Ring, ring, ring, ring, ring.
There’s a very subtle shift to the atmosphere as the null connection is made: the difference between still and fresh air. There’s also the somewhat less subtle roar of water in stereo.
Four hooves clop alongside the caller, keeping an easy pace.
Likewise, the first words spoken are an unhurried, “We’re only just departing from the Highlands. Unfortunately, we faced several delays this morning, but I’m not too worried; even if it’s dark by the time we arrive at the Mirelands, we’ll be able to fend off the Gastly without much issue. Stantler has really gotten the hang of Psyshield Bash, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Tangela asks to evolve soon. Progress is slow, but we’re running toward our next destination.”
Both human footsteps and hooves become louder as the terrain changes to stone. The sounds of water continue, but not so intense as they were a moment prior.
“My concern never actually came to pass; Miss Sadorn didn’t catch me and assume the worst.” He says, though there’s a hint of disquiet to it, “As a matter of fact, in all the time I spent here, I never saw any indication that she stays in her noble’s territory. I recognize that she’s still in training, but wouldn’t living near Sneasler help them to work together? I don’t want to criticize, but it seems like something of a missed opportunity. Ah. Just a moment, if you would; I didn’t realize there were Luxray here. The last time I passed through, I took an-- ahem-- alternate route.”
The one-sided conversation breaks for a prompt, audio-only battle, in which the proven combination of agile Psyshield Bash and Bulldoze features heavily. Once the Luxray have been dealt with, they continue on.
As though no time has passed, he picks right back up, “Should I try to bring the matter up with her? Sneasler’s a wonderful Pokemon, and seeing one another on a daily basis would surely help mend the disconnect between them. It’s just that… I would rather not risk upsetting her any more than I have, and it seems likely that any input on my part would only make matters worse.”
A loud buzzing starts up at one point, but Ingo simply talks over it until it fades into the background.
“With any luck this will give the both of us some room to operate within. I just hope Warden Ryder isn’t made aware that I took an extra stop before the Mirelands.” There’s a small break in the flow of it as he laughs to himself, “I was trying to figure out a way to thank her for the help. A helmet, perhaps? What do you think?”
The amusement audibly wears down into a sigh.
“I should let Stantler focus. If I’m correct in assuming that he needs to utilize his latent psychic abilities in order to evolve, it doesn’t do any good to distract him. I’ll call to let you know we’ve arrived safely at the settlement. Love you.”
---
The device arrives in the Diamond Settlement early in the night. Later, come morning, two apps see a flurry of activity. First is the map, and the upper half of the Crimson Mirelands is immediately decorated in dozens of notes. Second is the photo directory, specifically the folder dedicated to Pokemon.
These apps are both opened and closed in order. The location data attached to the photographs inexorably matches up with the points of interest being marked-- not on a 1:1 basis, but always within a certain radius.
Coincidentally, the device can be located at each one of these flags at least once over the following weeks.
---
This is going to sound incredibly pathetic, but I think I was beginning to forget how nice a proper meal really is. I’ve been making it work with whatever I have on hand, or what I can afford from the village when I stop in, but it’s not the same.
It’s not the quality of the food, but the companionship, or lack thereof.
I sincerely hope you don’t have any frame of reference for what I’m talking about.
---
[A photograph of two statues atop a wooden structure. They’re identical to the ones seen in Kleavor and Sneasler’s arenas. Despite sharing a handful of similarities, the two statues are undeniably meant to depict different Pokemon.]
Is it possible that the crest I mistook for a fin is actually a candle? Its eyes are visible and the anatomy is, admittedly, quite different, but I suppose you could argue that this is a Greavard.
I’ve seen no sign of any such Pokemon here, but having recorded so many species that aren’t considered native to modern-day Sinnoh, it can’t be ruled out entirely.
---
Species: Murkrow & Honchkrow (Alpha)
Location: Cloudpool Ridge, Crimson Mirelands
What I know: Dark/flying types. Murkrow will evolve into Honchkrow when exposed to a dusk stone. Their most common abilities are Insomnia or Super Luck. Honchkrow have been observed to keep a flock of Murkrow with them, or otherwise be able to call them to itself. As Murkrow are said to be omens of misfortune, it’s no wonder these groups are colloquially known as “murders”.
Notes: Honchkrow was aggressive, of course, and the Murkrow followed suit. Interestingly, when several of their number had been defeated, their behavior changed and they fled instead.
Update: It seems their territory overlaps with that of the Roselia and alpha Roserade. As one set is nocturnal and the other diurnal, they seem to have reached some sort of equilibrium. That’s nice to see.
Species: Lickitung & Lickilicky (Alpha)
Location: Shrouded Ruins, Crimson Mirelands
What I know: Normal types. Lickitung will evolve into Lickilicky upon learning the move Rollout. Their most common abilities are Own Tempo and Oblivious. Their most notable trait is the prehensile tongue that they can extend well past their own body. Like Haunter, their saliva is known to cause paralysis.
Notes: I hadn’t thought much of it until just now, but this isn’t the first time I’ve seen an alpha travel with a pack of its pre-evolved form. It was to be expected while observing the murder of Murkrow, but Lickitung aren’t known to be terribly social creatures. Quite the opposite, in fact, when one factors in food scarcity. Is it simply that the weaker Pokemon feel safer with their more powerful kin, or is something else at play?
Species: Ralts
Location: Shrouded Ruins, Crimson Mirelands
What I know: Psychic/fairy type. With training, it evolves into Kirlia. Female Kirlia can only evolve into Gardevoir, which requires dedicated training. Male Kirlia can evolve into Gardevoir or, alternatively, Gallade through exposure to a dawn stone. It’s known as the Feeling Pokemon, and is very sensitive to human emotion, oftentimes reflecting what its trainer feels. If it encounters a human in a foul mood, it’s likely to hide itself away until the tension has dissipated or that person has left the area. Their ability will usually be either Synchronize or Trace.
Notes: They startle incredibly easily. If approached, they’ll flee rather than fight, and if they truly feel threatened, remove themselves from the situation by way of Teleport.
---
An observer could watch an entire night play out across the photographs taken in the Shrouded Ruins.
Taken after dark, stars obscured by a wall of clouds, the environment is barren. Where there is grass underfoot, it’s dry and yellowing, patchy at best; trees dot the area, but they’re brittle and bare. At this angle, the most notable detail is the towers littering this space: made of dark stone, none of them are naturally occurring. They’re flat rocks stacked one on top of the other, balanced just-so to create a free-standing structure that’s stood the test of time.
There are dozens of these free form statues, and no indication what they’re for or how they came to be.
Farther back, distant but still instantly recognizable, is the same pale stonework observed in the Coronet Highlands. This is what the next image focuses on.
It’s taken at the base of a ruined stone staircase. At one time, pillars lined the walk up on either side, but only a handful remain. While the remaining masonry here is similar to what was seen prior, the structure itself is quite different: it was once a large, cohesive building as evidenced by the remnants of the support beams, since worn down into ragged arches.
Third is taken at the top of the stairs, showcasing just how large it used to be. Front and center is a tablet with some manner of inscription on it, but the details are too far away to make out. Several Ralts can be seen in the background; one is milling about, but the others are sleeping, and for good reason. Beneath the cloud cover, the sky is only just beginning to lighten.
It’s followed shortly by closer look at the tablet. There aren’t any Unown this time, but coincidentally, the markings do seem to depict Pokemon. One in particular has the cameraman’s attention, and a hand is laid next to it, drawing the eye. It’s rendered in yellow and is haloed by a grey square.
Second to last seems almost disconnected from the rest. Beyond it, blotches of color are visible in the growing light: green and yellow-leafed trees and the glint of water. The camera wants to focus on the landscape, and it actually takes several shots before it cooperates to capture the comparatively drab subject. The bell-shaped stone is a dull grey-- though even that much is difficult to make out beneath the layers of moss and lichens that entomb it-- but its most notable feature by far is the massive crack running through. Even viewing this image several layers removed from the actual artifact, there’s something ominous about it.
The last picture has been taken just as day breaks, overlooking the same trees from before, but this time centered on a beautiful, circular body of water that spills out into a waterfall on its far side. At its heart lies a small island. This area has been photographed before-- several days prior-- but between the angle and the time of day, this picture feels like a special sight.
Compared to what came before, it’s a nice note to end on.
---
It’s a bright day when the recording starts, angled at a small shore. Some sort of water type flits about in the distance, dipping beneath the waves only to surface a short while later, but its presence is incidental.
The focus is on a happily-writhing bunch of vines, her feet tapping in anticipation. For a brief while, the screen goes dark and a fumbling is heard. The dark spot steps away once the device has been propped up, maintaining its angle without human interference.
Ingo backs off and gives Tangela a thorough rustling, and then his attention strays. He doesn’t smile, but his voice is cheerful as he speaks. Its meaning, however, is almost entirely lost as he stumbles through broken-- if consistent-- Hisuian. A higher voice meets him and, as she steps into view, Sabi swings her shoulders to and fro. Her words must not be what Ingo expected, because he pauses and tilts his head.
Someone else calls from off-screen, and he straightens up abruptly, and then leans forward in a hasty bow. The person scoffs and, after a moment, the man from the search party becomes visible. They speak for several minutes, Tangela’s vines slowly coiling up her trainer’s arms bit by bit, until the man in the blue coat takes notice and laughs.
That seems to set the lot of them on course. The two members of the Diamond Clan back out of frame and, gently, Ingo unravels the vines begging for his attention.
“You’re ready?” He asks in Unovan, and a full-frame shiver runs through Tangela.
Her body, enveloped in the white light of evolution, begins to swell. It isn’t an overly remarkable change as she shifts from the rounded coils of a Tangela to the larger mound of vines that characterizes a Tangrowth, but it’s an important moment nonetheless, and as her form settles, she’s treated to an enthusiastic round of applause from her trainer.
“Bravo!” He tells her, and it’s followed by a whimsical giggle as Sabi echoes it.
The man who’d decided to join says something, and Ingo turns to answer him. As soon as his back is turned, Tangrowth begins wading into the lake, eyes set on the fish in the distance.
The uncertain, “Uh, Ingo?” that follows transcends the language barrier. Obligingly, he goes to look. It’s another second before what he’s seeing clicks.
Tangrowth is hurriedly recalled, but the water makes it up to her eyes first.
With an exasperated sigh, Ingo pockets her pokeball and moves to do the same with his recording device. The last thing it picks up is the sky overhead and renewed conversation.
---
The trainers you passed most recently are:
Warden Iscan
Custom Survey Question: What faction are they from?
Answer: The Diamond Clan
Custom Survey Question: What is their role?
Answer: Warden to Lord Basculegion (Idaitou) of the Cobalt Coastlands (Gunjo no Kaigan)
Custom Survey Question: What Pokemon do they favor?
Answer: Unknown. Not ghost types.
Warden Mai
Custom Survey Question: What faction are they from?
Answer: The Diamond Clan
Custom Survey Question: What is their role?
Answer: Warden to Lord Wyrdeer (Ayashishi) of the Obsidian Fieldlands (Kokugou no Genya)
Custom Survey Question: What Pokemon do they favor?
Answer: She has a Munchlax. It’s very sweet and, as the species tends to be, very hungry.
Warden Melli
Custom Survey Question: What faction are they from?
Answer: The Diamond Clan
Custom Survey Question: What is their role?
Answer: Warden to Lord Electrode (Marumine) of the Coronet Highlands (Tengan no Sanroku)
Custom Survey Question: What Pokemon do they favor?
Answer: I believe I saw a Stunky with him, but I was somewhat distracted at the time.
Custom Survey Question: If I were my brother, how would I deal with this man?
Answer: I immediately regret making this joke, even if only to myself, both due to the fact that the device won’t let me delete the field, and also because I already knew the answer. Tempting, but I don’t have a Pokemon with String Shot.
---
Ryder’s Request: Warden Ryder has asked that you catalog a number of Pokemon native to the Diamond Clan’s territory in the Crimson Mirelands. It’s clear she’s doing this to keep you out of trouble in the Alabaster Icelands, but why not? Find and document a Roselia, Ralts, Combee and Burmy. COMPLETE
Watering with Care: An individual named Odo is worried about a Sudowoodo that seems to be under the weather. He wants your advice on what to do. COMPLETE
The Headache-Stricken Psyduck: Martha of the Diamond Clan lives with Psyduck and wants you to find some medicine that might help alleviate the headaches they chronically suffer from. COMPLETE
Combee Sweet: A clan member called Hedi is looking to acquire Combee’s wax to help waterproof the settlement’s new tents. She needs help collecting it from the local colony. COMPLETE
The Nobles’ Hands: The Diamond Clan’s Wardens meeting in one place is an incredible opportunity to ask about their Nobles. Seek further insights into Lords Wyrdeer, Basculegion and Electrode.