victory_road | Text; with Action for Olivine

So how important are type advantages when you're going up against gym leaders?

I finally have a bunch of ghosts! But their only other types are Fairy, Flying, and Poison. Is that a good set?

[Sometimes you just need to crowdsource tactics when you want to start on your journey to being the Master of Ghosts. Or anything similar.]

Or does the species of pokemon it is matter even more than its type?

ACTION - OUTSIDE OLIVINE (Early evening)

[Training with ghosts seems to be best at night and just before night! That's why Maya's out with her team— Sensu Oricorio, Gastly, Sinistea, Lycanroc, and watching from nearby, a recently evolved Swellow and her strongest teammate, Mimikyu. She wants to train on type advantages, but there's only one problem.]

C'mon, you guys! I know you don't wanna hurt each other, but we're never gonna get stronger if we don't focus on the tough stuff!

[She tries to encourage her still-young team, hands on her hips, but Gastly, Sinistea, and Oricorio each look at each other apprehensively. From nearby, Mimikyu pipes up with its strange bell-like tone, and Maya responds—]

I know you'd do it, Lumi, but you're too big for these guys! We've got to do our best to catch up to Lumi's level, alright, guys?

[They don't look quite convinced, though...

Maya sighs, hands on her hips.]

I guess... we could keep trying to fight wild Pokemon...

[But perhaps any passing trainers might lend a hand— or even a battle?]

ACTION FOR DANDY - Earlier that day

[Did Dandy think he was going to have an easy day today? TOO BAD. Wherever the poor man is at, Maya bursts in the door suddenly, pointing at him just like her lawyer friends objecting.]

HEY! What do you know about the gym challenge?

[...Lumi is actually in her arms, pointing along with her in tandem. If it weren't so sudden and rude, it might actually be kind of cute.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Did someone say battle?]

[Or, you know, imply it? Because Venipede is here to help. Like a tiny, grumpy little steamroller, the bug comes charging toward poor Maya and her group. Waving its feelers menacingly. Fear it! For it is a terrifying beast of Bug!]

[... Unfortunately for said bug, its trainer is jogging after it. No mean feat in an outfit like that. Complete with big floppy hat, and sunglasses. A Sensu Oricorio of his own perched on one shoulder, matching his hair - now a pale lavender for summer.]

My deepest apologies! I looked away from him for only a moment!

[Venipede puffs up again. FIGHT IT!]

[The whole little group (aside from the two birds and doll-thing watching) jump at the sight of the Venipede, Maya included! But Maya likes bugs a bit too, and can't help but laugh at the sight of it. While the sinistea, gastly, and lycanroc all give the bug some space, the light blue Oricorio flutters up to Maya's shoulder to give Shadowmaru's a little wave.]

Whoa-ho-hoa! What a tough looking little guy!

[She grins practically ear to ear, bending down to get a better look and resting her hands on her knees— but not getting so close as to potentially get in Venipede's range. Gotta not get own her ass beat by a bug, after all—]

No problems here! Looks like he's just rarin' for a fight, huh?

[Yes, human, praise him. He is the mighty Venipede. He will crush you all with his buggy powers. Or just puff up as much as a bug can possibly puff up. Menacing!! ~~And adorable~~]

Ah, wonderful. I was concerned he had troubled you with his desire for combat.

[Now that he's not jogging after his pokemon, Shadowmaru can sweep himself up into a proper pose. Hands on his hips and all. His own Oricorio trills a bit, tilting its haughty head. Why are all of his pokemon Like this.]

He is one of few companions of mine that prefer to battle beyond a quiet existence. Ah! But forgive my rudeness, I have not introduced myself.

[... he just straight up sweeps his hat off his head in a dramatic bow. Some glitter may or may not fall out of said hat.]

I am Shadowmaru.

[Whoa. Glitter and everything! Maya seems pretty impressed, smiling wide-eyed at Shadowmaru.]

Whoa! A cool name and everything!

Are you, like, a magician, or something?

[While Maya's Oricorio seems unimpressed (and, rather, still fairly focused on watching that Venipede doesn't go rolling the other ghosts' way), Maya's wonder may as well make up for the opinion of all of her pokemon.

...Her opinion of Shadowmaru, of course, is colored by a rather flashy witness from another case, to the point of even getting her to forget to introduce herself, as well...]

Why thank you. It's dear to me. [What.] And who do I have the pleasure of meeting?

[He laughs, though, not unkindly, shaking his head.]

A magician? Not quite, no. You see, I, Shadowmaru am one of the daring Brave Police.

[... yeah that's another pose. Oddly close to that flashy witness picture there. His pokemon all just kind of sigh in unison. Even Venipede.]

W-whoa, that sounds so cool!

[Maya's practically starry-eyed.]

O-Oh! I'm Maya— And this is Wei, Missile, Elain, Ricky, Lumi, and Nick Jr.!

[She points to each member of her team with practiced precision, before seguing right into—]

So what are the Brave Police?!

Why thank you.

Charmed to meet your team, Miss Maya. [Shadowmaru gestures to his own entourage - Right now, just Venipede and Oricorio.] May I also introduce Akuma [The Oricorio] and my tragically nameless Venipede, who has refused all my attempts at a moniker.

[And boy does Venipede look proud of itself for that.]

We are the most advanced robotic AI police unit in Japan. Created in order to combat monstrous and other robotic threats.

[Maya is immediately louder than she needs to be.]

You're a Japanese Robot cop?!

[Her Oricorio tries to get out of holding range, but unfortunately, maya is quicker than her this time. She hops on her toes, just radiating too much excited energy.]

I'm sorry... That's just... the coolest thing I've ever heard since coming here! I knew people could come from different worlds, but—!

And you even fight monsters, too?! Awesome!!

[Like, one career path away from the Steel Samurai!!]

Indeed.

[He may have winced right there. Just a bit. But hey, that kind of excitement just feeds that robot-ego there.]

I am known as the Ninja Detective, in fact. [He is so, so smug right now.] But here, I make do with advising individuals on their clothing choices...

[Because the Jennys won't hire him.]

We do. We're rather famous for warding off many such attacks in our hometown, in fact.

Text; with Action for Olivine

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