Ring, ring, ring, ring, ring.
The first thing one might hear is a short burst of laughter-- something between self indulgent and self deprecating. It’s followed by, “Apologies for my silence; I’ve been busy violating nearly every safety measure we ever learned.”
Ingo’s tone is strange; there’s a wryness, but an underlying spark below it. It’s not giddiness per se, but an optimistic sense of… anticipation? The complexities of his voice can be difficult to unravel, and he’s not inclined to spell his feelings out when he has so much to relay.
“It’s finally drawn to a close: the frenzies and rift-- all of it.” He pauses, and while his energy smooths out into something more natural, he remains in audibly high spirits. “I would worry for what that means in regards to my way home, but my presence here was a response to the rift, not a result of it. While this track has been closed off-- hopefully indefinitely-- it was never the one I was meant to travel.”
He takes a deep breath in and holds it for a moment. It’s unclear whether he’s using that time to think, or simply relishing it.
“I’m not entirely certain I understand it all, myself, but something caused one of the Almighty Sinnohs to fall into a frenzy of its own. Quelling it is what finally sealed the rift above Mount Coronet.” Fabric shifts and, somewhere in the background, something goes ‘prrrpt?’
“As awful as the circumstance was, I wish you could have seen them-- ideally from a regulation battle distance, if not an even safer vantage point. The two Sinnohs, Palkia and Dialga… they were both terrifying and awe inspiring. Watching them only served to highlight why they’re banned from Gear Station’s premises.” While it’s said lightheartedly, it’s clearly not a joke. His amusement fades into quiet contemplation as he adds, “I hope this might serve as a platform for the clans to come together. If they were divided on the matter of a true and false Sinnoh, then the knowledge that both exist should end their primary conflict. It does nothing to sooth the disagreements that have arisen in the time since, but they’ve already proven that they can see past that to work together.”
For several seconds, he goes silent and seems to lack any further commentary. Something snuffles in close, and any other noise is distant enough that the sound of fingers working through fur comes across.
“I don’t know what comes next.” He admits, eventually. “While I still believe there’s a track onward, to get our hopes up over circumstantial evidence simply isn’t productive. There’s nothing for it but to keep looking for the next destination, and until it’s found, I’ll continue to ensure the safety of the people living in this world.”
It takes a few minutes for him to return to the call-- biding his time by focusing on the Pokemon that’s flopped over onto his lap-- and when he does, his tone is… different. Contrite, wishful and sorrowful, all blending seamlessly into one another as he pours his heart out. “It’s been such a long time now, and I can’t say how much more of the commute remains. I hope you’ve been living well. If that means you’ve moved on… I understand, and I’m sincerely grateful that you found a way to make it through. If I had to adapt, then surely you had to do the same; it hurts to think, but I need be honest-- with you and with myself. Mesprit made that much clear.”
There’s a brief, seconds-long, lull, put to an end with, “It doesn’t matter; you can’t know what happens after winning without winning, and so I won’t stop moving forward. If worst comes to worst, I can only hope that there will be room for me in your life, even if it’s not what we kept before all of this.”
Something chirps indignantly, and there’s a muted snap, followed by a scandalized, “Hey!”
Sneasler snickers, not particularly close to the receiver, but audible nonetheless, and her long-suffering warden blows out a breath.
“She’s right.” He admits, far from begrudging, optimism underscoring his voice once more, “That’s the worst case scenario. Honesty only means that I have to acknowledge the possibility, not sabotage myself by expecting failure. Things won’t be exactly the same-- not even you, no matter what you say or do-- but I truly believe that we’ll be alright.” A pause, followed by a lone chuckle, “It’s rather funny, isn’t it? It always seems to come down to truth and ideals in the end-- or perhaps that’s just the Unovan in me, still there even after all this time.”
In the distance, muffled by some manner of barrier, human voices sound. They seem to snap him back to reality.
“Ah, but I digress. It’s too early to make any definitive statements; one crisis has been resolved, and we’ll simply have to see where we arrive next. Just continue to do your best, alright? I promise to do the same.”
Click.
---
Species: Palkia
Location: n/a (Space-Time Rift?)
What I think I know: Water/dragon type. Its ability is Pressure. Having witnessed the connection it briefly forged with Irida, it appears to have some measure of telepathic ability. It seems likely that, if Dialga had the capacity to shift into an alternate form, Palkia would as well, but I’m unable to confirm this suspicion. The opportunity to ask has already passed.
Notes: A deity representing space and the Pearl Clan’s “Almighty Sinnoh”. It was willing to ally with Irida and myself, perhaps because we belong to the clan that reveres it. I can’t help but wonder whether it was aware of my own personal beliefs, or lack thereof; even if it was, it still cooperated with me in battle, which has to count for something. Per the, admittedly mythologized, information available in the future, this Pokemon is banned from the Battle Subway.
Species: Dialga
Location: n/a (Space-Time Rift?)
What I think I know: Steel/dragon type. Its ability is Pressure. When it frenzied, its very shape changed into something I’d never seen the likes of prior. As of writing this, I’m unsure what might have caused it; it seems clear that Dialga was at the heart of the corruptions in space-time, as the rift sealed with its departure, so, logically, that couldn’t be the trigger. I just don’t have any concept of what could cause such instability in a Pokemon tied to a pillar of existence. Calaba once mentioned rifts appearing in the past; while I doubt she would acknowledge Dialga itself, it could be a place to begin.
Notes: A deity representing time and the Diamond Clan’s “Almighty Sinnoh”. This Pokemon is DEFINITELY not allowed on the subway, Battle or otherwise. How would we keep to a timetable with it afoot?
---
A number of pictures are taken, all centered in the Coronet Highlands. The sky is blue, and the Pokemon sprinkled around in the various backgrounds suggest that life in Hisui is more or less back to normal. Many of these are focused on the territory itself, as if proving to the photographer that the crisis truly has ended.
In an image of the Wayward Wood, Gliscor can be seen perching in a nearby tree, looking down with distrustful eyes. Next to him, a Dartrix alights with some difficulty, bending down the tips of the branch with a weight he hasn’t become accustomed to yet. Beneath them-- the subject of their attention-- Scyther is taking on the alpha Mothim, a Heracross right behind it.
Another series of pictures, slowly zooming as the photographer grows nearer, catches Quilava napping in the lush greenery of the Fabled Spring. Her flames have been extinguished, so as not to spark a fire in the grassy nest, and her lithe body curls around a wild Budew.
But perhaps the most interesting is taken in Moonview Arena, where a pink-and-periwinkle Pokemon seems to have taken over Lord Electrode’s territory, to both noble and warden’s chagrin.
Unseen in the moment-- but present in each of these photos, and many like them-- is a dark, blue-eyed silhouette, hidden in the deep recesses of the background.
---
A brand new subsection is introduced to the notes app. The contents are enigmatic, and the writer is constantly shuffling them around, as if to make sense of them.
As of its latest addition, they’ve been arranged to read:
The “Original One” & Creation:
- The Original One breathed alone before the universe came. (Ayashishi)
- Where all creation was born, that is the being’s place of origin. (Basagiri)
- The Original One is in all things. The Original One is nowhere at all. (Cresselia)
- Two beings of time and space set free from the Original One. (Crebase)
- Two make matter, and three make spirit, shaping the world. (Darkrai)
Plates:
- When the universe was created, its shards became this Plate. (Gachiguma)
- The powers of Plates are shared among Pokemon. (Dredear)
- The rightful bearer of a Plate draws from the Plate it holds. (Idaitou)
- The power of defeated giants infuses this Plate. (Windie)
Unsorted:
- The third being raged, raining down bolts of anger. (Marumine)
- The being poured the remains of its power into stone and buried it deep. (Warrgle)
- The rules of time and space change within the opposite world. (Sneasler)
---
The trainers you passed most recently are:
Pokemon Trainer Rye
Custom Survey Question: What faction are they from?
Answer: Galaxy Team.
Custom Survey Question: What is their role?
Answer: A member of the Agriculture Corps.
Custom Survey Question: What Pokemon do they favor?
Answer: Lucario. To my knowledge, it’s his only Pokemon, and they seem to have a unique bond tying them together. The existence of aura has been long documented-- though, in Hisui, it’s only been a matter of months since Professor Laventon coined the term-- but beyond its applications in battle, I have to confess that my knowledge on the subject is somewhat lacking. Though the Pokedex entry for Lucario has been finalized, it may be worth the time to sit down and talk with Rye to form a more complete understanding of the mechanics themselves, independent of the species.
Pokemon Trainer Ress
Custom Survey Question: What faction are they from?
Answer: Galaxy Team.
Custom Survey Question: What is their role?
Answer: A member of the Security Corps.
Custom Survey Question: What Pokemon do they favor?
Answer: He has three Pokemon, all of them quite common and unevolved, but he’s trained them phenomenally well! Unlike modern EV or Hyper Training, the norm here-- in as much as there is one, with the absence of battling culture-- is to use a substance called “Grit” in order to augment a Pokemon’s abilities. Ress has utilized this the fullest; his Bidoof, Shinx and Starly were exceptionally strong, and while the party composition leaves something to be desired, battling with him was a breath of fresh air!
Pokemon Trainer Beni
Custom Survey Question: What faction are they from?
Answer: Galaxy Team.
Custom Survey Question: What is their role?
Answer: At this point, I legitimately don’t know. A ninja by trade, and part time chef?
Custom Survey Question: What Pokemon do they favor?
Answer: He fought with a Mismagius, Sneasler, Gardevoir and Gallade. The team leaves quite the impression and, minus the Sneasler, I’ve battled a number of trainers with a similar flair on the Singles Line.
Notes (private): He caught me completely by surprise as I made to leave the Training Grounds, asking for a battle. In the past, he’s seemed disinterested at best, and suspicious of me at worst, but of course I wasn’t going to deny his challenge. He’s clearly put a great deal of time and effort into maintaining his image as a feeble old cook, and I never afforded him enough attention to notice. He might be the first person I’ve ever heard use the words “worthy opponent” outside of Pokestar Studios… though, to be fair, the translation is somewhat more nuanced than I make it sound.
---
The Plate of Moonview Arena: You’ve been made aware of a disturbance in Moonview Arena. For everyone’s sake, it’s best to escort this unwitting interloper out as soon as possible. COMPLETE
The Darksome Nightmare: It seems a mysterious Pokemon has been lurking around the Coronet Highlands, just out of view. You’ve seen evidence that it’s partial to the Clamberclaw Cliffs; travel there and survey it. COMPLETE
All About Magikarp: A little girl in the village named Ceci has asked you to teach her more about Magikarp. COMPLETE
Eevee's Evolutions: Floaro of the Construction Corps wants to discuss Eevee's evolution. You should go and have a chat with him. COMPLETE
Steely Lucario: Rye from the village wants you to battle with him and his partner, Lucario. COMPLETE
Battling the Security Corps' Secret Weapon: Zisu has suggested that you have a battle with a little-known, skilled battler in the Security Corps. COMPLETE
The Researcher of Myths: Look into Legendary Pokemon with the help of the merchant Volo, who is very learned in the myths of the Hisui region.