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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Cecil Harvey | OTA

[paladinlost]

Crystal Formations

[Cecil is, very frankly, not having a good time. Those random crystal growths on the surface have been stressing him out for weeks, and now there's even more of them? Between the incident ten (ten? already?) years ago and the dream-that-was-not-a-dream that plagues him still, he has plenty of reasons to worry.

Nevertheless, there is vital work to be done. As he walks towards the depths, he stops near various sparkling formations and takes the time to touch them. With his bare hands, with his clenched fist, with his Pokémon, with a large darkened gem he pulls out of his backpack, with both of his Mega Stones... Anything that could conceivably trigger a reaction. A reaction he very much does not want to trigger.

By the time he runs out of items to test, he turns to prayer, paying no attention to the Pokémon his Clefable, his Ursaluna, his Altaria, his Nidoqueen and one of his Aegislash fend off in the meantime.]

O crystals of this land, I beseech you. Respond to my will and do not awaken from your slumber.


The Depths

[The researchers want them to battle as many of those odd mechanical Pokémon as possible? Fine. Cecil can do that. He even has the perfect tool to do that.

Anyone who stumbles upon him deep within the caverns will find him practically submerged by wild Pokémon. Small ones, big ones, flesh and stone and metal alike. They keep throwing themselves at him, only to be beaten back by his limited team. Their aggressiveness is... almost unnatural, even by this place's standards.

Not that Cecil looks surprised or bothered by this. He's perfectly content to throw healing items at whichever of his Pokémon might need one, along with the occasional order. Perhaps he'd be willing to share his supplies with someone passing by?]

Crystals

[phdepression]

[This guy clearly had some issues. It's not like that Jotaro doesn't have issues himself but letting down your guard to Gandalf mutter while being attacked is concerning. Cecil's Pokemon are much stronger than Jotaro's (save maybe Star Platinum) but Jotaro still finds himself coming over to help. He has his own Pokemon attack those who are harassing Cecil's in small, coordinated attacks so he himself can get closer to Cecil]

Oy. You alright? Something wrong with the crystals now?

[paladinlost]

[As far as Cecil's Pokémon are concerned, the more the merrier! Especially since they don't form a full team at the moment. Immediately, they reorient their attacks to avoid friendly fire, and to offer any additional support that might be needed.

Cecil, though. Letting his guard down is an understatement; when Jotaro speaks up, he practically jumps out of his skin. It takes him a few seconds to actually register that a) Jotaro is speaking to him and b) that was a question. A question that deserves an answer.]

...Something odd, rather. In my experience, crystals tend either to influence the world that surrounds them by their mere presence, or to react to the will of those that approach to them. Yet these appear relatively inert at the moment.

[To prove it, he just... knocks on the crystal in question. Bare-handed. No reaction there!]

[phdepression]

[Jotaro's team will do the same, with the Palafin leading the charge and the others defending. Together they'll make quick work of things! Probably!

Jotaro didn't mean to scare the guy but he's not exactly apologetic he's interrupted whatever he's doing.]

I'm new, so maybe I don't know much about how crystals work in the Pokemon world, but could they be just different down here? It's hard not to bump into one rock or another.

[Jotaro glances at the crystal before he turns back to the battle, making sure his team is okay. However, he keeps engaged with the conversation.]

Is it bad they're inert?

[paladinlost]

[With so many Pokémon working together, no foe can stand in their way! Even if the foes in question are occasionally some very odd machines. Seriously, what's up with that?]

That's a very strong possibility. They certainly are different from the crystals that grew over both Johto and Kanto some ten years ago.

[Cecil finally turns around, either out of almost forgotten politeness or to keep an eye on the battle himself. Both, potentially.]

Considering the trouble those caused with the earthquakes and... everything else, finding inert crystals is something of a blessing. Perhaps this trip will remain peaceful after all.

[Famous last words?]

[phdepression]

[Who knows? But they fight and go down like regular Pokemon and that's the important thing. They can worry why there are so many robots in a seemingly humanless crater later.

Jotaro raises an eyebrow and glances back at Cecil. Ten years ago? Geeze, this guy has been here for some time. Jotaro opens his mouth to ask but then reconsiders at the last moment and just sighs.]

Don't say that. Trouble's always around the corner whenever people say that. If it's not the crystals, it'll be something else. Like the giant rampaging Pokemon in the North.

[paladinlost]

[Cecil's Clefable must agree with Jotaro, because she takes a moment between two opponents to aim a Water Pulse very close to her trainer's head. This is no time to jinx things for everyone!

The trainer in question knows her far too well; he doesn't bother dodging. Instead, he frowns as he tries to recall– There it is. The tale he heard before leaving for his mountain climb.]

Ah, that little incident. The Slowbro, I believe? And it's not even a legendary specimen, for once. Has someone yet managed to calm it down?

[phdepression]

[Oh damn, there really is a lot of trust between the two. Jotaro's Bisharp stares between the Clefable and Cecil until he gets punched in the face by a wild Pokemon. Then he resumes focus, especially after Jotaro gives him a couple of attack orders to help thin the crowd.]

Mmm... a Galarian Slowbro. My daughter and our mutual friend took it down before coming here [He was there helping too, not that Jotaro feels like he needs to mention it]. Fucker was huge. I'm glad it's no longer rampaging. Made a damn mess of Tagtree Thicket.

[paladinlost]

[Cecil starts to reach for his bag, hoping to take out a potion or two and offer them to the Bisharp, but his Clefable is faster with her Life Dew. Good girl. It earns her a nod and a thumb up.]

Is that so? Excellent work on their part. The woods would surely be far worse off without their assistance.

[A thought strikes him, suddenly.]

I don't suppose they learned why that Slowbro acted out so violently? To be honest, that sort of power boost is what I'd expect from a crystal's blessing, if a person – or a Pokémon – were to seek strength above all.

[phdepression]

[What a nice Clefable. Jotaro was just going to let Chariot take the punch so the goofball remembered to focus - the situation wasn't dire enough to worry about HP- but he doesn't protest to the free healing. The Bisharp gives a smile to to Clefable and continues to fight, the herd definitely thinning out.]

Mmm... No. Didn't see crystals or anything of the sort. The titan was just there and then gone when defeated. I'll double check with them when I next see them.

[paladinlost]

At least that makes it somewhat less likely that we'll be dealing with gigantic Pokémon of our own today.

[Less likely, perhaps, but not impossible. Cecil pays far more attention to that thought than to the battle, though he takes to the to wave at his Nidoqueen when she takes down an Iron Moth.]

Then again, it's not as if the odder local specimen need additional power to cause trouble.

[phdepression]

Yeah. I assume that means you've fought giant Pokemon before? You didn't seem surprised.

[Jotaro gives a small sigh and shakes his head.]

Yeah. They're nothing to be messed with. I'm not surprised Area Zero security is so tight... it'd be troublesome if these bastards got out to the rest of Paldea.

[paladinlost]

Well, they usually were legendaries of some sort, which tend towards greatness in all manners. But there was that one prom incident, the one with the hosts with the terrible haircuts, which ended... dramatically, to say the least.

[Does Cecil remember all the details? No. Does he remember Sordward and Shielbert's hair down to the smallest curl? Sadly, yes.]

A few specimen getting out would be bad enough, but if they can manage to reproduce with the local Ditto population somehow, travel between cities would become very troublesome very quickly.

[phdepression]

... Sounds rough. [It's always the weirdest looking bastards that had the most absurd powers and caused the most dramatic incidents, wasn't it?] That reminds me, prom is in two weeks. Is it always that bad?

[It's clear it'll be JoJo's first prom and he has no idea what to expect.]

Well, doesn't seem like that'll be happening today. Especially with your Pokemon around. They're a strong bunch. [He nods in acknowledgement to Cecil's crew.]

[paladinlost]

[It takes Cecil a few moments to answer that question, because his gut answer and his most objective answer are not quite the same.]

...It's not always unpleasant. In fact, we've some delightful proms where everyone had the opportunity to enjoy themselves. But odds are that something will happen, and frankly it's safer if people are prepared to deal with it.

[His smile is meant to be reassuring and satisfied of his answer at once, but the pride he feels when Jotaro compliments his team definitely influences it the most.]

Why, thank you! I've no doubt they'll be delighted to hear you said so. Not that your own Pokémon have any reasons to envy them, with that excellent teamwork. Your Palafin seems to be the leader of the group; I imagine that's your starter?

[phdepression]

Yeah, that sounds about right. Noted. [Jotaro lives his life expecting something dumb and/or dangerous is about to happen. Prom sounds like just the kind of nonsense he's come to expect - guess he'll just have to be on guard as usual.

The man gives a nod to Cecil and then to said Palafin who swims up happy to Jotaro and nuzzles his hand.]

Yes, this is Star Platinum. He's been with me from the start. I like having him on hand since he helps me look after the others, especially the Pokemon we end up breeding. Is your Clefable yours? She seems pretty on the ball with everything.

Crystals

[nastyboy]

[By the time Cecil finishes, Dimitri is standing to the side with his hands politely folded behind his back, and Dean the Emboar mirroring the posture alongside him. He nods to the other man.]

I would have joined you, but I am afraid that I do not know this particular prayer.

[He was raised in the most religious country on the continent back home, he can recognize prayer when he hears it.]

[And Cecil might be hearing the sound of a rat going absolutely hog-wild in the background, but that's just Gremlin contributing to the defense efforts, don't mind him.]

[paladinlost]

[Cecil does hear the rat going absolutely hog-wild first of all, though it takes him a few moments to identify what Pokémon is making those sounds. The Rattata line he now associates, with one person in particular, so hearing Dimitri's voice next is no surprise.]

It is not the prayer itself that matters, so much as the will behind it. The crystals I am familiar with tend to respond to our desires, if they are sufficiently strong.

[When he finally turns, he doesn't bother hiding his frown. Showing his worry is better than letting the seed of panic shine through.]

So many crystals, potentially responding to so many people whose wills are not united... I don't like it.

[nastyboy]

Is that so? I had thought them but the regular sort of things which appear in this world.

[Which is... a lot, frankly. But for all that Dimitri's own homeworld is wild in its own way, he's never had to deal with strange crystals like this, and so he frowns in turn.]

I can see why that would concern you... Would I be able to help, then, in this endeavor?

[paladinlost]

The last crystal growths that spread over Johto and Kanto involved earthquakes and warring legendaries. If such things are normal in Paldea, I worry for the locals.

[He says it very casually, as if he had not nearly had a panic attack upon finding his first crystal cluster in the field. Worrying for the locals is an understatement.]

There's a good chance you might, actually. If the majority of the people present were to, say, wish very strongly for the crystals not to activate, they may well be forced to remain dormant.

[A beat, as he considers alternatives.]

Knocking unconscious anyone who attempts to use them for evil purposes would also be helpful, of course, if they express their desires openly.

[nastyboy]

....Well then.

[Dimitri can certainly see why things are such a concern now, his one eye wide in alarm. Earthquakes and warring legendaries... He'd really want to avoid that, if possible.]

[So he listens attentively, nodding along with both of Cecil's suggestions.]

Of course. I will be sure to make such strong wishes myself, and inform those that I come across as well. If I see any evil doers, then you will not need worry.

Gremlin and I are very familiar with such matters, and so will be able to act appropriately.

[There is nothing about this situation that rat throwing cannot help. Or, at the very least, it will probably not make the situation worse. Probably.]

Would they respond to the desires of our companions as well, such as Gremlin?

[paladinlost]

[Look, if anyone is going to be throwing rats in the near future, it may as well be Dimitri. He's a better option than most other potential rat-throwers, really, as far as Cecil is concerned.

Given a few minutes, he might even be able to express that sentiment in a non-ridiculous manner, but Dimitri's question proves most distracting.]

You know, I had not considered that! It would make perfect sense, of course. After all, not everyone among us is human, despite this world's best efforts, yet there's no reason to believe one's species has an impact on the local crystals' reaction or lack thereof. And Pokémon can certainly be as intelligent or sapient as we are, so why would they not be included? ...Yet if that is the case, the local Pokémon would also be able to influence them.

[That. Might be an issue, now that he thinks about it.]

[nastyboy]

[It is most definitely an issue, considering that now raises the available wishes and such to.... very high numbers. Dimitri won't do the math on that. He just waits for Cecil to think for a minute on what he wants to do, if anything.]

...Perhaps we should try communicating with the local residents, or bribing them.

[Bribe what? Don't worry about it.]

[paladinlost]

[Cecil tries to do the math on that. Tries. And then he stops, because he really doesn't like the numbers he's getting.

Maybe thinking about this wasn't such a good idea after all.]

...I've not brought nearly enough sandwich ingredients for that, I'm afraid.

[Food is always an appreciated bribe, right? But do the robots even eat???]

[nastyboy]

Indeed.... That sounds as though it would require a catering company of some sort.

[And do they have catering to that degree.... All the way out here... He doesn't know, it is a mystery. At least to him.]

...Do you think we could bribe them with other things? Do you believe that creatures of electricity such as they would like video games, or is that presumptive?