Area Zero Field Trip

[indigo_league]

Early in the week, Riegfried and Soy sent out a recorded video: an invitation for all guests on this Paldean vacation to join them on a little field trip into Area Zero within the Great Crater of Paldea. It is a spot known for fascinating explorers, academics, and seasoned battlers, however is generally off-limits due to the dangerous nature of the very powerful pokemon within. Which makes it the perfect place for a little study trip!

(They add that the trip was approved by the Paldea League, which is in charge of granting such access, but isn’t the idea of heeding the call of adventure no matter what more thrilling?)

Anyone interested in spending two days in Area Zero will be asked to gather in front of the Academy on the morning of the 9th, from where flying taxis will take everybody to the Gate Entrance. From there, warp panels bring you inside the crater, to the first of many research stations. While most of the space within is dedicated to computers and scientific equipment, the sleeping quarters have plenty of beds to accommodate you all overnight. You are also met here by several of the scientists stationed at this research station who have an offer for you. While you can just explore the area on your own, you could also contribute to the general body of knowledge and understanding and perhaps complete an assignment or two. Completely optional. Really. If you can resist five harried scientists giving you big Lillipup eyes. Outside the research station, Area Zero awaits. The grassy ground spirals down in a corkscrew pattern with occasional caves branching off. A wide river with rushing waterfalls cuts its own way through. Light sparkles off of crystal formations and gives a glittering appearance to the whole space, which is otherwise dimmed by a foggy mist. Area Zero lives up to its reputation when it comes to mystery, but as for danger? The Pokemon up here seem to be a little stronger than others encountered in Paldea, but all things considered, they hardly seem worth being warned about. But there is the sense of something more. Maybe you hear clicks and whirs coming from something unseen, or see a colorful glow that fades before you can reach it. You may simply be unable to shake the feeling you’re being watched. And even at the higher points of Area Zero, you may outright see the source of all this: Creatures that resemble familiar Pokemon, but behave like machines. Despite their appearance, the PokeGear recognizes them as true Pokemon. These Pokemon are reclusive until the trip leads to Area Zero’s depths, but within those underground caverns it’s a different story. More of the Pokemon there share that robotic quality than not. Some display aggression, some fear, and others curiosity. This is their home, and visitors from the outside world are so rare. How can they be sure what to expect? Anyway, have fun, be safe, and make sure you are back at the Research station at 10PM on the 10th. We are only allowed to leave 10% of participants behind!

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Jotaro Kujo | OTA

[phdepression]

Research is research

[Jotaro is like a fish in water in the research station. Despite his tall and muscular appearance, he thrives off books and studying. While the tools the scientists use are nothing like the sonars used for deep sea research or the water samplers, they're familiar enough for Jotaro to talk to them about.

Eventually, the team has him sorting out data in the lab. Jotaro pours over their existing notes and he's surprised that a trend comes up with the strange Pokemon down here. If he sees you around, he'll hail you down and gesture you to look at the profiles of the Paradox Pokemon the scientists have accumulated.]

How familiar are you with electric or psychic Pokemon?

----

Field notes

[Of course, the main thing that the scientists need are boots on the ground and Jotaro's more than happy to volunteer. He traverses the rolling grasses and sloped hills of Area Zero, his Palafin at his side. Right now, he's ducked down behind a rocky outcrop, staring intently at a bizarre bug. If he sees you, he'll gesture you to come over or outright have his Palafin grab you and drag you over so you're not seen.]

That's no bug. Know what that is?

[He says, of course, referring to the Iron Moth.]

----

Cavernous Brawl

[There are two things Jotaro is after down at Area Zero's depths. Nice locations for trail cameras and samples of the various rocks. Jotaro had assumed that finding a spot where trail cameras could get a good view of different varieties of Pokemon would be the hard part, especially with the limited knowledge of the area. However, the unmapped nature of the depths is the least of his worries. While he was getting one of the many crystal clusters, he had been attacked by a swarm of Glimmora. If that wasn't bad enough, the fighting had awoken something in the depths.

He wasn't prepared for the behemoth.

Unlike Iron Thorns, Iron Valiant does not avoid fights, nor does it play fair. And thus, while SP the Palafin is heroically fending off the Glimmora, Jotaro's Bisharp is struggling to block the relentless flurry of blows from cutting Jotaro's head off. Kosugi the Aurorus is shielding SP from Iron Valiant's attacks but it can't do much with the type disadvantage. He's just there to make sure SP doesn't get backstabbed.

Honestly, it's just a mess.]

Good grief, troublesome, aren't you? [Jotaro grunts as he dives out of the way, holding the crystals to his chest. Where he just stood, a Moonblast slams into the ground, having missed Chariot the Bisharp.

Uh... help?]

Cavernous Brawl

[outofsynth]

[Oh.

Oh.

Min-Gi had heard the sounds of a battle, and while his team is strong enough he wasn't too worried about intervening and seeing if anyone needed help, this isn't what he expected.

The Glimmora aren't too much of a problem. There are a lot of them, but Min-Gi owns one. He knows their weaknesses. It's an easy choice to send out his Gastrodon and Azumarill against them. The latter is a riskier choice, but there are so many of them. He can't send Doug out on his own.]

Make sure you're using special attacks on them. Don't trigger their ability.

[They're already on it with a Hydro Pump from Killer Queen and Earth Power from Doug. They probably don't need the reminder, but he normally takes more control if his battles. The only reason he isn't this time is the other, more pressing threat. He has no idea what to send out here. It looks steel, but so do seemingly all of them, and he's already learned that isn't always the case. It looks like a Gallade, so maybe it's still got psychic or fighting typing.

In the end he sends out Rodeo the Alolan Marowak and Red Eye the Corviknight.]

Red, try to pull it off him. Then Rodeo can use Flare Blitz.

[It seems irresponsible to try that while the Iron Valiant is still so focused on Jotaro.]

[phdepression]

[Unfortunately, Jotaro has a mix of strong Pokemon (the three that are out) and weaker Pokemon (the ones in their Pokeballs) so not all are suited for helping him in the cave. Min-Gi's help is welcome and Star Platinum gives a triumphant cry as he sees aid appear.]

We are. It's half the problem. [His 'strong' Pokemon are all coincidentally Physical Attackers. At least there's no spikes for Min-Gi's Pokemon as they arrive on the scene: Jotaro has a Glimmet so he's aware of its ability and it's why SP is using Hydro Pump. Of course, being a physical attacker and with Hydro Pump's accuracy, things were going poorly. Again, thank you for coming to his rescue.

Jotaro scrambles to his feet and ducks behind the Corvknight. The Iron Valiant gives a mechanical screech and dark energy pulses from its blades.]

Chariot! Counter that Night Slash! [Before the Iron Valiant can let loose, Jotaro's Bisharp slams its Iron Head into it, giving Rodeo an opportunity to hit it square with Flare Blitz. However, it doesn't back down even after being hit by such a powerful move or the fact its outnumbered. Instead it pivots and fires a Dazzling Gleam.]

Stubborn thing, isn't it? [Jotaro pants.]

[outofsynth]

[Ordinarily Min-Gi would have the same issues, but for the caverns the Pokémon he's still working on training to their full strength have been left behind. Jean might be okay, but overall it seems safer to keep them out of this.

At his explanation, Min winces in sympathy, but he's glad that Jotaro had been aware enough of the problem to avoid using attacks that would trigger it. He does have one more thing that could help. It's awkward in the midst of battle, especially when he needs to pay more attention to the less familiar and seemingly more powerful Iron Valiant, but he knows he really should be taking advantage of it.

He unhooks a pendant from around his neck as Rodeo's presented with the opportunity to attack, rolling the Mystic Water it's still attached to across the ground as carefully as he can manage.]

Palafin! You should take this!

[He's just. Praying that his carelessness in getting it over to him doesn't damage it. It had been a gift, and it's not one he wants to risk breaking.

Rather than let himself dwell on the fate of his Mystic Water more than he needs to he turns to see how Rodeo's attack had gone. Thanks to his ability he hasn't taken damage himself, but it also doesn't seem to have inflicted as much as he'd hoped either.

Not steel type then.

Min makes an unhappy noise of agreement at Jotaro's assessment, debating his next option. He'd kind of like to keep Red Eye as a barrier. Even with the cavern being as so large it's still a tighter space than he'd like for her to work with.

At least Rodeo has been able to recover from that Dazzling Gleam fairly well...]

Rodeo, try Shadow Bone.

[The Marowak nods, able to get the move off more quickly this time. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to have made much of an impact either.

So not psychic then. Or if it is then there's something else there to cancel out the ghost type weakness. His brow creases in frustration, but a quick glance over towards Doug and Killer Queen confirm they are doing better. The Glimmora are dwindling in number, and there still aren't any Toxic Spikes to contend with.]

[phdepression]

[Smart play. Jotaro hadn't intended to go down so far with training Pokemon.

Star Platinum looks up as his species is called. He gives a loud cry to acknowledge Min-Gi before he flips over Kosugi. Heroically, the jolly Pokemon swims and slides over to the Mystic Water and holds it tight in his fist. The power of the pendant surges through the Palafin and with another cry he releases a stronger Hydro Pump, stopping two Glimmora from harassing his friend. Between him, Doug and Killer Queen, the three are nearly done cleaning up the mess of Glimmora. They'll be able to help soon.]

Not steel. Not psychic. And not electric, given what we tried earlier. I'd guess fairy, given the moves its been throwing, and how it really didn't like that Iron Head...

[The Iron Valiant is pointedly fighting the Alolan Marowak, doing its best to put Min-Gi's Pokemon in the way of Jotaro's Bisharp and defend itself from another attack. It stabs at Marowak again, trying to actually land the Night Slash.]

Is there anyway to hold it still? Bastard is fast.

[outofsynth]

[If Jotaro's right, then both his back up options are best kept away from this fight. That leaves him with limited options until the Glimmora are defeated. He grits his teeth as Night Slash sends Rodeo reeling, blocking the Bisharp pretty effectively while he's at it. He doesn't have any steel type moves, and with him having some weaknesses...

It looks like there's no choice but to put Red Eye more on the offensive.]

Rodeo, Mud-Slap. Red, slow it down with Scary Face.

[If they can whittle down its speed and accuracy, that ought to help some. As will the last of the Glimmora fainting, leaving them with only one Pokémon to focus their attention on.]

Research

[nastyboy]

[Frankly speaking, Dimitri probably shouldn't be doing much when it comes to some of the more... delicate labwork and the like. Or even academic type stuff. He is a man who understands his own talents and passions quite well, and being a scientist of any sort is not among them.]

[But! He is still someone who is more than glad to be helpful and move things where they need to be moved, or organize things so long as they're not too complicated. Anything that doesn't require a degree of any sort (especially from a man from a medieval fantasy world) is something he's glad to pitch in for. He's not doing anything too special, then, when Jotaro speaks up, and Dimitri immediately wanders over a little closer, Gremlin the Rattata on his shoulder.]

Electric and psychic type? I wouldn't say that I have a great deal of knowledge with electric types, although I do possess some companions of that nature... but I suppose, from firsthand experience, I know a good bit about psychic types, depending on the line of inquiry.

[Hm, maybe he should explain.]

My own psychic companions - mainly a Munna and an Indeedee - use their abilities to help me sleep at night, due to issues I have with the matter. In the years we have spent together, they have both learned to communicate telepathically to humans as well, and have functioned as translators when things are particularly difficult or complex between me and other types.

And since then, I have come to learn a bit more about them in turn. So if I can assist in any way...

[phdepression]

[Oh hey, it's the totem/rat guy from New Year. Jotaro had seen him moving some of the equipment around but hadn't had a chance to talk to him. Jotaro gives him a small nod, glad that Dimitri's there to give him new insight.

Jotaro listens to the blonde attentively, reviewing over the information. That's a lot to take in. Most of it, Jotaro didn't even know, only having been here for five months.] Psychic Pokemon can help with dreams. I should keep that in mind. [Maybe one of his partners can help with his own dreams.]

You certainly have more experience than I do. I have six psychic Pokemon but I still haven't spent much time with them. Your insight will be good.

[He shows the screen he's been looking at. It's pictures of the various research notes on pokemon sighted in Area Zero, with seven sketches in particular marked 'Robot Pokemon?']

A lot of the research done in Area Zero is about the energy and the strange Pokemon here. Despite appearances and the tentative name that the scientists have given, only one of these is a steel type.

But I was asking about Psychic types because of the energy output the station's been gathering. I don't pretend to understand the details but I understand patterns: and it suggests there may be Robot Pokemon that are partially Psychic type in Area Zero. However, when I checked their database I couldn't find anything that could be partially psychic, save for maybe this. [He opens his Pokegear to show a blurry picture of Iron Valiant he took.

He can continue but he pauses, wanting to hear Dimitri's thoughts (if any) on the matter.]

[nastyboy]

Different types seem to interact differently with their powers, but, yes, some do indeed help with dreams.

[He falls silent right after that, however, allowing Jotaro to speak about everything he's been doing here and the research he needs assistance with. Unknown typing, strange energy... He thinks about this carefully.]

I see... If they are psychic, I suppose that could explain some things. Psychic types do often use their abilities in more passive and mundane ways. For example - ah, pardon me.

[Reaching down to his belt, he releases the seal on one of the pokeballs there. In the usual flash of light, there emerges a Munna.... already surrounded by a soft pink energy which cradles that the little orb of a creature floats right there, although his eyes are clearly closed despite what is leaking out of his head hole.]

This is Kent, who assists me with my sleeping.

If they are mechanical or strange in some way... perhaps psychic abilities would help them move various joints, and float. Things of that nature.

[phdepression]

[Makes sense. He's pretty sure his Armarouge can only incinerate people with its psychic powers.

Jotaro gives a small nod and waits for Dimitri to release his Pokemon. A pink orb with purple flowers... cute...]

So Kent uses his powers passively? Like floating and emiting that gas? [Forgive him, he's never seen a Munna or Musharna before.]

...Maybe. Unfortunately, with these robot being so new, it's hard to determine what type they are. But if there are lots of psychic Pokemon down in Area Zero, that would partially explain the readings, especially if it they use their powers passively...

[nastyboy]

Indeed. While not to the extent that Abra do, as a Munna, he does sleep a good portion of the time that I am awake, due to his nocturnal habits, but his powers still have him respond to me when I am addressing him. Thus, he floats.

Well, that is the extent to which I understand it. I am not an academic who has devoted himself to Kent's particular type.

[But he understands it well enough on the layman's level, he likes to think.]

Would you like me to go out into the field with Kent, and some of my other companions? If it is heavily influenced by psychic abilities, then I have some types who would also be able to counter that and not be so heavily affected. For example, both ghost and dark types have a strong resistance - if not outright immunity - to such psychic abilities, and so they too may be able to give some insight.

Research Notes

[phoenixwiz]

(Extensive research and books have never been his strongest assets but ever since he came to the world of Pokémon that has changed a lot as he begins to study battle strategies and learning about Pokémon care. Harry could have sworn that Hermione would yelled at him if he didn’t put enough effort to do his study research so he has come to appreciate that part very well.

Now Harry has been doing some minor intern tasks for some time when Jotaro calls out to him and asks if he is familiar to Psychic and Electric Pokémon. As fate has it, he is very familiar with these Pokémon types very well and some of his strongest Pokémon are either Psychic or Electric with Molly the Alolan Raichu being both.

He and said Raichu soon approach Jotaro and the former begins to look at the Paradox Pokémon profiles.)

It usually depends on which Pokémon line one has in mind but generally I’m well versed in both types by now that they can be very useful in many things.

For example, Psychic Pokémon, especially my Espeon, Alolan Raichu and some of my friend’s Pokémon, are highly valuable in helping me to sleep since I did have some struggles to sleep easy on some nights and they can help in translating things I might have struggles in understanding. They are so well trained to telepathically communicate with people as well.

Rai, Rai-Chu! Chu!

Electric Pokémon meanwhile are quite energetic in nature for the most part and they can be helpful in certain situations such as charging things on the go. But wild ones can use the electricity to defend themselves if provoked. From what I have read online, in Alola several Pikachu have been trained to help in generating electricity in the region. They can also use their tails to check out their surroundings through feeling the electricity in the area.

[phdepression]

[Ah, it's Harry. Good kid. Jotaro doesn't smile but he nods to the man in greeting as he approaches.

This is the second person who's talked about Psychic Pokemon helping with bad dreams. Jotaro usually just tanks them. Maybe he should consider asking his own Psychic Pokemon could help him... and with talking to other Pokemon too.]

Hmph. Pikachu helping with generating electricity. Wish mine would do that. Right, Jerry?

[Jerry happens to be Jotaro's Pikachu who is sitting next to the big machine. He wiggles his ears but goes back to his task: polishing a surfboard with surfboard wax.]

You seem to know a lot. You reckon you can help me with this stuff? It's about these weird robot Pokemon they keep finding over Area Zero. [He'll show Harry a bunch of readings the satellites have been picking up.] I'm sorting through these readings about electric and psychic energy around Area Zero but I'm having a hard time picking out which of these Pokemon are emitting which energies. All of them look like they should run off electricity and none of them look like psychics... except for maybe one I saw in the wild earlier...

[phoenixwiz]

(Seeing Jerry polishing his surfboard in many ways remind Harry a lot of Roger right about now. That Pikachu of his is also just as attached to his surfboard as much as Jerry is towards his. At the moment Roger is stuck at the Academy dorm for now so he will have to wait it out for the two of them to meet each other soon.

Harry looks at the satellite readings to examine in further depth. The young man does notice something off among these mysterious robot like Pokémon. The energy levels are pretty high. After all he did befriend an Iron Fluff (future Furret) months ago so he is quite familiar about this to an extent.)

Strange robot like Pokémon? I have saw some of the research that was made a few minutes ago. This is quite an unusual phenomenon. From what I’m seeing right now, they might be a future evolution of Pokémon from a different timeline where Pokémon would become more robot like in appearance. That could explain why it might be tough to spot a psychic Pokémon from an electric one. Maybe Molly can try to look into this by sensing the electricity and psychic energy in the area.

Raichu!

Oh wow, you actually encountered one of them in the wild a while ago? I may have seen a glimpse of them a while ago too but it was so fast I couldn’t see its psychical appearance clearly. What does this strange Pokémon look like?

[phdepression]

Pokemon from a different timeline. Good grief, as if things weren't complicated enough. [Weird but not the most absurd thing Jotaro's had to deal with. He listens to Harry's comments and suggestions thoughtfully.]

I'd appreciate that, Molly. ...And yes, I did. Here.

[He opens his Pokegear and shows off a very distant photo of an Iron Valiant.] I took this after doing some work in the depths of Area Zero. It seemed to be stalking me but fled when I tried to confront it. This is the clearest shot I could get of it.

[phoenixwiz]

This world is unfortunately very prone to very strange things happening at a moment’s notice. Being flung into the future or the past, people from various worlds showing up for the weekend, strange metal worms eating anything metallic, angry Pokémon trying to sabotage a race, a pack of Snorunts affecting your luck. Weird things tend to happen in here a lot.

(And no, Harry isn’t making any of these things up. He had witnessed plenty of these things a lot by now that being wound up in such madness in the world of Pokémon is very commonplace.)

I did met a robot Pokémon that resembles a robot like Furret while everyone got sent into the future months ago. Friendly little one though, it wouldn’t hurt a fly at all.

Rai-Chu, Chu!

It was stalking you? Oh my, it seems like these particular Pokémon are a lot smarter than I can imagine.

(Harry then looks at the image of Iron Valiant Jotaro took and he notices that it has a near resemblance to Astra the Gardevoir mixed with elements of Gallade. How interesting, he never thought that this is the Paradox Pokémon they’re dealing with.)

Oh wow! This looks nearly similar to my Gardevoir (actually my friend’s Gardevoir but I had her since she left a year ago) with some elements from a Gallade added in.

FIELD NOTES

[insidescoop]

Heh?

[Carly is here of course, for criminal reasons, but she's certainly not Dressed for crime so it's no surprise she's easy to pull off.] HehHHHH?

HE- Oh. [Oh, that explains the palafin, uh.] A 'not bug'..? Hold on...

[Excuse her as she looks over at. Uh.]

...Is...That a satellite??

[phdepression]

[Hello Daughter-In-Law, fancy seeing you here.]

Maybe... If it's not a satellite, it's at least a UFO. [Technically, they're now called UAPs, Jotaro-]

It's aggressive. Moreso than some of the other robotic Pokemon here. Trying to get data on it but it's difficult.

[insidescoop]

Man that's weird to think about when alien pokemon exist... [wait what]

Hmmmnnn...

[Carly does well to stay hidden with her father-in-law at least, and seems to be taking this seriously; all that crime really Does pay!] Normally I'd guess something like that will be 'steel' type, but there's been so many robot-things down here that there's no way that's going to be for sure...

[She crosses her arms, lips pursed with thought.] I'll need to pull out a heavy hitter...did you see what it attacked with?

[If it's aggressive, you saw it attack Something right?]

[phdepression]

What's the difference between a normal Pokemon and an alien Pokemon?

[Hello? What????]

It was screeching and letting off electricity, discharge, I think. It's why SP and I have been hesitant to try fight it. Even if SP is strong, we wanted more data before we just... attacked.

[Like you clearly are planning on doing. Seriously?]

the joke is that fire and poison are also ground weak jakhgjdfkhg

[insidescoop]

They came from another reality basically.

[Literal aliens Mister Dad!] Hm, electric sparks...

[And uh, yeah seriously, she's got a team of 100s over here big guy, she's got this-]

Well, when in doubt, ground's a pretty good call~ It's strong against steel, and against electric!

Okayyyyy, Kyusei~!

[And out comes Kyusei, a shiny quagsire. With a happy BLAP as Carly comes over the rocks, she beams and points toward the strange pokemon.] Give it a nice mudslap so that we can deal with its accuracy~!

QUAAAA!

[AND SO IT DOES

AND SO IT HITS

AND SO- holy shit that pokemon Really doesn't like ground-]

Hooooo! Look at that!

Field notes

[epitaffio]

[The robot Pokémon are pretty weird, but none of them have made Doppio yelp the way Jotaro's Palafin has. Of course, that may have something to do with the fact that none of the robot Pokémon have nabbed him and physically dragged him away. Not yet, at least.]

Huh? Bwuh??

[WHAT IS GOING ON. WHY IS HIS INPUT BEING REQUESTED IN SUCH A FORCEFUL WAY. IS THERE A WRONG ANSWER. IS THIS A TEST]

It's... a Steel-type??

[phdepression]

[Star Platinum definitely isn't apologetic. They had to avoid being seen. What are you doing strolling around in the open when the creepy moth is right there?

Jotaro merely grunts and pulls Doppio to kneel down next to him. He points to the Iron Moth, which turns its entire body, seemingly searching for prey.]

Is it? You fought it before?

[Sorry, Doppio. Jotaro's awful with manners when it comes to tense situations and after seeing the robot Pokemon harass other more familiar Pokemon earlier, he's not letting his guard down.]

[epitaffio]

N... No, I'm just... looking at it.

[Sorry, Jotaro. Doppio has misunderstood the assignment.]

[phdepression]

...

[Jotaro stares back at Doppio, wondering if the man was joking.]

...

[... He doesn't seem like he is.]

Good grief. If you don't know, you don't know. You wouldn't be the first person confused with the type of these robotic Pokemon.

[Jotaro shakes his head. Ugh, he better explain himself.] That thing there, the robot moth, is aggressive. I'm trying to take it down for study. I didn't want it attacking you so I had Star Platinum take you over here. And I was hoping you knew what it was and how to fight it.

[That's his explanation and his 'apology']