A number of photographs are taken using the unnatural sky as a focal point.
Some have it on display to the exclusion of all else, and these offer a fantastic look at what, exactly, is going on. The skyline is awash in murky green and poisonous purple, bleeding together like the body of a Spiritomb. Most notable, however, and certainly the easiest to pick out, are what can only be described as incorporeal panels lined up in perfectly parallel rows, slowly crossing the sky like geometric clouds. If one had the frame of reference, they might compare the shape and color to the massive gem held by a Mega Sableye.
Reasonably preoccupied with this change in the landscape, the photographer focuses on it for some time, trying different vantage points to see what might be read into it.
When he turns his camera on the rift, the cracks reach wider than they ever had before, branching out into brilliant splinters of light that surpass their storm of origin. Another image follows, this time from much closer up. From this perspective, the rift is so bright that it drowns out the sky beyond it. In a counter-productive way, it’s almost like nothing-- save for this glaring affront to nature-- is wrong.
While he’s there, a single picture is taken of the Coronet Highlands from this perspective. Lit in red, the landscape seems almost alien, in spite of the fact that it’s exactly as it always has been. There’s no second photograph, and it’s easy to tell why. It’s a deeply unnerving sight.
The trip down paints a portrait of its own: where Pokemon had hidden away from the rift and fled distortions, they’re there to be observed in this environment. They aren’t depicted following their usual patterns, however; while not frenzied, their behavior is almost on par with their alpha variants: aggressive and quick to battle amongst one another for barely any reason at all.
When the device’s owner snaps a picture of the Bronzor telepathically fighting one another along a steep ravine, a humanoid figure can be made out at the incline’s base, frozen as it waves up to him.
The pictures don’t stop there, but the perspective changes drastically. Instead of being taken from a human’s point of view, they come from up in the air, angled down to observe the world below. It’s like this that the Arc Phone trails after Ingo and Irida, all the way to the base of the mountain where many of the other wardens-- Diamond and Pearl alike-- have assembled.
They seem to be deep in discussion, but Rotom quickly grows bored and-- after a picture in which Ingo has most definitely caught it zooming around-- stops, leaving the specifics up to the viewer’s imagination.
---
A short snippet of video is captured later that day, the Arc Phone safely back in human hands.
The circumstance is one that’s been seen before, if not to such a magnitude: an entire group of people and Pokemon moving together, clan lines blending into nothingness. Irida and Adaman take up the front, flanked respectively by their Glaceon and Leafeon.
Palina and Iscan and Mai and Lian stick noticeably closer together, while Calaba and Melli keep their distance from the others. Bibarel dutifully trots with its human, and Skuntank lumbers along, keeping one side of the procession safe from attack. Gaeric can be seen nearby, helping to defend from the back.
Sabi sticks with the cameraman-- the most of her that can be seen at once a mass of green hair or the glimpse of a hat-- and Arezu is walking with her head turned back, quietly, awkwardly, chatting with either her fellow Diamond Warden or one of the Pearls.
As aggressive as the wild Pokemon have demonstrated themselves, only one makes any attempt to attack such a large group. The fact that there are several fearsome-looking Pokemon guarding their chosen humans almost certainly helps to ward them off.
The recording lasts for just a few minutes, focused more on what’s become of the Obsidian Fieldlands and its native species than the people it captures in passing. Ingo doesn’t breathe a word of commentary throughout, his only input in direct response to something Arezu asks.
Wherever their destination lay, they still have a great deal of distance to cross.
---
Ring, ring, ring, ring, ring.
The first thing that comes across is the distant sound of rolling waves. Not long after, there’s a snore from somewhere much closer to the receiver.
When the caller does speak, it’s hushed-- and not only out of courtesy for the fact that someone is sleeping nearby. There’s no small amount of something like gratitude in his tone.
“We met with Galaxy Team in regards to,” He hesitates and then lands on, “...the situation, hoping to cooperate for the sake of everyone living here. The commander was convinced that the current situation was connected to the quelling of the nobles, and working from the information he had at the time, his logic was sound. Frankly, it's my belief that pride was the only thing keeping Melli from agreeing with him.”
From one side, there’s a familiar trilling hiss of an exhale, indicating that Gliscor is very near. On the other-- almost as an answer to the bat-- there’s a smaller, more human sound.
He lowers his voice further. “As Professor Laventon was already aware of my direct involvement, I saw no reason to obfuscate the truth, and attempted to draw Kamado’s ire away from the clans; it was my belief that, in distancing myself, it would enable the larger factions to work as a whole. Irida... wouldn't hear it. She told the commander that I was acting under her orders, and if he took issue with that, he should consider it a declaration against the Pearl Clan itself. I-- I never could have anticipated that she would protect me.”
There’s a soft sound; it comes across as white noise at first, and slowly develops into a pattern-- a scoop and then shifting sand, cascading down from a small height. While not anxious, exactly, there’s a nervousness to be read into it: hands seeking something to do, some way to ground themselves now that the situation has taken an unexpected turn.
“...Adaman put the Diamond Clan’s lot in with us, as well.” There’s a short, stifled laugh, “I saw Melli make a face, but he didn’t say anything to stop him. None of the wardens did. I can still scarcely believe it.”
He takes a slow breath, and Gliscor can be heard nuzzling its face into its human’s neck. “We’re resting outside of the village for the night; now that we’ve found somewhat common ground, we can start working on how to solve this problem. In spite of the circumstances, it’s incredible to see the clans cooperate like this.”
It sounds like that’s not the only thing on his mind, but he’s interrupted by a deliberately muted, girlish voice.
“You should really sleep. You’re going to need it when Volo gets to the village tomorrow.”
There’s a pause. “I see; the warning is much appreciated. Give me just a moment and we’ll both try to get some shut eye, alright?”
He’s answered by a sleepy hum.
“It’s been suggested that I pull the brakes on this conversation for the time being, so I’ll speak with you later. There isn’t much more to share at the moment, anyway. Rest well in the meantime, won’t you?”
Click.
---
The trainers you passed most recently are:
Commander Kamado
Custom Survey Question: What faction are they from?
Answer: Galaxy Team
Custom Survey Question: What is their role?
Answer: Leader of Galaxy Team and Jubilife Village
Custom Survey Question: What Pokemon do they favor?
Answer: Unknown.
Pokemon Trainer Volo
Custom Survey Question: What Pokemon do they favor?
Answer: Strangely, he didn’t use his Togepi or Gible when he challenged me, today. Instead, he battled with a Lucario that I’d never seen accompanying him before. While it could be a recent capture, that seems unlikely, as Lucario only evolve with a strong bond, and short of the alpha in the Icebound Falls, I’ve never seen one running wild. Perhaps when we met, he was trying to raise a newly acquired Pokemon, and I simply never battled this one?
Miss Cogita
Custom Survey Question: What faction are they from?
Answer: Unaffiliated.
Custom Survey Question: What is their role?
Answer: Independent inhabitant of Hisui.
Custom Survey Question: What Pokemon do they favor?
Answer: Unknown.
Notes (private): She shares a striking resemblance with Volo and, by extension, former Champion Cynthia in the modern day. Far be it from me to speculate why people might look alike, but from what I gather, they don’t seem to have a familial connection with one another.
---
I don’t want to speak aloud right now. For all that Volo telegraphs without meaning to, this Miss Cogita is much more difficult to read, and far more perceptive. Though it seems incredibly unlikely that she would understand Unovan vernacular, I can’t help but feel that it isn’t out of the question entirely.
We’ve never met before, but she took one look and declared that I’d become unmoored in time and space. She’s correct, of course, and that bodes well for the rest of the advice she offered, but it was still quite unnerving to be seen through so easily. Do you feel like this all the time?
She suggested that our best course of action is to forge something called the red chain. Absent any other solution, that’s my current destination.
...Our current destination, rather.
Irida has decided that, as I’m part of her clan, it’s her duty to accompany me. I tried to convince her that she has no such obligation, but she was unmoved. She’s an incredibly willful young woman, and woe be anyone who underestimates her.
We’ll be heading to each of Hisui’s major lakes in turn; as it’s the nearest, Lake Valor is first on our commute. I’m unsure precisely what lies ahead, but suspect it will be another left turn to add to our circuitous track.
---
Species: Azelf
Location: Lake Valor, Crimson Mirelands
What I think I know: Likely a psychic type, given its telepathic powers. Ability unknown. Evolutions are unknown but, being that it’s a legendary Pokemon, likely don’t exist. It seems to be tied to willpower.
Notes: I didn’t actually battle it, but rather an alpha Overqwil; at this point in time, my observations are surface level, and, admittedly, rather lackluster.
UPDATE: You are correct. To aid your understanding, Azelf is the embodiment of Willpower, or determination as some say. Those tales of humans losing the will to live after touching it are greatly exaggerated. If, next you meet, it gives you the opportunity, scratch behind its crest. It will never admit to it, but that’s its favorite spot.
SPECIES: Uxie
LOCATION: Lake Acuity, Alabaster Icelands
FACTS: Azelf, Mesprit and I each fall under the umbrella of “psychic type” Pokemon, and share the “Levitate” ability. As is true of most so-called “legendary” Pokemon, we do not evolve from or into any other Pokemon. I am the embodiment of Knowledge. I try not to let it go to my head. (You like jokes. Was that funny?)
NOTES: You may be interested to hear that my siblings and I once shared the same egg, and are effectively triplets.
SPECIES: Mesprit
LOCATION: Lake Verity, Obsidian Fieldlands
FACTS: A psychic type Pokemon without evolutions and with the ability “Levitate”. Mesprit is the embodiment of Emotion. You would do well to meditate on what that might entail before approaching it, for your own sake.
NOTES: Good luck!
---
Ring, ring, ring, ring, ring.
There’s a long pause before the caller says anything; during that time, a listener might catch a muffled sound in the background. Just before he speaks, he stifles a sniffle into some manner of fabric, betraying exactly what the noise had been.
“It’s nothing.” He says, voice tight, “Truthfully, I knew it wouldn’t work on the seven-hundredth try. I had just-- I had hoped it might.”
Click.
---
Species: Mesprit
Update: Unnecessarily cruel, for what's said to be a being of emotion.