Location: Lively Town Plaza
Date: July 6th
Ugh...why do we have to go on expeditions every day?
Since everyone crashed in Jirachi's room last night, there was a lotta movement and chatter this morning. It made for smooth awakening, but I was dead tired and not in a good mood. Part of me wanted to throw a pillow at anyone who spoke above a whisper and yell at them to can it. Can't we just take today off?
No, of course not. There could be a Pokémon in need of rescue, and it'd be selfish to ignore their cry just so we can sleep in.
Apparently, I wasn't the only grouch. Dedenne's normally cute face looked all exhausted and adorably grumpy. I imagined her with a tiny mug of coffee, and it made me smile. Made sense she wouldn't be in a good mood – she normally lived alone and thus would wake up to peace and quiet. This though...
Archen is definitely a morning Pokémon. His squawking woke Lyra up, but because she's Lyra, she was all thankful and amazed at how effective he was at making her feel "totally awake". Meanwhile, I feel like I have enough control over my vines to strangle the flightless bird and return to my blissful rest.
Ah, but that would put quite a damper in our plans. Plus, that'd be an unforgivably horrible thing to do. Right now, I don't care. I want sleep.
Ergh. Despite my exhaustion, I dragged myself out of Jirachi's room and into town. Gotta sort out our items before we travel to whatever continent Archen had in mind.
I really hope I can stay awake long enough to make the most outta today.
Location: Lapras's Back (aka, the ocean. I'm writing this as they ferry us across the ocean.)
Well, now I just feel bad.
Lapras said Lyra and I could use their services without being accompanied by a parent since we're doing work for the Society. However, we still needed Lapras Liner Passes to travel. Since money was kinda problematic, Lapras suggested we ask our "guardian" to pay for us.
As in...Archen.
Archen was uh...not on board with the idea, but he bought us two of the cheapest passes he could. I decided to sell our Gold Looplet and gave the 500 Poké to him as thanks. Judging by the pitiful look he gave me I don't think that'll cover even half of the dough he shelled out for us.
Well, it's something. And it's all I could give him. Exploring ain't cheap, okay? I had to buy Reviver Seeds, Tiny Reviver Seeds, Max Elixirs and Oran Berries for our expeditions. Money's a little on the dry side.
Anyway, I'm gonna stop writing since the sounds of waves and the swaying are kinda amplifying my drowsiness and I don't wanna accidentally drop my journal into the water.
Location: Baram Town
Ah...I really needed that nap. Now I feel rejuvenated!
As we were waking up, Archen was horrified to find we traveled to the Air Continent.
Um...oh no? How horrible?
Apparently, he was expecting Lapras to bring us to some dinky little island close to the town. Lapras said he was the one who bought passes to the Air Continent, and Archen said he hadn't even bothered to look at the passes he bought.
...Seriously? Rookie mistake. Always look at what you buy, dude! Do you just go with whatever Oran Berries Kecleon slides across the counter? No! You gotta check that shit to make sure you're getting fresh produce and not giving your team food poisoning when their health is already low. Is he sure we're the kids here?
Well, Archen apologized for his carelessness. Lyra said that we're fine with this, and that we should have a look around while we're here. Hey, I'm not complaining. Fresh new continent and everything! Woo! Let's go explore!
Ah, but Archen had to rein me in. He said this continent's not for wide-eyed newbies, and that we'd only have a little look around Baram Town before returning to Lively Town.
Aww...well, one day we'll get to explore this continent unhindered.
Location: Baram Town (after looking around)
This town is AWESOME! There's new Pokémon to meet everywhere! One of them is a Pidgeotto who said he has really good eyes. He then yelled at us to respect his eyes.
Ahaha! Lyra actually bowed before him and said we have all the respect in the world for his eyes. I followed her lead and bowed before him as well. Archen just kinda rolled his eyes, but Lyra and I gestured for him to do the same. He wouldn't want to disrespect Pidgeotto's eyes, would he? Archen didn't bow though.
Bah. Joykill.
We also met a Meganium! At first, I told them that he's so cool, but Archen corrected me in saying they're female.
"See the antennae atop her head? Males' are longer."
Ah. I apologized to her and said I meant no disrespect. She kinda rose an eyebrow at me. I could only pray like hell she didn't question how a Chikorita didn't know the gender differences of her final evolution, but she could see I was distressed and told me to smell her flower and keep my cool.
Hoo...okay. She's cool, I'm cool. We're cool. It's all cool. Cool.
Now that I've thoroughly embarrassed myself in front of my final evolution, we moved on to the eastern part of the town. However, Archen stopped us and said it's about time we headed back. He said it's getting late, so we'll just come back and do more exploration another time...but then was interrupted by some Pokémon chatting nearby.
An Elektrike, Skorupi and Amoonguss were talking about how Pokémon kept getting turned into stone.
Ah! There was mention of this back in Serene Village!
Lyra asked for clarity. Pokémon weren't turning into stone but getting turned into stone...meaning someone else was doing it to them. Seemed like that's what's happened, yeah. Elektrike said there's rumors of a creature called the Flaming Phantom being behind it. She doubted an actual phantom was behind it, but...
Well, there's lotsa rumors behind this. Skorupi said although many Pokémon have fallen victim to this stone curse, lately it's been legendary and mythical Pokémon who're being targeted. There've been rumors of the Flaming Phantom being spotted in the Mystical Forest, and at the center of that forest is Time Travel Lake – the home of the time-traveling mythical Pokémon Celebi.
So, if the rumors are true and the implication being that Celebi's the next target for getting turned into stone...
We didn't have a lot of time to ponder since we suddenly saw two things fly through the sky and crash into the Mystical Forest. Naturally, panic swept through the town Pokémon and Archen had to step in to calm things down.
He seemed confident and self-assured at first, but then remembered...he's kinda chaperoning two kids. Lyra could already tell he was about to back down from the investigation and said he'd better not think of counting us out. Archen said there's no way we're doing this because it's too dangerous "for a pair of green kids!"
Um...excuse me? I confronted him saying I'm clearly the only green Pokémon here. Did he have a PROBLEM with green Pokémon? He explained that he meant "green" as in "new or unexperienced". Yeah. Sure.
Archen went on to say that he can't let two kids face a menace as threatening as the Flaming Phantom in a place as dangerous as Mystical Forest on our first day! Besides, we'd probably just end up getting in his way.
Ummmm...WHAT!? The fuck does this guy think he is, talking to us like that? We're not greenhorns here, pal. We know our way around dangerous places and unruly types.
Well, Lyra bit out that he can't exactly do this alone. She told him to think of all the things he won't be able to do if he was alone out there. He can't do this alone, and we want to help. What did he have to lose?
He relented and said he didn't exactly have a choice. The town Pokémon agreed to let us handle this and went about their business. Archen then ran us through his plan of having me take point while he kept an eye out behind us.
Ah...y'know, I was kinda looking forward to coming back here and exploring places like the Mystical Forest without Archen breathing down our necks. Still, this is an emergency. And hey, we'll get to meet Celebi! Hopefully.
Here's hoping the fossil ain't as much of a joykill to explore with as much as he was looking around town.
Location: Mystical Forest 7F
Okay. Starting to have regrets in agreeing to do this.
Mystical Forest is actually very serene and enjoyable to explore. The Pokémon here aren't that difficult to fight, and the various sights and sounds make for a relaxing atmosphere.
Or...they would if a certain someone would stop his squawking from the back of the line.
The moment we stepped in this forest, Archen's done nothing but nag nag nag. Here I thought him letting me take point would mean I'd lead us down corridors and choose which paths to take, but no. If I try taking the left path, Archen screeches at me to take the right. Try using Tackle to save PP on my Ancient Power move, Archen yells that Tackle's not a Super Effective move and that I should use Ancient Power next time. Restore health by standing still for a few turns? Archen thinks we're wasting time and should've just used an Oran Berry.
Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize agreeing to help him with his investigation meant I'd be forfeiting my freedom to explore. Maybe it wasn't your flightlessness that made your girlfriend leave, Archen. Maybe it was the fact that you're an obnoxious controlling pest. Assuming he wasn't lying about having a girlfriend in the first place.
Oh, and get this! When Lyra tried suggesting we do things how I want, Archen tore her a new one by saying that he's our superior and as such whatever he says goes. When we're no longer newbies and don't need to be accompanied, we can do whatever we want on these explorations. For now though, he's in charge and we're gonna do things his way.
I could understand his viewpoint better if he actually stood at the front of the line and led us through this place like the "guardian" he's supposed to be, but he didn't. He stood at the back, letting Lyra and I shield him from wild Pokémon and carry out most of the fighting. His excuse was, "Well, you're the ones who need the most experience. You go first." So, he wants us to lead the charge but he wants us to do it the way he'd do it?
Bullshit. This whole situation is bullshit, and it's only made worse by his intolerable squawking. No adult has been this aggravating to travel with, so we can't be making nearly as many mistakes as he's been yelling at us for.
Lyra wasn't enjoying it either. She had a big smile on her face, but it was one of those surface level "look how absolutely HAPPY I am" smiles that portrayed no real happiness under the first layer. I felt bad because I knew she was having a miserable go of it. At least if Archen said something nerve-grating we both had the luxury of making a sour face at him and he wouldn't see it.
However...part of me knew I shouldn't be so harsh. These Pokémon aren't the one-dimensional simpletons I made them out to be. I'd made similar snap judgments about Ampharos, and he proved to be more of a sagely leader than I gave him credit for. So, I'm sure that Archen is a goodhearted person who just wants to help us succeed...
"No, that's not correct, Irau! Left path! Left! How many times do I have to tell you!?"
...despite how UTTERLY ANNOYING he's coming across as, and I'm sure his years of experience is gonna be a tremendous help...
"You know you have the move Synthesis for a reason, right? Quite wasting my time and get a move on!"
...In. Shaping. Our. Futures. And I'm sure there'll come a day when we can look back on this and laugh.
"Lyra, you're the one with fire-type moves! Use Ember against this Tangrowth already!"
...Ugh, he's SO annoying!
I'm trying to keep it together, I really am. I know we have no right to complain since Archen's the one who bought the passes and allowed us to accompany him on this mission. However, that doesn't justify acting like an intolerable douche. At this rate, I'd rather travel with Pancham and tolerate his and Lyra's incessant bickering.
Okay. We have to be strong. Lyra's gonna have a hard time tolerating this if she sees me starting to lose it, so I need to reassure her that it's gonna be okay. I'm gonna pick my head up and give her my best smile.
Guess I should consider myself lucky Archen let us stop long enough for me to write this.
Location: Mystical Forest 10F
Well, we didn't have that much further to go.
Archen started nagging us on the 8th floor and Lyra couldn't take it anymore, despite my reassuring smile. She and Archen got into a heated argument, and I settled things by using my Guiding Wand that I picked up around 5F. Archen wasn't happy about the "wasteful use of an invaluable item", but could only grumble to himself as the path that Lyra wanted to take led to the stairs.
After that, he was quiet until we found the Pokémon that'd been flying through the air...but they were turned into stone!
Lyra and I didn't recognize them, but Archen identified them as Latios. He said he's a legendary Pokémon.
Jeez...so these legendary Pokémon...what otherworldly creature could do this to a legendary being? Just the thought is enough to send shivers down my spine.
Lyra recalled seeing two Pokémon flying through the sky and said we're gonna go find the other one. For once, Archen agreed! Didn't take long to find them though, they crashed in a circular clearing near where Latios was. They...looked exactly like Latios. Wonder what their name was? Lyra said they might be related. They were also turned into stone.
Before we could get a better look, a large quadrupedal Pokémon appeared from within a ball of fire! And jeez, what a menacing presence! Seeing those fierce eyes glare at me made my legs quiver.
The Flaming Phantom!
The Pokémon accused us of being the culprit behind turning Latios and his companion to stone, and Lyra asked why they were getting mad at us for this when we literally just arrived. The Pokémon identified itself as Entei the Volcanic and told us to prepare ourselves for judgment.
Wh...okay, this was way more than the two of us can handle. Entei said it would be our end, and I actually felt inclined to believe them.
Before we could engage Entei in battle, Archen stepped in and ordered us to stand down since this was an enemy we couldn't beat. After Archen introduced himself, Entei said they heard of "Archen the Flightless" of the Expedition Society and came to the conclusion that Lyra and I were also part of the Society. Entei voluntarily left but warned us not to stand in their way again or they wouldn't be so merciful.
Afterwards, Archen dropped from overwhelming fear. He said he was dead terrified but couldn't show it in front of Entei. Lyra said he was so cool, and I...I agreed. I mean, that beast had me trembling in fear and Archen put on one hell of a poker face to drive them off.
Heh...guess Lyra and I do have a lot left to learn.
Location: Home, Bedroom (night)
Lyra and I had to haul an exhausted Archen back through the Mystical Forest. He regained enough of his strength to walk on his own once we reached Baram Town where we told everyone what happened.
Looking back on it, I guess...Archen...I didn't think of it before, but he really has to try more than most to do the same things. When we take four steps, he takes twelve. I guess that's why he was so aggressive about making sure we were going the right way or getting on our case when we stopped to rest instead of using an item. Even his moves have less PP than ours.
Archen has more handicaps than just his flightlessness, yet we had the gall to complain the entire time. Don't get me wrong, having handicaps doesn't give you permission to be a jerk. But I think we may have...uh...been a little insensitive. Correction, I think I may have been a little insensitive. Archen must've been so exhausted trying to keep up with us, but he never let it show. And I mean...he stood up to Entei when I wasn't brave enough to. Who the hell am I to judge him?
Ah well. Another thing to learn from, I guess.
It was night by the time we returned to Lively Town, and though we were exhausted we made sure to eat our fill of dinner before turning in.
We don't understand a lot, like why Pokémon are being turned to stone or what Entei wanted. But...we can't lose hope. We saw two victims of the phenomenon for ourselves, so that makes this problem feel very...I dunno. Real? Tangible?
Scary. Without a doubt, the realness of this situation is utterly terrifying. What...what IS it like being turned to stone? I thought about it before, but the more we find out about this problem and the less answers we find, the more it haunts me. At this point, I can only hope that there's a cure for such a gruesome fate.
Oh, and before I forget, Lyra started keeping a journal of her own! She said she has a lot of writing to do before she catches up to me (oh dear Lyra, you have no idea how much of an understatement that is!) but since I make it look so cool, she wanted to keep a record of her thoughts, ideas and feelings as well.
Heh. Lyra the writer. Hard to imagine, yet I see her excitedly documenting today's events with her footprint runes despite her exhaustion. It'll be nice to have a fellow writer to compare notes with.
Ah...time for sleep. Another long day tomorrow.