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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[shiningkindness]

[ The Rattata's excitement draws the attention of the wild Pokemon, who seem a bit wary at the newcomer. But Fluttershy and Allegra do their best to calm them. ]

Shhh, it's all right. There's nothing to worry about.

[ Glancing over at Gremlin, she smiles. ]

Hello! How are you?

[nastyboy]

I apologize, I couldn't stop him -

[Dimitri is already crouching down by Gremlin, hands hovering around the Rattata. However, his worried fussings cannot drown out the sound of an excited rat who is more than happy to respond.]

[Hello! He is doing so good! What is going on! Can he join!]

[Absolutely nothing about any of this actually sounds like a question, that's how full of energy he is. But that may just be a small rodent pokemon thing.]

[shiningkindness]

[ With a giggle, Fluttershy gives the Rattata a nod. ] Sure, we would love for you to join us.

[ The wild Pokemon don't quite seem in agreement, eyeing the newcomers warily. But they eventually manage to settle down, seemingly calmed by Fluttershy's presence.

Looking up at Dimitri, Fluttershy shakes her head. ] No, that's okay. It's no problem.

[nastyboy]

Ah.... Then I'm glad. But I will be sure to stay over here for the time being.

[After all, while Gremlin may just stroll right on in to settle amidst all the wild Pokemon with little care for how startled their presence made them... Well, Dimitri does have some manners. And he'd hate to interrupt things for Fluttershy when it looked like it was going so well.]

[So he'll just... awkwardly kind of sit down a distance away.]

May I inquire what you were doing before we interrupted?

[shiningkindness]

[ Fluttershy can't help frowning a bit. ] You don't have to sit so far away. As long as you move slowly, they won't mind.

[ She holds up a hand to one of the wild Pokemon, who eagerly leans into it for pets. ]

Oh, we were just talking. [ She holds up the clipboard she was writing in. ] The researchers needed some information, so I offered to ask.

[nastyboy]

I see...

[Scoot. Scoot. Scoot. He's doing his best, here.]

I am glad that so many are open to a conversation like that. What information are the researchers most interested in? Or, at least, those with whom you spoke.

[shiningkindness]

[ Well she did say move slowly. Maybe not that slow, but the Pokemon seem more comfortable anyway. ]

Well, they mostly wanted to see if there were any fundamental differences between the Pokemon down here and the Pokemon on the surface. And from what I can tell there doesn't seem to be.

[nastyboy]

Is that so? Then, that is a good thing to hear.

[Dimitri offers up a tentatively hopeful sort of smile. Hope isn't really something that he's often eager to put his stock in sometimes, but he does do his best to be a little more optimistic than.... not.]

It means that there is less than we thought for us to all become friends and partners in the future.

[shiningkindness]

Right? Even if these Pokemon aren't familiar with humans, it isn't really that different getting to know them and work with them. And they're curious about us too.