you move, because you're standin' stiiiil!"

The self-awareness on Kartanon's part that he chooses rumination over action is almost meta. Perhaps a Cutie Mark Crusaders-like approach is needed here. Don't know which direction to go? Try every direction until something sticks. Employ only the minimum preparation necessary to keep yourself safe so as to avoid over-thinking.

>>58545602
Shout when you've added the interjection and I'll have a look. Val doing something with his license is a fantastic idea. Your story wouldn't exist without your ideas, so there's no need to sell yourself short. Even the greatest creatives can benefit from collaboration.

>>58546036
Kurt doing his best Lucarioanon impression with how he tries to shoulder everything himself. Same advice applies to you, mate - you gotta let others help you.

>>58546047
>roll slop
Truly a man after my own heart. Heh, actually, I have nothing against Soulslikes, or even the elitism that surrounds them (it's like, are we really going to pretend elitism is a new phenomenon in gaming), I just can't into action games and never could even when I was little. Give me the deep thought and deliberate, methodical action of turn-based any day...

>>58546058
Pfft. I swear, a romance involving these characters is looking more plausible all the time.

>>58546089
I love these three beans so much you don't even know. Do not apologize at all for getting carried away, Snivyanon. You treat us royally and we don't deserve it at all. As long as you're not burning yourself out, it's all gravy. Delicious, delicious gravy.

...I literally did not intend this when I was writing that, but doing so made me realize that Thanksgiving and Christmas with these three would have just as much if not even more potential for adorableness.

>>58547307
Bro likes to speen.

Always interested to see the interactions between the 'mons and the local humans. If you're looking for Kartanon to have an "easier" time, then presumably him always getting into his own head will be the biggest obstacle.to his growth. Maybe an outside perspective will help with that.

>>58547408
>interjection
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
I guess that's more of a scream.

>Your story wouldn't exist without your ideas
Someone else would eventually write the same concept, but significantly more fitting to the tone of the thread. I just happened to be first to act when it comes to the idea of a struggling drifter.
My melodrama doesn't really suit the style of this thread, and when you remove it, there's not much left of my own vision. It's very difficult for me to come up with concepts that aren't grandiose and trip up over themselves in strong emotions.
I do hope to improve on that though. Not everything has to be life or death for the universe. That's why I'm writing in this thread, after all.

>>58531131
>Spoiler
Cool, I might check it out when I finally get a Switch
>>58544936
Really liked this. I'll echo Snivyanon that
>This form doesn’t exist naturally, so you, in effect, get to decide what it means to be one
is a really cool line (and way of thinking about this situation)
>>58545359
Ran out of time to read this one, but I'm glad you could release it, I know you've been working hard at it.
>>58546089
Cute. These three have great chemistry. As for the Porygon, I suppose its brain can't get messed up any worse.
>>58547307
I also liked your dream sequence. Spinning around to dry off must feel so nice.

>>58548689
>>58547408
Other people have dreams with painfully obvious symbolism too right? I swear most of my nightmares are out of “Sigmund Freud Explained for Kids”

>>58549114
The dreams I tend to have are usually awfully boring. Have had way too many times where I dream I get up and do my morning routine... only to then ACTUALLY wake up and still need to do my morning routine. Feels like I got scammed out of something more unique when that happens.

>>58549114
I wish I could say mine was symbolic but my dreams are pretty literal. I keep dreaming of having someone who isn't family loving me and settling down to have kids(usually in a very sexually charged manner.)
I mean it's either that or the weirdly recurrent nightmare I've had since I was 2 where I am strapped in a stroller and get sucked into a Pratt & Whitney 2000 that's spooling up. I have literally zero clue what the fuck that nightmare's about, and from 4 to 19 I didn't have it, so...

>>58546546
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!

>>58547307
The world’s sharpest spin cycle. Love that gif lol.

>>58547408
Porygon craves the slop. You will not deny it the slop.

>>58547599
Thanks a ton! Yeah all three have their own hang ups that they need to work through, but at least they have each other to get through it all. I do plan on writing holiday themed stuff coming up! Don’t really feel burned out writing, it’s honestly been refreshing actually putting words down rather than the months of daydreaming about potential stories. Hardest part is just waiting to think up a starting off point for a green or chapter, but once that’s done the ball gets rolling fairly quickly.

>>58548689
Thank you, glad people have been enjoying the trio! Poor Porygon, it’s not its fault its code is all scrambled.

>>58549114
Oh yeah. If something wakes me up in the middle of REM and I immediately fall back asleep, I usually get super vivid dreams about whatever I’ve been worried about, or just completely random bullshit.

>>58549114
My dreams are always messed up and morbid. I've had multiple nightmares where I get killed by Five Nights at Freddy's animatronics. I've never even played those games. I sure hope that's not symbolism for anything.

>>58550039
That’s just Scott Cawthon using his brain washing satellite to make you subconsciously want to purchase FnaF merchandise

>>58550039
I understand what this is like. Most of my dreams end with me being severely injured, killed, or having done something horribly wrong

>>58547307
>...still tastes good, thank god, even if reheated isn't ideal...
>Lets see what I can tell Ed...
>"Hey, sorry to bother you this early, but I ended up catching the Pokemon thing. I turned into one of the smaller ones and there's some packages I ordered that I... kinda can't take inside now, think you could help me out if you have time? Thanks in advance by the way!"
>...should do the trick...
>Hm...
>Maybe I should get some work done on those clean ups wh-
>Huh?
>Oh he already replied...
>"on my way, which one btw? is it at least from before kalos? kinda lost track of the series after that. i remember thinking those alien things in... was it alola? looking kinda dumb, would suck to be stuck as one." -E
>...
>"How awfully rude."
>"wait actually? shit man didn't mean it, took a 50/50 there and didn't mean to dig at you. sorry it happened, do you at least have hands still for your job?" -E
>"Unfortunately, no."
>"rough deal huh." -E
>"Yep."
>"ey, open the door, 'm here." -E
>...right, he's only a 5 minute walk or so...
>Just gotta... grapple the knob and...
>There.
"Geesh man, that you?"
...smees ti oS<
"...huh?"
>Ah shit, right, need my phone.
>Please understand my gesture despite not having fingers...
"...Need a moment I'm guessing?"
>Yep, at least I can still nod.
>...just gotta get the app open and...
"Does Translate even have whatever language you're speaking on it?"
.sdrawkcab ...tsuj m'I ,egaugnal rehtona gnikaeps m'I ekil ton s'ti ,lleW<
>"Well, it's not like I'm speaking another language, I'm just... backwards."
"How the hell does that even work? Does time move backwards for you?"
.detacilpmoC<
>"Complicated."
"Figures. So what'd you order anyway? I came here thinking maybe berries or something but uh... do you even eat?"
>...what, the half eaten gyudon not a clue enough?
"Given the disappointed stare you seem to be giving me I assume you can. So what's in here anyway?"
.seimmuD<
>"Dummies."

>>58551016
"Several? Why? Are you planning on getting into one of those Pokemon fighting league things already and want to train up?"
.detacilpmoc ,niagA<
>"Again, complicated."
"Ok, ok, won't pry if you don't want me to. Let me just..."
"Fuck man what the hell are these things made of? No wonder you couldn't carry them as a little paper man."
.reidruts eb d'yeht derugif ,seno eroc nori emos toG<
>"Got some iron core ones, figured they'd be sturdier."
"Sturdier? You don't look like you can punch them that hard..."
.me' tuc nac erus I tuB.<
>"But I sure can cut 'em."
"Oh are you one of those that have like, weapons built-in into their bodies? Like... what was the name, Bisharp? Didn't they give that guy a new evo in the newer games? Which part of you is the weapon? You don't seem particularly threatening, you ARE just a piece of origami now..."
.gnihtyrevE<
>"Everything."
"Everything?"
.puY<
>"Yup."
"Now you're almost tempting me to touch you to call your bluff but... Probably better not to take my chances. Is it fine if I leave these on the couch?"
?ti ekat I nrut em naht rehto wonk uoy elpoep ro sevitaler emos dah ,siht tuoba tnalahcnon yllufwa ...mees uoY .erus ,eruS.<
>"Sure, sure. You seem... awfully nonchalant about this, had some relatives or people you know other than me turn I take it?"
"Yep, an aunt and my boss got hit with it. Florges and Watchog respectively. Very fitting for both of 'em honestly, though... I guess they've got an easier change to deal with than you, huh?"
...ecin eb dluow eno rof srefnif gnivaH<
>"Having fingers for one would be nice..."
"Well, given you don't seem to be freaking out over deadlines like you do, I'm guessing you have a workaround?"
...nwo ym no pu meht nepo nac ,yaw eht yb sknaht dna ,niaga ward ot flesym gnihcaet tsuJ<
>"Just teaching myself to draw again, and thanks by the way, I can open them up on my own..."

>>58551021
"Have you had any issues with the... instincts, thing? I hear a lot of people struggle with that. You haven't killed anyone, have you?"
...thgin tsal xalrons taht htiw thgif a otni teg did i hguohtla ...eltneg yllufwa ...eb ot mees enim ,on ,oN-N<
>"N-No, no, mine seem to be... awfully gentle... although i did get into a fight with that snorlax last night..."
"Wait you what? That was you?!"
?em ees you diD<
>"Did you see me?"
"Well only really the aftermath, field seemed like 2 tanks had gone at it, I'm... surprised you're not dead frankly. You didn't kill the thing did you? Could've been some other person before turning..."
.semag eht ni ekiL .tuo ti dekconK ...tsuj I !oN !?rof em ekat uoy od lleh eht ohW<
>"Who the hell do you take me for?! No! I just... Knocked it out. Like in the games."
"Well, if it's a Snorlax it probably didn't mind going back to dream land... I mean hey, from what I could see you DID help clear up traffic, so kudos for that."
.sknahT<
>"Thanks."
"Well, shit, I just looked at the time... I'd love to stay and chat with you about your... predicament a bit longer, but unlike you my boss still fuckin' needs me at the office..."
.em ekil ecnaleerf syawla dluoc uoy ,yeH<
>"Hey, you could always freelance like me."
"Yeah yeah, whatever... Either way, have stuff to do, catch ya later man, feel free to give me a call if you need anything else."
!yadot uoy no ysae s'krow epoH !niaga tol a sknaht dna ,gniht eruS<
>"Sure thing, and thanks a lot again! Hope work's easy on you today!"
"Here's hopin', take care dude."
>...And like that, he's gone.
>Guess talking face to face is refreshing...
>...Think I'm getting the hang of doing quick audio reversals too, very useful...
>...
>Well, now to put these all together...


I think I'll skimp on original art for this, kinda tuckered out...

>>58547408
>almost meta
perchance

>>58547599
>>58548689
>>58549679
Spinning, always a good trick isn't it?

I'm bumping this before I'm going to bed.
I wonder just how many people are there are in this thread.