I still don't own this stuff. I'm just playing with tropes and game mechanics.
Pokemon: Loxley, braixen; Tobio, pidgey; Delacour, fletchling; Zen, zorua; Levi, azurill, Basil, bulbasaur
Chapter 17: Surprise
Lieutenant James Moreau punched the time clock in the main office of the Préfecture de les Rangers Régionale de Kalos at exactly 14:03. He swung through the breakroom to fill his coffee canister with a little bit of coffee to go with his cream and sugar, and took the time to pluck a bulging pile of envelopes out of his mail cubby. His assigned furfrou partner sat neatly at the door, breaking her watchful stance only to sniff imperiously at the half of a sausage pastry he offered and to take in daintily with her teeth. In was gone in moments.
"You might want to straighten that uniform," Berger teased as he sauntered into the break room himself. "Your new beau's been in the hall for like ten minutes waiting for you."
Several of the rangers huddled over their own mugs snickered at Berger's comments. James didn't mind, he wasn't the only one openly ogling the handsome Interpol detective. The man had no shortage of admirers wherever he went. The Rangers were only human.
"We're working a case together," James drawled back with a smirk, "We're not dating. That would be against policy." He took a long gulp of the hot, sweet drink. "Besides, I'm not looking to be anyone's rebound. Madame Gabena is not a disaster I want to follow."
Berger grimaced, as did everyone else in the break room. Even rangers who hadn't been at headquarters during the famous rhyhorn racer's arrest and interrogation had heard about the tumultuous affair. Who knew a mere human could out scream professional soundproofing panels?
Beckoning his furfrou with long fingers, James turned the corner to head to his office, only to find the (unfairly attractive) father of his previous (unfairly adorable) houseguest looming next to his door with an enticingly terrifying gleam in his blue eyes. The near silent tapping of a dark brown portfolio onto the trench coat covering his thigh was the only indication of the man's impatience.
"And to what do I owe this pleasure, gorgeous?" he quipped, hoping the obvious teasing of his tone would cover the admittedly inappropriate glib. Not that he didn't mean it, but it was still wasn't proper. The man deserved it though. Someone should tell the detective that lurking was considered bad manners in most places, even if he did look good doing it.
"Do you still have the original reports regarding the incident in Santalune Forest of March?"
Yet another odd thing James was really starting to like about the Chief Inspector. He was brisk, crisply professional, and straight to the point. If James hadn't seen the man's softer side with his daughter, he'd probably hate him for that. He'd worked with no small number of unrepentant hard asses over the years and they'd all been a pain in his backside. But Higashi's daughter was a cute and resilient little thing, intelligent and considerate, if a smidge snarky, so James could really only appreciate her father. For raising her that way. Of course.
"Yeah," he replied, reaching for his computer. "Got 'em on the database right…"
"No." The interruption was uncharacteristic for the straight-laced inspector, and James couldn't help but immediately shift into a more serious mood. "I mean the paper copies. Written by the witnesses themselves."
James frowned, not liking what that request was implying at all. He reached for the lanyard around his neck, pulling a set of brass keys loose.
"They're in my cabinet," he confirmed, nodding briefly to thick metal doors along his back wall that protected several sets of drawers. "What's wrong?"
"I was with my daughter and a friend of hers who also encountered members of the new team … Flare that night in Santalune," Higashi explained, strong jaw tense in obvious anger. "They mentioned several details not in the reports I was offered from your Communications Department. My daughter is, unfortunately, too well versed in my job to leave out such crucial information."
"And with your clearance there's no reason for the Head of Communications to withhold it as classified information," James finished for him. He really didn't like the implications of that one little bit. He jangled his keys. "I can personally guarantee I copied those reports into the system verbatim. But you want to see them yourself."
"Yes."
The Inspector's simple answer wasn't unreasonable. James ignored the brief feeling of accusation. It wasn't unreasonable. He knew that. He did. Higashi was only doing due diligence. He would be doing the same thing in the guy's shoes and the man had a daughter on the line to take into account as well. He yanked open his cabinet doors, pulling out keys to individual drawer locks. His furfrou had moved to sit guarding the door back into the hall. He gave all the files to Inspector Higashi, from the reports from Lapointe's daughter to the coroner's report for Rinka Shan. James waited, silently, as Higashi read each and every one.
"Several of these reports are longer than the files I was emailed," Higashi said finally, setting a good half-dozen files in a separate stack. "The information that I got last night from Monsieur Pierre is here." He rapped his knuckles on the folders. "But not in the ones provided by Communications. Can you see if that is consistent within your own database?"
"Absolutely," James nodded. He booted up his desktop without another word. Higashi was all business right now, and he could definitely respect that. Even if it was a communications issue, and he hoped it was only that, there was no reason the man shouldn't have kept in the loop. Especially with his reputation.
Five minutes later and something cold had settled in between James' shoulders. He clicked another file. And another. And another. He could feel Higashi staring over his shoulder, even as he wrote line after line of his own in a notebook.
"For security reasons," Higashi stated with a respectful sense of remorse, "I am going to need to confiscate your files."
James allowed himself to close his eyes for a moment before reaching for several official forms.
"You can come with me to the copier," he offered the man. "Because I want my own for HQ in Almia."
Patrick Higashi nodded solemnly as he gathered all the files and tucked them just far enough under his trench coat to avoid someone casually observing them. James meticulously locked every drawer and cabinet before following him out the door. He made a point to lock that too.
Several rangers moved voicelessly against the walls as the pair stalked down to the notary office.
Something was wrong in his Ranger Station, and Lieutenant Moreau was not happy about it.
XYXYXY
Loxley's joy was shining in a swirly sort of way. It was a singular focus, so bright the rest of the world seemed to fade away. Happiness spun everything into a single gleaming bubble waiting to pop over your head and rain sparkles down all around.
He'd finally gotten the hang of walking upright, and his elation had spread over me and the others like a blanket of warm steam. It was so incredibly cozy I couldn't help but feel happy with him.
Which was about the time Zen decided to tackle him, pinning the newly evolved braixen to the ground. Zen snickered as Loxley flailed, still awkward in the transition between upright and not. I laughed as Loxley's now-longer snout puckered sideways in a pout, but moved to scoop Zen up in one arm.
"Now, now," I scolded her lightly, offering a hand out to Loxley so he could pull himself back up. "Wait until he's more comfortable to pull your pranks."
Zen murred innocently, blue eyes blinking oh-so-sweet, and I flicked her nose.
"No," I repeated, "You know better. I'm not saying stop, I'm saying wait. It's not fun right now, it's mean. Wait until it's fun again."
Loxley took the opportunity to bat his own vermillion eyes at Zen. Unused to having her tactics used against her, Zen sniffed and turned her nose away from us both. Clearly embarrassed, she still nodded reluctantly.
"Thank you," I said, skritching her ears lightly before putting her back on the ground.
Slowly, ever so slowly, single wobbly bubble floated in between Loxley and me. I rolled my eyes, not even turning around. Fairy pokémon were turning out to be almost as bad as dark types when it came to mischief.
"Levi," I sighed. "That means you too."
With an absolute deadpan expression, Loxley popped the bubble with a single claw. He chattered something at Basil, and I turned around just in time to see my Bulbasaur swat the little azurill on the head with a vine. Zen cackled again while Delacour and Tobio chirruped exasperated from their perches in the trees.
"That's enough," I managed not to laugh, though I was trembling suspiciously when I bent to pick up a dramatically wailing Levi. I rubbed his tiny blue ears as he burrowed into my chest. "You're not fooling anyone, you know that right?"
Imagine a big blue tomato huffing at you. That would have been Levi right then. He headbutted me, which didn't hurt at all with his tiny size and close proximity, and hopped down over to Zen. I ignored the two of them chattering and swishing their tails at each other, obviously plotting disaster, and pulled up my mini map to check where I was in the dungeon.
The Infested Forest was densely packed, with little room for maneuvering off set paths through the trees. I hadn't really explored the underbrush, because thorns sucked, so I hadn't noticed before now that the dungeon was actually set in deep inside a valley. Now, further from the entrance than we'd ever been in search of more experience points, we were face to face with a sheer cliff. There were still several thick trees nearby, but it was clear that the greenery was fading in a rapidly narrowing canyon.
I frowned at the single path forward. The entire dungeon map had looped and circled back on itself, with this being the only section still faded and unexplored. With everyone being at a much higher level than the giant bugs available, the experience they gave barely made a dent when split between a party of seven. None of my other pokémon had gained enough experience points to evolve like Loxley. Neither had I for that matter. But the converging landscape and dwindling monsters had me hoping for some sort of boss battle. Either it would give my pokémon enough points to evolve or get me to the next dungeon level. Or better yet, both.
My lips pursed as I considered the likelihood of a large battle. My pokémon were as ready as they could be, but I could stand to make a few more preparations for myself.
"Save Game," I ordered as I pulled up several status screens.
Gryffin (Gabena) Higashi level 17, 2699/2835 EXP to next level, €45896/375000
HP: 565/565
MP: 12/27
ED: 15/24
STR: 15 (+10)
DEF: 16 (+5)
VIT: 14 (+2)
DEX: 27
INT: 15
WIS: 16
CSM: 24
LUK: 15
AP: 42
PP: 10
Equipped
Weapon: Oak Staff (2H)
Armor:
Head: na
Chest: leather vest
Legs: na
Feet: na
Accessories: na
I tapped on the armor section, and then again on the leather vest. As soon as it was highlighted a smaller window appeared, offering the other options from my inventory. I selected the gorget, and squirmed as it materialized directly onto my body. The black leather looked a little ridiculous over my green t-shirt and it sat uncomfortably on my shoulders. I took a few moments to adjust the buckles, smoothing out my shirt and making sure that the gorget's chest and neck pieces were secure, but not too tight. I windmilled my arms a few times to get used to the limitations of the narrow pauldrons attached to the edges of the collar section. Unless I was lifting my arms directly up, there didn't seem to be any restrictions to my movements.
The leather gloves I pulled directly from the inventory before putting them on myself. Black and supple, they slid easily onto my hands. There was thicker leather reinforcing the palm and a ridged carbon plate protecting the back as well. Because the gloves were already snug, I left the buckles on the wrist loose. I hated the feeling of bracelets and watches and even rings on my hands. Gloves might be a necessity, but they fit well enough I didn't see the need to make myself uncomfortable.
I pushed the oak staff into the game window next, watching it shrink away with fondness. It had been a great first weapon. It was sturdy and balanced and it looked pretty cool too. Even if I wasn't going to use my staff as a weapon anymore, it would make a great walking stick for hiking. For now though, I had a new weapon to try out. I pulled the hwando out from the inventory, sliding the sheath open just enough to check the shining blade. Frowning, I belatedly realized that I didn't have a frog or a baldric or even a belt to attach the dagger to my body. Carefully I pulled the black lacquered sheath loose from blade and placed it back in my inventory. I held the hwando gingerly to the side, the tip pointing down and away from my body. I'd have to find a better way to carry it later. For here in the dungeon, however, I could make do for now.
Fully equipped, I turned back to my stat page. And blinked.
Gryffin (Gabena) Higashi level 17, 2699/2835 EXP to next level, €45896/375000
HP: 565/667
MP: 12/27
ED: 15/31
STR: 15 (+30)
DEF: 16 (+13)
VIT: 14 (+2)
DEX: 27 (+8)
INT: 15
WIS: 16
CSM: 24
LUK: 15
Eyes zooming over the numbers, I did some quick and rough calculations in my head. A hundred points of HP, just from … I hadn't realized before how my equipment had affected my stats. Everything I had on so far affected just my physical stats, so I could see why my health points would change. I had no idea how my endurance was being affected however, or even why. I was hardly going to get into 30 fights in a row, or go jogging for over three hours. But maybe endurance could also be used for other things. I hadn't used my Slam skill all that much … or at all really, but it used a point of ED per use didn't it? It hardly mattered, as the skill wouldn't be compatible with a dagger anyway. But if one move used ED then there would be others that did as well.
Shrugging, I moved to finally distribute some of my accumulated attribute points. I still wanted to save the majority of them for emergencies, as you never knew when something might come up in an RPG, so decided to use only 20 of the points for now. With the Hwando elevating my attack power so high, I decided to ignore that stat for the moment.
Thinking better of it, I switched over to my Perks page. Scrolling through the list briefly I selected 2 of the available options.
[Poison Jab] Your opponent's not feeling so well. +1 VIT, +1 INT
[Compound Eye] You've got an eye for defeating Bug Pokémon. +1 WIS, +1 DEX, unlocks [Aim]
Ignoring [Buckle Down], because it felt like my HP was high enough at the moment, I went back to the AP points. My base stats for Charisma and Dexterity didn't need any help, and I still wasn't sure how Luck affected my life with my settings set to Easy, so I split the twenty points evenly between the other attribute areas, minus my strength because my dagger pushed it so high. In the end my stats were about as even as I was willing to make them at the moment.
HP: 565/914
MP: 12/35
ED: 15/31
STR: 15 (+30)
DEF: 21 (+13)
VIT: 20 (+2)
DEX: 28 (+8)
INT: 21
WIS: 22
CSM: 24
LUK: 15
AP: 22
PP: 10
When I wasn't in the middle of a dungeon, I'd take the time to unequip everything to figure out my base HP, because I could tell that the armor and dagger were affecting it somehow. Now wasn't the time, though. But with a final Strength of 45 and a Defense of 34 I felt pretty ready for whatever boss monster the Infested Forest was going to spit out. The giant bugs averaged around level 7, so unless the Game decided to really get weird, a boss shouldn't more than twice that. Level 15 at the most.
I hoped.
I just wished everything I had right now wasn't geared solely toward all the physical stats. If I had to be stuck living in an RPG, I really, really wanted more magic.
XYXYXY
The leppa berry oozed cool, tangy juice as I chewed it. The berries were considered spicy in the games, but in reality it was more of a sweet spice. They were like a really pungent apple pie, only a little more nutmeg and a little less fruit. They were really good, to be honest, and I was seriously considering getting more of them just to snack on and not just use to restore my MP. But that would have to wait until I could get back to Intermarché. There weren't enough left in my inventory to just chow down right now.
I was back to full health. My HP restored by Cure and my MP restored by delicious leppa berries. Which was a good thing because the path through the Infested Forest had narrowed to a single wooded gorge, with the tops of the rock walls disappearing into a murky darkness. Oh, and my mini-map had gone blurry, with the lines shifting jaggedly from side to side. It definitely looked like I was getting that boss battle.
The grassy floor of the forest had given way to crumbling dirt, which was now turning to dry, packed mud. Another five minutes creeping down the path and cracks had begun to snake through the ground. One last twisted and leafless tree guarded a corner in the rocky walls that had tightened to less than a dozen meters across. My mini map had gone full grey and beige static and I came to a distinct halt.
Tendrils of pale purple energy were starting to seep through the cracks in the clay.
This was bad. Very bad. Very bad in a way that ought to have been familiar but for the life of me I couldn't remember why. I twisted around, peering through the darkening canyon trying to see what might be coming.
A rumble like a freight train roared from behind me and I turned in time to see a black gale rushing through the rocks. The powerful wind knocked me over, sent Tobio and Delacour tumbling beak over tail through the air.
Shaking the dirt out of my eyes I looked up to see a whirlwind of red and purple miasma whirling around the largest butterfree I never wanted to see.
Dynamax Butterfree
level 13 HP: 950/950
?
Drops: ?
Curses flew freely from my lips. This was not how I wanted to be introduced to a new game mechanic. I'd loved dynamax battles in Sword, if only to farm TMS and treasure. I hadn't really used any of the pokémon from them until the legendaries from the Tundra. The actual battle mechanics, though, had been ridiculous.
And now I was stuck in one. The game had better give me some damn good loot for this nonsense.
"Levi, Basil stay together!" I ordered as I pushed Basil and Zen both off to the sides. I was taking a risk leaving Zen by herself, but neither she nor Basil were going to be able to do much good with the type disadvantage at play. Butterfree weren't know for powerful bug type attacks, though, and Basil would need the extra coverage. I would need to keep a sharp eye on them both, in case I needed to recall them, but for now, it was all hands on deck.
"Loxley," I called to my starter, "Try an ember to start!"
I needed to know now whether this was a fight worth trying, or if I needed to run while I still could. That bug was almost ten meters tall!
The yellow fox stood tall on his black back legs and waved his front paws up and inward. It was the first time I'd seen him really use the new nimbleness in his front limbs, and a new way for him to use the old move. It reminded me of old storytellers gesturing during tales around bonfires. The Ember attack gathered between his paws as they moved, then sped at the butterfree with a push, flames licking over the creature's head and thorax, singeing delicate antenna and the inner folds of the wings.
It cried out as its HP dropped by 37 points and flapped wildly in its distress. Gusts of wind at least 60 kilometers an hour ripped through battlefield, buffeting my entire team. Levi huddled on top of Basil, blowing bubbles into the air in an attempt to counter the move for the bulbasaur, but rips still opened on his fronds. The flying type attacks hadn't taken even a fifth of Basil's HP yet, though I didn't know if that was from a lack of power or a lack of aim.
Game windows popped up with announcements I didn't want to read.
Butterfree is getting desperate!
It's attacks are getting more aggressive!
I let out a frustrated cry as a ball of iridescent light shone bright blue in front of the enormous butterfly pokémon.
A mysterious barrier has appeared in front of Butterfree and is protecting it protecting it from all attacks!
The light shimmered from blue to violet, pulsing out to form a dome in front of the butterfree. Below the red HP display still burning in the sky, three individual bars shimmered into existence.
"Delacour! Tobio Flap three!" I snarled. It was absolute madness to have a gigantamax boss fight if I couldn't gigantamax. I hated this battle! I hated this game!
"Loxley, flame charge!"
Loxley hurtled toward the butterfree as the birds closed in for their own attack. Delacour hit it first, his heated wings causing the bug to cry out in pain. Tobio, still a bit slower than Delacour, plunged down moments later, his momentum pushing the butterfree low to the ground. Just low enough for Loxley to reach. With a flying leap, he sunk his burning front claws and smoldering fangs into the bottom of the butterfree's abdomen.
The giant bug screeched and twisted itself higher as the attacks hit one after the other, each taking out a red bar. The shield layered over the blue butterfly shattered. But as it did the HP bar for the battle fell roughly five percent. I tightened my grip on my dagger, realizing that there was no way I'd be able to reach my opponent with my current weapon. Even with my staff, the reach wouldn't be far enough. The butterfree was already rising again, staying between five and ten meters off the ground. Loxley was hissing at it as it flapped away before he could hit it with another flame charge. Growling in frustration myself, I slunk along the rock wall, keeping my back to it as I tried to slide behind the bug's field of vision.
I had to step over Zen, who was clinging to the walls like I was. She was illusioned to look like Basil at the moment, but the dark waves of energy gathering at her feet gave her away.
"Not liking this, are you sweetie?" I sympathized, getting a piteous whine in response. "Neither am I baby girl, neither am I."
Zen whined again before shedding the illusion to try to climb up my leg. Wincing at her claws digging through my jeans, I adjust my grip on the hwando to scoop the little zorua up onto my shoulder. The thick leather of my armor held up much better under her little red paws as she huddled into my neck.
"You want to sit this one out?" I asked, watching Delacour and Tobio swoop around to peck at giant iridescent wings, "Or you want to give it a shot? Because there's a fifty-fifty chance thing's male. You could try Captivate?"
Zen mewed, looking between Levi and Basil, still huddled against the far wall, and Loxley, who was alternating between standing to weave more ember attacks and running to avoid gusts. She looked at me nervously.
"I'm right here, sweetheart," I comforted, "Either is fine. I know you don't like bugs."
Zen had been as unenthusiastic about the Infested Forest as I was. Bugs were sticky and gross. Even the butterfree smelled rancid, like curdled cocoa. It wafted over the battlefield with each flap of its wings.
I lifted my arms in a cross as another gust pummeled us against the wall and tried not to gag.
Zen shook herself in frustration, before hopping down in front of me. Letting out an ear-splitting yowl, she dashed to the left, closer to butterfree. It twisted its head towards her just as an illusion shimmered over her dark fur. A second braixen stood in her place, front paws lifted to its face as it started crying loudly.
Zen used Fake Tears!
The butterfree seemed to dip in place, confused by Zen's actions. The little braixen twirled and ran further away still sobbing. The dramatic wailing seemed to command the butterfree's attention and it twisted in the air to follow the fleeing fox.
Loxley took advantage of its distraction to wave another ember attack at it as Tobio and Delacour kept picking away at the wings.
Butterfree is getting desperate!
It's attacks are getting more aggressive!
A mysterious barrier has appeared in front of Butterfree and is protecting it protecting it from all attacks!
This time it was Loxley who let out a wail of fury as the dynamax shield reappeared over the butterfree.
"Tobio, Delacour! Push it down!" I called. "Get it on the ground!"
Where I can reach it, went unsaid.
Maybe it was my preferred tactic of grinding to the point of overkill, maybe it was a consequence of being stuck at a level cap for several weeks, but I was definitely used to quick battles. I liked to be done with a monster in three to four strikes. This battle was not it.
Dynamax Butterfree
level 13 HP: 784/950
My observe ability didn't reveal anything special about the boss monster, not even the inherent weaknesses that were well known about butterfree.
"Loxley, Levi, aim for the wings!" I commanded as the titanic insect was brought low again by the air attacks of the two birds. Flames races along the jagged edges of one wing as bubbles soaked the other, weighing it down. The butterfree shrilled, flapping even harder in defiance of our attempt to ground it. Teal and lime green energy swirled around it, pulsing over the battlefield in rippling waves. Stone shredded in its wake, sending rocks of all sizes flying.
Butterfree used Max Flutterby!
Loxley took the brunt of the attack, yellow arms raising flames even as it struck. His HP bar barely dipped, but some of the dark blue energy seemed to cling to him.
Loxley has been affected by Dread!
Cursing, I remembered that particular debuff affected his mental stats, which would affect his special attacks. I called up a wave of my own power, reveling in the bright golden light that gathered in my palm.
"Faith!" I called, waving the magic at Loxley.
The shining yellow mist swept away the blue clinging to the fox's fur before dissipating. Sniffing, I cast the spell again to actually give my starter a buff before turning to the rest of my team. Tobio and Delacour were still in the air, snapping away at the butterfree's gossamer wings. Zen had scrambled to shelter behind a low rock, but was missing a significant chunk of health from the insect attack and was shaking horribly. Cyan pooled in my hands as I cast several Cures on her.
"Back in the ball?" I offered, not the least bit surprised when she nodded immediately. Tucking here pokeball away, I rushed to find Basil and Levi. When I did, it wasn't good.
"Loxley!" I shrieked, "Keep up those embers!"
Popping two more leppa berries in my mouth at the same time, I scooped Basil up in both arms, nearly nicking poor Levi with my poor grip on my dagger. Dodging out of the way of more gusts of wind, whether from the butterfree or my own birds I didn't know, I hauled Basil as far from the center of the battle as I could.
"Swaaaaaaaaaarrrr," the little Bulbasaur groaned. He was covered in oozing green pinpricks that were clearly painful despite their small size. His HP bar was pulsing, a vivid red that I was really starting to hate.
"I am so, so sorry buddy," I fretted as I cast several cure spells. "I should have known better."
And I really should have. My pokémon had been doing so well in the Infested Forest, and Basil had done such a good job at the gym… But I knew a dynamax battle was higher powered. That butterfree was much higher level than the other dungeon monsters, and so so much bigger than the gym leader's vivillon. I hadn't put Basil up against that kind of type disadvantage then, why did I do it now?
At least I could remove my pokémon from the fight without any sort of official penalty. With Basil's health no longer in jeopardy, I recalled him, tucking his ball into my purse next to Zen's with a frown.
"Zriiiii ri?"
My face fell further as I look down at Levi. My little azurill huddled between my ankles, casting nervous glances back at the fight still going on without us. His health wasn't critical like Basil's had been, but he was still missing a good amount on his HP bar. Levi was only a baby pokémon though, and didn't have much to spare. And he was so small.
"You did a really good job," I praised, picking him up for a quick cuddle before recalling him too.
Mentally kicking myself for putting half of my team in that much potential danger, I tightened my grip on the hwando. I took a deep breath and reassessed the battle. The butterfree was still in the air, it still had half its HP, and it was still raising those strange max barriers. Tobio, Delacour, and Loxley all had type advantage. I could not physically reach it to attack. Loxley was starting to run low on MP. Everyone's health was suffering. First things first.
"Tobio, Delacour!" I called out to my birds, "Distract it!"
They dove to peck at the butterfree's sensitive antenna, luring the giant bug higher into the air. It spun in frustration, unable to focus on either bird as they swooped in crisscrossing loops around it. I dashed over to Loxley, his fur blasted in every direction, with a cure spell already pulsing. He wolfed down three leppa berries in an instant before snarling back up at the butterfree. His frustration felt like rusted steel wool against my brain.
"It's not much fun," I agreed eyeing the canyon walls. They were rough, with deep gouges running up the cliffs from the dynamax bug move and boulders crumbled against the edges. "There's no climbing that. We really will need to bring it down. I can't attack from this distance."
Loxley chuffed, giving me the strangest look. His expressions were more poignant now that he was able to stand. As a fennekin he'd been pretty small, but as a braixen he stood at my waist, the size of a child instead of a pet.
"What?" I asked, trying to split my focus between Loxley's oddities and the giant insect my birds were still pecking away at.
Loxley shook himself and turned back to the butterfree. Breathing streams of fire, he gathered the flames in his paws again, growing them with deft waves before flinging the attack at the butterfree again.
Another barrier bloomed over the insect. Then another burst of blue and lime shockwaves that sent me scrambling for cover. My pokémon all had type resistance to the Max Flutterby attack. I didn't. Casting cure over myself I scanned the air for my birds.
"Tobio!" I called, "Get over here!"
My pidgey looped around to land on the boulder I was hiding behind with a trill. Reaching up, I waved a cure spell over him, pulling his health back nearly to full.
"Send Delacour over here too," I asked as he flapped away.
I was resigned to a support role at this point, as Tobio soared up to clip the butterfree right in the face. Delacour swooped in for a healing spell a moment later, then went back to zooming around the giant butterfly's wings. The gauzy chitin was looking distinctly ragged along the edges, ripped by sharp beaks and claws and curling under the heat. The HP bar was definitely heading towards red, but it was still in the air.
Chewing another handful of leppa berries, I spun golden light at all three of my pokémon in quick succession. The debuffs from the dynamax move were gone, but I was starting to feel distinctly lightheaded from all the casting.
A final surge of flames from Loxley sent the butterfree crashing into a cliff, energy exploding off it in torrents.
The butterfree is weak!
Throw a pokeball now!
Would you like to catch this butterfree? [Y]/[N]
I blinked at the screens as my team scrambled away from the fallen creature.
"I can catch dungeon pokémon?" I asked dumbly. That was definitely new.
Would you like to catch this butterfree? [Y]/[N]
The screen didn't offer any further information, so I tapped yes.
Error! You cannot catch Dynamax Pokémon at this time! [?] and [?] are required to catch Dynamax pokémon.
"Fuck you, you bitch! Why did you even ask then?!" I screeched at the screen, bashing it with a fist. I swear the game loved screwing with me. I couldn't dynamax my pokémon to match up with the giant boss battle. I couldn't catch the giant boss monster when it offered. What next? I try to climb a ledge only to be told it was one way?
Oblivious to my fury, the butterfree roared one final time before flapping vigorously. It rose up, literally crawling out the top of the canyon before launching itself in the air again and disappearing from sight.
Victory! You've defeated Dynamax Butterfree!
x1 insect husk
x1 silk thread bundle
x1 EXP candy S
x1 dynamax candy
x2 oran berries
x1 TM 40 Aerial Ace
x1 TR 61 Bug Buzz
I slumped in relief at the sight of the windows. It was an anticlimactic ending for a long and tedious battle, but at least it was over. Tobio and Delacour landed, wheezing, on the boulders I'd been hiding behind. Loxley toddled over soon after, still a little slow while moving on just two legs, and peered curiously at the new notifications popping up.
You've earned 350 EXP!
Congratulations! You have leveled up!
Gryffin (Gabena) Higashi level 18, 132/3544 EXP to next level, €45896/375000
HP: 237/914
MP: 3/35
ED: 9/31
STR: 15 (+30)
DEF: 21 (+13)
VIT: 20 (+2)
DEX: 28 (+8)
INT: 21
WIS: 22
CSM: 24
LUK: 15
AP: 24
PP: 10
New Perks available!
I ignored my own stats for now. AP, perks, it could all wait. There was another game window tucked behind my level up notification, and it was much more important.
Delacour has leveled up! Delacour is now level 19! Delacour is ready to evolve!
Evolve pokémon? [Y/N]
I beckoned my fletchling over to me. Holding Delacour up on one wrist I showed him the game screen.
"What do you think, Del? You ready?" I asked him.
Delacour warbled joyously, flapping his little grey wings in agreement. The [Y] on the blue window highlighted itself before fading.
Delacour raised his head as light shone from beneath his feathers. I held him out further, shielding my eyes with my other hand. It was too bright to see, but I couldn't bear to let him go. I felt his claws shift, toes tapping one by one against my wrist, each larger as he rebalanced himself. My arm dipped a little under the new weight. As the glow of evolution faded, I opened an eye to look at my pokémon's new form.
"You're gorgeous!" I gasped, pulling Delacour to my chest as he preened.
The red feathers from his head had spilled down his back, running a streak of crimson all the way to his tail. There were also spots on his grey chest, like fallen embers. His beak was longer, sharper. So were his talons. His wings stretched out, now a dark dusty charcoal like his tail, with deep yellow flight feathers lining the edges. He'd doubled in size.
Even better, he triumphantly opened his beak to breath a puff of flame.
Tobio and Loxley cheered with me at the display of Delacour's new, proper fire typing. Loxley hissed an ember of his own and Delacour trilled in delight.
"Oh no no!" I laughed, twisting away before my pokémon could go any further with the impromptu challenge. "Not with me in the middle you don't!"
Loxley hissed a sassy grin at me as Delacour hopped to my shoulder to snuggle into my neck. I laughed, skritching him. With a trill, Tobio landed on my other shoulder for his own pets, leaving Loxley pouting at my waist. Amusingly, Tobio was still larger than Delacour, if only barely.
"You're going to be a beast when you evolve," I told him, rubbing both birds under the chins. "We're going to have to do something special to celebrate for you all."
All three of them cheered, and clambered even closer in their excitement. Tobio and Delacour both sang tunelessly in my ears. From Loxley, an impression of a myriad of flavors, spicy, sweet, and tart, all chewy and juicy.
"Hey, now," I scolded mockingly, "Now I'm hungry."
They all broke out into excited chatters again.
"Alright, alright," I laughed. "You've definitely all earned a treat. Let's get out of this dungeon and get some food."
Recalling the cheerful trio into their pokeballs, I called out to exit the dungeon. A small smile grew on my face as the canyon fizzled away. The surprise dynamax battle had been worth it, if only to see another one of my pokémon evolve, but I was so glad it was over.
Congratulations! Instant Dungeon Create has leveled up! Instant Dungeon Escape has leveled up!
New Dungeons available!
Haunted Hamlet: level 10 recommended
Infested Forest Area 2: level 13 recommended
I let out a frustrated sob as I read the windows. I changed my mind. Once upon a time, I'd actually been looking forward to the Instant Dungeon ability. Had argued with the Game to get it. And now what? Bugs, bugs, and more bugs. And if I was tired of that? Ghosts.
My shoulders quivered at the very thought. No thank you. No thank you whatsoever.
I waved the window away with a whine. The Haunted Hamlet would be tackled later. And in daylight hours only. It made me shudder just thinking about it, but I knew I'd have to run through it if I wanted better dungeons. And I wanted better dungeons. Something easy, with like grass pokémon that would give good loot. Fresh herbs and mushrooms were always in high demand and would sell well. I doubt I'd get so lucky.
"Instant Dungeon Escape," I sighed. The canyon fizzled away, leaving me once again in my hotel room.
I set everyone's pokeballs out on the bedside table so I could double check everyone's health later.
Stripping out of my gorget, I put it and the rest of my equipment securely into my inventory. My father might know about the hwando, since he bought it for me, but I definitely didn't want to explain the armor. He'd wonder where I got it, why I got it, and why he hadn't seen it before. And I wanted to avoid the paternal interrogation for as long as possible, thank you.
My regular clothes went into a heap by the bathroom door. If there was anything I loved about Hôtel le Crésus, it was the ginourmous cast iron soaking tub that sat in the suite's bathroom. Oh, and the luxury shampoo, conditioner, and lotion kit that came with it.
I poured myself into the tub and blissfully allowed my thoughts to dissolve away with the lavender scented bath salts.
XYXYXY
I was debating the options for room service, because this was Kalos and the dessert menu was not to be ignored but hungry pokémon needed something more substantial than crème brûlée, as I toweled my hair dry when someone knocked on the suite's main door. Odd, since the cleaning staff usually come through in the mornings. And dad would just use his key.
"Just a minute!" I called and turned quickly back into my room. Flinging the towel onto the bed I rustled through my clothes for something clean to wear. Note to self, find the laundry room in this place.
I didn't bother with a bra with my skin still this damp, but tugged my old leather vest over an orange shirt I'd grabbed on clearance to hide anything too scandalous. Loxley poked his nose around the corning, sniffing curiously as I went to the entry. I opened the hotel room door and just stood there, blinking.
"Hey, Gryffin," Tierno chuckled nervously, running a hand along the backside of his head. Trevor hunched next to him, fingers curling in a timid wave. "Can we come in?"
One of my biggest pet peeves in RPGs is to finally upgrade your equipment only to run into a flying monster that requires you to go back and equip the lower level gear just so you can reach it. Final Fantasy 12, I'm looking at you.
The Ranger Union headquarters is in Alta Park in Almia, which for the sake of this story is roughly in the location of Greece or Turkey. So east of Fiore on the Prima continent, with small sections reaching south to Wapili with several islands in between on the Pharoseen Ocean. It would function kind of like the Suez Canal in that trade from Galar and Kalos to Kanto and Johto would all go through the straights there. Great place to put a global headquarters.
Almostnotthere: I don't like her much in any version, game, manga, anime… But she's 14, and here her father at least is one of the most powerful men in the country, telling her exactly that. Whether she believes it or not, she wouldn't have much choice except to go along with it.
DodemGM: I actually have the Karma thing planned in the next chapter! Me playing with tropes and random shit from the anime again. So don't worry. And I have lots of thoughts about ghosts that will show up at different points. That's for later though. Much, much later.
EDIT: Thank you to OllieZ for helping me correct a mix up in my stats!