Species: Alakazam
Location: n/a
Update: It seems Kadabra has an alternate method of evolution, at least within the Hisui region. Once he had the opportunity to recover from battle, he approached me with the cable he grabbed in the anomaly and asked to evolve. I have to admit, I didn’t understand at first, and was quite surprised when it worked. I wonder if this same item could be used to help Machoke and other like Pokemon evolve.
Species: Cranidos
Location: n/a (Anomalous Dome)
What I know: Rock type. With enough training, it evolves into Rampardos and, excepting its hidden ability, it's only known to have Mold Breaker. They’re incredibly rare due to the fact that they’ve been extinct for millions of years. The only known specimens are clones created from lingering DNA in fossils and offspring handled by professional breeders in attempts at conservation. They’re thought to be native to jungles, but every fossil-born specimen has been unearthed in the Sinnoh region, which has fascinating implications for what Hisui was like in its distant past. The science also suggests that they were steel types prior to being “revived”, and that the imperfect process replaced that with the more familiar rock typing. It’s unclear why, but as is the case with many of these cloned Pokemon, females are substantially less common than males.
Notes: It appeared in the black dome that manifested over the Celestica Trail. I didn’t see how it, specifically, got there, but did get a very good view of an Octillery… I hesitate to say ‘teleporting’ in, but I don’t have a better word for what I observed. It seems likely that all of the wild Pokemon present were displaced in this fashion, seemingly even through time.
Species: Magnemite
Location: n/a (Anomalous Dome)
What I know: Electric/steel type. If trained properly, it will evolve into Magneton, but its method of evolution into Magnezone is somewhat more contentious. Some claim it has to do with the magnetic fields a Magneton is exposed to, others say a thunder stone is plenty. Like Joltik, they feed on electricity, and have been known to cause power failures by damaging electric lines. While hatched with the ability to defy gravity, these Pokemon aren’t inherently immune to ground type moves, as they would be with Levitate; instead, their most common abilities are Magnet Pull and Sturdy, and the entire species lacks any gender.
Notes: Another Pokemon teleported in by one of the domes. I wasn’t able to make it to this one in time to see inside, but was able to witness this Magnemite wander beyond its radius. The Pokemon the last one summoned were sent away as it faded, so why was this any different? Because it strayed outside of the boundary? I feel bad for it; it’s stuck here now, too. I’m looking after it for now, and we’ll see if it we can’t get it back where it belongs.
Update: Despite being left wild and well within the bounds of one of these domes, Magnemite remained at my side when the storm passed. It seems they aren’t interchangeable, which makes sense if they’re teleporting Pokemon from different times-- as suggested by Cranidos-- and spaces, as Magnemite seems to indicate. I’m going to offer it a place with me and hope that its fate isn’t a sign of things to come.
2nd Update: I’ve noticed a Magnezone take up a flying pattern over the Celestica Trail, and am unsure what to do about it. Surely it’s distressed and looking for its home, but I’ve yet to see it land for even a few seconds. I’m workshopping a better plan than ‘send Gliscor up to investigate’, which could reasonably be interpreted as hostility.
Species: Porygon
Location: n/a (Anomalous Dome)
What I know: Normal type. Through a series of upgrades, it will evolve into Porygon 2, and while the potential for a Porygon 3 is there, none have gone on record successfully evolving into one. Instead, they’re known to evolve into the corrupted Porygon Z. All three stages are composed of computer code, so their care requirements are unusual; like most Pokemon, they enjoy berries and poffins, but have no need to draw breath. Logically, if they lack lungs with which to breathe, they shouldn’t have anywhere to store the matter from snacks. Their most common abilities are Trace and Download. These are one of the most famous examples of artificial Pokemon, intentionally created by humans in the modern day.
Notes: This confirms that the storms pull Pokemon back in time as well as forward. It seems like that should be pertinent information, but as of right now, I don’t know how to use it; I need to understand more before making any hypotheses. As a full disclosure, I am not an expert on this Pokemon, so this information may be outdated. Or… predated. I’ll never get used to that.
Species: Bastiodon (Alpha)
Location: n/a (Anomalous Dome)
What I know: Rock/steel type. It’s known to evolve from Shieldon when trained properly, and its most common ability is Sturdy. Like Cranidos and Rampardos, they’re long extinct and can only be revived through cloning. Males are substantially more common than females.
Notes: This specimen confirms that alpha Pokemon also existed in Hisui’s distant past. Machamp pulled us through the encounter, but it was close.
Update: It’s belatedly occurred to me that this is the sort of Bastiodon I’m familiar with, which is to say, it’s a rock type clone. It’s not from the prehistoric past at all. It’s from the future. From Sinnoh. I had it backwards; does this then imply that the phenomenon of alpha Pokemon persists into the modern day?
Species: Machamp
Location: n/a
Update: I can confirm that the same type of cable Alakazam used to evolve was also effective on Machoke.
---
Ring, ring, ring, ring, ring.
There’s a high humming nearby, but it stops as Magnemite is gently urged away from the Arc Phone. Once the interference has been dealt with, the caller begins.
“We’re on our commute back from the meeting, now. As expected, the Highlands are far from the only locale being affected by these… I’m not sure how to translate it, actually. Warden Calaba used a very specific turn of phrase, invoking Pearl Clan’s Almighty Sinnoh and its ties to space. From what I’ve observed, she’s not exactly wrong, but after the last time she berated me, I’m not about to bring up the temporal aspect with her.” The snow today seems especially crunchy as he walks through; it must be slightly old and frozen over. “I suppose the closest I can come to a direct translation is ‘spacial distortion’, though between you and me, I would call it a space-time distortion.”
Something swoops by and, judging by Ingo’s muted reaction, it seems safe to assume it’s a friendly Pokemon, checking in from an aerial watch.
“Language issues aside, we’ve determined that the distortions are likely connected to the rift above Mount Coronet. Given the aesthetic similarities and the pressure they both put a person under, it was hardly in debate, but it’s nice to see that we’ve all arrived at the same station for once.” He pauses and chuckles under his breath, "The pooling of information did indicate that I was the only warden foolish enough to venture into an active distortion field."
The buzzing grows louder again and, instead of shooing Magnemite away a second time, Ingo opts to adjust Rotom’s altitude, making up for that distance by raising his volume. From the sound of things, the steel type has been settled into his arms. “I stopped to check in with Sabi while I was here. Can you believe that her Elekid’s already evolved? She impressed upon me that, when I find the ‘funny box that makes him evolve again,’ she’ll have something to trade for it; I’m assuming she meant an electirizer. I’ll keep it in mind the next time I venture into a distortion.”
He lapses into silence for a moment, keeping up his pace without issue, even though the amount of crunching suggests the snow here isn’t particularly shallow. He’s come a long way from stumbling through it.
“The fact that they do connect Hisui through time and space is of the utmost importance, but I don’t see any way to utilize it as of yet; whether they connect to the modern day, or clear across the region is a branching route one can’t hope to anticipate. Moreover, they’re incredibly volatile. Even if there was a process to harness their temporal displacement, one would need to manage it while fighting back the ultra-aggressive Pokemon it summons. Not impossible by any means, but…” He sighs and a short buzz answers. It’s followed by a quiet exhalation of a laugh. “I’ll endeavor to keep an open mind, at least. It does seem to indicate that this is what I’m meant to act on in Hisui, and if that’s the case, I just need to remain vigilant and act when the time comes.”
It’s difficult to ascribe any specific meaning to the silence without visual cues, but it lapses from thoughtfulness into solemnity. After a moment, there’s a soft click and Magnemite gives a nervous, static hiss.
Voice cautious, though not fearful, Ingo says, “We’re nearing the alpha Mamoswine. I’ll call you back once we’re past.”
Click.
---
The trainers you passed most recently are:
Pokemon Trainer Coin
Custom Survey Question: What faction are they from?
Answer: Unaffiliated. She was still wearing a portion of her Pearl Clan tunic, and though I recognized part of Galaxy Team’s uniform, I’m uncertain what subsect it’s associated with.
Custom Survey Question: What Pokemon do they favor?
Answer: A Croagunk. I suspect it’s the same one that’s been watching me over the past weeks. Notably, she recalled it to a pokeball, in spite of the Pearl Clan’s beliefs against capturing Pokemon. I’m not saying this from a place of judgment; the break from custom is just an interesting discrepancy.
Notes (private): Despite the alias, she’s clearly Sadorn, and has made no attempt to hide that fact. I’m unsure who her companions were, but they attempted to team up on and get the better of me. Their attempted ambush was transparently an act of retaliation.
Pokemon Trainer Clover
Custom Survey Question: What faction are they from?
Answer: Unaffiliated, but she seemed to be wearing remnants of of a Ginkgo Guild merchant’s uniform.
Custom Survey Question: What Pokemon do they favor?
Answer: She fought with a Snover, which also had a dedicated pokeball.
Pokemon Trainer Charm
Custom Survey Question: What faction are they from?
Answer: Unaffiliated, but as was the case with Sadorn, she wore part of a Galaxy Team uniform.
Custom Survey Question: What Pokemon do they favor?
Answer: She used a Rhydon and Haunter, both of which had pokeballs.
---
A Worthy Offering: It’s about time to inspect Heart’s Home Arena and perform any necessary maintenance. While you’re at it, collect springy mushrooms and plump beans as a treat for Lady Sneasler. COMPLETE
Distortion on the Tracks: Strange reality-warping bubbles have started cropping up all across the Hisui region. You’ve pooled information to discover that they connect through time and space, and are very likely related to rift above Mount Coronet. Study the Pokemon within distortions to see what else you can learn from them.
Highway Robbery: You can confirm that Sadorn is alive and ne’er-do-well. Report this information back to the Pearl Clan and see if you can’t dig up anything about her compatriots. Galaxy Team might be able to tell you more.
---
Gliscor’s training has finally paid off; working together, we were able to stay airborne long enough to reach a distortion in the Wayward Wood and land safely ahead of schedule, which gave me a chance to watch the wild Pokemon there react to its presence. It should come as little surprise that none of them particularly appreciated it, but even the Parasect there seemed wary. None of them made a single attempt to chase me out of their territory.
As usual, Sabi’s prediction rang true. While exploring it, I noticed and was able to procure an electirizer. The next time I’m in the Icelands, I’ll turn it over to her. While I don’t particularly need anything in trade, she clearly had something in mind, and I have to admit that I’m curious what she’s deemed worth her while.
I half expect that she’s going to rig up another pop pod to startle me, but in and of itself, my suspicion renders that possibility moot. If she knows I’m onto her game, she’ll simply change course.
In that way, she reminds me of you.
---
As has become the norm, Rotom begins recording just prior to entering the distortion.
They’ve cut it somewhat close today, and the sound of roaring wind ushers Ingo and Gliscor in promptly, the Arc Phone trailing right after. He keeps his back to the boundary as it flares to life, hand idling over a pokeball before selecting it, and Gliscor splits off from him to get an overhead look as various odds and ends abruptly find themselves on the rocky ground of the Coronet Highlands.
It crows in delight and moves to grab something as its trainer releases a massive Basculegion.
The moment of anticipatory stillness breaks.
This time, the Pokemon startled into a rage is a Sylveon, which proves to be quite the unique sight. It’s quickly backed up by a Dusclops that, while large and aggressive, clearly isn’t an alpha. Basculegion focuses on its fellow ghost first, directed toward both the biggest target and greatest threat, and then moves onto the Sylveon.
Despite being newly evolved, she weathers the Pokemon that appear with an admirable tenacity, perhaps eager to demonstrate her prowess at moving across solid ground-- so when Gliscor shrieks, she’s immediately off, and her trainer has to sprint to keep up.
It’s difficult to say which part of the scene Gliscor was trying to call attention to: the alpha Scyther running amuck or the Cyndaquil it was terrorizing. Whichever it was, its cry comes not a moment too soon; Basculegion sets upon the alpha seconds too late to keep its vicious blades from the smaller Pokemon.
While she keeps it busy, Ingo tries to find a way to approach the Cyndaquil without scaring it or sacrificing speed.
The exact nature of its injury isn’t visible from the distance Rotom keeps, but the viewer can tell that it’s a step beyond ‘unable to battle’. Keeping half an eye on Basculegion-- who seems to need no instruction for the time being-- he rifles around in a pocket until he finds a potion jar. When he tries to touch it, the Cyndaquil weakly jerks away, and he says something to it that’s lost in the din of battle.
Behind him, the Scyther swings an agile Aerial Ace at Basculegion, following it with an X-Scissor that she practically shrugs off. It responds to her answering Shadow Ball with a frustrated Swords Dance. An observer can see the exact instant it switches strategies, and, from his behavior, so does Gliscor.
The bat’s tail wraps around one arm in time to keep its blade from falling, but is unable to stop the second, which finds purchase with a deafening tear. A ragged scream is promptly choked back, and both Pokemon retaliate furiously on their trainer’s behalf.
It’s a terrifying game of alpha versus alpha versus alpha, and so outnumbered, the Scyther is fighting for its life, simply refusing to let itself go down. The matter is only settled by the black-topped pokeball that collides with its snout, and with the damage it’s already sustained, the Scyther is unable to fight off being captured.
At the distortion’s edges, blue winds begin to creep up, and Gliscor swoops in to mantle over its injured human as the bubble of unreality pops.
“I’m alright,” Ingo gasps to the pair of Pokemon crowding in, betraying that he very much isn’t, “But we need to return to station. Our new friend needs help, and I’m up for repairs as well.”
Once Gliscor helps him up, he pockets a standard tumblestone-and-apricorn pokeball, and then spends a second considering the one still lying on the ground. When he moves to pick it up, he hisses through his teeth.
Gliscor looks between it and him, and bats it away with its tail, where Basculegion picks it up in her mouth. There’s a calculating look in her eye, and her jaw twitches as if to crunch down.
“Don’t.” Ingo tells the both of them, and then turns to limp away, trusting that his orders will be followed, no matter how much the Pokemon might disagree.
While unhappy with it, concern wins out, and the two alphas fall into line after him. Rotom zooms along too, once it’s made clear that they’re leaving.
As it does, it captures the long, bloody slash starting halfway up a dark coat.