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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Comments

[phoenixwiz]

Yep, this is going to be a few interesting days ahead of us. I’m still getting surprised by all things we have yet to know about the Pokémon and several things that could happen in this world at any moment.

Rai…

(Even Molly agrees with the insane amounts of chaos and strange things happening in this world. And one thought that her kind’s obsession for fluffy pancakes can be very odd.)

Who knows what sorts of secrets that Area Zero has in store for everyone looking into the crystals and the Terastal energy? I just hope that somebody isn’t going to use them for very unsavoury motives.

(If there is one thing that Harry is very good in spotting right away, it is fearing that bad people can try to misuse things of high power or magic beyond one’s wild imagination. Just ask one Tom Marvolo Riddle for example.)

[phdepression]

The more you know, the more you realise there's much more left to learn. That's one of the things I learned early in my youth.

[Once again, Jotaro's just adding this to the list of 'things that may as well just happen'.

But Jotaro agrees with Harry's sentiment. He's used to powerful megalomaniacs taking advantage of newly discovered powers for nefarious purposes.]

Mmm... Same here. But the more we know, the better equipped we'll be for dealing with it.

[phoenixwiz]

Yeah. That is a lot better than just going into the area without any knowledge on it and not knowing what to expect or do. That close friend of mine I mentioned earlier would have gotten mad at me if I didn’t come into a situation well prepared enough.

Rai! Raichu, Chu! Rai-Chu.

Either way, the cameras should be able to get information on the strange robot Pokémon upclose and hopefully what is recorded in them can help us out in learning more about them, the crystals, and the Terastal energy.

[phdepression]

[Jotaro snorts. He talks a big game about being informed but more often than not he goes into situation with a 'fuck it, we ball' attitude. No need to say that out loud though.]

Indeed. Good luck, you two. Don't do anything dumb. I look forward to hearing to what you find.

[phoenixwiz]

Okay, got it. We’ll try to do our best in setting up the cameras properly and look out for any signs of activity from the Pokémon. And we will try not to do anything silly while we’re down there too. I already had enough trouble from home to last me for a long time.

(Harry and Molly begin to bring out the cameras for the Area Zero video capture of the mystery Gallade/Gardevoir looking Pokémon and see what they’re up to in the wild. He is hoping that the cameras can provide the scientists loads of data to study and learn.)

Rai-Chu!